APNPI Competition 1st and 3rd Place Winner

1st place Child Category – “Simply Fascinating” by Trayc Dudgeon

3rd place Child Category – “Show Me Your Muscles” by Trayc Dudgeon

The Story Behind the Winning Image

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in some of these amazing images, particularly those that are competition winners?

Come enjoy a peek inside the behind the scenes of these two images in another great video by Trayc Dudgeon… (then don’t forget to scroll all the way down to SEE the winning images!)

To see more of Trayc’s work:

https://blueroosterstudio.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/blueroosterstudio/

1st Place Child Category – “Simply Fascinating” by Trayc Dudgeon

To learn more: APNPI Image Competition

Did you know…

All members receive one free entry – so go ahead try it out, you have nothing to lose!

Each image is up for an award, whether it’s in the top 3 or not.  Every submission competes against itself to earn a Merit Award (score of 80 and above).

Merit Awards are prestigious accomplishments!  They denote a level that stands out above the Accreditation level.

Competing is an excellent way for members to sharpen their skills and elevate their work.

Members learn a ton from entering their images and receiving feedback from the judges.

For more info and to enter, visit: www.apnpi.com/image-competition

Meet the APNPI Judges!

Our Image Competition is quickly approaching and we’d like to introduce you to our APNPI Judges! Judges have completed the APNPI Judges Training and are respected members of the industry spanning various styles and genres of maternity, newborn and baby photography.

Submissions are now open for all categories of our Image Competition. Want some support and feedback on which images would be good to submit? Consider participating in our membership community group on Facebook to ask for feedback and critique! This is a great way to make sure your submission is ready and a wonderful way to experience image critiques before our image competition deadline dates.

We look forward to reviewing your submissions with our amazing judging panel!

Submission Deadline: Apr 23rd, 2024

*Are you an accredited member of APNPI and interested in our judge training program? Email us at admin@apnpi.com

Tianna Jarrett-Williams – Tianna is a maternity and newborn photographer based in Birmingham, United Kingdom where she has a small studio near to the city centre. Her love for this speciality grew from her past career as a professional and registered nurse and midwife. Whilst photography began as a hobby after the birth of her first daughter, she quickly fell in love with the craft and soon became consumed by the desire to be creative. After navigating a few specialities, Tianna settled on the art of pregnancy, motherhood and newborn photography because these genres in coalescence with her passion for women becoming mothers and their journey through motherhood inspires her daily. Whilst the primary focus is on maternity and newborn photography, Tianna does enjoy creative and styled projects with a special interest in culture which often can be appreciated in her work. Tianna lives with her two young children Zara and Olivia; and long term partner Ashley, near Birmingham.

The proud founder of Shan Fisher Photography and Shan Fisher Education. Shan is based on the beautiful British Isles called the Isle of Man, where she lives a beautiful life with her wonderful husband and their delightful boys. Shan’s exceptional artistry has not only captured hearts locally but has also been acknowledged on an international stage, with her work being featured in world-renowned magazines and associations. Over the last 16 years, Shan has grown a successful photography business from the ground up and established a brand. Her company has received many prestigious awards as an enterprise with excellence. Today her expertise extends beyond the lens. She is a passionate educator and speaker, dedicated to inspiring and empowering photographers and entrepreneurs. Shan guides them to pursue their dreams, master their craft, and build thriving businesses centred around their passions, all while living life to its fullest potential. Shan’s commitment also shines in her role as a positive psychology coach. She is devoted to guiding individuals on their path to growth, helping them cultivate a mindset geared towards success and fulfilment, enabling them to thrive in business and life.

I am a newborn and maternity photographer that specializes in IPS. I have been a photographer for the last 18 years, previously working for magazines in Los Angeles. I love having my studio babies now and making their sessions look just like an editorial spread. My goal is to always produce wall art for my clients so it will be cherished for generations to come.
Sunny Melon Newborn Photography

Kayleigh Ashworth – Kayleigh is an APNPI accredited, multi-award winning artist, recognized as one the best Maternity and Newborn Photographers in the Inland Empire; and operates a successful portrait studio located within the heart of Downtown Murrieta, in Southern California. Established in 2015, Kayleigh Ashworth Photography has helped countless women hone in on their artists skills, foster confidence in working with newborns, emphasizing safety above all, and maximize business goals. Kayleigh and her work have been featured on the comedy series ‘The Try Guys’, featured on CBS8 San Diego News, and has had a televised interview with Intuit Quickbooks featured as an inspirational story for other businesses. After years of experience serving families from all walks of life, and furthering her education with industry leaders, Kayleigh now offers 1:1 Mentoring, as well as online tutorials and Adobe Photoshop actions for those wanting to expand their knowledge. It is Kayleigh’s mission to raise the standard of Newborn Photography – in safety, quality, and performance – and empower women to thrive within their business by sharing her knowledge and experiences learned throughout her career.

Simplify and Succeed: Navigating SEO for Photographers!

Calling all photographers! Are you feeling overwhelmed by the daunting world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? You’re not alone! We understand that mastering SEO can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’d rather be behind the lens capturing beautiful moments.

But fear not! In this interview, we’re joined by SEO Expert Melissa Arlena, who specializes in simplifying SEO for photographers just like you. Together, we’ll demystify the complexities of SEO and provide practical strategies that won’t require endless hours of your precious time.

From easy-to-implement tips for optimizing your website to time-saving hacks for boosting your online visibility, Melissa is here to guide you every step of the way. Say goodbye to overwhelm and hello to success as we uncover the secrets to SEO success tailored specifically for photographers.

So kick back, relax, and get ready to simplify your SEO journey. With our expert guidance, you’ll be on your way to unlocking the full potential of your photography business in no time! 

We’ll be live in our Facebook group, where you’re welcome to ask any questions you might have. 

Don’t worry if you can’t make it, a replay will be posted for your convenience. 

We’re really looking forward to having you with us! Catch you there!

Meet Melissa 

Melissa Arlena is an SEO expert and educator, specializing in helping photographers get discovered on Google.  As a former IT nerd, Melissa has a knack for taking technical things and making them simple and relatable. She’s using that superpower for good and helping photographers learn how to run profitable businesses and get booked by their ideal clients!  With 15 years of experience as a photographer and small business owner, she’s used SEO to transform her own business, going from zero inquiries to booking 5+ sessions per month and raising her rates. When she isn’t behind the computer or her camera, you can find her hanging out with her family and two dogs on their sailboat cruising the Chesapeake Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Melissa Arlena – Richmond VA Newborn Photographer & SEO Expert (@melissaarlena)

I was elated to learn I won first place in both the Spring and Autumn 2019 APNPI Image Competitions in the Sitters category!  It was even more exciting for me because I actually don’t do that many sitter sessions!  😀
I’m a low volume photography studio – limiting myself to only 8-10 sessions a month.  This schedule allows me to devote a lot of time to retouching my images (I spend 8-10 hours editing each session), and to keep up with the business and social media/marketing that needs to be done as well.
Most of my sessions are newborns and families, and at least 75% of my family sessions are returning clients.  I don’t offer a baby package because my schedule fills up very quickly (usually booked for the year by March), so I usually don’t have holes in my schedule that I can fill.  I also can’t afford to discount sessions when I need every bit of the income I get from such a limited number of clients.
So, all of that said, I usually only do around 8-10 sitter sessions in a year.  It simply doesn’t make financial sense for me to purchase a whole bunch of adorable sitter outfits and props exclusively for clients I don’t see very often…  so I don’t.  😀

Instead of purchasing a bunch of sitter props, I usually repurpose my newborn props for sitter sessions. This is a newborn bed that I love using with sitters. Not only does it have a low-profile, making it safer so that baby can keep her feet on the floor, the headboard and footboard are easy for baby to grab onto to support themselves.

This is another prop, a wooden box, that I use all the time for sitters. It’s low profile is so ideal for their short legs, and it’s easy to dress up by adding a simple scarf. I add a lot of scarves and wraps to my sitter sessions to fill the frame a little more and add some softness, but those are also items I purchased for newborns.
It is super helpful to have toys handy to grab the baby’s attention. I’ve invested in simple neutral-colored stuffed animals and wooden toys that don’t take away from or draw too much attention if they end up staying in the photos.

I also use a lot of silk flowers to dress up my photos. There are always great sales on flowers and coupons at Michael’s. These are versatile accessories that can be used for any studio portraits from newborns to senior portraits and maternity.

While I don’t purchase any sitter outfits, I do have a couple dozen hats for babies 3-9 months old. Sitters have so many wonderful baby rolls so it’s great to get some photos without clothing to show those off!

Sitters still love playing on their backs and tummy time as well! Use your studio’s sheepskins/flokatis to capture those cute moments.

Likewise, a lot of sitters can also stand with support!  I have a few of these benches that are just the right height to allow them to stay in a standing position, but double as stools for children to stand or sit on.  Make sure you select stools that have a wider base that the top so that they’re less-likely to topple over.  I always keep a parent within reach of their baby and then edit them out of the photo.
Balloons are a fun and inexpensive addition to baby’s first birthday session.  Walmart sells helium tanks and balloons in many colors.  I always send the balloons home with the parents after their session for a fun parting gift.

Incorporate the props that the parents bring! This little guy’s nursery has a Sesame Street theme, so mom brought along some of his favorite toys. These photos will be more meaningful since they incorporate props that he plays with everyday instead of ones I select from my studio.
Finally, remember that simple is beautiful, too! Sometimes my favorite images are the ones with only the baby in them.