A wedding videographer from Co Fermanagh says he is delighted to have picked up a prestigious award for doing the job he loves.
Conor Conlon from Newtownbutler picked up second place for Wedding Photographer of the Year at the Irish Professional Photographers and Videographers' Association event last weekend in Dublin.
The Fermanagh man, now living in Donegal, said he initially took up photography 15 years ago before he progressed on to videography and later, weddings.
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“I started originally as a photographer 15 years ago and just naturally progressed into video work,” Conor told MyFermanagh.
“I used to spend a lot of time in Donegal surfing and would have shot a lot of surfing videos, then that progressed into doing music venues and festivals.
“I wasn’t really interested in wedding work at the start but I helped a friend out to do one one time and I really enjoyed it.
“I loved giving them a bit more modern feel and I ended up doing a lot more. From there I started up my own business about seven years ago now.
“Wedding videos used to be very traditional and they never really changed over the years, but the last five or six years there has been a lot of creative filmmakers stepping into the wedding industry.
“It’s nice to be part of that process of bringing them to another level.”
On the award itself, Conor said he was delighted to be recognised among some of the best videographers in the country.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have won the second place award, these are the most prestigious photography and videography awards in the country, the standard of entries is incredible with a really stringent judging process ”.
“It’s my second year in the running for the awards, they only started to include videography last year.
“I was a finalist last year as well but I was delighted to get the recognition this year.
“They take into account a lot of technical aspects and how your video tells a story, they have judges from across Ireland and internationally who critique your work.”
Conor adds that shooting weddings in his native Fermanagh is the "pinnacle" for him, given the natural surroundings of the area.
“I shoot nationwide but coming back into Fermanagh is just the pinnacle for me, I just love coming back,” he says.
“It feels good to be on your home turf, it really holds a special place in my heart.
“There are some amazing wedding venues in the county, you have the waterways and you’re never far away from a really beautiful location.”
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