Offaly photographer scoops Press Photographer of the Year Award for a second time with incredible picture

An Offaly photographer has scooped the prestigious Press Photographer of the Year Award for a second year in a row with a truly incredible picture. 

James Crombie of Inpho Photography picked up the top award for his incredible picture 'Murmuration' which captured the shape of a bird over Lough Ennell.

James' winning photograph

His portfolio was also cited as “the outstanding portfolio of the awards” by the judges.

Thanks you so much for all the messages since last night, couldn't have done it without the support of everyone of my colleagues at @Inphosports it's an amazing team to be involved in. Also my family who put up and understand me #ppaiaward2022 pic.twitter.com/qfCYlazdf4

— James Crombie (@INPHOjames) February 19, 2022

James received three category awards – first prize in Nature and the Environment, for what the judges coined as “picture of the year”, ‘Murmuration’ which beautifully captured a starling murmuration creating the shape of a bird over Lough Ennell, third place in Daily Life and People for his image ‘Fishing’ taken on Lough Corrib, Co. Galway and third place in Sports Feature for ‘Golden Moment’, a very emotional image of Kellie Harrington as she celebrated with her gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

A look again at the winning pictures from @INPHOjames who wins three awards, including Press Photographer of the Year, at tonight's @PPAI_IRL awards! #PPAI pic.twitter.com/zC91DqjWcE

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) February 18, 2022

The awards, which were presented across ten categories, were opened with a special address by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D. and featured appearances by a host of other well-known personalities and stars including Emily O’Reilly, Neven Maguire, Robbie Henshaw, Eve McCrystal, Colm Stafford Johnson, Panti Bliss and Dearbhail McDonald.