By Tourism Development
Officer- Heidi Woods
Brendan
Diver from Photos from Ireland recently held another photography workshop,
commencing on Sunday 3rd of July with an action packed week. There
was a keen demand for places due to his highly successful event last year. On
arrival the large group of international photographers spent their first night
at the Strand Hotel, with an evening of entertainment provided by local artists
and an opportunity to network professionally. The Inishowen Tourism team supplied
a Welcome Pack of the “what to see and do” with Failte Ireland contributing
Wild Atlantic Way promotional items in support of the event.
A
key theme was to include local iconic scenery and historical sights of interest.
Capturing the natural elements, community and indigenous wildlife was the focus
of the photo shoot. People, animals such as horses, dogs, and birdlife created
an authentic photographic experience for the visitors. Elena Shumilova world
renowned photographer hosted the party. The participants were from near and far,
Ireland, UK, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Romania, USA, Moldova, Georgia, Peru,
Singapore, South Africa, Cayman Islands, Poland, Lithuania, Belgium, Germany, France,
and Italy.
The
world famous Russian photographer Elena returned to Ireland from the 4th
to 8th of July 2016 for her second series of workshops, nine months after
her first on her world tour. Elena has a
following of over sixty million people online and is one of the top eight
children's portrait photographers in the world. Up until last October Elena had
never taken a workshop outside of Russia. Brendan Diver from Photos from
Ireland had been following her posts online and had consistently admired her
work. He contacted her initially to ask
if she had any plans to do a workshop in Ireland as he was eager to learn from
one of the world best photographers.
During
the correspondence that ensued between Brendan and Elena, she suggested that
they collaborate to organise an event. Brendan didn’t need to think about it,
he just replied “ YES, YES, YES”.
The
successful last October workshop, which saw forty photographers travel from all
over the world, resulted in Elena herself embarking on a world tour in
countries such as the USA, Sweden, Iceland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, New
Zealand and Australia to name just a few.
At the time of writing Elena will have visited nearly thirty countries
across the world by the end of 2016.
Elena’s
workshop for this year started in the quiet picturesque village of Ballyliffin
and the workshop was held between the Strand Hotel and the Doagh Famine
Village. Elena had shared some thoughts
with Brendan over the week and stated “the Ballyliffin and Clonmany area was
one of the most beautiful and scenic locations she has ever seen” from her
travels across the world and it was not hard to see why visitors fall in love
this beautiful location.
Although
Elena ran two workshops in Ballyliffin during the week Brendan had organised a
special treat by mixing it up with specific locations of interest; some steeped
in history, others of a bygone era re-visited, iconic landscape, and models
suitability fitting for the occasion. The itinerary followed a route starting
at Carrickabraghy Castle in the Isle of Doagh, a visit to the Famine Village,
Mindoran Lough, An Grianan of Aileach,
Dunree Fort and then through the Mamore Gap concluding at the Glenevin
waterfall in Clonmany. At each location
Brendan had models and animals ready for the photographers and over the course
of the week a total of seventy five people and their families engaged with the
events provided props and support throughout the day.
Elena
stated that the Irish were one of the friendliest and most welcoming races of
people. The whole experience is not just about beautiful locations but it’s
people that made the workshop so successful.
From the minute she arrived at the hotel, meeting the models, greetings
from Pat Doherty at the famine village to Bradley’s buses, there was a
welcoming smile all the way from both the young and old. This was mentioned time and time again by
everyone on the workshop. One photographer did her workshop in the UK but said
there was something about the Irish workshops hosted by Brendan from Photos from
Ireland that impressed her to come here and do it again bringing another
participant with her. This was reiterated by another photographer who travelled
from Norway and did both workshops whilst here in Ballyliffin. Many of the
photographers are coming back again to Ballyliffin and Inishowen after seeing
firsthand the beauty of such an amazing place.
One photographer from Sweden visited Malin Head. As his wife's first
name was Malin, he took a photo of the stunning location to take back to her,
as she was beautiful like the place named after her.
Such
was the success of the workshops held in October last and July this year Elena
Shumilova has asked to come back again for more workshops in May 2017. She
states “Inishowen and especially Ballyliffin will always be in her heart, there
is something different and special about its people, its heritage and culture,
not to mention its stunning scenery and dramatic weather as well”. Elena has
invited Brendan to come and visit and stay with her at their family home in
Andreapol 400 km's from Moscow for photography at her favourite locations.
Other
feedback includes a collection of comments and appreciation of the event as
follows:
·
Photographer from Singapore wants to come
back photograph wildlife and perhaps some underwater photography.
·
Girl from Lithuania had already booked
Aberdeen after workshop. She lives in Dublin but re routed to Derry in order to
go back up to An Grianan an Aileach to take more photos. Such was the beauty
she saw.
·
Some thought Donegal, before they came here,
was all about Daniel O'Donnell and slot machines in Bundoran. They saw a side
to Donegal that they never envisaged possible.
·
Every
ten minutes they had a completely different scene and rich in history and
culture.
·
Elena saw dolphins whilst having a meal with
Brendan and family at the Seaview Tavern in Malin Head. She was also at
Knockamany Bends. She loved how fresh the seafood was, caught and delivered
just yards from the pier in Malin Head.
The
party wish to convey their grateful thanks to all the businesses for such a
memorable tour. Special thanks to the Strand Hotel for their meals and
accommodation and pulling out all the stops to make the workshop a success.
· The music and entertainment provided by the
various artists.
·
Pat
Doherty from the Famine Village in the Isle of Doagh for use of their premises
and hospitality.
·
Bradleys buses who transported every one so
safely
· Nancy’s Barn, Seaview Tavern, Rusty Nail for
delicious meals in unique settings.
· Inishowen Gateway Hotel for coffee on the bus
tour.
· Local shops for their service.
· Malin Stables for their use of their Shetland
pony and for supplying for his birds of Prey at the Workshop.
·
Brendan furnished them with
local knowledge on the history, Amazing Grace, An Grianan, Dunree Fort etc....
The photographers captured
our beautiful Inishowen on camera, the Inishowen people captured their hearts
and minds. I have a feeling they will return again, again and again!
As the Development Officer
here in the Buncrana office this tour has added a huge boost to marketing
Inishowen as a destination. The online sharing of images all over the world due
to the participant’s diverse country of origin means we can optimise our reach
to new markets; developing new contacts and networking to market Inishowen as “must see and explore” holiday or part of a
package to discover Donegal’s section of the Wild Atlantic Way.
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