BRIGHTON PHOTOGRAPHER WINS STILLS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2004

New Photographer, Denise Hammond of YouNique Photos, has won the 2004 Stills Photographer of the Year for her work with USA based company, 360 Media. Denise shot images for the Intercontinental Hotel Group in the UK and several European cities and was awarded the title by 360 Media, the company who chose the photographs she had taken on behalf of the Intercontinental Hotel Group. They said 'her style and composition are first class and she brings a unique perspective to each image. She can make the smallest and most unattractive room look like the President’s suite'.

Denise used to work in the technology industry. She was made redundant 18 months ago and decided to turn her photographic hobby into a full time freelance career. She invested £10,000 in professional digital equipment and started taking photographs of local scenes and events. Denise said 'It was incredibly difficult at first. Professional equipment can be much harder to use and there is so much to think about. I ended up in tears on many an occasion, believing I couldn’t reach the level of the professionals'.

Two photographic agencies in London recognised her abilities though, and she gained a five year and a three year contract with each of them within weeks of turning freelance. 360 Media, contracted by worldwide company, Intercontinental Hotel Group, saw the photographs and contracted her to undertake advertising work in their hotels in London and the South East, Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. Denise beat other photographers across the world to gain her award.

Denise said 'This is wonderful news and I’m very pleased to win the award. It’s great to be recognised for the work I’ve done, and especially as I haven't been a photographer for long'.

For more information contact: Denise Hammond at YouNique Photos

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