The Inside Scoop…

Q: Why did you decide to submit to the APNPI International Image Competition?

A: I deeply believe that submitting for competition makes your everyday work better, especially when you can get some feedback from the judges. The fact that APNPI records its judging and makes it available to the makers is a huge learning opportunity!

Q: What, if anything, did you learn about yourself through the process of image competition judging?

A:  You learn about what you did right, so you can repeat it, and what you could’ve done better, so you look for those mistakes next time, and correct them before taking the photograph. It’s a never ending process of working, perfecting, submitting, learning, tweaking… and then it starts again. But it is so much fun!

Q: What attracted you to APNPI’s International Image Competition? 

A: The feedback was definitely a big one for me. Competitions that don’t provide feedback are fun for the accolades, but they won’t teach you much. Feedback and hearing the judges discuss an image is what makes it worth it for me.

Q: Have there been any positive outcomes from your achievement?

A: Oh yes! Clients get so excited when they learn that their baby’s portrait did well at an image competition! They share that with their families and friends and that creates buzz around your brand. And personally, it has given me the confidence to charge properly for my work. I value it more -and my clients do too- by knowing I can create an award-worthy image from everyday sessions.

Q: What were you looking for when selecting images to submit to the image competition?

A:  You look at all the elements that make an image outstanding: impact, story, subject matter, composition, color harmony, technical excellence… it all has to be there! When going through images, the one that makes you stop to look at it more, that’s the one that has potential.

Q: What would you say to a member thinking about submitting imagery?

A:  I get it. It is scary. But if you never submit you’ll never know where you are in the process. Not knowing what you can improve won’t help you at all. Submit with the hopes of winning, yes, but most importantly, with the certainty that you will learn and become a better artist after you do. You need to enter with a humble heart and open ears. Don’t take feedback personally. Feedback is a gift and it is your choice if you want to use it to make you grow or not.

APNPI Competition 1st Place Winner – Milestones “Porcelain Doll”