Photographer wins top award for work
DESPITE admitting that she hates having her picture taken, a Doncaster photographer has won an international award for her outstanding photos of others.
Tonie Sowerby, 27, has just been crowned Photographer of the Year 2009 by her bosses at an international chain of photographic studios.
Tonie beat 400 other photographers to take the title for her work on a number of her Doncaster clients at Venture New Generation Portraits based at Printing Office Street.
"I don't like having my picture taken, I just find it uncomfortable," Tonie said. "But I think understanding how that feels helps me to get clients to relax.
"I'm most proud when we get people who don't like having their photo taken and we get a picture they like. Some people even cry when they see the pictures."
To win her prize she won three categories out of 13, for the best teenager, best pregnancy shot and best collection.
The girl who features in the best teenager category, Vicky King, is now working with her at the studio.
Tonie has been photographing the people of Doncaster for a couple of years and they have helped her out by bringing all sorts of personal props to the sessions with them. "I love photographing kids, they are so different," Tonie said. "I had a great session with a mum and her daughter. They brought in their guinea pig and a clarinet, we got some really good shots.
"Since I have been at the studio I have seen all sorts from pet snakes and horses, right though to a child's first ride on a bike and a dad's gleaming new Harley Davidson."
Although photography is now Tonie's main passion, she only discovered it when she when she went to art school in Grimsby where she enjoyed painting and sculpting.
And now senior photographer Tonie said that she just hopes to win more awards in the job she loves.
"I'm still in shock about it now. I've not got used to it although people ask my advice a lot more now," she said.
Tony Armstrong, studio manager said: "The Doncaster team are very proud of Tonie or "little T" as she is affectionately known to us."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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