Melvin captures a winning moment

A SHANNON man snapped up a new camera after scooping the Clare prize in the Danone Actimel Full of Life Winter Moments Photo Competition.

Melvin Scullion, who photographed his daughter Caoimhe playing in the snow last winter, secured a massive 2,350 votes to ensure he became the only winner from the Banner County.
Over 3,000 people entered the national competition and over half a million votes were cast during the event.
Maria Murphy from Danone explained the aim was to encourage Irish people to go out and enjoy life by capturing a winter moment that was full of life.
“Melvin’s picture captures the fun even the tiniest members of our families can have outdoors during the winter months. We really had a fantastic response to this innovative competition and we would like to thank everyone that entered and everyone that voted for the photograph that they felt best captured a full of life winter moment,” she said.
The five photographs that received the most votes were shortlisted and were then subjected to a final judging round. The judging panel comprised professional photographer Jason Clarke; marketing director Danone Ireland, Maria Murphy and creative director Ground 4D Peter O’Dwyer.
The first prize went to Fiona Whooley from Foxrock, Dublin who received €10,000 for her photograph of her son Murray with his assistance dog Clive a Golden doodle, a cross between a Poodle and Golden Retriever.
The four runners-up and the photograph that received the most votes in each of the 26 counties, each received a Canon camera.
Mr Scullion, who works in the Shannon Knights licensed premises and takes photographs as a hobby told The Clare Champion he was surprised to receive this award.
He decided to enter this competition after spotting it on the internet and thought a photograph of his daughter playing in the snow would make a good picture.