Photo prize joy for Jessica and team

DUMFRIESSHIRE photographer Jessica McGovern has won the ‘Best Professional Training’ title at The Societies of Photographers Convention. Based near Castle Douglas, Jessica started her online photography tuition company That Tog Spot in 2020, offering both free and paid photography education through YouTube videos, online courses and one-to-one sessions. She recently attended The Societies’ annual awards ceremony in London, where she took home the Best Professional Training in the Trade Awards section, but also collected the Overall 20 x 16 Photographer of the Year title on behalf of her US-based student, Callie Soden, and multiple finalist placings for other students too. Jessica said: “I’m so proud of our team and our students who continue to push themselves to excel year after year. Pet photography is still an emerging market valued at $1.1 billion in market terms globally, but with our 550 members in over 30 different countries worldwide, our students are proving that it is possible to turn a visual passion into a thriving business and have fun in the process.” “To receive this recognition from the wider industry means the world to me personally, and even more to our team. It is a career highlight for sure!”