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by Lenny Smith Published 01/11/2012
"I've also reached Licentiateship status with all of the major photographic bodies," he says, "and I gained my Licentiateship with the SWPP in 2010, three years after joining. My next big challenge is to gain my Associate qualification with the SWPP, and I hope to do this at the Convention in January."
Spreading the word
Based in Moray in the north-east of Scotland, it's been important for Lenny to use his success in the industry body awards to spread the word about his business, and he's now extended his reach so that he gets bookings for weddings all around the country. With a track record of travelling already under his belt from his music industry days, it's something he's well used to doing, and it means that he can achieve the level of bookings he needs while servicing the kind of client that he enjoys working with.One further location to visit will be London in January, and Lenny can hardly wait for the Convention to begin. "I've attended the Convention for the past four years," he says, "and love every minute of it. It's going to be even more exciting than usual this year, because I've been asked to deliver two Masterclasses, and this will be the first year that I've spoken. Everything I've achieved in the last few years couldn't have been done without training and hence this will be the title of the talks at my Masterclasses. If you want to be a better photographer and stand out above your competitors then training is vital. At both of my Masterclasses I'll be discussing the training I chose, the mistakes I made, the money I wasted and eventually the courses that moulded me into the photographer I am today.
"Given the scale of the new venue that the Convention is moving to I'm convinced the 2013 event will be the biggest and best yet. I think everybody who is passionate about photography should be looking to attend; it's just so inspiring and I always come away from it full of new ideas and excited about the future."
True to his outlook on training, Lenny won't just be attending with a view to delivering his Masterclasses and renewing a few old friendships. He'll be there to learn still more, and he's already earmarked the seminars he wants to go and see.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the true old professionals who are always at the Convention," he says, "people like Gordon McGowan, Damian McGillicuddy and the Yerburys, and the not so old Ritchie Walton, Louise Sumner and John Baikie. Speakers of this calibre mean that this is an event that's not to be missed, and it's great to be an even bigger part of all that this year."
More information: www.studio8photography.org.uk
There are 0 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Thursday 1st January 1970