2015 Photographers of West Michigan Annual Competition | Award of Excellence

Last night was the “BIG” night… the Photographers of West Michigan annual print competition where professionals around the area submit up to 4 prints for judging. This was my second year competing in this specific event and it was very exciting. I really enjoyed seeing work from my peers and listening to feedback from very experienced and well deserved accredited professionals. Judging is subjective (I’ve had the same print do very well at one event and not so great at another but overall the learning from the experience is priceless) but also has a formal process. This year I submitted 4 total prints. One received Award of Excellence and three other were so close (each 3 points away from excellence) – they did red ribbon merit (merit is a goal for photographers working towards certain honors such as Masters Degree).

My image that earned Award of Excellence was a very last minute decision to include as one of my four. As a portrait photographer, I don’t capture many landscape or natural element style shots but this year I wanted to include something outside my box. Very glad that I decided to add and excited to share with everyone my 2015 PPWM Award of Excellence image of the year, “Slips In Silence”.