LPA / Photography Judging / Dying Matters / Celebrating Life in the Face of Death

As well as running a busy photographers agency Lisa also enjoys  judging various photography competitions throughout the year. One such competition was 'Celebrating Life in the Face of Death', a fundraising initiative by the coalition Dying Matters and The National Council for Palliative Care. Dying Matters aims to change public knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards dying, death and bereavement for the better. The competition aimed to raise the topic of death and dying in society and the media, instead of avoiding the issue which is so often the case. The Chair of Dying Matters, Gary Rycroft, says that he hopes the competition and images selected will 'inspire more people to support those who may need it in times of grief and bereavement, be they friends, family or the wider community.'

Lisa judged this competition alongside photographers such as Rankin and Louis Quail, plus experts from the fields of Palliative Care and Bereavement. Together they selected 12 entries to form an exhibition : an overall winner ( Richard Smiles) , a runner up from both the professional and the amateur entries, plus 9 others. The top prize was £1000 with other prizes including a portfolio review from Lisa and a day on a Rankin shoot.

An exhibition of these images was unveiled at a private view in the House of Lords earlier this year which Lisa attended alongside the other judges, the shortlisted photographers and many influential people from the Palliative care industry.

Lisa says  'The standard of the images was extremely high. It was a tough subject matter, and needless to say the judging stirred a rollercoaster of emotions, it's such a worthy cause and it was an honour to be involved'

Some amazing work here!

© Lynda Laird. One of the remaining 52 bedrooms of the Franciscans orphanage, built to house children of fishermen lost at sea. 

© Richard Smiles. This photograph was taken by Richard, a patient in Leckhampton Court Hospice Cheltenham, of fellow patient, Jim. Showing the lighter side of living with illness. 

© Margo Ryszczuk. I love my Granny unconditionally. I suffer with her when I see her pain and loss. She is ready and willing to die. 

© Zana Saunders. The stark reality of being left alone, portrayed in the bedroom of the one left behind.