So pleased that my two images, Autumn Fantasy and Winter's Witness, were Highly Commended and Commended in the Abstract Views category of the International Garden Photographer of the Year 14 competition. This competition attracts thousands of entries from all over the world so it's a real achievement to receive any kind of recognition.

Congratulations to all the winning photographers - I particularly loved David Townsend's RPS gold medal winning images in the Portfolio section and Claire Ogden's winning image in Abstract Views. You can find all the winning images here: igpoty.com/garden-photography-winners/

My image "A Dream of Winter" was Highly Commended in the recent IGPOTY Square Crop Photo Project. You can see all the winners and placings here: ​https://igpoty.com/competitions/square-crop-14-single-results/

I now have a greetings card shop on Love From The Artist (LFTA). LFTA is based on fair trade, is non profit making, supports a wide range of artists and artistic styles and provides an open and fair opportunity for British artists, photographers and illustrators to offer their work for sale. Later in the year, I also hope to have available calendars for sale too

Here is the link to my LFTA page: ​lovefromtheartist.com/artists/drybrook/jane-simmonds

My very talented friend, Anette, has a solo exhibition of her beautiful abstract photography at Gallery 6 in Newark on Trent ​from Tuesday 3 March - Saturday 28 March 2020. If you are in the area, it would be well worth a visit! See more of her images HERE

My image "The Three Amigos" has been Highly Commended in the Abstract Views category of this year's International Garden Photography of the Year competition and is published in the competition book. This is the fourth year running that one of my images has received recognition in this prestigious competition - I am sure my luck will run out soon but it is fun while it lasts :-)

You can see all the winning images on the IGPOTY website HERE

Two of my iPhone multiple exposure images have recently gained awards in the IGPOTY Square Crop category. Waving Winter Grasses was Highly Commended and Autumnal Fragility was a Finalist. See all the winners HERE

Two of my images have been shortlisted and selected for exhibition as part of the Newent Art Competition. The exhibition is at the Secret Gallery, Newent, Glos, GL18 1PP and is on from August 3rd-August 31 2019 so do pop in if you're in the area

A few months ago I entered the inaugural Close Up Photographer of the Year competition and am really pleased that the above three images have been placed in the top 100. I don't enter many competitions as few seem to favour more abstract work but it is good to see so many beautiful, abstract images rewarded in CUPOTY. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to Dan & Tracy (the organisers) and the judges for all their hard work.
The gallery of all the top 100 images can be seen here: ​https://www.cupoty.com/the-top-100

I am proud to have signed up to Nature First, the new alliance for responsible nature photography.

All members agree to abide by the following principles:
1 Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography.
2 Educate yourself about the places you photograph.
3 Reflect on the possible impact of your actions.
4 Use discretion if sharing locations.
5 Know and follow rules and regulations.
6 Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them.
7 Actively promote and educate others about these principles  

At a time when the natural environment is under threat like never before, it is so important that nature photographers act responsibly at all times and ensure that we never cause harm to the places we visit

For the third year running (it can't last!), I have an image placed in the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.  My image "Sunflower Swirls" was awarded 2nd place in the Abstract Views category and appears in the current exhibition and the IGPOTY12 book. You can see all the winning photos on the IGPOTY website here: igpoty.com/igpoty-competition-12-results/