The Master Photographers Association finish the first stage of judging

Photo by Marcus Perry.

Press Release:
The successful photographers in the portrait category are Marcus Perry from Ware, Stephen Yates from Keswick, Lindsey Brooker from Cheshunt, Peter Rowen from Dublin and Gary Patterson of Stevenage. In the wedding section these photographers triumphed, Peter Trenchard (2) from St Helier, Gary Walsh from Stockton-on-Tees and Stuart Wood (2) from Dunbartonshire. Each of these now go forward to the final judging in September 2009. The overall winners will be chosen from this final judging. Presentations will take place at the British Professional Photography Awards Dinner at the Newcastle Hilton on 11 October 2009.

The Awards are open to all photographers, not just MPA members, and there is still a chance to enter, with the second and final deadline being 30 August.

The Wedding & Portrait Awards is a joint initiative between Kodak and the MPA. The subject of each of the winning photographs receives £1,000 and a Kodak digital camera, and the winning photographers will be presented with a trophy and certificate to display in their studios. Publicity is a big part of the Kodak Awards package; the winning photographers will receive free publicity to help them promote their businesses in their local area.

The Kodak Awards are also a major fundraiser for the MPA's adopted charity, the PACE Centre in Aylesbury. Each entry carries a £1 charge and all monies are donated to PACE.

For full entry instructions go to the MPA Awards or call MPA head office on 0845 130 9700.