Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
SENSATIONAL Bahraini photographer Summer Ameen Weeks has received professional accolades for her stunning images which will be published in a celebrated book featuring the work of some of the world’s finest lens-men and women.
They were awarded ‘merits’ and chosen to be published in the exclusive Loan Collection Book which showcases a select top tier of work by competition winners.
The book is published and released globally by the Professional Photographers of America. “I’m very honoured to be chosen alongside some amazing international photographers I really admire. Being featured in the book is an additional honour to being awarded a merit,” said Summer, 30, who lives and has a studio in Muharraq.
“The competition was the Professional Photographers of America’s international photographic competition. It is based upon a points system. Out of thousands of image submissions from around the world, the images that score at the highest levels are awarded a merit, which is recognition of excellence from the largest and most active professional photography association in the US.”
Her latest winning images were entitled Preserved Youth and Melancholia. “I created each of these with a specific vision in mind,” explained Summer. “They both have a stylised look.
“Preserved Youth features a young girl soaking in milk, peering at us with a sombre look on her face. It is about the emphasis society puts on youth and beauty, and how people start to worry about their appearance at a very young age.
“When I started thinking about Preserved Youth one young model came to mind immediately. Imogen’s mother Kathryn contacted me a few months ago and told me that her daughter was interested in modelling. When I saw Immy’s snapshot I knew I would want to work with her at some point.
“She is a stunning girl with soulful expressions. The best part is, she was adventurous and open to trying new things – like soaking in a kiddie pool filled with milk! With her beauty and perseverance, I think she definitely has what it takes to become a model.”
Immy, 14, a former St Christopher’s School pupil, starts UK boarding school this week at Queen Margaret’s in York. “It was great fun and very challenging. I would love to do some more work with Summer during my holidays back in Bahrain.”
Immy’s father Stan is editor of GulfWeekly.
Melancholia features a pale girl wearing white, in a white room. She is leaning on a white chair and staring blankly at us. It’s about a person who sees the world through a narrow vision, unable to enjoy the variety of experiences and colours it has to offer. The model has asked to remain anonymous. She was someone Summer ‘ran into’ and just asked if she could photograph.
Summer grew up in Bahrain, studied in Canada and the UK, and worked for a time in Dubai. Married to university lecturer Tom, 34, they have two children, Adam, three, and 18-month-old Maya.
She said: “We decided to move back to Bahrain when we were expecting our first baby because we have lovely family support here.
“I got my first DSLR camera back in 2002, and have loved photography ever since. I have a bachelor’s degree in filmmaking, and this background influences my style of photography. I love cinematic, dreamy images.
“I decided to pursue photography as a profession in 2009 after I had my first baby. It was so important for me to capture beautiful timeless images of him when he was tiny. That passion for capturing beautiful fine art images of my own family grew into a full business catering to families in Bahrain.
“The first time I ever entered in a competition was last year, where two of my images were also awarded at the Professional Photographers of America’s International Photographic Competition.”
Summer Weeks Photography was launched in 2009. “I offer timeless fine art photography for maternity, newborn, babies, children and families. This is aside from personal and commercial photography that I do when I can find the time!,” she added.
* Immy’s farewell bash: Eating Out
