A Belfast amateur camera club has said they are delighted their hardwork and dedication has paid off as they are named World Cup Champions.
The Catchlight Camera Club were named the 2024 FIAP World Cup for Clubs Champions, coming ahead of more than 290 other camera clubs from across the world who entered the photography competition.
One of the club's members, Pamela Wilson, also picked up the gold medal for the best picture entered into the entire competition, Lucky Number Seven.
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Founded 12 years ago by Ross McKelvey, this is the second time the club has picked up the prestigious title and tops off a very successful year where they were also crowned the camera club champions for the UK and Ireland.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Catchlight Camera Club chairperson, Jennifer Willis, said the club were delighted with their achievement and credited the dedication and teamwork of its members who she says go out of their way to support one another.
The club currently has around 45 members of varying experience with one of its key aims being to help develop one anothers abilities and they are always working to improve their skills.
Jennifer said: "For a club of our size to win the World Cup for a second time is such a massive achievement especially when you recognise that we are going up against the very best camera clubs from all over the world who could have 200 or more members. It just goes to show that Northern Ireland really punches above its weight in the world and it is a huge honour for us all to be awarded this title.
"Catchlight Camera Club was founded just over 12 years ago by Ross McKelvey with the aim of raising the standard of photography in Northern Ireland and during that short period it has become the club to beat in the UK.
"I believe one of the main reasons Catchlight has become so successful is that all of our members are very supportive of one another and always willing to help someone learn a new skill and improve their photography, nobody holds secrets here and we always encourage eachother to experiment and further their knowledge.
"This past year has been a particularly successful year for Catchlight as alongside the FIAP World Cup win, we also won the PAGB Print Championships, NIPA interclub competition and IPF Club Championships. We are also very proud of our member Pamela Wilson who's picture was recognised as the very best at the World Cup.
"While competition photography is a focus at Catchlight, it is not everything and we really just want our members to enjoy their photography and produce the best work that they can."
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