The Garden Media Guild Awards 2010

The Garden Media Guild Awards celebrate the best in garden writing - including books, newspapers and magazines - photography, broadcasting - TV and radio - and new media - including gardening websites and gardening blogs. They are the garden media 'Oscars'.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Andrew Lawson

 

The citation for the Lifetime Achievement Award was given by PGP Chairman Gary Rogers:

It is impossible to pack a lifetime of great achievements into my allotted time of just two minutes – but here goes!
This year’s worthy winner first saw the light of day on the March 19, 1945, and has been chasing the light ever since trying to capture it both on canvas and on film.
He was head boy at his college – even then showing his skills of leadership. He studied medicine at Pembroke College, Oxford University and obtained a degree in animal physiology. Then he decided medicine was not his future; a big loss to the medical world, but a huge gain for our profession.
He went on to study painting at St Martins School of Art in London. I guess most photographers would have been painters in earlier centuries; some, such as me, probably house painters!
He was very successful as an artist and has had big exhibitions both in this country and abroad, and in fact still likes to paint when time permits.
I first heard of him through a very dear mutual friend, Rosemary Verey. I was at that time doing a lot of shots for Rosemary for her books and lectures. Then one winter’s day, she rang me to say the frost was great, but I would take too long to come from Germany to catch it, so she had asked a gentleman nearby to take a couple of photos. My first reaction was “Oh goody, another amateur getting in on the act.” Then I saw his work and realised this guy is better than me, and I have been running ever since trying to keep up with his high standard.
We first met on a cold, rainy day in the old press tent at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and along with a small group of fellow photographers, found we bonded
immediately, and decided to meet up off-season. From these humble beginnings has grown the great group of people known as the Professional Garden Photographers Association, many of whose members I count today as being my best friends. Today’s winner has been the driving force of the PGP from the very start.
He is world renowned as a leading garden photographer with books and publications far too numerous to mention here. And I know from my own experiences, no matter where one is in the world – be it USA, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, or of course Europe – his name always comes up, and I have never heard anyone speak of him in other than the highest regard.
The man’s a bloody saint!
He is a welcome guest in all the castles and fine addresses in the land; who else has access to His Royal Highness’ garden when he feels the light is right? He is a leading adviser to the RHS, accepted as a partner by The National Trust, a major mover in making garden photography recognised world wide, and a huge help to any young people entering our profession.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me very great pleasure to announce the winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Probably the greatest ambassador garden photography has ever had. A friend to all in this room, and my great buddy – Mr Andrew Lawson.

 

In addition to his Lifetime Achievement certificate, Andrew was also presented with a commemorative etched glass platter crafted by Edinburgh designer Jane Raven, sister of garden writer and broadcaster Sarah Raven.

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