American Photographic Artists Announces THE APA AWARDS 2012 Winners

ATLANTA – October 17, 2012 – American Photographic Artists is very proud to announce the winners of THE APA AWARDS 2012 Annual Photo Competition. APA would like to congratulate and thank photographers from all around the world for submitting such incredible work to the photography competition celebrating extraordinary image-making. Wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum won Best of Show for his Action shot of a vulnerable looking penguin in the moment of an attack by a much larger seal.

"We were immensely impressed with this year's submissions," says APA CEO Stephen Best, who said they received over 1,600 submissions from over 15 countries this year.

Established in 2007, THE APA AWARDS Annual Photo Competition has attracted exceptional work from thousands of photographers from every end of the globe. This year's jury includes many well respected educators, editors and photographers, including editorial, portrait, and advertising photographer Gregory Heisler, SVA's Katrin Eismann, and Daylight Magazine's founding editor Michael Itkoff.

"I feel very privileged to be chosen as a winner amongst such incredible talent, considering it is a national competition in the USA, with international photographers also able to enter," says Landscape category winner Zoe Wetherall who is based in Australia.

Winners are recognized for outstanding work that reflects personal vision and exemplifies technical excellence, according to the APA website. "Award winning photographers benefit with many additional marketing opportunities through vigorous competition promotion."

"I am honored to be recognized for my fashion photography by the talented group of judges and among my peers in the APA community, who are among the best in the industry," states Rush Varela who won 1st place in the Fashion category.

1st Place Action category winner Mike Morgan commented as well saying, "Having your image recognized by the APA Awards is a tremendous honor, and it's humbling to be included among this accomplished group of photographers. To receive acknowledgment from an organization like APA and this truly esteemed group of judges is extremely gratifying. I'm very excited to be a part of this year's awards."

APA awarded great prizes from their sponsors this year, including Lowepro, Blurb, SONY, Adobe, liveBooks, and Apple. Best of Show winner Amos Nachoum won an iPad, iPod, Photoshop CS6, consultation with Selina Maitreya, and $2,500 in cash, and Student winner Erin McGuire won several prizes including a Sony NEX-7 camera.

"I am very excited to be honored by the APA for my conceptual portrait of the cast of 'The Princess Bride' for Entertainment Weekly," says Art Streiber, 1st place winner in the Conceptual category. "My crew and I worked incredibly hard, all through the night, in order to make that picture come to life and it is incredibly rewarding to have that effort recognized."

View the Winner's Gallery at APA contest host DRIPBOOK HERE

Best of Show
Amos Nachoum - Action

Action
1st Place - Mike Morgan
2nd Place - Jason Evans
Merit - Jim Newberry

Architecture
1st Place - Lucy Kennedy
2nd Place - Andrzej Bochenski
Merit - James Ewing

Conceptual
1st Place - Art Streiber
2nd Place - Todd Baxter
Merit - Beth Galton

Fashion
1st Place - Rush Varela
2nd Place - Hayden Wood
Merit - Mark Leibowitz

Fine Art / Personal
1st Place - Renee Kalmar
2nd Place - Joseph Romeo
Merit - Moshe Katvan

Landscape
1st Place - Zoe Wetherall
2nd Place - Ken Ross
Merit - Julia Robertson

Lifestyle
1st Place - Laurie Frankel
2nd Place - Adam Regan
Merit - Brittany McLaren

Portrait / Bridal
1st Place - Talisman Brolin
2nd Place - Allen Clark
Merit - Erik Almas

Still Life
1st Place - Donald Bowers
2nd Place - George Murphy
Merit - Clint Blowers

Student
1st Place - Erin McGuire
2nd Place - Golnaz Shahmirzadi
Merit - Jun Takano

About APA: American Photographic Artists (APA) (www.apanational.com) is a photographers association and 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.

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