2008-02-08 18:38:10 -

www.gettyimages.com - Getty Images photographers, John Moore and Brent Stirton, have won three first prize awards at World Press Photo, the world's largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest. John Moore won two of the top awards in the Spot News category - first prize singles and first prize stories - for images he captured of

the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and the moments thereafter. Brent Stirton was awarded first prize singles in the category of Contemporary Issues for his image of the evacuation of dead mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo.

Getty Images photographer, Daniel Berehulak was also announced third prize singles winner in the People in the News category for his image of Benazir Bhutto at a press conference in October 2007, while Jeff Hutchens, who is repped by Reportage by Getty Images, scooped second prize singles in the Nature category for his image of a sedated polar bear in Kaktovik, Alaska.

As one of the winning photographers of this year's World Press Photo Awards, John Moore said: "It's a great honor to be recognized by World Press in such a way. I spent most of 2007 in some troubled places - Iraq, Afghanistan and, of course, here in Pakistan where I live. Of all the tight spots I have found myself in recently, none was more violent and unnerving than the sight of Benazir's assassination."

Moore has been posted in Nicaragua, India, South Africa, Mexico and Egypt before joining Getty Images in July 2005. Based in Islamabad, Pakistan, he is best known for his work in Iraq but has spent much of his career covering high profile events in both South Asia and Latin America.

Brent Stirton's portfolio comprises a range of interests including documentary, advertising, fashion, portraiture and sport photography. The talented photographer has most recently been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside National Geographic. Through this particular initiative he hopes to highlight the significance of the recent gorilla massacres in the region, using his photography to educate and inform.

Both photographers have been widely recognized for their work, with John Moore previously being awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for his groundbreaking imagery in Iraq. As the five-year anniversary of the Iraq war draws near, the iconic moments captured by John during the conflict will again be used to illustrate the struggle of the Iraqi people and bravery of the troops posted in the country. Brent Stirton's awards include four previous prizes from World Press Photo and three from the United Nations for his humanitarian work. He has also worked in the field of HIV and with African women who have been affected by sexual abuse.

Adrian Murrell, global vice president, editorial, Getty Images said: "We're extremely proud that four of our highly-talented photographers have been awarded five prizes at World Press Photo today. The awards are testament to the depth of ground-breaking photojournalism our committed photographers are continuing to capture around the world and follows on from the great success of Spencer Platt who won World Press Photo of the Year 2006."

About Getty Images

Getty Images is the world's leading creator and distributor of still imagery, footage and multimedia products, as well as a recognized provider of other forms of premium digital content, including music. Getty Images serves business customers in more than 100 countries and is the first place creative and media professionals turn to discover, purchase and manage images and other digital content. Its award-winning photographers and imagery help customers produce inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and Web sites. Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com to learn more about how the company is advancing the unique role of digital media in communications and business, and enabling creative ideas to come to life.

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Molly McWhinnie, 206-925-6054
molly.mcwhinnie@gettyimages.com