About the APNPI Image Competition
The APNPI Image Competition is almost here, and we are excited to introduce the talented judges who will be reviewing this season’s submissions. With the Sept 22 deadline approaching, now is the perfect time to learn more about the experts evaluating your work.
Why Judging Matters in Photography Competitions
Each of our photography competition judges brings years of professional experience, artistic vision, and a keen eye for technical excellence. Their feedback not only determines award-winning images but also helps photographers grow in their craft.
Meet the Judges
On this page, you can explore each judge’s bio, discover their background, and gain insight into what they value most in professional photography. Understanding their perspective is a valuable step as you prepare your entries and aim for recognition in the APNPI Image Competition.
I’m a newborn photographer, educator, presets and actions designer, and photo editor behind Appleseed Photography. I’m passionate about capturing meaningful, timeless newborn moments while helping other photographers grow through education and tools that simplify their workflow. I’m your newborn photographer bestie and I bring that same supportive, detail oriented energy into my role as a judge!
"I’m looking for newborn images that reflect a high level of skill in editing technique, posing, safety, and lighting. Safe and intentional posing is essential, along with soft, controlled lighting and clean, natural editing."
Caralee Case is a professional photographer based out of Idaho Falls, Idaho, specializing in fine art newborn and children’s portraiture. She has always enjoyed incorporating unique and unexpected elements into her imagery and has been featured on numerous websites, blogs, and in magazines, photography events, and as a celebrity judge in the Shine International Photo Awards. Caralee’s work is easily recognized for her use of vibrant, rich color, attention to detail, and ability to capture the essence and purity of new life.
Caralee is internationally recognized for her newborn artwork, motivating presentations, educational classes and demonstrations, inspiring keynote addresses, and in-person photography workshops, She teaches other photographers from all around the world including Italy, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.
Trayc Dudgeon ~ Trayc is an APNPI Mentor, accredited in Maternity, Macro, Sitters and Newborn Posed categories, serves as a judge and is an avid contributor to the APNPI community. She creates stunning imagery having been educated as a photographer at Humber College with over twenty years of experience in the field. Trayc is safety trained and internationally recognized as a qualified newborn photographer with APNPI. She is also an award winning accredited portrait photographer with PPOC (Professional Photographers of Canada). She’s been passionate about art and photography her whole life and was inspired by her first photography class in high school where she fell in love with the art form. Tracy is wife to her best friend, super proud mama to 2 amazing young adults and 3 fur babies.