Smethwick influencer’s award winning pictures of Broad Street

Lili Lengkana’s award-winning photos of Birmingham’s ‘Golden Mile’ have won heaps of praise
These award-winning pictures were taken by mum-of-two Lili LengkanaThese award-winning pictures were taken by mum-of-two Lili Lengkana
These award-winning pictures were taken by mum-of-two Lili Lengkana

Birmingham’s ‘golden mile’ is renowned for its clubs and pubs with thousands of revellers flocking to enjoy a night out all year round.

The Broad Street area features some of the city’s best hospitality venues - and world class accommodation at the Hyatt, theatre at The Rep, conferences and music at Symphony Hall.

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But with all the hustle and bustle that brings with party goers and the like, it can be so easy to oversee the hidden beauty that surrounds the area, including the gorgeous views of the canals which run through the city.

But that isn’t the case for mum-of-two, and influencer, Lili Lengkana - known as @moonsilvershine on instagram.

Lili, from Smethwick, was struck with the beauty of the Broad Street area and took these stunning shots, showing the ‘Golden Mile’ and the canal that passes between the International Convention Centre and Brindleyplace set amid the Westside district of the city centre.

And she wasn’t the only one who was pleased with the images.

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Lili spotted a competition being run by Westside BID - which works towards improving Broad Street, Brindleyplace, Five Ways, Centenary Square, Broadway Plaza and all the surrounding areas - for photos to be included in their 2022 calendar.

After impressing the competition’s judges, the shots will now adorn the front cover of the calendar and the month of August on Westside BID’s official 2022 calendar.

This photo will adorn the cover and the month of August on Westside BID’s official calendar for next yearThis photo will adorn the cover and the month of August on Westside BID’s official calendar for next year
This photo will adorn the cover and the month of August on Westside BID’s official calendar for next year

What has Lili said about having her photos used in the Westside BID official calendar?

The travel loving Instagrammer, aged 47, was delighted to be recognised for her work.

She said: “I’m so happy and thrilled to be the top winner, as I never thought my shots would be good enough.

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“Once I would have loved to have my own SLR camera, but I didn’t dare to buy one, and have actually been quite satisfied with the pictures my phone camera takes.

“I therefore just call myself an Instagrammer rather than a photographer, as I am not a professional. I am just a housewife and a travel aficionado who loves taking pictures with my phone and posting them on my Instagram account.

Lili’s self portrait of herself in Bath - another example of her work, which you can see in her Instagram accountLili’s self portrait of herself in Bath - another example of her work, which you can see in her Instagram account
Lili’s self portrait of herself in Bath - another example of her work, which you can see in her Instagram account

Lili is also a part-time freelance writer for a tourism website in Singapore and is often in town taking pictures. She spotted details about the competition when she was flicking through Instagram and decided to enter.

She said: “A couple of times before, my Instagram pictures have been featured on local media accounts.

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“I guess this was the reason why I had the guts to send seven of my pictures to the Westside BID calendar competition, but I never imagined that I’d win.”

Lili has been honoured to receive copies of the calendar and the top prize of a £175 voucher to spend at Craft restaurant for her photos.

Lili has lived in the UK for 12 years and is originally from Indonesia. She is now delighted that she can send a Westside BID calendar home for her family to see.

She added: “This is the first time that my amateur pictures will be on an official calendar. I will dedicate it to my mother-in-law (my own mother has passed away) and will send it to her as soon as I get it.”

What else is featured on the Westside BID calendar?

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Pictures from another 11 winning photographers will be featured on other months in the BID’s calendar. Except for two anonymous entries, each month’s winner received £75 vouchers for Westside venues, and their pictures will be featured in stories next year.

Luisa Huggins, media manager at Westside BID, said: “We were pleased to see so many keen photographers get involved with our exciting competition, which will be celebrated all the year round.

“Westside is an incredibly picturesque destination so to have this captured by local Brummie photographers was great.”

To see more of Lili’s photos, visit her Instagram account: @moonsilvershine

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