Award delight for photographer Rachel

Images taken by Telford studio photographer Rachel Bailey attracted a consumer award in a contest organised by the Xperience group.

Work by Mrs Bailey, 39, of Lawley, was selected by the public from the more than 8,000 images submitted after she carved out a niche market in the trade.

“I got into the business after sharing a table with a wedding photographer at a wedding where I was a guest. I became their assistant until I set up on my own about 10 years ago.

“I initially had a studio in Shrewsbury, then I started a family and in the meantime I studied photography at Telford College.

“Now I’ve a got a studio in a lovely setting at Weston under Lizard near Weston Park.

“I don’t do wedding photography anymore. I tend to photograph mothers-to-be, babies and children and puppies.

“Due to the current lockdown I’ve had to reschedule my diary. I was fully booked for this month and February into March so when we can re-open I will be very busy with sittings. For the future I’m hoping to move into bigger premises and provide employment for others going forward,” Mrs Bailey says.

The awards were launched by Xperience’s chief trainer Mark Cleghorn, who developed the competition to challenge group members to step out of their comfort zone and get more creative in their work with everyday clients by stretching their composition skills.

Rachel Bailey Photography is part of the more than 100-strong group which has studios across the UK and Ireland.

Mr Cleghorn said: “There has never been a better time to celebrate the people and the pets we love.

“The recent lockdown times have made us all think of the people we love and long to be with, more than ever before.

“As portrait photographers we should always inspire our clients with creativity, lighting and of course the perfect expression, not forgetting our mastery of light and imagination.

“The standard of entries this year was exceptional.”