Sarah Plater awarded Associateship of the Master Photographer Association

News just in! I’ve been awarded my Associateship of the Master Photographer Association (MPA) with a panel of 20 maternity and newborn images in the Portrait category.

The judges’ comments included “a lovely panel of work”, “gorgeous and creative”, “a very nice style”, and “fabulous work”.

Ray Lowe, chairman of the MPA, said, “Huge congratulations to Sarah. Associateship of the MPA is a very difficult qualification to achieve within the photographic profession, as this takes a great deal of time, work and dedication to your art to reach this level. Many photographers entering the Association remain at Licentiate level, so reaching the required high standards of this qualification is a massive achievement.”

I’ve now been photographing people for over twenty years, and during that time I’ve co-authored two books on portrait photography, both published by Ammonite Press. I first joined the MPA in 2018 and was awarded my Licentiate qualification in May that year.

Since then, I’ve been working on my Associate application which involved choosing which 20 images from my newborn and maternity photoshoots to show the judges.

Ray Lowe added, “Not only do you have to submit an extensive panel of photographic images, which are displayed and judged in front of five highly respected Fellows of the industry, but you also must produce an in-depth creative profile.

“This is the reason why the public should only book a qualified professional photographer to record those precious memories in life, as it’s the only way they have of knowing they will get the best creative photographs and personal service possible.”

About the MPA

Established in 1952, the Master Photographers Association (MPA) is one of the longest standing photographic associations in British history. The Master Photographers Association is run by photographers for photographers who have many years of experience behind them. With a qualification and mentoring system designed to promote continual professional development, the MPA are recognised leaders in setting the standards of professional photography today. Offering a wide variety of membership benefits and a tiered membership system, the MPA strives to develop both the professional photographer as well as the aspiring photographer just embarking on their fledgling career.

Sarah Plater AMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn and family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. She is the Master Photographers Association Young Families Portrait Photographer of the Year 2022 and Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).