Tribute to Ian Humes LRPS
Ian Humes photographed August 2022 before the Shamrock bowl game at Ravenhill (home of Ulster Rugby).
My good friend and fellow photographer Ian Humes sadly died on holiday in Romania on 18 July, 2025. Although we had only been friends for four years, Ian became a close friend and had a big impact on my photographic journey.
I first met Ian in June 2021 at a Razorbacks vs Jets American Football game in Antrim. It was my first time at an American Football game, and I was new to sports photography, eager to learn. We were both relieved as pandemic restrictions were lifting and sports were starting up again. Ian was interested that I was the Razorbacks' official photographer and curious about the mirrorless Fujifilm camera I used.
After the game, we connected on social media, and I soon realised (when I saw his photos) that I had a lot to learn about sports photography. We went to almost every game together that season, and our friendship grew as Ian shared his knowledge about Irish American Football, he seemed to know everyone, and gave me practical advice on taking better sports photos through getting photos from lower angles. He introduced me to using a monopod and the Photo Mechanic software. He even shared a complete training course on Photo Mechanic with me, showing great generosity and genuinely wanting to help me to improves a photographer.
Ian Humes at Malone Rugby Club March 2024.
in 2023 Ian was curious to try photographing Hurling and Camogie and asked if he could tag along to one of the games that I was covering for my local team Latharna Óg. We agreed to meet for a Camogie game between Larne and Ballymena’s All Saints. It was a great night but half way through the heavens opened with a deluge of rain and I saw Ian headed back to his car, only to return in full weatherproof attire to photograph the remainder of the game kneeling at the side of the pitch.
Needless to say his photos were amazing and later that year at Latharna Óg awards night one of Ian’s photos was picked as shot of the year. Ian was always curious to try new photographic sports experiences including white water kayaking, basketball, lacrosse, softball as well as hockey, athletics and rugby.
Beth McAuley, Latharna Óg as captured by Ian Humes
Over the last couple of years Ian became the official photographer for the Belfast Trojans American Football Team and after each home game it became our habit to put the world to rights over a couple of pints. I don’t make friends easily but it would be very difficult not to want want to spend time with Ian as he regaled me with tales from his ham radio days, holiday highlights, car camping stories, car breakdown stories, rumours about teams, camera gear and lenses. I even bought some of his gear that he had no longer any use for. We both had lifetime careers in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and bizarrely we both retired on the same day in 2019 even though I was slightly younger.
Ian and I were camera club members, I was a member of larne Camera Club and Ian was a member of Catchlight Camera Club, which is the most prestigious camera club in Ireland and Ian was highly admired and well known within the photographic community. He was also a member of the Royal Photographic Society and held the distinction of Licentiate. A few years ago he won a prestigious Photographic Alliance of Great Britain award for his photograph of Dublin Rebels Quarterback Ty Henry’s rushing touchdown in the rain.
Needless to say I’m really going to miss Ian on the touchlines, in the bar, on WhatsApp and online. I am so proud that you called me your friend.
Rest Easy Ian.
Photographic legend Ian Humes at Ravenhill Rugby Ground 7th August 2022.
