WARRINGTON-born photographer, Neil Shearer – with over a decade of experience in commercial photography – has been honoured with a Fellowship in Illustrative photography from The Societies of Photographers (SWPP).
Only 2% of photographers in the UK currently hold this esteemed qualification, and Neil’s achievement was recognized by five internationally renowned photography judges. The fellowship was awarded for his groundbreaking project, titled “Just Dance,” which featured dancers from diverse backgrounds across North West including Kate Simmons Dance School in Warrington.
The project, taking 18 months to shoot and edit, showcased various dance styles, from Ballet to Belly dance and Capoeira to contemporary artists. The panel included images of dancers augmented with elements of CGI and graphic design, pushing the boundaries of photography.
Dancer and choreographer Jay Swinnerton took part in the project and said: “I loved working with Neil on this project. From the initial brief to the final edits, the process was both collaborative and organic. Neil is a highly creative and technically skilled artist. I wholeheartedly recommend his services and look forward to his future work!”
Neil’s journey toward this qualification began over five years ago, reflecting his commitment to continuous professional development (CPD). James Musselwhite, a UK Fellow and judge, praised Neil’s work as “pure commercial gold,” while Kris Anderson, an international illustrative Fellow and judge, commended his ability to magnify the emotions and strength of the dancers. The images were likened to “something a digital Picasso would create if he had these tools available at his peak.”
Neil, known for his dynamic advertising shots of athletes and dancers for prominent brands, expressed his excitement about the fellowship, saying, “This Fellowship will allow me to become a photography judge in time, and I would love to mentor other photographers to achieve similar accolades.”
You can view the full panel of images here: www.neilshearer.com/justdance
