Marc Le Cornu – who runs BAM Perspectives – won the documentary category of the Aerial Photography Awards for ‘Fire Attack’, an image taken as part of a commercial shoot for Ports of Jersey that shows the Jersey Airport Rescue and Firefighting Service tackling a simulated blaze.
The awards featured thousands of submissions from 65 countries and included 22 different categories. Mr Le Cornu also received third place in the sport category for a Jersey Triathlon photo, plus a special mention in the transportation section for his boat photograph.
Mr Le Cornu, a former firefighter, said: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon to have won the documentary category. It is my favourite aerial photo I have ever captured, so to be recognised in such a prestigious competition is absolutely mind blowing. Some of my favourite photographers were in there and shortlisted, so it is fantastic to be in among so much talent.’
He added that the award was especially poignant because the winning photograph combined his passion for drone photography, top-down views and firefighting. ‘My favourite style of photography is the top-down aerial style. Everyday things look completely different from above,’ said Mr Le Cornu. ‘I worked as a firefighter for 27½ years at the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service before leaving in 2019 to work as a freelance photographer. For these three elements to come together in one photo, and to receive an award for this image, is just fantastic.’
Mr Le Cornu emphasised that the shoot only took place following extensive risk management work with Air Traffic Control to ensure the safety of aircraft operating at the Airport. Drones cannot be used within the two nautical miles of the air traffic zone without permission from Air Traffic Control.
Mr Le Cornu has previously won other photography awards, including the abstract category of the Drone Awards at the 2019 Siena International Photography Awards, the sport category of the Photobox Instagram Photography Awards and the Coverdrone Photography Awards. He also had a photo shortlisted for the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards.
