International Photographic Competition 2019 Results | The Woodlands, TX Photographer

Diamond and Platinum 2019 Medalist

Cristie competed in Professional Photographers of America 2019 International Competition and is thrilled to announce that she once again was named a Diamond and Platinum Medalist. In 2019, they were one of only 20 Diamond Photographers of the Year, and only 37 Platinum photographers of the Year.

A panel of 36 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from over 5,200 total submitted entries at PPA headquarters in Atlanta. Judged against a standard of excellence, 2,654 images were selected for the General Collection and 625 (roughly 12 percent) were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection—the best of the best. The Loan Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated "Loan Collection" book by Marathon Press. All 8 of Cristie’s images were selected as part of the General Collection, and 7 out of the 8 were selected for the Loan Collection.

Four of Cristie’s images have also been selected to be in the running for this year's Grand Imaging Awards. The winners will be announced at the national convention held in Nashville, Tennessee, January 19-21, 2020.

Imaging USA 2018 | Awards | Spring, TX Photographer

Platinum and Gold Photographer of the Year

International Print Competition is held every year. PPA members from across the globe join the competition. IPC involves two judgings. The first one determines if your images are merit-worthy (yeah, that’s industry-speak to say you made the first cut). If they are, you earn a second judging, which could possibly earn you an additional merit and a spot in the Loan Collection (our way of saying that your work is the “best of the best”).

This year, during the 2017 IPC, a panel of 33 eminent jurors from across the United States judged nearly 5,800 total submitted entries. Only, 2,660 images were selected for the General Collection and 644 (roughly 11 percent) were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection.

Each participant can enter 2 separate cases (4 images each) to be judged. Cristie turned in a General case and an Artist case for a total of 8 images. All 8 images were selected as part of the General Collection, and 5 out of the 8 were selected for the Loan Collection.

Cristie was named Platinum Artist Medalist, meaning that 3 of her artist merited images entered the PPA Loan Collection. She was also named  Gold Medalist, meaning that two of her general merited images entered the PPA Loan Collection.  In 2017, she was one of only 3 Platinum Artist photographers of the Year and one of only 50 Gold photographers of the Year.
 

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Grand Imaging Award Winner

Cristie also had 4 of her images selected to be in the running for the Grand Imaging Awards. There are ten finalists in ten categories comprising the Grand Imaging Awards. Cristie placed 1st in the Children's category and 2nd in the Artist category.

Zoey

1st Place in Children's Portrait Category

Raiders' Inferno

2nd Place in Artist Category

The Archer

Finalist in GIA Artist Category

'Til My Last Breath

Finalist in GIA Artist Category

Knotty Kitty

Loan Collection

Angel Ascending

General Collection

Scarlet

General Collection

Indigo Girl

General Collection

Imaging USA 2017 | Awards and Degrees

Imaging USA 2017
January 8-10, 2017 in San Antonio, TX

As some of you may know, I LOVE to compete in the annual print competition held by PPA. This year was an extraordinary year for me. I was so glad that my friends and family were there to celebrate with me! 

My amazing group of friends surprised me with a pair of diamond earrings right before the award ceremony so I could always remember this wonderful accomplishment.

• I received Double Diamond Photographer of the Year. This means that during IPC, all 8 of my images were worthy of a merit and that all 8 of them were accepted into PPA's Loan collection. I'm the first female to ever accomplish this and also 1 of only 5 other photographers to ever receive this distinction. 
• I earned my Master Artist degree from PPA. This is third degree I've earned through PPA. This is awarded for superior photographic skills—demonstrated through the Artist Exhibition category of the PPA International Photographic Competition (with images evaluated for computer-applied techniques and proficiency), advanced education and service to the industry.
• I received my Imaging Excellence award as well. I was one of only 20 recipients this year to receive this award. This award provides recognition for those rare photographers who have earned their PPA master’s degrees in the field of imaging and have continued to submit images worthy of acceptance into the PPA General and Loan Collections—the best images of PPA’s annual International Photographic Competition.
  
  “To receive the Imaging Excellence Award says two things about the photographer,” explains Randy McNeilly, Chairman of PPA’s Photographic Exhibitions Committee.
  “First, they know how to create beautiful images. Many people wait years to get one image in PPA's Loan Collection, but the Imaging Excellence Award requires 13 of those Loan images! “Second, it shows dedication to a goal. You don't earn this in one competition year and some wait their entire life to receive this award. This is one of PPA's hardest awards to earn, and those who have should be proud of the accomplishment.”  

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2017 Grand Imaging Awards

This year I was astonished to have 4 of my images (pictured below) selected to be in the running for this year's Grand Imaging Awards. The GIAs are awarded yearly at Imaging USA based on the results of the International Photographic Competition. The top 10 images in six categories as selected by International Photographic Competition jurors  and are announced at the GIAs along with the top 3 winners from each category. This is kinda like the Super Bowl for photographers!

I'm so happy to announce that I placed 1st in the High School Senior category and 2nd in the General Portraits category. Just to be nominated for the GIAs is a HUGE honor! The competition is definitely some of the best photographic work in the country.

You can watch the entire awards ceremony (below) to see the other nominees and the winners of the GIAs and the medalist for this year's International Print Competition!

Pointe of Grace

GIA - 1st Place Winner in the High School Portrait Category

Autumn Arrival

GIA - 2nd Place Winner in the General Portrait Category

The Hunters

GIA - One of the top 10 images nominated in the Master Artist Category

Welcome to the Big Top

GIA - One of the top 10 images nominated in the Master Artist Category