Meet Student Awards 2015 Category Winner, Joanne Banks

We spoke Joanne Banks, who was selected for Best in Category for her entry into the Sunday Supplement brief; judged by Wendy Carrig

What did the Student Awards 2015 do for you?

It gave me the opportunity to meet and introduce myself to photographers whose work I admire. I met photographer Phil Haynes who I assisted not long after the awards. He won an AOP award as a student, seeing what he’s achieved since and getting to work with him was a great inspiration. Most recently I’ve been assisting photographer Wendy Carrig who judged the category I entered at the Student Awards; working with Wendy and her team has been a brilliant learning experience and she has given me some great words of advice and encouragement. The student awards was the first time I had exhibited work since graduating, the exposure the competition gave has encouraged me to really start getting my work out to a wider audience. The project I entered images from has exhibited at three galleries as a result of the Student Awards, having people interested in this series has given me confidence and self belief in the style of work I want to produce.

Are there any new projects you are working on? 

I’m actually just finishing working on the final few photographs from the project I entered into the Student Awards. I plan on focusing on portraiture and one particular project I’m particularly keen on is a portrait series on women in male dominated sports. I made a small start on this project a while back but never finished it and I think what with the Rio Olympics next year now more than ever is the right time to continue it. 

Any advice you would give to those entering this year?

Keep it simple and don’t overcomplicate, a minimalist approach where less is more has worked best for me. Develop a project you have a personal interest in, photograph a subject or idea with your own unique take on it, something visually compelling, and research into the judge of the category you’re entering, see what style of work they may be interested in. At the end of the day there will always be a few photographs that stand out from the hundreds you end up shooting, ones you distinctly remember, enter those.  

You are now a Junior Assistant with the AOP, what made you want to stay on as a member of the AOP?

I’ve found the AOP a great stepping-stone since graduating from university and entering the photographic industry. Being a junior Assistant integrates you into a wider community of creatives and keeps you informed on upcoming workshops and events.   

AOP Awards feature in Image magazine

The latest Image magazine features this year's Awards, with comments from four of the curators Lisa Pritchard, Cheryl Newman, Simon Pederson and Carrie Scott. Read the full article here 

Evening Standard's coverage of the AOP's Photography Awards 2015

Some lovely folk from The Evening Standard came along to our awards party on Thursday 8th October at The Old Truman Brewery, here's what they had to say about it http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/exhibitions/association-of-photography-awards-exhibition-the-highlights-in-pictures-a3088481.html

The Daily Express' highlights of the 2015 AOP Photography Awards

The Daily Express publish their highlights of the 2015 AOP Photography Awards 

Creative Review's feature on AOP Awards 2015

We are really thrilled that Creative Review featured this year's AOP Photography Awards on their website. They also posted the article on twitter where they have 1.1 million followers. 

Click here to see the article: 

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2015/october/aop-photography-awards-2015-winners/

Ephotozine's feature on AOP's Photography Awards 8th October

Stuart Fawcett from Ephotozine joined us at The Old Truman Brewery on Thursday 8th October 2015, click here to read what he made of the awards exhibition. 

Student Awards 2016 Now Open

Our annual Student Awards are now open! You can enter here. 

AOP Photography Awards Video

For those who were unable to attend this year's awards see all the nominations and winners in our special video