In July 2003, Andrew Spencer LBIPP faced the prospect of redundancy or continuing in a career that he no longer enjoyed. He chose the former. The decision proved to be a turning point in his life. In the space of only 18 months he transformed himself from someone who had never taken anything more than a holiday snap to gaining a Licentiateship, setting up his own successful portrait business and having his work exhibited at the NEC Birmingham.
In May 2005, he was thrilled to receive the BIPP Don Fraser Bursary award. The award was set up to help up and coming photographers develop their skills and professionalism by subsidising BIPP training courses: "For most people, starting a business is always going to be difficult financially, so to have the financial backing to be able to attend the BIPP courses is a real help. I've certainly found the courses I've attended to be beneficial both to my business and to me as a photographer."
Andrew finds competitions a good yardstick for measuring the quality of the work he is producing. His results are exemplary and he has been picking up awards on a regular basis including Professional Photographer of the Year 2007/2008 and Portrait Photographer of the Year 2006/2007/2008 amongst others.
Having never been self employed before, Andrew quickly learnt that no one was going to do the work for you and that the hard work was the recipe for success. However, he also agrees that support from family, friends and fellow photographers is vital.
"I am extremely lucky to have met some great photographers who have offered me their help, advice and encouragement which has been invaluable."
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