Muiread snaps up top photography award

Muiread snaps up top photography award

30 January 2019

DOWNPATRICK wedding photographer Muiread Kelly has won the coveted Photographer of the Year on her first attempt in the NI Wedding Awards.

The 32 year-old received the 2019 award from Ardglass man and Cool FM presenter Paulo Ross on Sunday night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast.

Muiread says her training as a documentary photographer helps her bring out the couple’s personality in her work and credits her clients for their support for her award.

“My clients have shown me amazing support and sent in their testimonials to the judges and I can’t thank them enough,” she said.

“They have also shown great loyalty by staying local for their wedding photography and I can’t thank them enough.

“The support of my husband, Matthew, my kids, friends and clients has made this all possible as my business would not be anywhere without them all.”

The former pupil of St Mary’s High School in Downpatrick went to the University of Wales in Newport to study for a degree in documentary photography. 

After her own wedding, she realised there was a market for her approach to wedding photography.

“Some people may think that the bride and groom want these big, posed shots but I have found that actually what they want is the day and all the little family moments to be captured and that’s what I bring to their album,” she said.

“I pride myself on producing a wedding album that is unique to the couple, just as they are unique, and will spend considerable time researching with the couple what they want and what their interests are so that we can personalise the photographs and make them as meaningful as possible.”

Muiread also does studio photography and portraits at her studio on the Ballystrew Road where she lives with her husband and three daughters — Cliodha (8), Maire (6) and one year-old Dearbhla.