AOP Awards 2025

My portrait of Pennie was a finalist in the Lifestyle category at this year’s AOP awards.

I am really pleased as I love this image, Pennie is a no nonsense retired doctor who has been swimming in the sea through all the calendar seasons before it became so popular.

She wasn’t too sure at first as we both floated in the sea in mid February, me trying to get to grips with the focusing system of the underwater camera casing while kicking my legs underwater like an aquatic ballerina to keep afloat. Then the sun came out, we both smiled and I took her photograph.

There is only so much you can plan, to capture a meaningful moment through lens you also need an element of surprise and spontaneity, which is what makes photography so enjoyable.