WORKING HARD! 

Yesterday was the deadline to enter images into the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) 2017 International Photography Competition (IPC).  I am especially excited this year as I entered a set of four images in the Artist category for the first time.  Having completed those entries the day before the deadline, I scrambled to select and add finishing touches to four additional images for the Photographic Open category.  That wasn't easy but I successfully uploaded them with minutes to spare. 

To become a PPA Master Photographer, which I did in 2010, you need to have many merit-worthy images accepted for exhibition in the IPC's Photographic Open category.  Here are two of my merited images from the 2016 Photographic Open.  

In the IPC Photography Open category, jurors evaluate images based on technical characteristics (sharpness/color/exposure) as well as esthetic qualities (impact, storytelling, style, etc).  Retouching and other enhancements are allowed, provided the artwork is done under the supervision of the photographer.  (In a traditional studio, a professional photographer takes the photographs, and a professional retoucher enhances them according to the studio's directions.)  

By entering images in the Artist Category, I am now working on earning the PPA Master Artist credential.  To become a PPA Master Artist, you must have many merit-worthy images accepted for exhibition in the IPC's Artist category.  In that category, jurors look for demonstrated mastery of digital art techniques of high difficulty, all artwork being done exclusively by the entrant.  

Because I've always done all of my own artwork, I'm competing now in order to elevate my digital art to greater heights.  

So a new journey begins!

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I'd be thrilled to capture images to document your life's journeys.  To schedule your portrait consultation, call me at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  

My wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I love what we can do together!