A photographer has expressed pride after being named as a finalist in a countywide awards contest.
Denise Brady, owner of Lowestoft-based Denise Brady Photography, has been unveiled as a customer service finalist in the Suffolk Small Business Awards.
With the Small Business Awards aiming to reward, acknowledge and inspire small businesses across the UK through local awards programmes, Mrs Brady has been honoured in an awards category that celebrates excellent customer service.
As a finalist in the Suffolk Small Business Awards 2024, which celebrates "incredible entrepreneurs, small and micro businesses," she said: "It means the world to me that I was even shortlisted for this award let alone being chosen as a finalist.
"I have always prided myself on my customer service and this has really cemented that I am offering an excellent service to all my clients."
Having started out as a wedding photographer, now Mrs Brady concentrates on food, commercial and theatre photography.
She added: "From the very first chat with a customer, I make sure I know exactly what my clients are looking for so that I can deliver pictures that they will treasure forever.
"Listening to customers is key and is the core of my business – any shoot needs to be a mix of my professional expertise as to what makes a great picture and what a customer is imagining when booking a photographer.
"It’s a fine balance, but one that works for me.
"As well as creating images that my clients love, I need to make sure they are comfortable with me as their photographer.
"Most people will tell me they hate having their photos taken - I make sure I am a calming presence for my customers, guiding them through the process.
"I do this by having plenty of meetings and communication in the run-up to a shoot, getting to know them - and letting them get to know me - so that by the time the shoot comes around, they know what to expect."
With The Small Business Awards ceremony being held in May, voting starts in March with details online.
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