Silver {Brisbane Award Winning Photographer}

The one thing I’ve really loved about being a photographer is there is always something new around the corner. Whether that be a new face, a new concept or a new challenge…the constant is ever changing. I always try to be creative, and step outside the box whenever I shoot something different. Thing is, I’m pretty comfortable shooting the families, newborns and kids I have the pleasure of meeting. I get immense satisfaction out of the end result and my client’s delight when they see their images, is what keeps me doing what I do. Satisfaction.

However, sometimes, just sometimes, I often wonder how my images stack up with the rest of the competition around town. Do they measure up to those that have been doing this for much longer then I? Do my images represent the cream of the crop to those other then my clients (and of course my beloved friends and family)? Do they achieve the quality that a professional should exhibit? In a quest to answer I decided to enter the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) QLD state print awards, the judging of which was held this past weekend.

Now talk about stepping out of your comfort zone! I had no idea where to begin…specifically not a clue about how to enter (procedural stuff) and what to enter (important stuff). With the help of some of my lovely photographer friends I set about selecting three images (which turned into four), made sure they were as perfect as I could make them, got them printed and mounted and then set about dropping them off to the judging headquarters. However, entering the awards isn’t about just ‘dropping them off’, it’s about the whole experience and that includes attending the judging (if possible of course).

Picture this – 5 judges, all industry leaders and top photographers from around Qld and Australia, sitting at a table with their electronic score cards, starring at this wall with a little flip-around door waiting for the next print to turn around. As they sit there, I watch the big television screen (to the judges backs) and see my image pop up as the next one to be judged! Eeeekkkk I tell you. Butterflies a plenty; heart a pounding…holding my friend Fo’s hand ever so tightly (thank you sweets), I wait for it to flip around. Would they or would they not get up to examine the print closer (getting up to look at the print is a very good sign)…they get up *squeezes Fo’s hand even tighter*; they all get up to take a look. They sit back down. They score the image and in a time that felt like forever, I’m told “Silver award”. Sigh. Finally I could breath.

As cliche as it sounds, winning an award isn’t everything, and it’s certainly not why I entered. I wanted to see how my images would stack up and I’m very pleased to note that all four of my images scored well within the “professional standard” category. So, whilst I only scored an award on one of my 4 images, I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. Besides, it gives me something to strive for next year.

The whole experience was both wonderful and inspirational – a true learning experience, because, the talent poole was AMAZING! I can’t wait to enter again next year…until then, I thought, if you got this far, you deserved to see my image…

by nicolera

16 comments

April 12, 2010 - 9:34 pm

Christine - CONGRATS nicole! this is a stunning image and sooo well deserved!! :) xoxo

April 12, 2010 - 10:01 pm

Fran Paysen - STUNNING! awesome processing. Congrats on a well-deserved Silver Award Nicole!

April 12, 2010 - 10:08 pm

Chrissy Torney - HIP HIP HOORAY!! Awesome and I LOVE everything about this image!

April 12, 2010 - 10:18 pm

Kristen Cook - So, so well deserved my friend!! Such a gorgeous image and am thrilled to hear your wonderful news! x

April 12, 2010 - 10:32 pm

Natalie Davies - way to go Nicole! Its a gorgeous shot. Congratulations :)

April 12, 2010 - 10:58 pm

Robyn Geering - completely amazing Nic, love it, so beautiful and soft – congratulations, you so deserve this.

April 12, 2010 - 11:30 pm

Christine - Congratulations Nicole! I’d say your images deinitely “stack” up and beyond!! So well deserved! :)

April 13, 2010 - 7:02 am

Donna Phillips - Wow, no words can describe it. Congratulations you clever girl. xxxx

April 13, 2010 - 10:13 am

Karen Buckle - This is so beautiful! Congratulations!!!

April 13, 2010 - 10:33 am

Karen Pfeiffer - Nicole, there are no words to tell you how proud I am of you! The image is just beautiful and I do hope you know how talented and amazing you are. Your photography is brilliant. Well done! Your silver award is so very well deserved xx

April 13, 2010 - 11:34 am

Peta - Stunning shot! Congrats.

April 13, 2010 - 12:27 pm

Lynda Coulson - Congrats Nicole, well deserved!

April 13, 2010 - 2:22 pm

Janet Palmer - beautiful… Congrats again Nicole, such an awesome achievement!

April 13, 2010 - 3:52 pm

Mhor - Well done Nicole – wonderful picture.

Nat (Fo’s sister)

April 13, 2010 - 9:30 pm

Liz - Congratulations Nicole, it’s well and truly deserved and what a gorgeous image.

April 23, 2010 - 8:01 am

Jeanette Verster - Absolutely stunning shot… well deserved!

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