My name is Michael J. Cotter and my studio is based in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. The studio name is Shutterbugs Photographic Studio and orginally opened in Febuary 1996. I lived in New York from 1988 to 1996 and upon my return to Ireland I decided to open this studio, the name coming from the American term for a photographer, which caused some confusion as the term is not common here.

I did a lot of freelance work while in the States, on various subjects, but people were my passion. I loved to shoot portraits and weddings in particular. I realise that a lot of photographers do not enjoys shooting weddings, but I genuinely do. Every one is different, the people, the place and the weather, you never know what to expect.

I joined the Irish Professional Photographers Association in June of 1996 and became a licenciate member the following year. I have been awarded several golds and silvers from this association, although I do not enter competitons as a rule, after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder.