FORMAT International Photography Festival launched this weekend with the largest International Porfolio Review in the world. Shutter Hub's Karen Harvey was there, offering Professional Development advice throughout the day, and in the evening she presented the Shutter Hub Prize infront of an audience of international photographers and photography experts.

It was a very long, but fullfilling day! I was pleased to meet some wonderful and enthusiastic photographers, and to be able to offer them my support and advice. We covered lots of subjects from how to give project participants the sense of ownership and involvement, to how to apporach and work with curators, and so many things inbetween!

Choosing a winner for the Shutter Hub Prize was a proper toughy, there were so many great photographers there, so many wonderful portfolios, such lovely people, and so much potentional for us to be able to support them in their progress. Part of the award was for me to give personal mentoring to the photographer, and in the early evening when I did the 'Portfolio Walk' I couldn't help but get excited by all the possibilities. I had ideas for almost everyone, I was buzzing, I had so many questions to ask, but only a finite amount of time. Although there were several photographers who I would have liked to award, (We will be sharing more about our favourite portfolio photographers on the blog soon!) there was one who just stood out to me for so many reasons.

The recipient of the first FORMAT International Portfolio Awards Shutter Hub Prize 2015 is Steven Garritt.

I couldn't get over the amount of preperation, patience and thought that had gone into his Mythographies work. His portfolio was so strong, every image could stand alone and pack a punch. His excellence is exciting, his passion is clear, and I can't wait to start working with him – watch this space for an interview with Steven Garritt soon!

The full list of award winners from the night are:

Steven Barritt – Shutter Hub Prize

Imogen Freeland – John E Wright Award

Jan McCullogh – Genisis Prize

Wawrzyniec Kolbusz – FORMAT Special Mention

Alexandra Lethbridge – Clifton Cameras Prize

Miti Ruangkritya – Reviewers Choice Award

Thanks to the FORMAT team for making this happen, and to all the wonderful photographers who came together to make it such an exciting and energy-filled day.