Forres photographer wins national awards
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A FORRES photographer won three awards at a prestigious national photography competition.
Professional snapper Scott Hogg (36) was named ‘Scottish Wedding Photographer of the Year’ at the Master Photographers Association (MPA) Awards ceremony in Glasgow.
"It feels brilliant," said Scott. "Weddings make up 95% of my work so to get the top award in my speciality means a lot. "Hopefully the award gives couples I might work with in the future peace of mind about working with me!"
Scott received the accolade after winning the ‘Scottish Classic Wedding photographer of the Year’ and ‘Scottish Reportage Wedding Photographer of the Year’ categories.
The annual MPA Awards are judged by top photographers from around the world. This year, it was UK Master Photographer, Claire Louise who said that judging proved challenging due to the quality of entries.
"These image makers have worked hard to stand out above the crowd of professional photographers," she added. "They pushed themselves through a system of qualifications that concentrates on educating its photographers in both technical and creative skill whilst capturing the fundamental reason we pick up a camera: emotion."
Scott was in the running for the UK awards last year but only made the top ten. However, earlier this year he got an ‘associate’ qualification with the British Institute of British Photography (BIPP) for his "high standard of craftsmanship and creative ability."
"My dream is to get a BIPP ‘fellowship’ award (attainable for distinguished and exceptional ability and creativity)," said Scott. "I’m really busy and getting a lot of work at weddings all over Scotland. I’m also enjoying doing a lot of portraits."
Now based in Ellen, Aberdeenshire, Scott was home in March working at Findhorn Church and the Ramnee Hotel in Forres, and often covers weddings at the Newton Hotel in Nairn.
"It was really good to be working in my home town," he said. "I look forward to every wedding that I shoot but the local ones are best - it was great fun to be a part of Stuart Allen and Kirsten Gowland’s special day in Forres."
He added: "I would love to take personal photographs of the landscape of Forres and the surrounding area in the future."
