Oldham photographer wins top prize at photography awards

Steve Grogan, from Failsworth, won both the People's Choice category and the Wedding category at the Off to Work Event Photography Awards, receiving a grand total prize of £1,000.

The 47-year-old scooped the prizes for his candid and intimate photograph of a newly-wed bride nursing her infant child while being fed by her sister.

Steve said: "It was an unforgettable experience to walk away with three trophies and the winner's cheque for £1,000, I got a few odd looks on the train back home to Manchester carrying my massive novelty cheque.  

"Thank you to my family and friends for being so supportive since I took the leap of faith to be a full-time photographer almost nine years ago."  

Steve Grogan accepting one of his awards in London (Image: Animal News Agency)

Steve began his photography business nine years ago after giving up his job in finance to follow his photographic passions.

He said: "There was this moment when I just needed to get out of the office, I couldn't do it for the rest of my life so I just took the plunge."

Discussing the winning picture, Steve said: "The winning photograph actually happened on my break, I was just down the corridor from the meal, and was sitting in [an] area having my food when the bride came out and started to feed her baby.

"She was already comfortable with the idea of being photographed feeding her baby, it was just real life.

Steve's winning photograph of a bride nursing her child while being fed by her sister (Image: Animal News Agency)

"I was chatting to her and then all of a sudden her sister came along and joined in our conversation and started feeding her some dessert. I knew instinctively that this was a really pure moment."

The ceremony where Steve collected his awards was held at the Royal Institutes of Architects in London on June 5.