Awards from Arkansas Professional Photographer's Association

Last month, I attended the APPA print competition and educational event "Capture '13". The theme this year was "A Celebration of Excellence", and I am so proud to be a part of this organization and this event.

I made a commitment to myself after I became a Certified Professional Photographer, to continue to find ways to push myself to improve and learn my craft. Although becoming a CPP, or participating in print competitions are not required to be a photographer, it is just not enough for me to be stagnant in learning. So... I enter print competitions (sometimes reluctantly, sometimes with doubt, sometimes at the last minute...)
This year it paid off for me. Four of my prints received merits from APPA. Two received ribbons for Judges Favorite, and one won the Ben Red award for Photo Décor.  My favorite image - Sugar Daddy

 
 

- is one that is dear to my heart, so when it received a judges ribbon from a judge that I have a great amount of respect for - I was thrilled. It is pictured below. This was taken in Tanzania last year while we were delivering water purification filters up a mountain. The gentleman was on his way down the mountain to sell his sugar cane. I cannot even imagine climbing up and down that mountain every day.
The a few of the other prints are going to be entered at yet another print competition in November, so I cannot share them with you yet... even though I am dying to show them off.



En el mes pesado, asistí al concurso de fotografía y evento  educativo llamado "Capture '13".  El
tema este año fué " Una Celebración de Excelencia', y estoy tan orgullosa de ser  parte de esta
organización y esta evento.
Después de lograr el estatus de Certificación Profesional en fotografía, me  comprometí a
continuar buscando formas en las cuales seguir  esforzándome, mejorar y aprender mi arte.
Aunque tener el estatus de CPP, o participar en concursos de fotografía no es obligatorio, ser una
fotógrafa para mí no es suficiente, ser inactiva sobre aprender.  Así... participo en concursos de
fotografía ( a veces de mala gana, a veces con dudas, a veces al último minuto...)
Este año valió la pena. Cuatro de mis fotos recibieron méritos de APPA. Dos recibieron cintas de
la concesión por favoritas de los jueces, y uno ganó el premio de Ben Red - Photo Décor.  Mi foto
favorita- Azúcar Papi - es una que está cerca de mi corazón. Cuando recibo  una cinta de una jueza
por la cual tengo mucho respeto, me sentí muy emocionada.  Esta foto fue tomada  en Tanzania,
el año pasado mientras estuvimos entregando filtros de agua purificada sobre una montaña. El
hombre estuvo caminando bajo la montaña, para vender su caña de azúcar. No puedo imaginar
caminar arriba y bajo esa montaña cada día.
Unas pocas de las otras fotos estarán en un otro concurso de fotografía en  noviembre, así no
puedo mostrarlos todavía... aunque estoy muriendo de ganas demostrarlos.

Seniors that grow up

Some of the perks of my job is getting to know my clients and forming a relationship with them.  You would think with the seniors it would be different, but I get so excited when I look at my calendar and see one of my past seniors scheduled to come in for engagement, bridal, or baby photos.
Last week, I got to reunite with Ariel, meet her wonderful new husband Willie, and their precious new baby girl Lily. It was great to see Ariel and Willie so much in love, with each other and with the new little life they have brought into this world.  And now, I will get to see Lily grow up in the next 14 months while I photograph her Baby Steps Program sessions.
- Yeah, one more perk!

Lydia wins the 2013 Scholarship from Hardgrave Photography

Congratulations Lydia Tucker!!
Education is such an important part of our own success at Hardgrave Photography, we decided to give away a $1000 scholarship again this year to one of our senior clients. Each Senior was entered into a drawing and Lydia's name was drawn.

 

 

 

 

Lydia will be attending Arkansas Tech University in the fall of 2013. Lydia and her parents, Joe and Renee Tucker have been photographed at Hardgrave Photography several times over the years. We have seen Lydia mature into the beautiful young woman she is now. We wish her all the luck in the world, and know that this $1000 scholarship will come in handy for her education expenses.

 

As mentioned before, education is important to us, and every year we invest in our education through professional organizations like Professional Photographers of America, Arkansas PPA, SWPPA, and Delta School of Professional Photography. Becky has been appointed the Director of Delta School of Professional Photography and serves on the Board of Directores for Arkansas Professional Photographers Association.

 

Some images from Lydia's Ultimate Senior Session