Postage stamps are a serious business.

Postage stamps are a serious business and professional photographers Tim Flach , Andy Critchfield and Tony Pleavin were given the opportunity by Her Majesty the Queen to have their work placed on a collection of stamps.
On the 5^th of February 2008 a set of six postage stamps were introduced showing working dogs at work photographed by Tim Flach.

Tim specialises in animal photography and when he won the chance to showcase his work on a postage stamp he was honoured and proud to see his work become part of our history.

The image on the first class stamp was of an assistance dog known for helping disabled people to become more independent. This includes people suffering from epilepsy, deafness or mobility problems all of which rely on trained dogs. The other five postage stamps follow a similar trend.

When looking for new images to use on stamps the Royal Mail approaches four design companies with a theme in mind and several meetings are held to discuss potential stamp designs. The winning designs are sent to The Stamps Advisory Committee where they select two designs and asks the design companies to continue with further research. When they have finished their research it is then submitted again to the Advisory Committee until the final pieces are selected which is all prepared 18 months before the stamps are released.

Andy Critchfields image of the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team performing at Biggin Hill Air Fair back in 2006 featured on a stamp that was released on the 17^th of July which was several months after Andy was first contacted.

"I was first contacted by email, the shot was chosen because it was a bit different to the normal plane shots. That was 9 or 10 months ago, its been a very long wait for the stamp to come out," said Andy.

Tony Pleavin is a commercial, landscape and travel photographer and was one of the winning photographers on celebrating Northern Ireland stamp project.

"I think they plan pretty far in advance on what images they are to use for their collections," said Tony.

Tonys` work was purchased by The Royal Mail through one of his online libraries and he was then invited to the stamps launch at Stormont in Belfast. The Steering Committee selected the winning image.
On the 11^th of March 2008 a set of four stamps were produced. The 78 pence stamp in celebrating Northern Ireland pack was photographed by Tony Pleavin, showing the Queens Bridge and Friendship Beacon.

You would think it would be exciting to see your work published on a stamp but Tony had a rather surprising reaction.

"As a professional photographer I'm used to my images being published so no real feelings there, it's kind of normal now really."

For professional photographers serious about having their images put onto stamps you can contact either Susan Gilson or the press office at The Royal Mail.

Words by Laura Rowley