Irene Chen bags Award of Excellence in Newborn MPA UK Award

Image that won Newborn MPA Award of Excellence 2018

Image that won Newborn MPA Award of Excellence 2018

Very thrilled to have captured the highly coveted Award of Excellence in the Newborn Category last week at the MPA Master Photography Awards 2018! 

The annual Master Photographers Association (MPA) Awards welcomed some of the greatest photography talents in a glittering awards ceremony.  Over 2000 entries from working professionals kicked off the first round of digital judging, with a second round of images being scrutinized in the printed submission round. A panel of leading industry judges carried out the mammoth task of judging at the Darlington headquarters.

The MPA Awards Ceremony was held last weekend in a glittering awards ceremony at Jurys Inn Hinckley Island, 7 October 2018.  Thank you Master Photographers Association (MPA) for this award! 

“The standard of photography we have seen this year is without a doubt world class. It is always exciting to see new faces coming through and rewarding to see such great talent entering our awards. With entrants both UK and worldwide, our winners really are the pinnacle of creative excellence. The Association has sat as the premier photographic association since 1952 and this year marked the 34th Awards ceremony. It is an absolute honor to showcase imagery of such high standard and we are extremely proud to represent some of the greatest professional image makers globally.”
— Ray Low, CEO MPA

My winning entry features 2-week old Ethan Mathias Wong lying on a bed of dried leaves picked up from the park in front of my house and placed upon a railroad sleeper bench.  Over the past 6 months I had been developed a passion (some say obsession!) for plants, and are incorporating more and more natural elements into the images I craft. 

I had the privilege of also capturing Ethan while he was in mommy’s belly - see the beautiful mom and dad behind this angelic boy! 

About the MPA:
Established in 1952, the Master Photographers Association is the United Kingdom's premier organization for qualified professional photographers. 

The MPA offers members a variety of membership benefits, including education, qualifications, informative regional meetings, national seminars, and business building promotions with marketing support. 

All qualified members adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and have undergone qualification to at least Licentiate standard. Each photographer must have undergone a rigorous assessment of their photographic work and business practice before achieving qualification.

Established in 1952 the MPA has promoted true professionalism in photography for over 60 years.. 

For Further Information, please contact:
The MPA on: +44 (0)1325 356555 or at membership@thempa.com

First Place in Newborn MPA UK Award

The exquisite hand-crafted trophy resembling Wolverine's claw!

The exquisite hand-crafted trophy resembling Wolverine's claw!

“Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars…” says the fridge magnet that someone dear gave me.

So in 2017 I was literally busy shooting  - entering the Master Photographers Association UK annual print competition and then hoping of the folks up there in the UK like my baby images.  

So it was in the night of 8 Oct 2017 - very exciting and glamorous - big stage, bright lights and I landed among the stars!  It was an incredible feeling to be amongst the photography greats in the UK and around the world.  And it was kind of surreal to hear my own name called out... “First Place in Newborn Overseas goes to Irene Chen!” So excited I was at winning the coveted international title, I skipped to the stage forgetting the dangers of stilettos and thankfully did not trip on the steps!  

The image that won the OS Newborn Category MPA UK Award 2017/18

The image that won the OS Newborn Category MPA UK Award 2017/18

Superb lighting in this image with the baby’s face highlighted just enough to direct the viewer’s gaze. A reduced colour palette in the background is a fantastic choice as it harmonises with the skin tone and doesn’t fight for attention.
— MPA Award Judges

Thank you so much MPA for loving my work! And also kindly acknowledging my recent MPA qualifications and calling me up to the stage a couple more times to present the achievements of my Associate in MPA UK in the category of newborns.

Also present that night were home-grown and world renowned wedding photographers Keda Z and Roger Tan - flying the Malaysian flag high.  What an evening it was! 

Till then, to everyone...dream big, aim for the moon, and I wish you a fabulous landing amongst the stars!