It's been a while.....

Since I wrote last I've been on a quest.   A quest for knowledge to improve my skills as a pet photographer.   The workshop I did with Paw Print Divas inspired me to reach higher than I ever expected to.   Barbara Breitsameter with Poppy Blue photography has been a huge part of that inspiration.   Back in August, during the workshop, she encouraged me to submit some of my work to the professional photographers association (PPA) print competition.  

Photos go through 2 levels of judging.  First each photo is judged on it's own merits and given a score; this is at the district competitions or phase 1 at the international competition.   Photos that score 80 and higher are "sealed".   Photos sealed in districts and submitted to the international print competition are automatically included in the associations general collection and will be displayed at the annual convention; Imaging USA in February.   Then they are then judged for inclusion in the associations loan collection.   Photos accepted into the loan collection are printed in the PPA loan collection book for the year.    Merit points are awarded for photos that are included in both the general (1 merit) and loan (2 merits) collections.   These points apply toward earning you certified professional photographer certification.

This February I gave it a go.  I submitted 4 photos (the max) to the north central district competition.  It was an awesome experience.  

First image - Got Tuna?   Score: 83

  Got TunaGot Tuna

Second Image - Double Trouble - Score 80

Double TroubleDouble Trouble

Third Image - Testing the Domino Theory - Score 81

Testing the Domino TheoryCat photo submitted to North Central PPA Print Competition

Forth Image - Squirrel???? - Score 78

SquirrelCat photo submitted to North Central PPA Print Competition

So 3 out of 4 will be in the General Collection and judged for the Loan collection!   I was so excited I was bouncing out of my chair when the scores came in!

I can resubmit Squirrel reworked or a new image for the first level judging at the international competition.   I'm already working on my ideas!!!!