Featuring

J U N E 2 0 1 5

The January 2015Image CompetitionWinners

B Y NA P C P

Industry News &Announcements,

Workshops,Updates andmuch more!

INSIDEA look at our past Image Competition, details on the July competition and more

N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F P R O F E S S I O N A L C H I L D P H O T O G R A P H E R S

LATESTThe

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Happy (almost) summer! As we get into the groove of warm weather,

vacation planning and activities with our little people, we want to share a few

fun “adult” happenings, designed just for you!

Each year, we have a plethora of talented community members submit

their photographs for our image competitions. Once the winners are announced,

many of you often have specific questions about the images. What was the

inspiration? Which technical specifications were used? Is there a back story?

With those questions buzzing, we’ve decided to get you the answers! In hopes

of providing more insight on the winning images and their creative processes,

we’re surveying our first-place winners of the January 2015 International Image

Competition and Photographer of the Year. Stay tuned for the scoop!

Speaking of image competitions, who’s ready for the next one? Our July

2015 International Image Competition opens July 13! With only a month to go,

we encourage you to start preparing your submissions. We can’t wait to see them.

Without further adieu, mark your calendars for the 2016 NAPCP Winter

Retreat! Taking place January 12-15, 2016, you are cordially invited to escape,

unwind and relax with us at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation, a Southern

oasis overlooking Lake Oconee in Greensboro, GA! A short drive from Atlanta,

we’ll enjoy the lake resort’s world-class spa, lavish dining and dive into deep,

meaningful discussions with guest speakers, friends and colleagues. More

information to come!

Last, but not definitely not least, we’d like to thank all of our sponsors for

your support of the 2014 Photographer of the Year Competition! You are an

invaluable component to making this campaign happen each year, and we are

grateful for your involvement.

For more events and news you can use in your own business, read on!

Hello friends!

SincerelyThe NAPCP Team

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pg. 5 ............... January 2015 Competition Winners

Pg. 23 ............................. Photographer of the Year

Pg. 25............................................ Video Resources

Pg. 26 ................................. Apply For Membership

Pg. 3 ........................................... NAPCP Retreat

Pg. 4 ...............................News & Announcements

N A P C P 2 0 1 6 R E T R E ATJanuary 12-15 | Ritz Carlton | Reynolds Plantation, GA

Details and Registration coming soon!

N A P C P N e w s l e t t e r Ju n e 2 0 1 5 | 0 4

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

We hope that everyone will continue

to partake in our NAPCP Facebook

Community page! Join now and get

involved with the latest discussions,

trending topics, news and updates,

and much more! Click here to

request to join today!

Facebook Community

If you are in the market for fresh,

new photography templates and

creative client gifts, be sure to hop

on over to the NAPCP store! We are

constantly adding new products to

help make the design side of your

business a little less stressful! Don't see

something you've been hunting for?

Drop us an email with new products

you would like to see!

Napcp Store

COVER IMAGE : Jamie Bard Dube, Her One Tr ue Lov e

Image by Becca Wohlwinder, "Running Free" (January 2015)

FEATUREDPHOTOGRAPHERSI M A G E C O M P E T I T I O N W I N N E R S

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Tell us a little about yourself: Hello! My name is Suzanne Taylor and I am the owner/operator

of First Blush Photography located out of Bentley, Alberta. My husband and I were both born

and raised in Calgary, Alberta and where I received my Bachelor of Social Work in 2004. That

career path took us up to Athabasca, Alberta where in 2007 my business was born and I fo-

cused on mainly lifestyle sessions. The move to Central Alberta and the birth of my oldest son

(who is almost 5) as well as my GBG triplets (who turn 3 at the end of October) kick started my

path towards childhood portraits that has become my first love as far as my creative inspira-

tion. I love working with toddlers up to early adulthood and always can find that small mo-

ment of quiet to capture an image.

What is the story behind your winning image? The story of my winning image came together as

I was editing it. Those twin boys are the children of one of my good friends that I did a mini

session for last summer - it still makes me giggle that an award winning image came out of a

15 min session. I asked mom if she thought they would sit back to back - she laughed at me,

looked at me with a cocked eyebrow and then decided she would try. That image was con-

ceived out of a split second decision to try...the moral of my story - always just try.

SUZANNE TAYLOR | Carbon Copy | FIRST PLACE, Toddlers

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

Clockwise from top left: Erin Borzellino, Mimic. Nicola Toon, Bath Time. Nicola Toon, Starboard Home.

Above: Laure Reive, Finding Heaven. Svetlana Aleynikova, Bumble Bees.

Tell us a little about yourself: Im originally from England and started really getting interested

in photographing children other than my own after my daughter was born six years ago. Ive

moved my business 3 times thanks to my husbands military career and i am so grateful for

loyal and new clients who trust me with their memories! I love to encourage parents to bring

out their inner child during our sessions and its so fun seeing the real smiles and laugher

from both the children and parents while they are having lots of fun and making memories

that I get to capture for them to keep forever.

What is your favorite subject to photograph and why: Every session I photograph I say is my

favorite! I absolutely love photographing young children. Seeing their personality shine and

them come out of their shells right in front of my eyes is always amazing. I love leaving these

sessions with a new little friend!

What is the story behind your winning image? We had been to whitesands national monument

several times since moving here but had never taken our dog. He is getting older and I knew

I needed a picture of all of my babies running and playing together. It turned out exactly as I

pictured it in my head and is now a 20x30 canvas on my living room wall!

BECCA WOHLWINDER | Running Free | FIRST PLACE, Siblings

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

LEIGHA GRAF | Remembering | FIRST PLACE, Seniors/Tweens

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

Tell us a little about yourself: I moved around a bit while growing up, however, what I call my

hometown was the size of 1500 in Central Alberta. I started photographing professionally 7

years ago, learning the best way I know how, buy jumping in with both feet and always trying

new things. I have a deep love for coffee, slow mornings, days at home, travel with my family,

meaningful conversations, hearing peoples stories, and photographing with intent.

Best business advice you have ever received: "Drop the maps.” has always stayed with me. This

was given by Jesh De Rox in one of his presentations I was at years ago. If I remember cor-

rectly, he was speaking more on photography itself, but I think this can be applied it to all

areas. Basically, do what works for you. Don’t look for the exact way someone else got where

you want to be. Find your own way.

Tips for other photographers in submitting winning images: Invest in the critiques! As much as

seeing your scores can give you a bit of an indication where you image needs work, having

feedback regarding particular aspects of the photograph definitely helps see it in a new light.

We as artists, rarely have the opportunity for our work to be evaluated by another profession-

al eye. I love hearing what they see needs work.

Clockwise from top left: Jennifer Kapala, Season of Change. Jamie Bard Dube, Her One True Love. Rya Duncklee, Castlerock.

Above: Connie Lawson, Ray of Captured Beauty. Kansas Pitts, Fresh | A Maternity At The Spring.

Tell us a little about yourself: I've always been interested in photography and took traditional film

courses in high school. My background, however, has been in advertising & design firms in Min-

neapolis, MN for over 15 years. After working that grueling schedule while raising children, I de-

cided it was time to make a switch and pursue my photography passion in 2010. I tried every type

of photography... weddings, athletics, food, etc. My passion has landed on maternity & newborn

fine art and I am completely in love with it. My design background has been a tremendous asset in

producing beautiful art for my clients. Shortly, I'll also be offering workshops in both maternity

and newborn fine art both in the states and overseas!

What is the story behind your winning image? My first winning image was actually this one! I was

photographing Alli and just as she was changing wardrobes, I stopped her in her tracks. I saw

something incredible and just felt in my gut it was going to be a game changer. You have to photo-

graph with your soul, not your eyes - I felt something and jumped to capture it.pictured it in my

head and is now a 20x30 canvas on my living room wall!

Tips for other photographers in submitting winning images: Emotion, hands down. If an image

doesn't move you to smile, cry, laugh or extreme goosebumps, it's probably not worth submitting.

NICOLE KLEIN | Alli | FIRST PLACE, Maternity

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

JENNIFER KAPALA | By The Last of The Summer Light | FIRST PLACE, Family

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

Tell us a little about yourself: I am from the rugged Calgary, Alberta and I love spending time

with my three boys, husband and wayward pug hiking in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains we

are lucky enough to have as a playing field.

Tips for other photographers in submitting winning images: A great image is technically well ex-

ecuted, creative and connects emotionally with the viewer to draw them into the story. It has

a strong reason "why" the shutter was pressed. Really challenge yourself to see your images

with a fresh set of eyes or connect with people who will give you constructive feedback on how

to take your images to the next level. Always push yourself to that next level with a "yes, and"

rather than a "yes, but" mindset.

What is the story behind your winning image? The tree really drew me in to tell it's story. It's reputed

to be the world's oldest maple tree and I just kept thinking of all the generations of kids who

swung on those branches, or families' who have had shelter and shade because of this tree and the

stories it could tell. It's well past how long maple trees usually live, in the twilight of it's life. I had

a vision of a family embraced by the tree's branches by the last of the summer light, echoing the

tree's story.

Below: Kate Lemmon, Hawaiians in Boston. Becca Wohlwinder, Happiness.

Clockwise from top left: Sandy Summers Russell, Little Lamb. Carolina Guzik, Expecting. Mandy Johnson, Innocent.

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

Above: Jennifer Kapala, First Taste of Winter.

JAMIE BARD DUBE | Giddy Up | FIRST PLACE, Children

Tell us a little about yourself: I’ve been a full time photographer for 4 years now and love to

photograph children, although I shoot a little bit of everything. I feel that we as photogra-

phers are lucky to be doing something we love for a living, that is why I try to give back to the

community as much as I can. Over the past 4 years, I’ve given over 16000$ to kids in our area

by donated all my Christmas mini session sales (I keep the session cost, sales are donated to

purchase school supplies, Christmas gifts, boxes of meat, snow boots and coats). I encourage

other photographers to give back, I’m positive it will have a huge impact on your business.

What is the story behind your winning image? The photo “giddy up” was taken this fall at a regular

family session at a farm. I knew the little girl loved horses, so I ask the farm owner if she had

any cowboy boots we could use, I had the stool with me because I used it to sit on while shoot-

ing since I was in crutches, yep, photo was taken while I had a broken foot! A few moments

after the photo was taken, the horse pushed the girl off the stool, the little girl laughed it off!

I want to encourage other photographers to submit images into images competition, yes win-

ning is kinda cool, but I always enter as a way to keep myself sharp, creative and push myself

to think outside the box. You don’t need to the be the best, you only need to be better then

you were yesterday.

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

BRITTANY HARVEY | Birthday Bath | FIRST PLACE, Babies

SPOTLIGHT WINNER

Tell us a little about yourself: I was born in Alaska raised in Malibu, California and then moved

to Cleveland, and now Michigan. I organically grew a business through word of mouth and

Facebook after my son was born. I have a wonderful hubby and a 2.5 year old son that are

amazing! Photography has helped us tremendously this year after my hubby jumped off of a

70 foot waterfall on vacation and shattered 2 vertebrae, and broke his hip and sternum. I had

to pay all of the bills (we just built a new home and, ironically, the tub in my winning image

is our bathtub)! It was a crazy time!

Best business advice you have ever received: You are worth it.

What is your favorite subject to photograph and why: My favorite thing to photograph is any-

thing that has to do with babies! Maternity and newborn are my favorite!

Above: Kansas Pitts, A Mothers Joy | The Girls. Danielle Kilgore, Lips.

Above: Katie Rain, A View From Above. Danielle Kilgore, Hot Day.

JULY 2015 COMPETITION

We are excited to announce that the July 2015 International Image

Competition will be opening in just a few short weeks on Monday,

July 13, The purpose of NAPCP’s Image Competitions is to recognize the

accomplishments and creative excellence of our members, rewarding

their talent with medallions, priority listing on our directory, vendor

endorsements, member points, titles and professional recognition.

Get your entries ready!

Clockwise from top left: Magaly Gisel Abrego, Maternity 02. Jennifer Petritz, Story Time. Amy Wood, Sleeping Beauty.

Jennifer KapalaThe National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) was thrilled

to announce its 2014 Child Photographer of the Year, Jennifer Kapala of Jennifer

Kapala Photography! An award winning image from Jennifer was featured on an

electronic billboard in New York City’s famed Times Square. We caught up with Jen-

nifer to see how she got started and what challenges she has faced along the way.

Tell us a little about you and how you started in photography: I have always had an

element of art in my life, whether it was oil painting, photography in school (dark-

room), dabbling in acting or music lessons. When I had children of my own I was

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PHOTOGRAPHEROF THE YEAR

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really pulled into trying to express myself creatively again and picked up a film cam-

era as a means to do so. I spent hours in the dark room learning how to develop film

and prints and really fell in love with the whole experience of creating all over again!

What has been your biggest challenge working in this industry (and how do you over-

come it): As a highly collaborative person, I hate working alone and not being able

to bounce ideas off of people. I truly believe there is more to be gained by working

together than apart. I have found that through networking and joining like minded

professional associations, I have made the most amazing friendships and connec-

tions and have been able to achieve more than I ever thought possible.

Words to live by: My favourite quote: "Promise me you will not spend so much time

treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly

forget, how much you have always loved to swim" (Tyler Knott Gregson) I love it, it's

my reminder to take risks and push myself as an artist.

Recommended reading or podcasts: I love anything by Freeman Patterson, David

duChemin and Joe McNally - they all love the craft of photography and it shows.

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please visit napcp.com or email us at info@napcp.com with questions or inquiries.

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M a n d y Jo h n s o n , H o l d M e .