The annual awards banquet for the professional photographers of Canada took place last week at Sun Peaks resort and two local photographers brought home the hardware.
Bobbi Carpino won top spot for Teardrops On My Window Pane in the Portrait of a Woman class, while Dana Friesen won Judge's Choice in the Freestyle category for her image, Come A Little Closer.
Each image will be entered into the national competition. Winners will be announced in April.
"This is the first time I have ever received an award of this calibre," said Carpino, as she gazes at the classic trophy. "As I look at the names on the trophy that's what really got me crying. The trophy dates back to 1986 and some of the names of the photographers that have won are those of master photographers, both within the province and nationally. So, it's kind of cool to have a connection that way."
During the competition, Wayne Carlton from Vanderhoof won an Honorable Mention for In Sync, Debbie Malm, another Prince George photographer, was a judge. Other locals, Tina Cyr, Terrill Bodner, John Westergard and Philomena Hughes had images accepted. Jodi Schulz, local photographer, had all four of her entries accepted into the competition, which speaks to her consistent talent, Carpino explained, as not all work is accepted for judging.
Carpino, who said she's always been a photographer, took a ten-month course with Philomena Hughes at the University of Northern B.C., then joined professional photographers of B.C. five years ago.
The provincial body has now amalgamated with the national to become the Professional Photographers of Canada - B.C.
"Now I do a minimum of three workshops a year to improve my skills," said Carpino.
Both Friesen and Carpino focus on children and family portraiture.
"My grandma gave me my first camera when I was eight," said Friesen, who joined what is now known as the PPOC-BC in 2003. "Jayson Hencheroff, from Focal Point Studios and Craig Smith from Aboutface Photography in Williams Lake are my mentors and that's the great thing about being in the association - you have mentors, there are no secrets, everybody shares."
To further promote camaraderie, the local branch has a coffee-shop series once a month where photographers gather to talk about new trends, critique each other's work and offer advice to one another, Carpino said.
"There is so much that is happening with our association locally and our goal is really to educate the public and photographers about what it is we're doing to improve the industry to keep the standard of professionalism high," said Carpino, who is chair for the PPOC-BC, Northern branch.
For more information about the organization's local branch contact Carpino through her website at http://bobbicarpinophotography.com.
