I won! I won! (**very** good day at the Professional Photographers of California print competition!)

I won!!!!

So, what did I win, you ask? (do you think it is weird that i always fill in *your* part of the conversation?)

I won (insert drum roll here please……..)

Children’s Photographer of the Year 2009!!!

This is my second time in four years to win this title!! I can’t believe it – I was *thisclose* to not even entering – I got a ticket on the drive down, my kids were monsters and I *almost* blew it off….WHEW…I am so glad I didn’t! I watched the competition judging all day and was on pins and needles until the end – they have changed the rules this year and they bring out the 5 highest scoring prints in each category….so we had to wait until the bitter end to find out the winners….

In the end, it came down to my print and the print of my good friend the lovely Amy Fink. I would have been excited for her if she had won (but bummed for me!) and I know she felt the same way……but the judges deliberated and deliberated and then decided to award TWO titles this year! It couldn’t have turned out better! WE were so excited for each other :) The awards will be handed out at the state convention in Pasadena on March 22nd….and I just *might* have more exciting news to share then also…..

Meanwhile – please meet the stunningly beautiful Miss Alex….the *instant* I took this photo I turned to her mom and said “i think that might be the most gorgeous photo I have ever taken”…..so nice to have others agree with me! Her eyes are just so amazingly beautiful – if *eyes are the windows to the soul* then she surely has one fantastic soul! Alex has alopecia – a condition where you lose your hair – but doesn’t she have the cutest head ever??!!

alex2.jpg

Alex’s photo scored an 87! In PPA competitions, anything over an 80 is considered *worthy of a merit* – i had two other photos that also merited – both scored an 81, and both happen to be my own children, so that was kind of cool! (i am displaying these images digitally here – but *in real life* they were all matted with fine art mattes and looked lovely – the mattes really added to the presentation, so you’ll have to use your imagination a little bit!)

You’ve probably seen this one before, but if not, here is Jake….

jake1.jpg

…and this is my little bug-bug, otherwise known as Alabama Grace…

ali2.jpg

filed under: california children’s photographer, california kids photographer, california baby photographer, modern lifestyle photography, kids lifestyle photography,

Suzanne Ennis - February 5, 2009 - 11:03 pm

Bravo, Jen! Well deserved. You rock!!! And you inspire us here! Keep up the beautiful work…absolutely stunning!

Angela Shea - February 5, 2009 - 11:24 pm

Congratulations!!!! I can see why! You are a wonderful photographer!

lynne higbie - February 6, 2009 - 1:31 am

An exceptional photograph!!! You have really captured this child with her “Mona Lisa” smile….Well done!!!

Jenn Denzin - February 6, 2009 - 1:49 am

You are my personal hero!!! After the beginning of the day you had, I would never had even gone! You have done it again my friend and I couldn’t be more proud of you and your AMAZING talent!

Dawn - February 6, 2009 - 2:11 am

OHHHH! Congrats!!! SO well deserved, beautiful images. Congrats to you Jen!

Tara - February 6, 2009 - 9:21 am

Congratulations. What a well deserved award.

Anna-Karin - February 6, 2009 - 10:08 am

Wow that is a stunning portrait!! Beautiful girl and the composition of this print just makes it fabulous.
Well done and congratluations!!

Amy Fink - February 6, 2009 - 10:14 am

Wow my friend, that image still moves me as much now as it did the moment I saw it, even after all the time I spent staring at it on Tuesday, it’s truly magical!! You so totally ROCK! I am so happy to share this award with you…would have had it any other way…especially the me losing way…hehe. So, are you going to tell them the other incredibly exciting news, or are you going to make them wait again??

Holli Dunn - February 6, 2009 - 12:07 pm

Oh wow Congratulations Jen!!! So very deserving. Your work is sooo good.

Karen Marie - February 6, 2009 - 12:24 pm

Congratulations Jen! They really are beautiful… I can see why you won.

Jen - February 6, 2009 - 12:48 pm

So awesome Jen!!! Congratulations!!!!!

Therese Marie - February 6, 2009 - 12:56 pm

ohhhh Jen I am so excited for you. I love the photos and you are AWESOME girlfriend :)

Krysia - February 6, 2009 - 1:06 pm

Congratulations!!! What stunning images. You must be so proud!!!!

monyeen - February 6, 2009 - 8:33 pm

soo soooo happy for you. congrats.

Siobhan - February 6, 2009 - 8:55 pm

That is really cool – congrats!

jennifer - February 6, 2009 - 9:09 pm

oh wow thats awesome, these are absolutely beautiful and you deserve it, congrats!

Judy - February 6, 2009 - 9:53 pm

Gorgeous, Jen!!

allie - February 6, 2009 - 9:59 pm

BEAUTIFUL images… CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Kendell Silveira - February 7, 2009 - 12:45 am

Awww congratulations Jennifer! What an honor!

Kim Sayre - February 7, 2009 - 12:47 am

yeah, baby!! you rock!! Congratulations, and you’re right… we need to hang soon! I was going to come to Pasadena, and had just changed my mind, but this might have to change it back for me… hugs, chips and salsa
K

vicki - February 7, 2009 - 10:33 am

Congratulations Jen! Your black and whites are beautiful. Your 2x title is well deserved!

Beth - February 7, 2009 - 2:37 pm

Congratulations!!! Well deserved!!!!!!!!

Margaret - February 7, 2009 - 8:40 pm

How utterly fabulous for you, I am thrilled for your well-earned kuddos from PPC.

Kate - February 7, 2009 - 9:14 pm

CONGRATULATIONS! what an accomplishment :)

Ruth Williams - February 9, 2009 - 4:32 pm

Congrats Jen! Great images :)

Karen McKinnon - February 11, 2009 - 11:03 am

YAY Jen! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO well deserved. Yipee YOU!

andrea - February 20, 2009 - 1:37 am

Sorry to stalk your blog but I saw the image of Alex and just had to see the talent behind it. It is the most emotionally impacting children’s photo I’ve ever seen. Your work is gorgeous. Your a true inspiration. Congratulations on your well deserved award!

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