THIS YEAR, MORE than a thousand people submitted photos of themselves and their families seizing special moments as part of Centra’s #LiveToday photo competition.
Twelve of the photos will be published in a 2017 calendar – and another six, below, have now been selected to appear on the retailer’s bag for life. Each captures a young person at one of the blink-and-you-miss-it moments that make up life.
We asked the six photographers to tell us why the particular moment they snapped was important to them.
Aideen told us why the moment was special:
“The picture was taken just after I returned home from South Korea where I lived for two years. I was so happy to be reunited with my family, friends and of course my country. After my return, myself and my family loaded up the car and went on a road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.
“It was a perfect day in Co Sligo, the sun was shining, lots of memories were made and we were ecstatic to be reunited. My mother took the picture of myself and my sister on the beach and I feel she did a great job of really capturing the mood of the day – one of joy and happiness.”
Nikki tells us why the moment was special:
“I haven’t been well for the last two years, and I started taking pictures all the time. It’s just helping to take my mind off things.
“I took this photo down in Kilmore Quay in Co Wexford, actually on Paddy’s Day this year. It’s my son Ronan, who is 10 – when he got up there, I was just like, stand there [and caught the photo]!
“He loves all sports. He always carries [the hurl] around, and a ball too. Somebody told me it’s like a GAA version of Rocky.”
Avril told us why the moment was special:
“It’s Mason, he is five. About a month ago we were just going for a walk through the park, the horse chestnuts were falling. And the kids were chasing each other, and there was a big puddle – so of course they were going to jump in. I managed to get a photo capturing his expression in that moment.
“Needless to say, the wellies were full of water when we came back. He was soaked, there was water everywhere. He didn’t mind.”
Alan told us why the moment was special:
“My sons Harry and Alfie, they’re two young balls of energy. They love going outside in the garden. One weekend, it was lashing rain, and we’d been in the house most of the weekend. So the deal was, I would get their rain suits out, and they promised me they wouldn’t get dirty.
“I went outside a few minutes later, and said ‘Were you playing in the muck?’ And Harry, the oldest, said ‘No I wasn’t.’ That’s when I took the photo.”
Meghan told us why the moment was special:
“It’s been my dream to go to medical school since I was quite young. I’m now doing a medical degree at the University of Limerick. When the photo was taken, it was the spring of this year – so it was the end of my first year, right before exams.
“My friend had come to visit me and we decided to take a trip to Dingle. We were in this beautiful place, talking about how great it was to be following your dreams, just hanging out by the cliffs. And we just started doing some cartwheels. That’s me in the photo.
“So for me the photo is about not only the beauty of that moment in Dingle, but also the moment you finally realise you’re living out your passion.”
Thérèse told us why the moment was special:
“The photo was taken in August 2013 in Brittas Bay, Wicklow when my daughter was seven. She loves the water and spent the entire time jumping between the waves. I captured this shot of her living in the moment, she was totally absorbed in what she was doing, jumping, skipping, splashing, enjoying the freedom.
“Living in the moment for us as parents is being with our kids seeing them having fun, engaging in real experiences, being carefree.”
Thank you to everyone who voted on the inspiring images in the #LiveToday competition. There were so many great entries that alongside the 12 winners in the 2017 calendar, the judges felt these additional six photos were just too good not to include. They will be featured on Centra’s bags for life which will be available in stores nationwide in the coming weeks, and each winner will also receive a €200 Centra gift card.
The nationwide competition marks the launch of Centra’s new brand position, Live Every Day, which encourages people to live in the moment and make the most of every day.
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