Double award success for young Moore photographer

A Moore businesswoman is celebrating award success on the double in recent weeks as she overcomes lockdown closures to emerge stronger than ever. Photographer Sarah Kilduff, who runs SMK Studios By Sarah Kilduff Photography in Ballinasloe, was recently honoured with a Business All-Star accolade as best in class by the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

The independently verified accreditation is an outstanding achievement for the studio as it recognises the hard work and dedication of the team in providing top class service to their customers.

Sarah has also been nominated for Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in the Micro Business Awards, 2021 which take place in October.

Speaking about the Business All-Star award, Sarah enthused: “Being included into the Business All-Stars community is an overwhelming achievement for SMK Studios. As a young business woman I am thrilled to be involved in such a recognised programme and I am looking forward to the adventures that the remainder of 2021 will bring,” she said thanking her loyal customers for all their support especially during the lockdowns.

SMK Studios By Sarah Kilduff Photography concentrates on the milestone portraiture side of the business and promises a photographic experience that aims to create beautiful bespoke images for you and your loved ones. A graduate of the Photography Institute (PI), Sarah also offers documentary-style wedding photography, engagement pictures and family photography.

The accreditation is overseen by the All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.

Kieran Ring, Deputy Chair on the Adjudication Board praised Sarah's achievement: “This certificate verifies that SMK Studios By Sarah Kilduff Photography has achieved AIBF 2021-1008 Business All-Stars Accreditation, in recognition of the company’s conduct in the areas of trust, performance and customer centricity. SMK Studios By Sarah Kilduff Photography is hereby included in The AIBF Register Of Irish Business Excellence.”

Dr Briga Hynes said the accreditation, which is now held by over 450 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by.

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is a national body that accredits best-in-class Irish businesses as Business All-Stars.

Meanwhile, Sarah will be looking forward to October's Micro Business Awards where she is down to the final three in the Young Entrepreneur Of The Year category.

The Micro Business awards are the leaders in celebrating Ireland’s small businesses and owners and appreciate the nation’s best through recognition of their success and continuous hard work.

The awards will take place in October where the winner will be chosen directly by a judging panel of business experts.

SMK Studios was nominated for the award as a “second-generation portraiture photographer who has studied both nationally and internationally to build the perfect progressive business model for the new age of photographers in business.

“In a dynamically changing society where the digital age is at a forefront, driving passion along with creative ability is more important than ever. Sarah specialises in new-born photography, children’s milestones, and studio-based family portraiture”.