NI iconic photographer, Jim Lyttle, has died leaving a legacy of memories to thousands

Mr Lyttle - or Jim to just about everyone - was very well known in the home of his birth, Portadown, Co Armagh, because of the memories he gave others during his lifetime.

Jim died suddenly in hospital yesterday (October 9) leaving a beloved wife Georgie, two children, Leigh and Marcus, grandchildren and a myriad of memories.

He covered hundreds of weddings in his 50 odd years as a photographer and many times also the bride and groom’s children and grandchildren would have asked him to be their photographer.

He was great friends with the legendary Sam McGredy of rose growing fame and who emigrated to New Zealand.

Jim’s photographs made it into the most amazing books - showcasing the beauty of McGredy rose fields on the Garvaghy Road.

Jim started his career with Nat Anderson who started the Carlton Studio in Carleton Street.

Former editor of the Portadown Times David Armstrong, who knew Jim for a lifetime, paid tribute to his friend.

He said: Jim was a great friend to the Portadown Times during the 40 years I edited the paper and his brilliant photography contributed much to the rising circulation of the paper during the Sixties and Seventies.

“His wedding portraits, graduation ceremonies, family gatherings and local scenes were a highlight of the paper and there’s hardly a house in the town that does not feature some of his work.

“Jim took great pride in every assignment and covering the wedding scenes gave him particular pleasure, especially when the brides were often the offspring of parents whose weddings he had previously covered.

“He was also very proud of his association with world-famous rose grower Sam McGredy - his work appearing in all of the McGredy brochures - and they remained firm friends after Sam McGredy emigrated to New Zealand.

“Jim’s interest in roses was fostered by his parents who lived at Woodside Green, just across the road from the McGredy headquarters, and whose rose garden won Best Kept prizes in the borough council’s annual gardens competition.

“Jim’s work came very much to the fire at a revolutionary time in the Portadown Times in the Sixties when the paper introduced web-offset printing and colour photography, changes that brought a whole new dimension to newspaper printing and gave the work of photographers like Jim a platform to showoff their work.

“Jim took full advantage of the changes and he was much in demand all over the country, his professionalism, allied to his modesty and charm, boosting a business that started in the Carlton Studio, under Mr Nat Anderson. “Jim had several moves in town after that but no matter where he went he had a dedicated following and his business prospered.

“Jim was fiercely proud of his Portadown roots and his web-site, covering the history of the town, has thousands of followers. It is indeed an invaluable reference source and, despite failing health, Jim was still updating it until a few weeks before his death. He had dedicated the site to his grandfather Tom Weir.

“Everyone in town knew Jim and one of my earliest memories of his work was an outstanding portrait of Davy Moore, a well-known Portadown character. It was featured in the Carlton Studio window for months and did much to put Jim’s name on the map.

“Like hundreds of people all over the country I have some of Jim’s work hanging in my own home. The photographs remind me of a brilliant crafstman, a proud Portadown man and one who had a big influence on my own career in the newspaper business.”

Another of his friends, Billy Austin said: “It is with great sadness to learn of Jim’s death. He was a lovely man and a truly professional photographer. We’ve been friends for over 60 years and he was greatly respected by everyone who had the privilege to know him.”

Sadly Jim’s home and funeral will be private due to the current circumstances.

He is much beloved by his wife Georgie, his children, Leigh and Marcus, and all the family.

The family has asked that there should be no flowers but rather donations instead to Chest, Heart & Stroke Association c/o Alan Wray & Co. Funeral Directors, “The Old Meeting House” 24a Portmore Street, Portadown BT62 3N

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