Mabel Hetherington picked up the People’s Choice award in the child category at the My Perspective international photography competition, which was launched by the Down’s Syndrome Association.
It encourages photographers to flip the lens and capture how they see and interact with the world around them.
Mabel, who is from Irvinestown, took the photo of her mum Elaine smiling on a Sunday at Rossnowlagh beach.
She captioned the image ‘My Happy Mummy’.
Mabel said the beach is one of the favourite places that she visits with her mum. “I took this photo on a sunny day at Rossnowlagh beach of my mummy. My mummy loves it! The beach is our favourite happy place,” she said.
Elaine added that she was honoured to be the focus of her daughter’s entry and is pleased an awards format like My Perspective exists so Mabel can showcase her love for photography.
“Mabel loves taking pictures wherever we go. Whether we’re out for a walk or just out and about, she’ll grab someone’s phone and start snapping,” she said.
Elaine feels Mabel’s photography allows her to help communicate with those around her.
“Every photo Mabel takes is from her point of view, whether she’s looking up at someone or capturing the world from her own height. It’s beautiful to see the world through her eyes.”
The competition, now in its 15th year, attracted a record 252 entries from young and adult photographers across the world, including the likes of China, Iran, Guatemala, India, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria and the USA. However, Mabel’s entry was the only one from Northern Ireland.
Mabel travelled to London with her family to receive the award at a My Perspective ceremony in the Langdon Down Centre on Thursday night.
Elaine said: “We’re absolutely delighted that this little lady from a small county in Northern Ireland has got this public recognition for her photograph against competition from around the world.”
She thanked everyone who supported Mabel and voted for her photograph.
“Everyone in our community got behind her, and we got votes from as far away as Australia. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone for making Mabel one happy little girl.”
Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association, was very impressed with Mabel’s photo.
“There was very strong competition this year, but this joyous moment between mother and daughter captured everyone’s hearts.”
Mabel Hetherington and her mummy Elaine
News Catch Up – Friday 7 November
She is hopeful Mabel’s success can inspire others to take an interest in photography.
“Mabel’s love of photography really is the essence of what My Perspective is all about — celebrating the individuality of every single person who enters their lives, their way of seeing things and their talents.”