2013 AIPP QLD Emerging Photographer of the Year

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The surprises continue! I’m proud and very, very honoured to have been named the 2013 AIPP Queensland Emerging Photographer of the Year!

I was already on a serious high after the weekend’s judging at the Queensland Professional Photography Awards. I didn’t think anything would top that. I was wrong.

Last night was the night of the gala awards dinner, where they announce the category and major prize winners… And also our daughter’s 8th birthday dinner. I have a bit of a rule: birthdays trump all – no gigs, no shoots, nothing gets in the way of family birthday dinner stuff. At 7:30 on the dot I started getting texts from friends at the event.

AIPP Epson Queensland Emerging Photographer of the Year 2013!!!

Mind. Blown.

It’s pretty amazing to see your name in that list of names.

Excited is an understatement. I may never sleep again.

Thank you thank you to the judges for seeing something they liked and connecting with the images. It means a great deal to me.

Huge congratulations to the other finalists, my subversive, creative, fearless friend Josh Bakkum, and the extremely talented Josh Gow. It’s an honour to be in their company.

2013 Queensland Professional Photography Awards

by Awards

The judging for the 2013 Queensland Professional Photography Awards took place this weekend. This is my second year entering the awards in the Emerging Photographer category.

I’m pleased to say that judging resulted in four awards for me, two Silvers, and two Silvers with Distinction! And here they are. Hope you enjoy them.

 

ANZAC – Silver with Distinction (Illustrative)

This is a composite of 100 exposures of Brisbane’s ANZAC memorial, taken at different times on one day. I shot this as part of my Project 365 last year, so it was important to shoot, edit and post on one day!

By all accounts this one inspired a lot of discussion (and disagreement!) with the judges in the Illustrative category on Saturday. Very pleased that the spirited discussion resulted in a Silver with Distinction!

 

Steve – Silver with Distinction (Portrait)

Steve Mackay is a very talented singer, songwriter and performer, appearing recently on X-Factor with his band ParisLane. He is a crazy good pianist; I like to think I know a few things on the piano, but he’s unbelievable. Steve isn’t an angry man as far as I can tell, but he sure dialed up the intensity for this portrait.

 

Amy – Silver award (Portrait)

This portrait of Amy is the second Silver award winner for the 2013 QPPAs. While shooting promotional photos for ImproMafia’s production of the 2012 Theatresports Grand Championships, I took a few moments to work with the stunning Amy to make this image.

 

The Box – Silver award (Illustrative)

I had this photo in my head for a few months – just needed a big cardboard box to make it work.One Saturday a year or so ago, the boy and I were out and about, and we spotted a good sized box out the back of a furniture store. Next day, with the kids (and Sofie the dog) on modelling duty, and Wanda on hair and wardrobe, we set it up and shot it over the course of a few hours.Sometimes the kids are a little bit over having a camera shoved in their face, but they were totally in to it for this one, and they love the final product.It’s the first print we’ve ever made in to a canvas for ourselves, and the first image to snag an award! Very cool to get a reward for a family effort.