2023 Photographer of the Year!

Last week, I was honored with beautiful trophies and ribbons at the annual awards banquet hosted by Georgia Professional Photographers Association. While the awards are definitely nice (and look great on the mantle!), what they symbolize are even more important to me.

The Georgia Photographer of the Year Award recognizes the art of photography alongside contributions to the photographic industry in Georgia. As a professional photographer for 17 years, I spend as much of my time working behind the camera as I have teaching, mentoring, and volunteering in the field of photography. This is a very special recognition and I'm humbled to receive this award.

The Katie Jiminez Heart Award is named after a very special GPPA member who passed away unexpectedly a few years ago. She gave all of herself to our association. It recognizes the "people's choice" of the merited images from this year's state competition. The image which earned this award is pictured above: Dahlia C-Curve.

The ASP State Elite Award is recognition by the American Society of Photographers for the highest scoring image in state competition by an ASP member. The fact that the image which earned this achievement came from the ASP Japan Trip in the spring makes it even more special to me!

The CPP Award is earned with the highest scoring image by a Certified Professional Photographer from Professional Photographers of America; Best of Show Illustrative and 1st Place Illustrative is for "Time Out" which I'll share after the competition season is over.

I feel a little bit like Simone Biles after the World Gymnastics Championships! Hard work really does make a difference!