Sky’s the limit

A murder of rooks scarper every which way, a black haphazardness of wings and arrows. Bruised clouds look to make good on their promise of a deluge. Despite the scores of crows, at no point do they overlap, instead a staccato rhythm of black. In the foreground electric wires intersect to bring a geometric solidity to a fluid composition. It’s a truly stunning photo.

This is just one of a series of Deirdre Rusk’s images shortlisted in the prestigious Irish Professional Photographer and Videographer of the Year Awards 2022. She agrees it’s up there with her favourites.

“I think it’s the way the light is hitting the telephone wires and the wings, and the sky was just crazy with pinky-orangey clouds,” explains Deirdre. “I just grabbed my camera and ran out. There were birds flying everywhere and the colours were mad. Sunset when there’s a storm coming is so much more dramatic.”

In the IPPVA heats Deirdre bagged prizes in the portrait and wedding documentary section, but due to the number of prizes she won in the Fine Art and Open sections she is in the running for Photographer of the Year in those categories, and the overall Photographer of the Year, at next week’s gala in Clontarf Castle Hotel.

Originally from Dublin, Deirdre has lived with partner Andras and their three children – Jack (12), Cailín (6) and Rosie Bee (4) - in Mullagh for the past dozen or so years.

She got her first camera aged just 12 and studied film production in Coláiste Dhúlaigh. A degree in photography in Griffith College followed and she joined the IPPVA about three years ago.

From that base she started her own photography business in 2018, taking fun-loving creative shots of families and couples in natural settings.

“I’m not studio based, I take photos of everyone out having fun, honest personalities, natural moments. Families are my passion – newborns and couples. I love that type of photography.”

She is also increasingly in demand for weddings, which is something she enjoys.

Her work takes her around the country: “I was in Waterford yesterday taking family photos at a beach, and at the weekend I’ll be up in Dublin.”

Blessed with an artist’s eye, Deirdre has taken her flair for capturing fleeting moments that engage into her competition entries. Two of her charming photos from the Open section feature her children in black and white.

A skateboard rests on Jack ‘s shoulders in one, as his gaze fixes on something out of shot. Considering it’s a close up, it comes across as surprisingly candid.

“He’s my little use muse but he won’t let me take photographs of him any more. He’s done with me now,” Deirdre says with a laugh. “He’s 12 so he’s like ‘Nooo’, unless I bribe him.”

Cailín features in another great pic that’s instantly familiar to every parent.

“In that photograph she was at the beach and she was screaming at me to wipe her hands, but I had to take a photo of her first,” she recalls.

Her other images from the fine art category possess the same “anxious vibe” of the birds photo, but are much more abstract and composed with a very limited palette.

“I was sitting in the passenger seat of a car and I put my camera on slow shutter mode and captured the scenery the car drove by and it gave that lovely blur. The white dot in the middle is a house. I’m working on a series of photographs like that. It’s kind of like passing by and movement – they are obscure and have a lot of mood in them – they are kind of lonely kind of photos.”

Which is fitting for when they were taken - lockdown.

She admits to looking forward to getting dressed up and enjoying the Photographer of the Year bash on Sunday, April 4, because regardless of what happens, she knows she’s come a long way.

“I’m a stay at home mam for my kids and doing something I love for a job which means I can be here for them, and work at the same time, it’s really really good. And the fact that I’ve done it myself, from having an idea and to see my little business grow, and getting recognised. It made me feel good. It’s the best feeling ever.”