I have never really asked myself why I keep a blog. For my own interest and pleasure? For the interest and pleasure of others? So my photos are stored somewhere safe? So my kids have something to look back on in later years? So I have something to look back on in later years? All of that and more, I suppose.
One thing I did not set out to do, however, was to become a photojournalist. Imagine, then, my surprise when I got a message out of the blue a few weeks back, asking me to get in touch will a well-known publication who wanted to use one of my photos. “Well-known publication” is something of an understatement in my opinion. I imagine most amateur photographers (and many professional ones) would give their right arm to get their photos in this particular publication, and that’s saying something, for what would they hold their cameras with afterwards? And I don’t even consider myself an amateur photographer, but more of a point-and-click merchant.
“Guess which publication! I’ll give you five guesses!” I said to my brother in a state of extreme excitement. (My brother is a very good photographer).
He thought for a while. (My brother is very pensive).
“Playboy?” he asked. (My brother generally cannot think very far beyond the last thing he reads).
My brother had quite a lot of fun trying to guess what sort of magazines my photographs might suit, but he was not prepared for the answer when I finally gave it to him.
“National Geographic!”.
Strange but true, in early September a very nice photo editor from the Polish version of National Geographic, Teresa Tuleja, got in touch and asked me if she could possibly use a photograph I had taken of The Broomway, the place where we first started our walk. Could they? Absolutely! Two months later she kindly sent me a pdf of the cover and article, and shortly after that a few copies of the edition itself arrived in the post. Here is the cover:
Here is the article, and in small writing at the bottom of the page, my photo credit.
National Geographic is internationally renowned for its photography. Just take a look a the portrait of the girl on the front cover. I remember when they first published that photograph some years ago. And my photo? I am not so foolish to think that it should even be considered alongside photographs such as that. All the same though, I am chuffed to bits that they wanted to use it and that they gave me the credit (thank you Teresa!). If you are going to have a photo published anywhere, National Geographic is a good place to start, I think.
The Coastal Path 
Yay! Congratulations to you!
Thanks Jody!
Wow, congrats about the photo. Great news!
Thank you Ruth!
Fantastic! A new career beckons (though you might have to move to Poland).
Ah, a place I’ve always wanted to go to, actually! On second thoughts, though, I only know one word of Polish at the moment, which is “sklep”. Armed with knowledge like that my money would be gone in a flash and I’d end right back here where I started. Maybe I’ll keep those plans on hold until I get a better understanding of the language…
保重 and love to Elee!
Fantastic! Congratulations. You must be feeling so good. I am so pleased for you.
Thanks Jessica!
That is one of the most awesome-est things ever!!!
You really don’t give yourself enough credit – you really do take great pictures 🙂
Did they offer you a complimentary copy of the issue? They should… but if not,
make sure you get your hands on a copy for yourself!
Hey Jill – yes, they very kindly sent me some complimentary copies. I have to say that they were extremely kind and very professional throughout, keeping in touch the whole way. Given it was just one photo in a whole edition they really did look after me. It was a very pleasant experience the whole way though. But just in case I also had a friend bring back a few copies from Poland too! Nic
Congratulations – you must be chuffed to bits!
Thanks GT. Safe to say yes I am! Nic
Excellent! Well-merited fame indeed. I think I’m glad for you that your brother’s first guess was not right, likely though it must have seemed. It might well have been confusing for your family, and anyone else that knows you. Good for blog hits though… RH
Ha ha! Thank you RH – yes, I forgot to put a “Playboy” tag on that post to boost my hits. I missed a trick there…!!!
Oh bravo! That’s marvellous!
I, for one, am always impressed with your photos on here.
Thank you Ju!
Congrats, I’m well jell! (i’m trying to get down with the kids…even though i’m 52!! )
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“Playboy?” he asked. (My brother generally cannot think very far beyond the last thing he reads).
That made me laugh out loud.