Gerry O'Leary is the immediate past President of the Irish Professional Photographers Association and a Past President of the Master Photographers Association of UK. He is a qualified FIPPA, FBIPP, FMPA, PPA, MQEP and has won several awards.

He is acknowledged as a foremost photographic judge and international speaker & guest lecturer.
Gerry O'Leary has judged & lectured in Ireland, England, Italy & Spain.

Gerry O'Leary has been Elected as the European Commercial Photographer of the Year 2009, UK Architectural Photographer of the year 2008/09, UK Commercial Photographer of the year 2008/09, Winner of ‘Best International Photographic Book’ - Italy 2008, European Master Photographer of the Year 2007, UK Overseas Commercial Photographer of the year 2007/08, Irish Architectural Photographer of the Year 2004, ‘05, ‘06, 07, UK Architectural & Industrial Photographer of the year 2004/05, Irish Professional Photographer of the year 2005 and UK Overseas Photographer of the Year 2003/04

Q. Tell us about what motivated you to set up a “satellite office” in Dubai, and what’s the impression you have got of the Arabian photography market?

Having paid a recent visit to Dubai in April 2007, I decided there & then that I should be working in the region. The architectural landscape was inspirational and the scale of the projects were mind blowing. Sheikh Zayed Road was my first stop, and my lower jaw was dragging on the pavement with excitement as each tower was more beautiful than the previous. I went onto the Marina followed by the Creek, I was like a kid in a candy store!!

Additionally I loved the climate, sunshine every day, and for my work sunshine is a prerequisite. Dublin my home City frustrated me as there may only be 3 or 4 sunny days in the month, in fact in July 2007 there was only one blue sky sunny day….and I was counting, believe me.

So a satellite office in Dubai, “was a no-brainer” for me, with beautiful architecture & fabulous weather.

Q. How would you rate the levels of local and regional talents in commercial photography in the Middle East?

One of my first ports of call when I was doing my recce in Dubai was Magrudy’s Bookstore. I wanted to see what the standard was and whom might I be competing against. And while there is some decent talent in the area, I quickly figured that I could raise the bar when it came to shooting architecture. I knew I somehow had to reach my target client base and educate them if necessary.  As with anyone who is recognised as being at the top of his or her profession, it takes perspiration as well as inspiration and many long years of earning a reputation. Winning awards, publishing books, being recognised by the media and working on iconic projects all help with one’s reputation.

Q. Tell us about particular regional projects that you have worked on and would like to share with our readers.

I regularly have to pinch myself as a reminder of where I am and what I am shooting. I feel like Roger Federer (the tennis master) getting paid to play. I fall out of bed everyday and love where I am going. Often I get to stay in beautiful hotels while I am shooting such as the Burj Al Arab, The Yas Hotel & the Ritz Carlton. Other beautiful projects I have shot include The National Bank of Dubai, DIFC, The Address, The Shangri-La, The Dubai Mall, Dubai & Abu Dhabi international airports. I am currently shooting the amazing Meydan project and next week move on to shooting the Dubai Metro.

Q. What’s your view regarding the degree of professionalism among image bank services supplying the advertising and media market in the region?

I am, for the most part, commissioned to shoot projects, consequently I’m less familiar with image bank scenarios. I am aware that ArabianEye are among the largest and most professional image banks in the Middle East and ably compete with the larger global firms. As such, I have selected them to represent me as photo-agents and additionally for stock images when I have time to shoot them.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Photography is an art as well as a science. Most discerning buyers know this, but many don’t. They see it as a commodity and compare photographers based on price alone. It an anomaly for me that many clients still buy creativity based on price alone. Every poet has access to the same vocabulary as the next poet; every music composer has access to the same notes and frankly every taxi driver in Dubai can buy a camera like mine. Writing a poem, composing a music score and taking a picture are all easy tasks…but the ultimate litmus test is the final outcome” the proof of the pudding” so to speak. Composition is the key and creativity is the driving force, you either have it or you haven’t.