Press release

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For further details please contact Chris Birchall on 01824 704844

Ruthin-based photographer Chris Birchall has just picked up major national honors ...and it's all down to a stunning mother of three and a handful of tiger lilies.

Chris beat off stiff opposition from the cream of the UK's portrait photographers to claim the title: Kodak Open Portrait Photographer of the Year.

The judging panel voted Chris's study of Victoria Murphy a unanimous overall winner in the popular Kodak Portrait and Wedding Awards - a competition that attracts thousands of entries each year.

Along with the title, Chris, who runs the BeautyPhoto.com makeover studio in Market Street with his stylist wife Jayne - also wins £750 worth of Kodak Professional product vouchers - PLUS £1,000 cash for Victoria.

He Said: "This is a great day for our studio.  I have entered these prestigious awards before and I did manage to reach the finals five years ago - but to pick up the overall award in the 'Open Portrait' category is just a dream come true."

He added: "The winning picture was part of a series I shot with Victoria.  We specialist in makeovers at this studio and her husband bought her one as a special present.

Victoria turned up with a beautiful bunch of Tiger Lilies and we used them in a number of shots, including the winning image.  She isn't a model -but she was a natural for these pictures."

Chris spent three days trying to track down Victoria to tell her he had won.  "I wanted to tell her she was £1,000 better off" he added.

Now Victoria, who lives at Min y Don, Abergele, has made it very clear to her family what she is going to do with the money.  "Diamonds are a girls best friend - and I want a diamond ring for sure."  She said, "I am sure the kids wont' go without - but I am definitely having that ring!"

She added: "Chris is a superb photographer.  He has the knack of putting you at ease - I loved all the shots he took."

Now Chris, who attracts customers to his studio from all over Wales and Cheshire, intends to continue with his winning streak.

"I hope this is just the start" he said, "I want to go on and win more awards next year.  Our website, beautyphoto.co.uk is a tremendous business builder - I've already displayed the award winning picture on the site.  I think this win will really boost our makeover business.  There is no other studio is this area specializing in this service.

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