
I like (nice) surprises and today I got a wonderful surprise!
This morning, our postman delivered a parcel. I opened it to find a small trophy. Its made of glass and is only about 6 inches high. Not much to get excited about as a physical object, but what it represents is something huge for me.
WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) is a massive and highly prestigious photographic organisation based in America. Every year, thousands of photographers from around the world descend upon Las Vegas to attend the WPPI Convention. One of the highlights of the event is the Awards of Excellence Print Competition. It is one of the world’s most hotly contested photographic competitions for professional wedding and portrait photographers. All the big studios are desperate to win or to get a placing in their respective categories. The judges are ruthless and only the very best work will win a placing.
This was one of the very few competitions I hadn’t entered, so in December of last year, I decided to enter a couple of prints into the competition. The deadline came and went, and I heard nothing, so I assumed that I didn’t get anywhere. However, this morning I learnt that I had won third place in the Premier Division category. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am! Although this is not the top prize, getting third place is a seriously big achievement – considering I was competing against some of the biggest names in our industry – worldwide.
Needless to say, I will be celebrating tonight!