4 December 2006
The third combined photography award winners from the Master Photographers Association (MPA) and the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) were unveiled during a glittering awards ceremony in Coventry. Kris Dickson was awarded the coveted title of British Professional Photographer of the Year 2006, while Mark Nixon, scooped the title of Overseas Professional Photographer of the Year 2006.
Over 300 professional photographers and trade representatives attended the prestigious event held on 29th October at the Hilton hotel, where dozens of photographers received major accolades.
Qualified MPA and BIPP members from around the world submitted images for the annual competition and only the very best were short-listed. This year's judging panel was chaired by Kevin Wilson and made up of eminent Fellows from MPA and BIPP who hold disciplines relevant to each category. Kevin paid tribute to the successful photographers: "The standard of the category winners, along with the Award for Excellence winners was truly remarkable. It is a great honour to win such a prestigious prize - I hope each of them use their respective Awards to further their careers."
The UK Category winners are: Avant Garde Portrait: Maria Murray Family Portrait: David Burges Mother & Child: David Calvert David Mathias Portrait: Kris Dickson Under 5's: Jo De Banzie Classical Portrait: Steve Barry Press & PR: John Pridmore Pets: Mark Lord Commercial/Advertising: Stuart Freeman Industrial & Architectural: David Taylor Landscapes & Travel: Steve Walton Art of Science: John Brackenbury Fashion: John Parris Pictorial & Illustrative: Kate Cooper Dennis Hylander Wedding: Kris Dickson Avant Garde Wedding: Kris Dickson Classical Wedding: Bella West Blue Ribbon Award: Barbara Corsico Lichfield Award: Stuart Freeman Epson Award: Mark Russell Hill Events: Pam Ainsley Fashion/PR: John Pridmore UK Wedding Photographer of the Year: Kris Dickson UK Portrait Photographer of the Year: Maria Murray UK Commercial Photographer of the Year: Stuart Freeman British Professional Photographer of the Year 2006: Kris Dickson
The Overseas Category winners are: Fashion: Friedrun Reinhold Commercial/Advertising: David Cantwell Industrial & Architectural: Jason Boa Landscapes & Travel: Gerry O'Carroll Press & PR: Gerrard McCarthy Avant Garde Wedding: Mark Nixon Classical Wedding: Mark Nixon Pictorial & Illustrative: Jason Boa Avant Garde Portrait: Ton Van Zeijl Classical Portrait: Mark Nixon Events: Gerrard McCarthy Fashion/PR: Friedrun Reinhold Overseas Wedding Photographer of the Year: Mark Nixon Overseas Portrait Photographer of the Year: Mark Nixon Overseas Commercial Photographer of the Year: David Cantwell Overseas Professional Photographer of the Year 2006: Mark Nixon
Consumer Awards winners are: Cherubs: Chris Astbury Bride & Groom: Jayne Poole Bride's Choice: Rachel Barnes Kodak Consumer Award winners are: Portrait: Hossain Mahdavi Wedding: Colin Jones Licentiate winners are: Barbara Corsico Ciaran O'Neill