Forces Mutual, a not-for-profit financial services company committed to improving the lives of the UK Armed Forces, has launched the Genuine Moments photography competition for photography enthusiasts in the military family to win almost £4,000 in prizes. Themes for entries include Everyday life on duty, Everyday life working with the UK Armed Forces personnel, R&R on base, My life as part of the military family and Animals in the military. Eligible photographers include serving members of the UK Armed Forces, civilian contractors, children aged under 16 with one or more parent or sibling who is a fulltime or reserve member of the UK Armed Forces and family members of serving UK Armed Forces. Entries must be submitted before 30 November 2016 to be in with a chance of winning nearly £4,000 in prizes including £750 photography vouchers to the overall winner and a further 13 category prizes ranging from £50 Amazon vouchers to £300 photography vouchers.

Press Release

Connected to the Military and a keen photographer? Forces Mutual launches photography competition

Almost £4,000 of prizes up for grabs

Today Forces Mutual, the not-for-profit financial services company committed to improving the lives of the Military, launches Genuine Moments photography competition for photography enthusiasts in the Military family1 to win almost £4,000 in prizes.

As the financial ally of the Armed Forces, Forces Mutual is focused on the stories of individuals and their relationships with everyone from children to colleagues and the family pet. Its Genuine Moments photography competition is designed to revolutionise the images of the Military that the public are exposed to – less parades, prestigious functions and ‘boots on tarmac’, and more intimate insights into the lives of the people who put their lives on the line every day. Themes for entries therefore include:

Everyday life on duty

Everyday life working with the UK Armed Forces personnel

R&R on base

My life as part of the Military family

Animals in the Military

For panel judge Mike Laird, a former Afghanistan photographer embedded with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and photography lecturer, capturing what British Service men and women went through on a daily basis enabled him to share his personal experiences and respect with the wider public. For those considering entering Forces Mutual’s competition his advice is:

“Within reason try to be as adventurous as your subject matter in order to create a photograph that will truly inspire the viewer. Keep in mind that a Military life is many-faceted, so images should endeavor to capture both the softer and grittier aspects, however contradictory or juxtaposed they may be. For those looking for a more straightforward composition, beautiful subject matter and poignant moments such as homecomings will always shine through.”

Enter your photo today

The four eligibility categories for entering the competition are:

Serving members of the UK Armed Forces

Civilian Contractors (employed by the MOD)

Families of the UK Armed Forces (family members of serving UK Armed Forces e.g. spouse, sibling, parent or child as well as Cadets)

Children (aged under 16 with one or more parent or sibling who has at least one parent or sibling who is a fulltime or reserve member of the UK Armed Forces)2

Forces Mutual is also partnering with schools local to major UK Military bases.

See ‘how to submit your entry’ specifications here3 and upload images to www.forcesmutual.org/photo by 30 November 2016 to be in with a chance of winning nearly £4,000 in prizes including £750 photography vouchers to the overall winner and a further 13 category prizes ranging from £50 Amazon vouchers to £300 photography vouchers.

What the judges are looking for

Submissions will be judged by a panel including representatives from Forces Mutual, its parent Police Mutual Group, Amateur Photographer magazine, BFBS and MOD, and announced on 15 December 20164. Submissions do not require professional experience or a state of the art camera; instead the judges will be looking for natural, appealing and non-aggressive imagery that means something special to the photographer. It should be eye catching, original, artistic and have strong composition and overall impact.

“We are keen to see the genuine moments amongst the Military family that the camera doesn't usually catch, and are really looking forward to seeing the submissions”, says Robin Williams, Sales and Marketing Director - Military, at Forces Mutual.

Visit www.forcesmutual.org/photo for full entry details including terms and conditions and to enter.

1 All serving Military as well as Civilian Contractors and the wider Military family members of serving UK Armed Forces e.g. spouse, sibling, parent or child

2 See full eligibility details here.

3 Please note that Forces Mutual has the right to share submitted photographic entries on its website, online and printed materials from time to time.

4 Please note that judges will be finalised and announced on the website in advance of the entry deadline.

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