Florida Professional Photographers Convention

Every year, hundreds of photographers from across the state of Florida congregate in sunny Orlando for comraderie, education, and competition.  This is an intensive workout for any photographer.  The number of incredible photographers in one area is amazing!  There is so much to learn and everyone is willing to share.  Sounds like a photo-utopia, doesn't it?  Well, maybe, but most everyone is also vying for the coveted "Photographer of the Year" or "Artist of the Year", as well as many other awards being given that week.  Everyone also is after "merits", which means a score of 80 or above on a print during the judged competition.  These merits get you degrees and elevate you in the eyes of your peer photographers.  It's also a way for customers to know who is "good enough".

We get to see old friends that may live many hours away, we get to see others work, we get to watch seminars from leading photographers from around the world.  What an inspiring week!

Derica and I both attend this convention whenever possible.  We also both compete.  We also both volunteer our time in service to the organization.

This year I was a Mentor for the FPP, what this means is people bid to spend a day at my studio, learning from me.  Pretty cool, huh?  I've been asked to do it again next year!

OK, I'll get to the competition results.

One thing to note is this:  There are 2 "sides" to print competition, "Photographic Open" and "Electronic Imaging".  Each gets it's own degrees and are judged separately.  In Photographic Open, prints are judged based on the level of the photography, in Electronic Imaging they are judged on the work done after the photo was taken, that's why you will see before and after images.  Derica competed in Electronic Imaging and I played in Photographic Open this year.

Let's do Derica's first.......

Right off, she scored 4 out of 4 merits!  (you can only enter 4).  Only 17 entrants achieved that this year.

This image, aptly named, "Trouble", was a Merit Print and earned a Distinguished Award in it's Category.  This is shocking given the subject matter!

This image, "From the Shadows" was a Merit Print

"I clean up good", won First Place in it's category and of course it's a Merit Print!  Look close at her tattoos and hands.....

Last, but definitely not least is "Broken", scored a 95!  First in it's category and BEST IN SHOW for ELECTRONIC IMAGING!  Look really close at this one, it's unbelievable!

OK, on to mine.  I also scored 4 out of 4 merits!

"A Kiss on the Stairs", Merit Print

"I can almost see him", Merit Print

"The Calm and the Storm"

"All in the Family", Merit Print, First Place in it's Class, and KODAK Gallery Award.  This is a HUGE award, it's an Internationally recognized Award and all recipients are entered to win the KODAK Gallery ELITE Award at the National Convention.

If you're still reading, there's a bit more.

They add up all the scores for your "case" (your four entries) and in Electronic Imaging they have the "Artist of the Year" and in Photographic Open they have "Photographer of the Year" and "Florida's Top 10".

I am very proud and humbled to say that I have been named one of "Florida's Top 10" for a SECOND Year in a row!

And......  In the mail the other day I received my invitaion to Nashville to be awarded "International Photographer of the Year" by the Professional Photographers of America!  I'm soooo excited, but I have to wear a tux!  Been a while for that!

OK, enough with the bragging, now get let's all get back to work!

-B