I worked for 30 years as a member of An Garda Siochana, the Irish Police Force, spending most of my time in the picturesque town of Thomastown in County Kilkenny.  During a period spent working with the United Nations in the Middle East, I became interested in photography.

On returning back home in 1975, I took this interest a stage further by building my own small studio and darkroom.  Over the years, I continued to grow in experience and I photographed my first wedding in 1990.  My wife Sheila has been of enormous help to me over the intervening years, as have our three children:  Catherine, Aidan, and Vincent.

Since then, I have gone from strength to strength, mostly through word of mouth recommendations and referrals.  In 1995, I took early retirement from An Garda Siochana to devote myself full time to my photography business.

I am a member of the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA), an organising body that requires its members to adhere to a strict code of conduct as well as ensuring that its members are dedicated and competent fulltime professionals.  One of the highlights of my career so far was being a finalist in the Kilkenny for Excellence Business awards for three out of four years. Click here and have a look at some photographs from the 2001 awards at Springhill Court Hotel organised by Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce.

For the past four years at I have received awards for my wedding photogrphy at the Annual Irish Professional Photographers Dinner in Dublin.  I also was awarded three crests — one silver and two bronze — and presented with certificate by Robert Alan, President of the IPPA.

During 2001, I won photographer of the year with O’Brien Sandwich Bar see details. I also was a finalist in the Kilkenny for Excellence Business Awards for two years running.  All my photographs are produced using Kodak professional imaging products, ensuring the Kodak Promise of Excellence.

In May 2003, I was awarded the Continuous Improvement Award amd nominated for a Business Award organised by Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce.  One judge’s comment was “Amazing use of information technology to meet cutomer needs.  Use of web to add value and interest to cutomers and others.  Very impressive business.”

Details of the negatives of all photographs are held on a database for an indefinite period of time.  For example, if a couple ever lose or have their wedding album stolen, I can replace it page-by-page as I know from the database the reference number of each photograph that went into a particular album.

I attend seminars both in Ireland and the U.K., such as those organised by the IPPA, to continually expand my expertise in photography.