Raphael lift Landscape Photographer of the Year award

Raphael lift Landscape Photographer of the Year award

17 July 2019

LOCAL photographer Raphael Mason has celebrated being awarded a distinction by the British Institute of Professional Photography.

This was on top of winning the NIBIPP Landscape Photographer of the Year at the awards ceremony held at La Mon House Hotel, Comber.

Following assessment of his portraiture portfolio in February, Raphael was awarded the LBIPP distinction. Recently he scooped the top landscape print award for a stunning image of the Mournes, taken from Rossglass, one of his favourite photography locations. 

The Ballykinlar photographer, who also specialises in the wedding and commercial photography sector, was understandably overjoyed to pick up two top accolades in a short period.

“I was delighted that my panel of portrait work was judged good enough to be invited to join the BIPP,” he said.

“I look forward to working alongside them in the future to enhance my photography business for my current and future clients.

“Landscape photography has been a passion of mine for a long time now and to be named the top landscape photographer within the NIBIPP has been very pleasing. It makes all the early mornings and late evening jaunts worthwhile.”

Raphael also offers a school photography service with fellow photographer Philip Kelly, which has been steadily growing over the past couple of years. “Raphael also offers an events photography service with his mobile studio set-up, covering everything from Irish dancing events to awards presentation ceremonies. He also caters for clubs looking to raise funds through The Portrait Roadshow photo sessions, where clubs can host their own fund-raising studio shoots.

“As a full-time professional photographer, it has been a pretty hectic last couple of years,” he continued.

“I also run photography workshops for those wishing to improve their photography skills on an individual or group basis, so I’m kept pretty busy. No two days are ever the same, and I get to travel plenty which is what I enjoy.”

In 2016 Raphael was named Regional Photographer of the Year at the NI Wedding Awards and is looking forward to showcasing his wedding photography via his new website which will soon be launched.

“It has been a busy time for weddings, which have taken me to some amazing locations in Ireland. At the end of the day I’m here to offer my clients a quality photography service and travelling is all part of that service,” says Raphael.

He added: “In a few weeks I am off to Gdansk in Poland to cover a wedding which I am very much looking forward to. You never know from one week to the next where you will end up, and for me that’s all part of being a modern-day photographer.”