National top 50 focus on Esme's wedding photography

Esme Whiteside, 25, from St Annes, only decided to specialise in photography and particularly weddings after studying fine art at university but has had a rapid rise to prominence, with her work taking her all over the UK and abroad, even as far as Australia – capped by the top 50 recognition by Professional Photo Magazine, the only general professional photography publication on sale in the UK.

“I really enjoy my work and have had some great feedback, but to be recognised in this way by such a respected publication really is something special,” said Esme, who especially enjoys working in the Lake District.

The magazine’s citation says: “Esme brings a darker romance to her wedding work through deep, rich toning. She has a fine art background and you can see elements of the great masters when it comes to how Esme crafts light and shadow. Her typical client is very fashion driven with an eye for detail.”

Esme is a former pupil of Lytham St Annes High School, having studied fine art, English Literature and philosophy at A-level there before going down the down the academic route of philosophy and literature at the University of Leeds.

“After almost a year, I missed the creative work and dropped out and restarted university at the University of Central Lancashire,” she said.

“I studied fine art for three years, loved it, specialised in film and photography in my final year, and finished with a first class honours degree.

“I knew I wanted to work in photography, and decided I wanted to do weddings. I worked unrelated jobs until I could get my business going properly.

“I shot my first wedding in September 2018, went on to shoot 30 in 2019, and went full time with it the May of that year.

“I was due to shoot 40 this year, and with a lot postponed, the award was a really nice surprise. I’m thrilled.”