AWARDS: An article published on Andrea's Fuji Portrait Photographer of The Year!!

Andrea O'Hare from Londonderry has won the 1997 Fujifilm Portrait Photographer of the Year title in the Fujifilm Wedding and Portrait Awards. She has already received £500 of Fujifilm Professional vouchers for being a finalist, and will also receive £1,000 cash for the overall title. The subject featured in her winning portfolio will also receive £1,000. "I am delighted to have won, although I am very surprised! I have been trying some different things and they seem to have paid off," says Andrea who also won the title in 1995. "I think I will put the money in the bank - it definitely won't go into the business!" "I think some people tend not to enter the Fujifilm Wedding and Portrait Awards because the standard is so high it's unbelievable. It's easy to think that you don't stand a chance in hell of winning, but I think it's better to be in with the devils - if you don't enter, you don't win." Andrea's winning portfolio features Michelle Doherty from Londonderry. "Michelle wanted a portfolio put together as she is trying to break into modelling. She is currently an air hostess, although she has already done some photographic and catwalk modelling and has been runner-up in Miss Northern Ireland," says Andrea. Andrea used an unusual technique which uses no emulsion and creates a watercolour effect. This technique extends the image from the photograph onto the paper so that it has a 3D pastel look, and is achieved traditionally without using any digital manipulation.    "This effect, which is particularly good with female subjects, could possibly be attempted on a computer. But I don't think anyone could duplicate what I do - every image is an original." A professional photographer for the last 12 years, Andrea comes from a background combining art and photography. She completed an art foundation course in Belfast and a BA in Creative Photography in Nottingham. Although Andrea does some wedding photography, the majority of her work focuses on offering people unique portraits. "I am lucky, I get a tremendous lot of work - particularly from young girls and the older generation who admire my work," says Andrea. "I have a reputation for capturing the best in people and making them look really good." Andrea spends a lot of time entering competitions and during the quieter period between January and March, finds time to concentrate on non-commissioned, more creative work. "I get my creative ideas by always keeping an open mind and keeping an eye on the market. I also visit galleries and look at magazines, television advertising and what is going on in the fashion world." Her successes in competitions, which have included 1995 Fujifilm Portrait Photographer of the Year and DLK Portrait Photographer of the Year 1997, have made her a bit of a local celebrity, although she tries to keep her personal life very private. "My idea of heaven would be to be stranded on a desert island with about 10 people relaxing and talking about photography!"