Every year the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) hold national print awards called the APPA's.
These awards recognise the exceptional quality of work completed by photographers, with awards being given for single prints as well as categories. As described on their own website:
"The AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA) was introduced in 1976 and is Australia’s pre-eminent professional photography event. Our intent is to raise the profile of Accredited Professional Photographers APP and build the community and our commitment to the profession of photographers.
The Australian Professional Photography Awards, at its core will be a peer review annual event. As we constantly push ourselves to improve and excel in our professional and personal development, using this arena to work together to raise the bar and the perception of what makes a professional photographer."
Last year in 2016 I was very proud to be accepted by the AIPP as an Accredited Professional Photographer, and since then it has been a whirlwind for me - learning so much and seeing my work develop to the next level. This year's APPA's will be the first I have entered and I am very excited! Not only at the thought that my photographs may be good enough to receive an award (something I have only dreamed of for years!) but also just to hear the feedback given on my work so I can learn more and progress further. If this year isn't the year for awards, the experience will only prepare me more for next year!
This year I have decided to enter two photographs in to the Family Category. The first photograph is pictured above of 8 month old baby Evie with her Mum. Not the traditional Mother and Daughter portrait! Evie's Mum grew up being a ballet dancer, she even travelled the world competing and performing when she was younger and at her best. She told me about how she inherited her love of dance from her late Nana and even today she is very passionate about ballet and dancing. It's quite obvious Evie will inherit these genes too, being very happy in a tutu! Evie's Mum and I talked about this portrait idea for a while and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!
The second photo I am entering is of a young boy named Liam with his pet Samoyed dog, William (below). I was doing a photo shoot for his family (Mum, brother, and William) in Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges. I always schedule my outdoor sessions for sunset time and that day we had a beautiful sunset. As the sun was getting low I told Liam to take a walk with William and I walked away with my back to him to create some distance between us. I literally turned around to see where he was and saw this - a perfectly composited photo of the two of them with that gorgeous light! 2 snaps on my camera and the moment was over! William had got his treat and was no longer interested! It was a lucky moment where everything just came together for a second!
I will update this blog next month when I have the results from the APPA's. Hopefully with good news, but at the least I will have more knowledge on how to be better next time!
Kiddy Kats Photography is based in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs. Feel free to contact me (Michelle) on 0401 514 969. If you have a unique idea for a portrait that you would love to chat about, I would love to discuss this with you!
