- Photographer Andy Hooper commended for photo essay based on the book Farewell to Upton Park
- Daily Mail snapper won acclaim at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards
- Hooper also named Sports Photographer of the Year for the fourth time earlier this month
Award-winning photographer Andy Hooper has been commended for a photo essay based on the book Farewell to Upton Park at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards.
Officially endorsed by the Club, Farewell to Upton Park was the brainchild of London Stadium Season Ticket Holder and Daily Mail and MailOnline Head of Sport Lee Clayton.
Daily Mail photographer Hooper was given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Boleyn Ground last season, capturing hundreds of unique images in celebration of the Hammers’ historic home of 112 years.
The four-times Sports Photographer of the Year selected ten of the 230 photographs printed in the book for his entry in the Photo Essay of the Year category.
It was amazing to be up against some brilliant pictures, some of them quite haunting, and there in the middle of it all, a photo essay of West Ham!
Andy Hooper
“Winning the Olympic Picture of the Year was one thing, but I am incredibly proud of the achievement of being commended in the category of Photo Essay too.
“I chose ten pictures that were used in the book and this achievement is a reflection of the access and co-operation of everyone at the club, from Vice-Chairman Karren Brady to the players and management and, of course, the fans. Farewell to Upton Park has been well received and I am thrilled to have been part of that.”
Hooper also scooped the Best Olympics Picture award for his image of the Team GB Women’s Hockey team, including West Ham United fan Susannah Townsend, celebrating winning the Gold medal at Rio 2016.
The commendation and award completed a memorable March for Hooper, who was named Sports Photographer of the Year for the fourth time earlier this month.
For that award, Hooper submitted a spectacular portfolio that included the Team GB Women’s Hockey celebration, Andy Murray celebrating victory in the Men's Singles final at Wimbledon and Jamie Vardy’s reaction to being sent-off in Leicester City’s 2-2 Premier League draw with the Hammers in April 2016.
*Farewell to Upton Park – The Official Celebration of West Ham United’s Home – 1904–2016, published by Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, is available to buy from the Official Online Store now, priced at £25.