For Parents
For Photographers
    • Alice ParkAlice Park

    NAPCP 2011 International Image Competition Winners Announced!

    October 28, 2011 | Posted by Alice Park

    After much excitement and anticipation, we are absolutely thrilled to announce the winners of our 2011 International Image Competition. Uniquely focused on child photography, the NAPCP International Image Competition featured a range of image categories, including Babies, Newborn, Children, Family, Maternity, Seniors, Siblings, Toddlers, and Tweens. Our acclaimed panel of judges, Tamara Lackey, Brandy Anderson and Sue Bryce scored based on technical merit, creativity and composition, and impact.

    The following images received the highest scores in our International Image Competition:

    To view the complete listing of winning images, please view our Award Winning Image Gallery.

    The purpose of our Image Competitions is to recognize the creative and technical excellence of our child photographer members, reward talent, and serve as a vehicle for learning and improving our craft. Each entrant will receive a personalized email this week detailing their scores, any comments or critiques from the judges, as well as some additional comments our judges wrote to address all of the entries.

    Winners will receive:

    (1) Highlighted listing in our Member Directory, (2) Our coveted award winning NAPCP seal for website placement, (3) Their winning images published in both their Photographer’s Profile and in our Award Winning Image Gallery, (4) Individual Press packets to distribute to their local media, (5) Increased Exposure and Promotion to our Vendor Partners, (6) Recognition as an Award Winning Photographer, and (7) The opportunity to win our prestigious NAPCP Photographer of the Year award.

    Thank you to all who participated in our 2011 International Image Competition and congratulations again to our Winners!

    Kristen the designerKristen the designer

    NAPCP 1st Half Image Competition: 5 Days Left!

    July 27, 2011 | Posted by Kristen the designer

    There are only 5 days left to submit your best images! The NAPCP 1st Half Image Competition will close at 11:59PM EST July 31st, 2011. The purpose of NAPCP’s Image Competitions is to recognize the accomplishments and creative excellence of our members, rewarding their talent with medallions, priority listing on our directory, vendor endorsements, member points, titles and professional recognition. Members each receive a total of 5 Competition Credits per Competition with their Membership. Details are online!

    They say a picture is worth a thousand words … and yours may be featured in our next press release. For the past two International Image Competitions, the winners announcement highlighted the names of the competition winners and received great exposure – collecting thousands of views, postings to other websites, and search index hits. Wouldn’t you like to see your name and photo sent over the wire too?

    Members, don’t forget to submit your best images here!

    Good luck!

    The NAPCP Team

    Above photo credits clockwise from top left: Andrea Halsey, “Take Off and Fly” • Gina Miller,
    “All I Want For Christmas ” • Sandi Bradshaw, “Grandpa’s Car ” • Dana Pugh “Brothers”


    1st Half International Image Competition Judges


    Brandy Anderson Brandy Anderson has been photographing maternity, babies, kids and families for 7 years under Fresh Sugar Photography.

    She has won numerous awards including WPPI’s Fresh Face in 2010 as well as taking first place in the children’s category in the 8×10 competition.

    She’s been featured in Rangefinder and Professional Photographer magazine and recently achieved her CPP – Certified Professional Photographer. She lives in Calgary, AB, Canada with her husband and two daughters.

    Tamara Lackey Tamara Lackey is a photographer, author, teacher, and speaker with a passion for the world of creative arts – and artful living. In addition to photographing portraits, editorial and commercial work, Tamara teaches every day photo takers how to better document life with her new consumer ‘edutainment’ series, Tamara Lackey’s Capturing Life through (Better) Photography – a DVD, Book, and Gift Box combination.

    Tamara’s work has been described as “expressive, soulful, often funny … beautiful”. Appearing in a multitude of publications, including O – The Oprah Magazine, Vogue, Food & Wine, and Parenting Magazine, Tamara has been profiled in Rangefinder, Professional Imagemaker, and Professional Photographer Magazines. Her imagery has been showcased on NBC’s The Martha Stewart Show, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and PBS’ Need To Know.

    A dynamic and sought-after speaker, Tamara presents on the art of documenting life, small business strategy, and work/life balance at conventions and seminars around the world. She also regularly guests hosts on a variety of shows, podcasts and blogs. She is the author of The Art of Children’s Portrait Photography, reprinted in seven languages and referenced as “some of the best kid portraits I’ve ever seen” by Shutterbug Magazine. Tamara is also the host of the highly-praised Inside Contemporary Children’s Photography DVD, and the co-creator of the Tamara Lackey Style Book, developed in partnership with Kubota Image Tools. Tamara is currently writing her third book on re-envisioning the experience of family (New Riders Press: Voices That Matter, November, 2011). Tamara served on the judging panel a couple years in a row at the main WPPI 16×20 competition in Vegas – for portrait, photojournalism and commercial categories. She also judged the wedding category at SWPP’s major convention in London.

    Tamara LackeyTamara Lackey

    Lindsay, Steve, Jack, Charlie .. and Kobe

    November 15, 2010 | Posted by Tamara Lackey

    Life kinda sped up for Lindsay Wojciechowski this past summer.

    She was nine months pregnant with her second child right around the time her husband, Steve (“Wojo”), was fully engaged with the ACC Tournament. Steve is the Associate Head Coach for Duke University’s basketball team – and, as the ACC Tournament was ending on Sunday, they learned that he’d be leaving for the NCAA tournament on Thursday.

    So they did what any self-respecting diehard basketball family would do: they induced Lindsay’s labor so that little Charlie was born right in the middle of the four days Steve would be home, on a Tuesday.

    What followed next was a series of big ups and big downs. First of all, Duke won the 2010 National Championship – resulting in happy chaos, tons of media and a whirlwind trip to visit the White House to meet the President. Lindsay socialized with the jubilant team and then returned home for what was supposed to be her normal life. Normal life included her 6-week postpartum checkup.

    It was there that she received some concerning news. Initial tests proved troublesome. But nothing was conclusive yet.

    It would take another two months before there was an official diagnosis: Lindsay, age 33, had cervical cancer.
    She also had infant. And a 2 year-old. And a husband. And a dog. And a medical career.
    And, of course, a bevy of friends and a full, very close family who loved her dearly.

    Things moved even more quickly after that. Within two weeks, she was checked into Duke University Hospital and undergoing a extensive, radical surgery to remove the tumor. She went into the hospital buoyed by prayers and pep talks. And then there were all the notes and cards – Steve had asked friends and family to pick one word that exemplified what they hoped Lindsay would focus on, what she could hold dear throughout this process.

    HOPE
    BELIEVE
    FAMILY
    FAITH
    STRENGTH
    WILL
    LAUGHTER

    Sweet two year-old Jack had his own contribution. AIRPLANE.

    Ten days after surgery, they received their pathology report. And it was bad news. She was told to start chemotherapy and radiation immediately.

    She didn’t. Because something didn’t make sense. They weren’t sure yet, but they consulted with several pathologists – and, then, unbelievably: another twist. This time a thrillingly happy one. Two days later they found out that there had been some mix-up with the initial pathology report. There had been a mistake. The new results were very different from the first set of results and exceptionally more optimistic.

    Lindsay is a friend of mine. When she emailed me and her friends and family with this new update, the uproar of thrilled relief was palpable. A number of emails flew back and forth and several of them included not-for-TV language that you wouldn’t have expected with a mass email but that so encapsulated the joy and relief that everyone felt.

    Only days later, we did this shoot. On a sun-washed Carolina morning, we all got together to showcase this stronger and more committed family. And Lindsay and Steve looked even more beautiful than I’d ever seen them. Which is saying a lot.

    This shoot was a joy and a treat, and I’m reminded again and again why photography matters. Why crystallizing moments and experiences and growth and life is so compelling and emotional.

    And why love always comes first.

    (Such love to you, Lindsay :)

    You’ll see why Kobe was exiting the water so fast …

    He saw THIS!

    Sweet Jack encountering a bit of wardrobe malfunction…

    I wasn’t kidding about the good lookin’ness, huh?

    Even as everything in the world changes, some things never do.

    I caught a random candid of Jack (on left) during the shoot but didn’t realize until I was editing the shoot that I had caught a very similar moment two years ago, when Jack was just a baby (on right). I love how photographing children over time are full of finds like this.

    Alice ParkAlice Park

    Escalate Live: Today!

    October 4, 2010 | Posted by Alice Park

    Photographers:  Escalate LIVE is more than a broadcasted photography conference. It’s a highly interactive conversation that will challenge you, inspire you and offer you a chance to change things for you and your business. Escalate LIVE brings the photography industry together – in-person and online – to truly engage the ideas that matter most and experience the best innovative practices that work, in the ever changing digital landscape. In addition to the two annual Escalate LIVE conferences held throughout the year, Escalate LIVE is constantly searching out the best philosophies, tools and practices to share, with the expressed purpose of opening access to learning, fortifying the foundation of our industry and raising the standard for professional creatives around the world.

    Join Dane Sanders, Kevin Kubota and a phenomenal panel of speakers TODAY and TOMORROW!

    To sign up for the live broadcast today, click HERE.

    Alice ParkAlice Park

    NAPCP Retreat 2010: A Full Recap

    July 7, 2010 | Posted by Alice Park

    On June 20th – 23rd, 2010, NAPCP members gathered together to for our first annual Retreat in Napa. We emerged with a renewed commitment to our craft and forged lifelong friendships with the individuals who attended. This was an experience that celebrated who we are. We laughed, cried, shared, and opened our hearts…

    The retreat is still very much a haze to us. We are so humbled by the 50 attendees who flew cross country to join us in Napa. Our speakers were phenomenal, the wine and atmosphere – perfection, and the late night bonding with new & old friends was priceless.

    One of our members, Tanya Alexis, writes:

    I have never been to any sort of photographer retreat/expo/convention, and I had no idea what to expect. I knew I was looking forward to meeting some faces who had been a large part of helping me shape my business during my first year, but other than that I was curious to see how things would end up. The retreat exceeding my expectations above any beyond anything I could have ever imagined. It was the perfect combination of fun and information. I have already starting implementing information that I learned during my days in Napa. Alice & Kyu are amazing. They put their heart and soul into this retreat, and it showed in spades! The attention to detail and to those at the retreat was above and beyond anything you would expect.

    I know that I have forged life long friendships with people that I only met in person for a couple of days. I cannot think of another situation where you would be able to get so close to people in such a short period of time. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this retreat possible. I am very proud to have been apart of the first NAPCP Retreat :)

    Thank you, Tanya…. :)

    On our first night, Whitney, Sara, Tanya and I stayed up until 2 am or so putting together our member swag bags.  Swag stands for “Stuff We All Get.” Every time you attend a workshop, convention or event, Swag is usually given as a thank you at the end. For our first retreat, we wanted to make the entire experience extremely memorable – starting with our gift bags.

    Each contained hundreds of dollars in gifts from our sponsors. Sponsors included:  Album Crafters, Custom Photography Blogs, Easy as Pie Pricing, Big Folio, J Lee Albums, Bay Photo

    A special thanks to our contributors who provided goodness to our Swag Bags and over $5,000 in raffle prizes for our attendees:  Simply Canvas, Adorama, Design Aglow, Kubota Action Tools, Asuka Books, Skye Hardwick’s Workshop Workbook, Pocket full of Poses, Kelly Moore Bags, Brand Camp, Totally Rad Actions, Studio Cloud, Luxcetera, BorrowLenses, Photographer Cafe, Loktah, Jolie Wraps, Buckeye Photo, Designer’s Concept, Photographers Kick Start & Simply Edits

    

    And one of our top sponsors, my good friend Zida of Studio-Z, created the most gorgeous letterpressed programs, table cards, stationary, and business cards we’ve ever seen. The below photos honestly do not do the pieces justice. You really need to hold them to appreciate them….

    My absolute favorite part of the experience = the connections that were made.  Online friends who were able to meet for the first time, share a glass of wine, and really bond….

    Our keynote speaker, Tamara Lackey, discussed the importance of Photographer-Life Balance. This is a constant struggle for many working child photographers.  How do we balance work, family, and living our own lives to its fullest?

    Along with being an incredibly gifted speaker, photographer, all-around awesome person, Tamara is also a pretty brilliant group therapist.  Lots of digging deep inside, prioritizing and, real & practical tips for balancing it all.

    We also welcomed Dane Sanders to the floor – the celebrated author of Fast Track Photographer, a new and innovative approach that allows photographers to get clear on the gifts and talents “you” have as an individual.  Dane shares with the group:  “Start with your most powerful resource: You.”

    We were so blessed to have such phenomenal speakers at our first Retreat.  Dane absolutely mesmerized the group.  Fans lined up for their autographed copy of Fast Track Photographer.

    We also were able to get the inside scoop of his newly announced Fast track workshops! This workshop is a collaborative experiment aimed to do nothing short of transforming photographer’s businesses into exactly what they were made to do as a creative.  It promises to be intense, challenging, rich and relational.

    Fellow attendees stepped up to lead group discussions:

    Lisa Thomas: “What is Community?”
    Jane Johnson: “Photoshop Tips & Workflow
    Brandy Anderson: “Fusion Videos”
    Andrea Halsey: “The Client Experience”

    They all did an amazing, amazing job….

    Afterwards, the group ventured outside at the Resort’s private vineyard and joined 15 child models from San Francisco for our Shooting Clinic.

    Armed with our gear :)

    Dane is providing the group fill light with his 17″ macbook pro. Awesome.

    The shooting clinic was a huge success! The challenge: finding beautiful light, connecting with our subjects in such short amounts of time, and producing stunning images.

    All without any instruction….

    Those that remained til the very end. sunset after our shooting clinic… What a great group.

    The next day, we set out for our wine tasting experience! So fun singing “Hey Soul Sister” on the bus with everyone.

    Merryvale had a lovely spread prepared for our first wine tasting experience… The wine-cheese pairing was amazing.

    At Judd’s Hill, we were fortunate to have been able to sit in on Dane’s askdane.com with Tamara as his guest.  Tamara recapped her presentation discussing Life and Work Balance.  She shared some great tips with Dane and his viewers on being able to single-task (not multi-task) and structure your day to get more accomplished.  Their podcast is available online here.


    In the end, we all left with 45 new friends, a lot of inspiration, and a better sense of who we are… (not to mention some good sun and some good wine)  We are so thankful to be part of such a warm and soulful community of child photographers.  Crystal James writes, “I left the retreat with renewed enthusiasm in my business and personal life, as well as a long list of trusted advisers and friends.”

    Thank you, from the bottom of NAPCP’s hearts, to all who attended.  We can’t wait until next year!!





    Terms of Use . Privacy Policy


    © 2009-2010 National Association of Professional Child Photographers. All rights reserved. Site by Custom Photography Blogs

    Website Development & Website Administration by InteleANTS