Face of Letchworth - Winners Announced

The winners of the inaugural face of Letchworth competition have been announced. Francesca Burrows, Emily Thompson and Julie Kratochvil have been selected by a judging panel of five to become the new faces of the town

The Face of Letchworth competition was held on 17th and the 18th September with the short-listed entrants appearing in The Comet newspaper the following Thursday. After a public vote the top five in each category were then placed in front of the judging panel. Francesca, Emily and Julie were then selected and met with me at my studio in Leys Avenue, Letchworth on Tuesday night.

The girls will now feature in a number of ShopLetchworth publications including Trading Up and Shop! as well as being used in newspaper advertising over the next twelve months.

5-12 Runners Up

Amelie Jones

Melody Chai

Amy Wright

Zhane Jean-Jaques

13-25 Runners Up

Holly Lara Shilston

Shannon Gentle

Cloe Crocker

Chloe Jackson

26+ Runners Up

Samantha Lawlor

Manisha Nagar

Ann Tooley

Dorothy Gabriel

Emma’s 14th Birthday Photo Party

Emma and seven of her friends came to the studio for a photo party to celebrate her 14th birthday. The afternoon was filled with lots of loud music and laughter. It was a great success and all the girls showed off their modeling skills.

I think we have some future contestants for Britain's Next Top Model!

The Birthday Girl Emma

If you are interested in having a Photo Party visit my website for further details.

The Face of Letchworth Competition

Nearly 200 people entered the recent 'Face of Letchworth' competition for their chance to become the new face of the town.

I had my work cut out to keep up with the demand from all the entrants. We have had an amazing response and it has been really difficult to short list the competitors for phase two.

Photos from the event have been uploaded to www.paulwintertonphotography.com and all profits from the sale of these photographs will be going to charity.

The short list is being uploaded to The Comet newspapers website. and will be appearing in this weeks Comet Newspaper.

Two competitors who have not made it through to the second round are Grizelda and Mona Hardup, the less than attractive sisters of Cinderella. Grizelda and Mona will soon be starring in 'Cinderella' at Plinston Hall.

I think this is call trying to influence the photographer!!

Gary & Denise’s Wedding, East Mersea Hall

Gary & Denise’s wedding took place on a beautiful hot and sunny day! The day started with breakfast and champagne at the Art Café. The wedding took place at the beautiful East Mersea Hall, Essex. Gary, Denise and myself left the reception for a short while to take some beautiful images at the beach. It certainly caused a stir.

As part of the celebrations, I ran a photo competition for some of the guests. I had a huge response with fourteen children wanting to take part. Each group were given cameras and the challenge was to photograph something to do with the day.

The standard was extremely high and there were some very interesting ideas. All the images can be viewed in Gary & Denise's Gallery.

The Competition Winners are Jade & Keiya!

Congratulations! They will each receive one of their photographs framed, a book on photography and some other goodies.

They won for taking some great photographs and also for there interest and time spent asking me questions and learning about photography.

I am thinking of asking Keiya to work for me as my assistant. Especially for her skills in organising groups and posing - Just ask Gary & Denise!!! (Although they might be too scared to answer!).

Jade & Keiya's Photograph 1 - A beautiful photograph. I love the angle and just the hands of the Gary & Denise. Love the guests blurring in the background.

Jade & Keiya's Photograph 2 - A truly stunning photograph. I have to say that, its me! In fact its the best one taken of me in a long while.

Jade & Keiya's Photograph 3 - A lovely natural photograph. Great use of flash with no red-eye.

Highly Commended Photographs

Jodie, Emilia & Gans certainly must be congratulated for their interesting take and use of angles when photographing.

Jodie, Emilia & Gans' Photograph 1 - Great action shot. Love the composition and angle. Great work from the model - must have hurt on landing! Love the dedication!

Jodie, Emilia & Gans' Photograph 2 - Very difficult to hold the camera and get it in focus too! Love the lighting and colour in this photograph.

Tom, Matthew & Joe's Photograph - A great photograph. Love the light from the DJ's desk and the flare from the disco lights. The silhouette of the person on the dance floor adds to the photograph.

Robs, Oly & Euan's Photograph - A beautiful photograph. Great colour and composition. Love the fly on the petal.

Anna & Emily's Photograph - A great photograph. I love the beautiful backlighting, whilst still keeping the light on the face even. Great use of angles - it makes it look like your are pushing the bushes apart.

Photo Competition - Ben & Helen's Wedding, Princess Helena College

As part of the celebrations, I ran a photo competition for the bridesmaids Emily, Esme, Isabella and Maya. Each were given cameras and the challenge was to photograph something to do with the day. All of the girls took the competition very seriously and were photographing all evening.

At times it was like having the paparazzi there!!

The standard was so high, that it has been nearly impossible to judge. All the images can be viewed in Ben & Helen's Gallery.

The Competition Winners is Esme!

Congratulations! Esme will receive one of her photographs framed, a book on photography and some other goodies.

Esme's Photograph 1 - A beautiful photograph. I love the beautiful expressions you have captured from the guests. Great exposure.

Esme's Photograph 2 - A great photograph. Unusual, I love the composition with the tongs leading the eye into the image.

Highly Commended Photographs

Emily's Photograph 1 - A beautiful photograph. A true reportage image, capturing a natural moment. Love the contrast of colours.

Isabella's Photograph 1 - A beautiful photograph. A perfectly exposed and composed image. Become a flower photographer!

Maya's Photograph 1 - A beautiful photograph. A very difficult subject to photograph and keep looking natural. A perfectly balanced image.

Face of Letchworth Competition

We have all seen the recent popularity in talent shows and singing competitions on our television screens and there are numerous competitions to find the most beautiful babies and models. Well, not to be outdone by Britain’s Next Top Model we’ve decided to run a competition to find the ‘Face of Letchworth’.

This exciting opportunity comes courtesy of Paul Winterton Photography in association with Archant Newspapers, Garden Square Shopping Centre and the Letchworth Town Centre Partnership.

Three winners will be selected and invited to a photo-shoot with international wedding & portrait photographer Paul Winterton and afterwards presented with a portfolio album, worth over £750. Additional prizes are being added all the time!

On top of that the lucky winner’s images will then be used by the Letchworth Town Centre Partnership and Garden Square Shopping Centre for future campaigns, online, in print and in the media. Campaigns planned for 2010/11 include Christmas, Easter, The Letchworth Street Fest, regular markets and events. You truly can become the Face of Letchworth for 2011.

There are three age catergories:

Children, aged 5-12

Youths, aged 13-25

Over 25's

There are no restrictions on height, size or gender and the whole competition is FREE to enter. All photographs taken on the day will then be available online for participants to view.

Shortlisted entries are then entered into an online, and over the phone, vote via ‘The Comet’ newspaper with the top five in each category progressed to face the dreaded judges panel!

For your chance to become the next Face of Letchworth make your way into the town centre on the 17th or 18th September between 10am and 4pm. Remember if you’re under 18 you’ll need a parent or guardian to accompany you.

So, book the date in your diary now, get yourself dolled up and we will see you in town.

Let all your friends know too!

Click here to keep up to date with the latest news!

Photo Competition - Gary & Sara's Wedding, Newick Park

Gary & Sara’s wedding took place on another hot and sunny day! The wedding took place at the beautiful Newick Park Hotel & Country Estate, Sussex. As part of the celebrations, I ran a photo competition for some of the guests. Katie and Sarah teamed up, as did Tom and Dexter but Ollie and Sophie both worked on there own. Each were given cameras and the challenge was to photograph something to do with the day.

The standard was extremely high and there were some very interesting ideas. All the images can be viewed in Gary & Sara's Gallery.

The Competition Winners are Katie & Sarah!

Congratulations! They will each receive one of their photographs framed, a book on photography and some other goodies.

Katie & Sarah's Photograph 1 - A great photograph. I love the low and interesting angle.

Katie & Sarah's Photograph 2 - Another great photograph. Beautiful use of natural lighting with the coolness from the widow light and the warmth of the flames.

Katie & Sarah's Photograph 3 - Another lovely photograph. Great use of the shape and structure of the stairs with the models pose. Someone looks at the fashion magazines!

Highly Commended Photographs

Ollie's Photograph - Great Composition in this photograph, with the tree being placed lower down.

Sophie's Photograph - A great concept and well photographed. I love the shallow depth of field with only the glass and ‘Love Hearts’ being in focus.

Tom & Dexter's Photograph - A lovely, thoughtful image. Would have worked well with the bride & Groom. Great Work.