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Press photographer hailed as ‘great legend’ after ‘surprise’ death at 60

A “great legend” of press photography in the region he served has died aged 60.

Tributes have been paid to Mark Jamieson, pictured, who spent many years working for the Coleraine Chronicle and later supplied photographs to picture desks at all of Northern Ireland’s main newspapers.

Mark’s death was announced by the Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association on Sunday.

NIPPA chairman Freddie Parkinson said, although the 60-year-old’s death has taken many “by surprise”, he had been ill “for a number of weeks”.

Mark Jamieson

Freddie added: “All our thoughts are with his daughter, Lynsey and all the family circle. Lynsey has not only lost her father but her best friend.

“Mark lost his wife through cancer a number of years ago and found it very hard to suffer that great loss. Each time Mark and I meet up he always spoke of his daughter and his memories of his late wife.

“Mark was very much respected by everyone in the newspaper industry and a lot of editors and photographers spoke very highly of him and him quality of work as he always carried out with great professionalism.

“Everyone in the wide circle of the media today is in mourning for the loss of this great friend because if you knew Mark Jamieson in any way he always regarded you as a friend and we are all very much heartbroken in losing a great legend.”

Among the organisations Mark supplied pictures for was hyperlocal publication Causeway Coast Community.

A spokesperson for the publication said: “It’s probably no exaggeration to say there’s not a school or organised event in the area that he’s not attended at some time or other to take photos.

“Mark was one of a number of professional photographers who supplied Causeway Coast Community, very often letting us know of a local event before we’d even had time to ask him to cover it.

“His death is untimely and a great loss to all who knew him. Our thoughts and condolences go to his daughter Lynsey and the wider family circle.”

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