JOHN HOOTON RECEIVES MAJOR AWARD.

John Hooton receives major international photographic award.

As Mallow Camera Club celebrates 25 years in existence one of its co-founders, John Hooton was recently awarded with the highest honour attainable from the photographic world.

F.I.A.P., the International Federation of Photographic Art is the governing body for camera clubs in over 90 countries worldwide.  It awards distinctions to photographers who attain the highest levels of excellence in their work on an international basis.

John has been to the fore of the photographic world for the last number of years.  The Irish Photographic Federation, the second oldest photographic group in the world, have three distinctions to which photographers strive to attain and John has been successful if reaching the pinnacle of this receiving his Fellowship in 1999.  Following this John was also awarded a Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Federation and an Excellence award from F.I.A.P

Master F.I.A.P. is the highest award achievable and less that 150 photographers worldwide have received this honour.  Before a photographer receives this award they must show in their work the highest standard and also be recognised by other countries through competition and exhibitions. John’s work has been seen throughout Ireland, England, mainland Europe, America and Australia and he has won numerous national and international awards.  John also explained that he travels extensively throughout Ireland lecturing on photography and also leading workshops and groups on field trips.  It is then up to each countries national body to nominate any individual photographer who they feel has reached all the criteria set out by F.I.A.P.

John, together with fellow photographer Des Clinton from Drogheda were asked to submit a panel of 20 images for consideration and also a citation on their work.  Both were successful and are now the only two Irish photographers who can add MFIAP to their name.

At an award ceremony held in Carrigoon recently John was presented with his certificate by F.I.A.P. Liasion Officer in Ireland, Mr. Sean Casey. Also present was the President of the Irish Photographic Federation, Mr. Mark Sedgwick, Lord Mayor of Mallow Mr. Willie O’Regan, local T.D. Mr. Sean Sherlock, Mr. Noel O’Connor local councillor, members of Mallow Camera Club and other camera clubs from throughout Munster, family and friends.

Mark Sedgwick president of the IPF,Noreen Hooton,John Hooton and Sean Casey Irish officer for FIAP.