Unit Stills Photographer — An Encounter

It was a joy to serve as the Unit Stills Photographer on An Encounter, a poignant short film directed by Kelly Campbell and written by Mark O'Halloran, adapted from James Joyce’s short story in Dubliners. The film explores the complexities of adolescence and the impact of unexpected encounters.

Set against the backdrop of Dublin’s Royal Canal, the narrative follows two schoolmates, Stephen (played by Moses Murphy) and Jay (Robert Carney), who skip school and wander through the city. Their carefree day takes a dark turn when they meet a stranger (Gary Lydon), leading to a life-altering experience for Stephen.

As the unit stills photographer, I worked closely with the filmmakers to create a body of still photographs that captured the atmosphere of the film, the performances of its young cast and the distinctive character of Dublin. Combining analogue and digital photography, the images reflect the film’s natural light, quiet tension and emotional intimacy, extending its visual language beyond the screen.

The project brought together my experience in unit stills photography with my wider photographic practice, using portraiture and a sensitivity to place to create images that support the film’s identity and its publicity.

An Encounter has been recognized at several film festivals, including the Dublin International Film Festival, where it won the Best Irish Short Film Award in 2022, and the Cork International Film Festival, where it received the Grand Prix Irish Short Award in 2021.

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Cast: Moses Murphy, Robert Carney, Gary Lydon
Director: Kelly Campbell
Writer: Mark O’Halloran
Producer: Claire McCabe
Cinematographer: Daniel Katz
Editor: Nathan Nugent
Production Designer: Ellen Kirk
Sound: Brendan Rehill, Chris O’Carroll
Casting: Amy Rowan
Composer: David Geraghty
Makeup: Lorraine McCrann
Costume Design: Saileóg O’Halloran
Production Company: Cowtown Pictures
Distributor: Ouat Media