Capturing the moment...Drew McWilliams Photography

Christmas by Candlelight

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:11:00 +0000

Pupils, parents, staff and friends of Dromore High School gathered in Dromore Cathedral for "Christmas by Candlelight" - an evening of carols, readings and music by the school's Music Department. More images may be viewed here: Dromore HS

Central PS Carol Service

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Dromore Central Primary School Carol Service was held in First Dromore Presbyterian Church. The service included musical pieces from the school's young brass, violin, clarinet and woodwind musicians with a delightful "Little Donkey" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" by the Year 2 Bell Ringers. The congregation enjoyed both Junior and Senior Choirs and readings for the occasion. Click here for the full set of images at drewmcwilliams.com.

More Golds!

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:51:00 +0000

Two more of my images have been awarded "Gold" in image competitions organised by the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographer (SWPP). Gold images are deemed to be images of the highest standard. They will go forward to the annual judging and winners are announced at the Society's Annual Awards Dinner in London in January. They are also published in "Professional Imagemaker" magazine. I have Gold images in the Landscape, Monochrome, Sport and Travel categories.

Family Photography

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:38:00 +0000

"Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: there's always one determined to face in an opposite direction from the way the arranger desires."
Marcelene Cox

Family portraits taken at your home - contact me in time for Christmas.

Party Time!

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:21:00 +0000

All images by Drew McWilliams LSWPP

Rathfriland, Co Down

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:11:00 +0000

A very prominent funnel shaped water tower occupies the high point in this riverless town, seen here in the distance from Drumballyroney Church.

A couple of landscapes - 11 hours apart

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:12:00 +0000

This is a piece of driftwood which I spotted as we travelled the Great Ocean Road, Australia.

This is Dromore Cathedral. Of course this image wasn't taken 11 hours after the other, just the two places are 11 hours apart on the other side of the world!

Remembrance Day Dromore, Co Down

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:48:00 +0000

The parade made it's way through Princes Street to the War Memorial at Market Square. After the Act of Remembrance the parade made it's way to a service at Dromore Cathedral.

Thoughts.....

Memories.....Pride.....

The full set of images may be viewed at Dromore Remembrance Day.

One scary dude with a big chopper

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:23:00 +0000

From the City Guide to Valencia: the Mercado Central is a masterpiece of modernist architecture. Designed in 1914 by Francisco Guardia and Alejandro Soler it was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1928. With a surface area of over 8000 square meters, inside you can find almost whatever in the more than 1000 selling posts: fresh fish, vegetables, meat, fruit... You must go inside to feel the atmosphere of the market, and being surrounded by the smells and colours of this place.

So there was I, wondering around the market with a wide angled lens hoping to capture some rich candid shots. The demeur of the butcher, as he watched me approach with my Nikon was such that I didn't feel safe photographing him surreptitiously and I nervously pointed to my camera and made signs with my face and shoulders which I intended to say, "Would you mind terribly if I photographed you?" This is his pose and not a word was exhanged between the two of us! I hurriedly left the market, checking over my shoulder as I went.

Done it again!

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:06:00 +0000

I was delighted to be awarded another Gold Award, this time for monocrome portraiture, in the monthly 'Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers' competition. This is my second gold success in two months. Bertie was a lovely man who wasn't too keen to be photographed and I usually had to chase him around Mourneview Park when he saw me with my camera!My October silver awards for Landscape, Pictorial and Exterior Architecture are included below.

The One Show

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Another first! I was contacted by BBC's One Show regarding a feature they wanted to do about "haunted trees" around the country. My good friends at the Banbridge Leader passed on details regarding some shots I had taken of the the tree at Finnis, just outside Dromara, and the researchers were keen to get the images for broadcasting. My mum was very proud as she watched my photos being used on national television.

I particularly like the way the cloud in the later image almost represents the 'spirit of the tree' being released. You can read the story from the Banbridge Leader here.

My images can be viewed here: Finnis Tree.

Ulster Bank, Dromore

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:22:00 +0000

The Ulster Bank in Dromore is situated in the town's very busy, very narrow, Church Street. The two storey building was inserted into a terrace by local architect Henry Hobart and it's beauty is often missed as one rushes between Market Square and the Cathedral on your way to Belfast, Banbridge or Lurgan. The sandstone and red brick facade can only be appreciated when viewed from a distance, such as the top of Lottery Place car park, but is well worth taking time to admire Hobart's design.

Childhood

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +0000

This image was taken during a family portrait session at home. A completely natural moment, the little girl simply jumped up onto the seat to look at her shoes! I'm glad I was there to capture the moment. Do you think she might grow up to be a fashion model?

This little lad was captured during a family photoshoot on location at Annalong Caravan Park. I love the picture of concentration and enthusiasm on his face as toddles as quickly as possible towards his mum.I was attracted to the sisters as they ran together in the park. Their colourful clothes against the green grass and the way the sun highlights their hair makes this a favourite image of childhood for me.

What can I say? Childhood in action.

Click here to view my children's photography portfolio.

Gold

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:45:00 +0000

I was delighted to receive a gold award for this landscape image of the Old Schoolhouse at Mullan's Corner, Dromore, in the Society of Portrait and Wedding Photographers monthly image competition for September. The building is a well known landmark for the thousands of travellers who journey along the A1 from Banbridge to Lisburn. The image is deemed to be of the highest professional standard and will go forward to the Society's annual judging and will be published in Professional Imagemaker.

Dromore II V Malone

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Dromore Rugby Club IIs fought a very competitive game against Malone in the Magners Junior League.
The teams drew the game 13-13.

Dromore's Edward Hanna gets up close and personal with his opposite number after a scrum.All hands on deck for the scrum

James Gibson is brought down and amazingly Dromore were penalised!

More images can be viewed on drewmcwilliams.com and the club's own website at www.dromorerfc.co.uk.

Valencia

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:58:00 +0000

Images from the beautiful spanish city of Valencia.
Evening sunlight falls on the Basilica, Plaza de la Virgin, Vallencia.
Neptune's fountain in the Plaza de la Virgin, with Valencia Cathedral in the background.
While the adults think about going into church, this little girl has much more important things on her mind. Basilica, Plaza de la Virgin, Valencia.
Valencia Cathedral - the mother Church of the Christian community in Valencia, Spain.
Restaurante Submarino at Oceanografico, Valencia.

Glenavon 1 - 1 Newry City

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Glenavon was literally 60 seconds from making the ideal start to the League season for the first time in a numer of seasons when Newry defender Cullen Feeney popped up at the back post to nod Darren Cassidy’s high looping cross past Andy Plummer. It gave Gerry Flynn’s side a deserved point after James Costello had given Glenavon an early lead. More at glenavonfc.com

For the full set of images click here: Glenavon V Newry City.

Family Studio Session

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Finnis Tree

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Finnis's famous haunted tree has finally been felled and the whereabouts of the evil spirit it was claimed it imprisoned is now unknown. How the tree looked last year:

Dromore Cathedral

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:49:00 +0000

The Cathedral, known as the Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, stands on the bank of the River Lagan where Saint Colman built his first church of ‘daub and wattle’ around 514AD. The building is an interesting mixture of various architectural periods, all clearly visible in its structure. Inset in one of the internal walls is an ancient stone, marked with a simple cross and know as Saint Colman’s Pillow, suggesting perhaps the strict rule of Colman’s monastic life.
Close to the Cathedral is Dromore High Cross.

To visit the cathedral website please click here.

Graduation Photography

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Graduation photography at home or wherever you feel comfortable. Drew will help you and your family make great images that will always bring pleasure. Call for an appointment or contact me.

Check out my Graduation Portfolio here.

David and Jacqueline

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Capturing the moment....
....wedding photography by Drew McWilliams LSWPP.

David and Jacqueline were married in Dromore Cathedral and enjoyed their wedding reception at the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge.

Twelfth Parade

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Dromore enjoyed fine weather for this year's Twelfth morning parade through the town. Orangemen, led by Skeogh Flute Band, made their way from the Orange Hall on the Hillsborough Road to board buses on the Banbridge Road, detouring as they always do, to allow the band to play a number of tunes for the residents of Skeagh House.
More images from Dromore Orangefest Celebrations may be viewed here.

Banbridge Orangefest

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:40:00 +0000

Andy Thompson played fife, accompanied by Sammy Dowds on Lambeg Drum, during a Fife and Drum event at THE OUTLET during Banbridge Orangefest Celebrations.Chris Irwin and Lambeg drummers from Banbridge District lodges at a Fife and Drum event during Banbridge Orangefest Celebrations hosted by THE OUTLET.

Andy Thompson plays fife, accompanied by Sammy Dowds on Lambeg Drum, during a Fife and Drum event at THE OUTLET during Banbridge Orangefest Celebrations.

At Banbridge Orangefest Drumming Match Chris Irwin (District Master) levels the Lambeg Drum of son, Scott, to ensure that both heads produce similar sounds.

Celebrating Orangefest are Keith Baird (District Treasurer), Chris Irwin (District Master) and David Watson (District Secretary) before a Lambeg Drumming Match at Banbridge Orange Hall.

William Fleming (Scarva) is well known as an expert Lambeg Drum head maker, preparing skins for the drum. Trevor Martin assists William as he tightens the heads of a drum before Banbridge Orangefest Drumming Match at Banbridge Orange Hall. Images from Orangefest at Dromore may be viewed here.

Capturing the moment.....at home

photos@drewmcwilliams.com (Drew McWilliams) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:10:00 +0000