APA Awards 2012 Annual Photo Competition Launches Today With Exceptional Prize Pool

ATLANTA – You've got the work. You've got the talent and the American Photographic Artists want to put the spotlight on YOU. Member or non-member, ALL photographers have a shot at greatness in The APA AWARDS 2012 Annual Photo Competition. Through September 16th, student and pro photographers from across the world are invited to participate in our annual celebration of extraordinary image-making.

"Winning the APA 'Best in Show' award certainly amped-up exposure rather quickly," says 2011 award winner Saverio Truglia. "I credit it for having won in other major awards shows within the year."

Established in 2007, The APA Awards Annual Photo Competition has attracted extraordinary work from thousands of photographers from every end of the globe. And like past years, this year's jury includes many highly-regarded educators, editors and photographers, including editorial, portrait, and advertising photographer Gregory Heisler, SVA's Katrin Eismann, and Daylight Magazine's founding editor Michael Itkoff.

Winners will be recognized for outstanding work that reflects personal vision and exemplifies technical excellence. Award winning photographers benefit with many additional marketing opportunities through vigorous competition promotion. Your images could be part of one or all of the additional advertising measures featured below that you would normally spend thousands of marketing dollars on.

Direct Exposure: Have an acclaimed panel of judges reviewing your work.

Widespread Exposure: Imagine your award winning image as the leading image on one or several e-blasts that get straight into the inbox of image buyers and 15,000 creatives.

Long Exposure: See your image featured in the winners gallery on the APA website for all of 2012-13.

That's not all. The APA photographers association pulled out all the stops this year. Because we understand what a tough market it is for so many photographers we negotiated great prizes from our sponsors. With sponsors like Lowepro, Blurb, SONY, Adobe, liveBooks, and Apple, The APA Awards prizes are better than ever this year. Best of Show wins many prizes including an iPad, iPod, Photoshop CS6, consultation with Selina Maitreya, all topped off with $2,500 in cold cash.

31 chances to win with a 1st, 2nd, and Merit in each of 10 categories PLUS a Best of Show!
Action
Architecture
Conceptual
Fashion
Fine Art / Personal
Landscape
Lifestyle
Portrait / Bridal
Still Life
Student

The Student photo competition provides the chance to win many prizes including a Sony NEX-7 camera.

The contest opens today and runs through September 16th. All winners from last year can be found in the online Winners Gallery, courtesy of liveBooks.

About APA: American Photographic Artists (APA) is a leading American organization run by photographers for photographers, as well as other photographic professionals. With a culture that is grounded in optimism and openness, APA supplies the necessary tools for business success, standards, and creative satisfaction. This includes all levels of the photography profession. APA understands that it is our job to be proactive. We anticipate the practical, creative, and business needs of our members with ongoing resources and vigorous national advocacy. APA's reach and standards are recognized worldwide. Our inviting culture and common sense values provide the foundation for all that we do.

For more information, please visit apanational.com