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Official News Release from Master Photographers Association
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Release Date: 13 October 2009
Image downloads for editorial use: www.newsfeeduk.com/mpa
2009 Cherubs Photographer of the Year announced
Chris Astbury has been awarded the coveted title of Cherubs Photographer of the Year 2009.
The announcement was made at the Master Photography Awards in Newcastle this weekend. The Awards are run by the Master Photographers Association (MPA). A packed audience of professional photographers and trade representatives attended the prestigious event held at the Gatsehead Hilton on the banks of the River Tyne. Dozens of the world’s top photographers were presented with major accolades.
Chris, based in Poulton-Le-Fylde in Lancashire, has been a professional photographer for over 25 years and has been involved in the Cherubs scheme for the past 14 years. This award is Chris' fourth success in the Cherubs award, having triumphed in 2004, 2006 and again in 2008.
Cherubs is the UK's longest running baby photography promotion and thousands of happy mums have had Cherubs portraits of their babies taken since the promotion was introduced in 1991. Your baby is photographed on three separate occasions during their first 18 months and after the final photo session you will receive a beautiful, complimentary Art Leather folio.
There are over 200 Cherubs photographers all over the UK, search for your local specialist at www.cherubs.uk.com
Qualified MPA members from around the world submitted images for the annual competition and only the very best were short-listed. MPA Chief executive, Colin Buck was delighted with this year’s entries and paid tribute to Chris' success: “There was a great diversity of imagery, and all were judged on the same criteria - artistic merit, good use of lighting, composition and print quality - all the winners were of a very high overall standard. Winning the Cherubs Photographer of the Year title is a huge honour and I’m sure Chris will be delighted with his latest accolade!”
He continued: “The Master Photography Awards are a showcase of everything that is great about today's professional photography – creativity, technical brilliance and a willingness to push the boundaries and show that our industry has a very bright and exciting future.”
Examples of Chris' work can be viewed at www.astburystudio.co.uk
The MPA is the only UK's body for full-time, qualified photographers, all of whom are bound by the MPA’s Code of Conduct. The MPA website, www.thempa.com is a great place search for a photographer. When you choose a photographer registered with MPA, you can be certain that they will strive continually to uphold the professional standard of their work, and deal with you fairly, honestly and helpfully.
ENDS
Editor's note:
A CD containing hi-res versions of all the winning images is available from MPA head office.
* Note: this news release is issued electronically and will not be duplicated with a posted copy.
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Issued on behalf of:
Master Photographers Association
Jubilee House, 1 Chancery Lane, Darlington DL1 5QP
Tel: 0845 130 9700 Fax: 01325 357813
E-mail: enquiries@mpauk.com
http://www.thempa.com
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Written and distributed by WPS Media. Tel. 01323 749400
Contact: Darron Hartas