A low-key Friday wedding with absolutely perfect weather at a stunning location with a gorgeous couple… yep, you really can’t get much better than that! We had the best time photographing Chelsea & Jeff’s wedding at Pebble Hill Plantation in Thomasville, GA. Everything was just so easy the entire day! I think the hardest part has been narrowing down my favorite images for the blog post!
I am overjoyed to announce that I was named the 2013 Tallahassee Photographer of the Year and that Olyn was named to the Top Three Tallahassee Photographers by the Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild (TPPG). Of all the awards we have won, these really mean the most. These awards are based solely on the quality of our images as judged by our colleagues. Each month, we compete in a print competition where local Tallahassee photographers vote to select the best print in eight separate categories. We also compete in a formal competition that is scored by a panel of three trained photographic judges. The results of these competitions is what determines who is the Tallahassee Photographer of the Year.
This is the third time I have won the title, with Olyn winning one of his own as well. We have also been named to the top three several times. These awards are ones we display proudly in our studio as they are so humbling to win. Tallahassee has so many amazing artists who belong to TPPG and we feel so honored to not only be in their company but to have their respect for our work.
We first joined the Guild in 2008 and instantly realized what an amazing local resource it was. Through TPPG, we have learned more than we ever thought possible about art and business, we have made enduring friendships, we have given and received support and guidance and we have celebrated the successes of so many in our community. It is truly a family that loves, supports and guides its members through an ever-changing industry.
From many newer photographers, I often hear them express fear and hesitation of joining the guild or of entering print competition. I know its easy to sit on this side of the situation and scoff at that fear, but I completely and totally understand it. I had sweaty palms walking into my first meeting. I thought no one would want me there. I thought I would throw up when I entered my first print in competition. I thought I would die if anyone critiqued my work and pointed out the flaws. But… the most shocking thing happened- I was welcomed. I was encouraged. I was mentored. I received guidance.
The impact TPPG made on my art and my business is undeniable. Now, I stand on the side of the long term guild member and want to invite new members to come to our meetings, join our ranks and partake in this awesome resource that we have available! I promise we won’t hurt you, we won’t ridicule you and you will be welcomed with open arms!
Now, if you have managed to read this novel of a post, let me share some of the winning images from this awesome year!
Shelby and Trevor had such a perfect Tallahassee winter wedding at the University Center Club! The weather outside was gloomy, but it just added to the cozy, intimate feeling inside! I so love that they chose us to share in their special day– we have been photographing Shelby’s family for years and it meant so much to Olyn and I that we could be a part of this union.
Errin and Kevin had a sweet, intimate wedding at Willow Pond Plantation in Monticello. Their fall wedding really focused on what was most important to this couple– their friends, family and fun. The day was less than traditional in the most fun ways. It was such a blast to hang out with them and be a part of their special day!
Jen and Jon had their destination wedding in Tallahassee, returning to the bride’s hometown for an intimate, simple, emotional wedding. They exchanged vows underneath the giant oaks in the courtyard of the FSU Alumni Center, with the nearby church bells ringing out just as they exchanged rings. It was beyond a picture perfect day!
We have been so busy preparing for holiday portraits that I haven’t even had a chance to show off our winning photographs from the October meeting of the Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild! Olyn did awesome this month and won three of the four categories he entered! I also won the Social Function category with an image from Kim & Peter’s wedding that I adore!
