Momentum Sports Photography Competition

Yesterday came the quite marvellous news that my image simply entitled "Aqualillies" is a top ten finalist in the global sports competition run by Blipfoto in conjunction with the UK's Channel 4. "Channel 4 brings you Momentum, a photography competition in partnership with the BT Paralympic World Cup and Blipfoto – the unrivalled online creative community of daily photographers – to find the most instinctive, challenging and extreme sports photographers out there. Launched in tandem with the BT Paralympic World Cup 2011, the competition runs from 23 May to 10 August. Finalists will be nominated by the Blipfoto community and the ultimate winners awarded some fabulous prizes."

And then there's the really good part: "Finalists will also be drawn to the attention of the C4Paralympics team, who may...negotiate individual commissions to undertake photographic work as part of Channel 4’s continued disability sports coverage." From nearly 2,000 entries and a staggering 268,051 clicks on the entries, this really is wonderful news. "The ten entries will now be put in front of the final judging panel - Deb Pulton, Alison Walsh and James Ballardie of Channel 4,and Joe Tree of Blipfoto - who will choose the winner, plus second and third places." The final results will be announced next month.

The nomination holds a special place in my heart. My regular readers will know that Reuben has CHARGE Syndrome, one of the most complex medical diagnosis known and thus the Paralympics (and in London, my home town!) feel very personal.

This image I took on opening day at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, one of Reuben's first ever experiences in the water (the boys are seen scurrying around in the background of the original). It became our summer of swimming.

It's also the highest recognition I've had in photography for the last 20 years on so in which I've carried an SLR around my neck...

Please wish me luck!