Release Date: 20 October 2003


Master Photographer of the Year 2003 winners announced

During a glittering awards ceremony in Coventry, Ian Cartwright LPMA, was awarded the coveted title of Master Photographer of the Year 2003 for the United Kingdom, while Gerry O'Leary AMPA from the Republic of Ireland, scooped the title of Overseas Master Photographer of the Year 2003.

Over 300 professional photographers attended the prestigious event held on 19th October at the Hilton hotel, where dozens of photographers received major accolades.

Qualified Master Photographers Association members from around the world submitted images for the annual competition and only the very best were short-listed. This year's judging panel consisted of distinguished photographers: Desi Fontaine, Stu Williamson, Roy Lewis, Kenny Martin, Ray Lowe, Vincent O'Byrne and Len Dance. MPA President Dennis Hylander was Chairman of the judges while Jon Cohen of Fujifilm Professional was independent adjudicator.

Dennis Hylander was delighted with this year's entries. Over 1,600 pictures were individually assessed during a three-day period: "Even the lowest standard of entries this year was higher than in previous years," he said, "It's the strongest judging panel I've ever had the pleasure of working with; there was an expert in every field. The judges were unanimous in their choice of the two overall winners."

This year's Awards were supported by major names in the industry, together with two leading bridal magazines. The winning images will make up an annual exhibition which will travel throughout the UK and overseas during the next 12 months.

The UK Category winners are:
Avant Garde Portrait: Peter Trenchard AMPA
Family Portrait: Shane Miller LMPA
Mother & Child: Jaine Briscoe Price LMPA
David Mathias Portrait: Mark Hughes LMPA
Under 5's: Gerry Coe FMPA
Classical Portrait: Damien Lovegrove LMPA
Press & PR: John Pridmore AMPA
Pets: Helen Dyson LMPA
Commercial/Industrial: Catherine Cooper AMPA
Fashion & Glamour: Ian Cartwright LMPA
Pictorial: Pete Bristo FMPA
Dennis Hylander Wedding: David McGirr LMPA
Avant Garde Wedding: Gordon McGowan FMPA
Classical Wedding: Steve Tarling LMPA
Blue Ribbon Award: Christopher Bradbury AMPA
UK Portrait Photographer of the Year: Damien Lovegrove LMPA
UK Wedding Photographer of the Year: Steve Tarling LMPA
UK Master Photographer of the Year: Ian Cartwright LMPA

The Overseas Category winners are:
Fashion & Glamour: John Daly LMPA
Commercial/Industrial: Gerry O'Leary AMPA
Press & PR: Natalie Devilers LMPA
Avant Garde Wedding: Jim Liaw AMPA
Classical Wedding: Suzanne Toal LMPA
Pictorial: Marek Czarnecki AMPA
Avant Garde Portrait: Mark Russell Hill LMPA
Classical Portrait: Melvin Bugeja LMPA
Overseas Wedding Photographer of the Year: Suzanne Toal LMPA
Overseas Portrait Photographer of the Year: Mark Russell Hill LMPA
Overseas Master Photographer of the Year: Gerry O'Leary AMPA

Consumer Awards winners are:
Cherubs: Andrew Couper LMPA
Engaged Couple: Harold Corney LMPA
Bride & Groom - Cosmopolitan Bride: Jacqui Matthews LMPA
Bride's Choice - You & Your Wedding: David Hunt LMPA

Photo Training Overseas place winners (sponsored by Fujifilm):
Steve Tarling LMPA
Aggie McGuinness LMPA
Ian Cartwright LMPA
Steve Walton LMPA

The Master Photographers Association celebrated its Jubilee anniversary last year and now has around 2,000 full time professional photographer members.
For details of membership please call 01325 356555, or email enq@thempa.com, or visit the website at www.thempa.com

ENDS

* A CD-ROM of all the winning images is available upon request. Please call 01094 427777.

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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: enq@mpauk.com
http://www.mpauk.com
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Written and distributed by WPS Media. Tel. 01904 427777