Raphael sweeps the boards at photography awards

Raphael sweeps the boards at photography awards

6 March 2024

HIGHLY acclaimed local photographer Raphael Mason enjoyed an unbelievable night at the Professional Photographers’ Association of Northern Ireland’s glittering awards ceremony held in Newcastle last weekend.

He was the toast of his peers at the blue riband event at the Slieve Donard Hotel when, incredibly, he won four categories and finished second in a fifth.

The Ballykinlar man secured five awards in separate categories including the open portrait, creative landscape, Licentiate photographer of the year titles and was second runner-up in the pet portrait of the year category.

More used to focusing his camera lens on people and landscapes, Raphael was the focus of attention himself at the gala awards night and was firmly in the spotlight, fully deserving of the rapturous applause he received from his contemporaries.

Raphael, a former Down Recorder news and sports photographer, had a few anxious moments in the run-up to submitting his entries. His original prints arrived damaged and the re-prints arrived just in time for him to get his entries in.

“I was in a bit of a panic but my lab was amazing and had them printed, mounted and delivered in a couple of days,” he said.

He was delighted just to have been shortlisted as he was in the company of the cream of the province’s top professional photographic talent.

Having never been someone who regularly entered competitions in the past, the Ballykinlar man is now revered by his peers who warmly congratulated him on his outstanding success. It’s only in recent years that he has started to enter competitions.

Over the past five years Raphael has entered a number of competitions and was a previous winner in the British Institute of Professional Photography’s regional and UK national awards for his stunning landscapes.

Reflecting on his success on Sunday evening at the awards ceremony, Raphael said he now understands why some photographers view competitions as important to their business. 

“They view success as a measurement of the quality they are producing which raises the bar in terms of the standards they set for themselves,” he explained.

“In recent years I have tried to look at my photography/videography with this mindset.”

And while delighted to be shortlisted in five categories, Raphael described his success on the night as “the stuff of dreams” which has literally blown him away.

He believes his success is a reward for the hard work he has put into his award winning business in trying to improve what he offers.

“Joining the Professional Photographers’ Association of Northern Ireland was one of the best decisions I have made for my business,” he said.

And while he admitted being happy just to get to the finals, his unique talent shone like a beacon in the eye of the judges.

Raphael, works across many sectors in his business which include wedding, brand, commercial and corporate photography. He also runs The Schoolpix Company, providing portraitures to schools.

“I capture faces and places but in many different settings,” says Raphael, “whether it’s a business head-shot, event, school portrait, or landscape commission I try my best to create images which work for my clients.”

He said to be crowned the winner of four categories when up against some of the province’s best photographers, is the pinnacle of his career as a photographer to date.

Raphael was back in the Slieve Donard Hotel on Monday morning to take part in a workshop with his peers, proof that you are never too old to learn and improve your skills.

Summing up his success last weekend Raphael said there was only word – unbelievable.

After submitting his entries, the initial judging took place just over three weeks ago at Queen’s University Belfat where there were over 750 entries across all the various categories.

All entries were examined in detail by award-winning judges from the UK and Italy, renowned in their own fields of photography.

“Once the judges selected the top five prints in each category these then went forward to the final, and had to be printed as 20x16ins enlargements for the final judging. One of my colleagues in the NIPPA said to me on Sunday that he thought I would have a good night. I was hopeful but you can’t be really confident when you see the quality of work in front of you,” said Raphael.

“When I walked into the function room and saw the photo of my granddaughter Taylor, which won the open portrait award, on a large pop up banner I wondered why they had used that image,” Raphael explained.

“It got me thinking that it might have been among the prize-winning images.”

The Ballykinlar man genuinely thought he may have picked up a second or third prize and never imagined for a second what was about to happen to him, ironically at one of the world’s most photographed hotels.

Raphael was hoping to do well in the landscape photographer of the year category which he won last year, but knew the photo of Taylor was one that would catch the attention.

“Aged 11, Taylor is a quiet girl and I have only taken her picture in a studio setting on maybe two occasions, with my entry the second one. Taylor took directions really well but I have to thank her little sister Freya (7) who helped me capture the image by holding a hair dryer to blow Taylor’s hair across her face,” he said. “All in the comfort of a freezing garage in December,” he laughed.

Raphael also believes his awards success will help his business and not content to sit on his laurels, he intends to get even better behind the lens.

“My peers in the photography industry have recognised the hard work that I put in,” he continued. “We all work hard in the PPANI to offer our clients the best service possible when creating images for them,” he said.

“Back in October 2002, I applied for a photographer’s job with the Down Recorder and was fortunate enough to get it.

“The job gave me great experience and was the stepping stone to my career now and I absolutely love what I do. I have been fully self-employed for seven years and can’t think of doing anything else. The weekend awards reflect the work I put into my business but also the joy I derive from doing what I do. And to be recognised by your peers is very humbling.”

Top UK portrait photographer Paul Wilkinson, one of the judges and revered as one of the top portrait photographers in the world, loved the image of Taylor.

“Paul is a master photographer who has reached the pinnacle of his profession and is among the world’s elite and to have him praising my image is something really special,” he continued.

“He told me it was a stunning piece of work that had everything you want in a super portrait with great expression, great composition and great lighting. For him to come over and talk to me at length about my photo was special,” beamed Raphael.

Still reflecting on his success, Raphael cannot believe he scooped four prestigious awards.

“I thought perhaps I had a good chance in two of the categories, not four or a runners-up spot in another. I knew it was a great photo of Taylor and I have been blown away by people’s comments on it.

“Last year, I won landscape photographer of the year with an image of my favourites location, the Mournes from across Dundrum Bay. I do a lot of walking around local beaches, Tyrella and Minerstown in particular. It does me so much good to walk around the coast to get away from the stresses of sitting in front of a computer all day,” he said.

“And I know that through my images of the area over the past 15-20 years, many people are choosing to visit Tyrella, Minerstown, Rossglass and St  John’s Point to take their own photos, walk, or just sit in their car and marvel at the spectacular scenery surrounding them. It is there for everyone to enjoy - I just happen to enjoy it a bit more when I have a camera in my hand,” said Raphael.

Raphael continued: “I’m delighted to be recognised by my peers which is the best accolade you can receive.

“When renowned professional photographers are choosing the winners, it’s something very special and humbling and fills me with pride. Working as a newspaper photographer gave me a great grounding and provided the platform for me to build the career I now have. I’m grateful for the time I had at the Down Recorder,” he said.

“I now work in a profession where everyone helps each other and wishes everyone well and when people congratulate you they are really genuine and mean what they say.”

Raphael added: “I had a great night on Sunday and waking on Monday morning and seeing the awards on the kitchen table proved I wasn’t dreaming. It really happened.”