I have to admit, the very first time I entered my prints in a PPA Competition, they didn’t fare so well. In fact, there were ZERO blue ribbons in there. The only blue I could relate to was the way I felt.

However, just a few years later, not only do I have quite a few blue ribbons under my belt, Court of Honor and Social Photograph of the Year plaques hanging in my office, but just last week I received one of the absolute highest honors that a photographer can win in a print competition: The Grand Imaging Award. This award is given to the top ten of all of the hundreds, and probably thousands of prints that were submitted to the competition.

My surprise was really evident with the “no way!” response I gave to the first person who told me about it and still it feels a bit surreal. What I truly loved though, and yes, this is an “I am Woman, Hear Me Roar” moment, was the fact that when I went up to be recognized for my award, I was the only women present in my category. Um, heck yea! I couldn’t help but feel empowered in the moment and stand there while Rob watched (and filmed) me, as proud as he’s ever been of me. Seriously, who could ask for more in that moment, than the love of her life almost shedding a tear of pure joy and pride for his wife in that moment? I know I couldn’t. 🙂

 

Click here to watch the short video clip of me being recognized on stage!