The Problem With Photography Awards with Yolande De Vries

Yolande De Vries has won awards and knows the photography world well, yet she still has mixed feelings about its biggest competitions. Our latest episode reveals why. Debbie Gilbert talks to Yolande, an award winning personal brand photographer, about a career that began with a camera in Namibia. She shares how she retrained after the 2008 recession closed the door on photojournalism, moved from weddings into branding photography, and became one of the first in her field. She explains how she helps clients create a natural image, from detailed preparation and longer shoots to outfit planning and unique locations. Yolande also gives her honest view on photography competitions, including how the same names keep appearing on shortlists and why entry terms can hand over your copyright. She finishes with tips for new photographers, the rise of AI planned shoots, and the one piece of advice she wishes she had been given. About Yolande Yolande De Vries is an award-winning personal brand and power portrait photographer behind the images of founders who aren’t just seen, they are remembered. With 17 professional years behind the camera Yolande is one of the first personal brand photographers in the industry (since 2016), known for an editorial edge that makes founders look powerful, strong, and intelligent. In the last 10 years she has transformed the presence and personal brand of over 400 coaches, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and medical clinicians. Yolande believes that every single person is photogenic, and everyone deserves a photograph of themselves that they love and am proud to put out there. Her magazine-quality work has seen clients featured in Harper's Bazaar, Forbes, Condé Nast and Brand You Magazine. She is a 2023 F:Entrepreneur Top 100 Female Entrepreneur and the 2024 Silver Winner at the Best Business Woman Awards for Best Creative Business. {1:42} Yolande's journey to a career in photography. {6:35} Moving into high end weddings. {8:03} Maximising the opportunity of branding photography. {8:46} Capturing a subject's personality and how Yolande's shoots work. {14:24} Industry awards in photography. {16:04} Yolande's favourite elements of photography. {17:01} Advice for young photographers. {17:56} The importance of client contracts. {18:53} Why clients need to be at their best for a shoot. {20:37} Yolande's future plans. {21:50} AI-planned shoots and workign with stylists and make-up artists. {24:21} How often people should have their images redone. {25:10} One piece of advice Yolande wished she had been given at the start. Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Yolande: https://www.yolandedevries.photography/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yola...   / yolandedevries   Instagram:   / yolandedevries.photography   Facebook:   / yolandedevries.personalbrandingphotography   Pinterest:   / yolandedevries_   ___________________________________________________________________ #businessawards #ukbusinessawards #smebusinessawards The Best SME Awards are new for 2026 and are founded by multi-award winning entrepreneur Debbie Gilbert, also the founder of the Best Business Women Awards which has been operating since 2015. They are now considered to be one of the UK’s most prestigious awards for business women. The Best SME Awards will match their quality and ethos and will recognise and reward businesses and their employees from across the UK. The awards cover a wide variety of industries and recognise and reward business talent across the SME business sector. Any business operating in the UK with fewer than 250 employees is eligible to enter. The Best SME Awards shines a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of SMEs across all sectors, recognising the leaders, innovators, and teams whose passion and dedication inspire others. Winning a Best SME Award isn’t just a trophy on your shelf, t’s a mark of excellence that sets you apart. This national recognition validates your credibility and showcases your success. Awards raise your profile, attract new business, and expand your network. Find out more about the awards at— https://www.bestsmeawards.com --We love to connect and share success on social media— Check out our channels here Facebook :   / bestsmeawards   Instagram :  / bestsmeawards   LinkedIn :   / the-best-.  . X:   / bbwomenawards   HASHTAGS #bestbusinesswomenawards #businessawards #ukbusinessawards Music