Special Achievement Award 2017

Our special achievement award, as in previous years, has been nominated by you, the members and Trade. How do you describe this person? This person started his photographic career at the age of 13, he is won over 670 awards from numerous Fellowship to Photographer of the Years with all the Associations, helped numerous photographers to become better Photographers making then win awards obtain Fellowships and make their business thrive. All this though some challenging obstacles in his way but he is always up beat.

On Wikipedia it states the following, “Damian McGillicuddy born 15 July 1970 in Widnes is an English photographer specializing in fashion and glamour photography. At just thirteen years old, McGillicuddy commenced an arts degree but claims he did not thrive artistically at college and that the head of faculty told him he would never become a professional photographer. In 1986, aged sixteen, he left college and opened the photographic business. Damian has amassed over 670 international awards, 12 Photographer of the year titles, 10 fellowships and a double Grand Masters, and a Grand Master with Double Bar.

As well as having the prestigious title of ‘Grand Master’ and his role of Olympus UKs Principle Photographer and Educator and European Visionary.

McGillicuddy is also one of the industry’s premier photographic trainers, with his students achieving similarly prolific success.”

Phil Jones The Societies’ CEO says, “It was a great honour to call Damian my friend and over the years. I have had many battles with him when we were both directors of the MPA, if I recall right, I won most of them! Damian has helped so many photographers within our business; you deserve this mate and thanks for being my friend.”