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Each year the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) holds an International Print Competition and this past season one of my prints was awarded in this prestigious event! PPA’s International Print Competition is a world-renowned photographic competition, where entries are evaluated against a standard of excellence (not against each other). Hundreds of photographers enter up to 3 images each in a various categories. So that amounts to thousands of entrants!

I have been a member of PPA for about 7 years now and it has really helped me grow in my skills and expand my knowledge of photography.  Being part of this non-profit, trade organization has allowed me to stay on the front of the wave with what is happening in the photography world and pass that creativity on to my clients!   PPA print competition is a perfect way for us photographers challenge ourselves both technically and artistically.

“Morning Fog” is a testimony to my photographic ability to achieve this higher level of excellence. As part of PPA’s General Collection, my image was shown at the PPA National Convention this past January in Phoenix, AZ.  I am so honored and so excited to continue to strive for excellence in my work be it fine art, portrait, or wedding.

In celebration of this Award Winning image, you can receive 20% OFF prints of “Morning Fog” through my online store or if you come into my gallery in Ely.  This offer will expire on July 6th and applies to the print portion of your purchase (excludes framing price if you purchase a framed print).

Award Winning image of "Morning Fog"; Quetico Provincial Park

The story behind the making of “Morning Fog” is that

I love traveling in the canoe country especially in autumn.  A late September canoe trip can bring some of the best light and atmosphere in the season. With warmer day and notably cooler nights, the morning air is ripe for mist and moody circumstances.   The lake is called “Rod Lake” in the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. We were out for a week and this was a morning filled with surprises.  First a huge flock of Snow Geese flew overhead followed by other fabulous bird sightings.  But coming out of the tent and seeing this steep sided lake filled with fog just took my breath away.  One of my canoe partners happily jumped in a boat and paddled off into the mist.  Success in making a great image is always a combination of factors; time, place, light, seeing, knowing, being present, composition, going into action.  This was one of those times where all things came together and I am truly grateful because that is more the exception rather than the rule.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to hear from you!

The “Art of the Canoe” exhibit has formally opened its doors to the public at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN.  This show is not to be missed and runs from April 7-August 22, 2009 (exhibit is closed July 15-18th for the Minnesota Beethoven Festival).

Formal invitation to the Art of the Canoe Exhibit

The exhibit celebrates the history, design and development of Minnesota built canoes.

Featured are historic and contemporary canoes and art from the collections of Linda and Mike Chicanowski of the We-no-nah Canoe Company.

Art of the Canoe Exhibit at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum

In addition to some of my  canoe imagery in photographs are other artist’s original works & photography plus hand-built canoes from renowned Minnesota canoe builders Joe Seliga, Jeanne Bourquin (also of Ely!) and beautiful wood paddles from Whiskeyjack Paddles.

Museum and membership information is available at www.minnesotamarineart.org

So consider taking a worthwhile road trip this spring or summer down to southern Minnesota along the beautiful river valley to Winona, MN.  I know I will!  I’ll even bring my canoe and dip the paddle in the water.

"First Snow" on exhibit at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum