A fantastic photo of a sleeping newborn baby curled up in a bowl won Dermot Murphy Northern Ireland’s prestigious Photographer of the Year Award.
Little Chloe Cunningham had her first photoshoot at just two weeks old and this photo helped Dermot win Photographer of the Year as chosen by a panel of judges at the prestigious Professional Photographer’s Association of Northern Ireland (PPANI).
“I’ve known Chloe’s parents Jonny and Julie for years – I took photos of their wedding a few years ago and when they had Chloe they asked me to take a portrait picture of her. I specialise in Newborn Photography – it takes time and patience to get just the right shot but I love it,” said Dermot, himself a father of four.
In addition to winning overall Photographer of the Year, Dermot also won Under 5’s Photographer of the Year, Overall Portrait Photographer of the Year and Licentiate Photographer of the Year, an award for the best newcomer who has recently qualified as a PPANI photographer. He was Second Runner Up Open Portrait Photographer of the Year.
The Awards are the most prestigious in Northern Ireland; the Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland celebrates and identifies individuals that have achieved outstanding success through their superb images and gives every qualified member the opportunity to compete against other members for the title of PPANI Photographer of the Year. There were more than 400 entries and only 15 photographers made it into the final.
Dermot, who works from his studio on the Malone Road in South Belfast, took up full time photography after the birth of his daughter Sarah seven years ago. “I had always been an amateur photographer but when Sarah arrived I knew that life was about doing things that you love and enjoy. It’s a decision that I am so glad I made,” he said.
Dermot takes wedding and portrait photos and has undergone specialist training in newborn photography. “It’s a completely different skill to taking portraits of families or children. You can’t rush a session; you work so closely with the parents to get a gorgeous photo that captures the first days of their child’s life. It’s amazing for me to be part of that.”
For more information on Dermot Murphy Photography go to www.dermotmurphy.com
