The Portrait Masters Judges 2018

February 23, 2018 Uncategorized

This incredible panel of international judges collectively holds over 100 years of experience in both winning and judging awards – and of course, running successful photography businesses. They are all each in their own right highly respected photographers, judges, business owners, and most importantly, people. I am lucky enough to be friends with all of them. I felt like I won the judge’s lottery when each one of them said, “Yes.” They honor The Portrait Masters Awards and Accreditation program. You have been judged anonymously, collectively and impartially by one of the best panels in the industry, stand proud.

 

Tony Hewitt,  Australia

“I first met Tony in 2009 when I moved from New Zealand to Australia and joined the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. Tony is a world-class award-winning photographer, business owner/career photographer. He runs a successful portrait and landscape photography business in Perth, Australia with his beautiful wife and two daughters. Tony’s illustrative and awards work is extraordinary and he has won awards all over the world. These are all basic facts, but what you are missing if you have never met this man in real life, is one of the most soul-opening presenters and speakers you will find in our own industry internationally. He brings with him 25 years of experience, and we welcome him as one of our master judges.” ~ Sue
BIO:
Tony’s career highlights feature over 200 state, national
and international photography awards. He has judged at
various state, national and international awards for the
last 20 years, and is invited on a regular basis to speak
both in Australia and overseas on subjects as diverse as
creative photography and connecting with people.
Tony’s images cover several genres including landscape,
fine-art, wedding and portrait, and it is his ability to
capture exquisite and unique images of people and the
landscape that has seen him become one of Australia’s
leading photographic artists.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
AIPP Grand Master Photography 1Pb
AIPP Honorary Fellow
NZIPP Fellow
WPPI Double Master
JUDGING:
Judged APPA since 1995
Judged WPPI various years since 2005 & panel Chaired since 2010
Judged & Panel Chaired Internationally & Nationally, both print and online various, for the last 20 years including AIPP, NZIPP, WPPI, MPA awards, International Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards, and others
AWARDS:
AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year 2013
Western Australia Photographer of the Year 1994, 2004

Richard Wood, New Zealand

“I first met Richard in the early 2000’s in New Zealand. A fellow kiwi, we both rose through the ranks together – although Richard has far exceeded me in accolades. Richard is an extraordinary illustrative photographer, his work embodies a beauty and richness that is rare indeed. He is an engaging speaker, a very accomplished judge and one of the most humble and gracious humans you will be lucky enough to meet.” ~ Sue

www.portraiture.co.nz

BIO

Richard is an accredited member of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. He has been twice awarded the title of ‘Grand Master of the NZIPP’ and has also been awarded the coveted title of NZIPP Professional Photographer of the Year three times.

Whilst not creating artworks for competitions, Richard runs a fine art portrait studio in a small town called Havelock North in New Zealand.

AWARDS

2017 NZIPP Professional Photographer of the Year

Bar to Grand Master of Photography (GMNZIPP x2)

2017 NZIPP Illustrative Photographer of the Year

2017 NZIPP Creative Portrait Photographer of the Year

2017 NZIPP Grand Master of the Year

2016 New Zealand Grand Master of the Year

2016 Finalist NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year

2016 NZIPP Central Districts Professional Photographer of the Year

2015 Finalist NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year

2014 NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year

2014 NZIPP New Zealand Illustrative Photographer of the Year

2014 Awarded title of Honorary Spider Fellow

2013 Awarded with the title of ‘NZIPP Grand Master of Photography’

2013 Finalist NZIPP Professional Photographer of the Year

2012 International Colour Awards (Master’s Cup) Portrait 2nd Place

2012 International Colour Awards (Master’s Cup) Portrait 3rd Place

2012 NZIPP New Zealand Classic Portrait Photographer of the Year

2012 NZIPP New Zealand Illustrative Photographer of the Year

2012 NZIPP Highest Scoring Colour Print

2012 Finalist NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year

2011 NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year

2011 NZIPP New Zealand Creative Portrait Photographer of the Year

2011 International Colour Awards (Master’s Cup) Portrait 2nd Place

2011 International Loupe Awards Portrait 3rd Place

2010 Finalist NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year

JUDGING

Judge at the NZIPP Iris Awards for past 7 years.

Pippin Schembri,  Sydney, Australia

“I met Pippin in 2009 and I knew within 10 minutes of meeting her that she would be one of my best friends. That year, she won Portrait Photographer of the Year and for the first time, I got to experience her incredible body of work. She has a remarkable talent and I have never seen anyone judge quite like her. I have the greatest respect for Pippin’s creative work, her judging skill, and her exemplary business acumen. She also just happens to be a ridiculously talented interior designer.” ~ Sue

www.photographybypippin.com.au

AWARDS

2012

WINNER NSW PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

runner-up NSW PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

2011

runner-up NSW PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

2010

WINNER WPPI CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

WINNER WPPI HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Awarded 2nd Gold Bar with Australian Institute of Professional Photography – M.Photog II

2009

WINNER AUSTRALIAN PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

highest scoring PORTRAIT print in the open category at Australian Photographic Awards

2008

runner-up AUSTRALIAN PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

runner-up NSW PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

runner-up NSW PORTRAIT ALBUM OF THE YEAR

ILFORD TROPHY for highest scoring print overall at Australian Photographic Awards

highest scoring COLOUR print at Australian Photographic Awards

highest scoring PORTRAIT print in the open category at Australian Photographic Awards

Awarded 1st Gold Bar with Australian Institute of Professional Photography – M.Photog I

2007

runner-up NSW PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

runner-up NSW PORTRAIT ALBUM OF THE YEAR

2006

WINNER AUSTRALIAN PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

WINNER NSW PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

WINNER NSW ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Awarded Masters with Australian Institute of Professional Photography – M.Photog

2004

Awarded Associateship with Australian Institute of Professional Photography

JUDGING

VARIOUS Australian State Awards 2007 – 2013

Canon Professional Photography Awards 2006 – 2013

 

Kelly Brown,  Brisbane, Australia

“If you haven’t already, go and watch Kelly’s studio tour HERE. What she has built is nothing short of remarkable. Kelly is an incredible creative photographer and her presentation at The Portrait Masters 2017 was beyond inspirational. Kelly’s awards work is a collection of magnificent emotive storytelling images and she has dominated portrait categories internationally for the last 4 years. Kelly is an exceptional judge and I proudly call her the best newborn photography educator in the world.” ~ Sue

www.littlepiecesphotography.com.au

www.newbornposing.com

www.thebabysummit.com

 

AWARDS

Canon Master Australia 2015, 2016 & 2017

AIPP Australian Family Photographer of the Year 2014

AIPP Australian Creative Photographer of the Year 2012


AIPP QLD Professional Photographer of the Year 2013 & 2014


AIPP QLD Newborn Photographer of the Year 2016

AIPP QLD Family Photographer of the Year 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015

AIPP QLD Portrait Photographer of the Year 2013


The World Photographic Cup – Gold Medal in the Portrait Category 2013

WPPI Martin Schembri Award of Excellence 2017

WPPI 1st Place Animal / Pet 2017

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Newborn 2017

WPPI 2nd Place Portrait Newborn 2017

WPPI 3rd Place Portrait Children’s 2017

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Children’s 2016

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Newborn 2015

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Individual 2014

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Group 2014

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Children’s 2014

WPPI 1st Place Creative Composite 2014

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Individual 2013

WPPI 1st Place Portrait Group 2013

WPPI Double Master of Photography

AIPP Double Master of Photography

Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize – Finalist 2012 & 2013

Head on Portrait Prize – Finalist 2014

JUDGING

AIPP State Awards 2013 – 2016

AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards 2014 – 2016

WPPI 16×20 Print Competition – 2014 – 2017

Chinese Children’s Photography Awards 2015

Swedish Professional Photography Awards – 2015

SWPP Print Competition – 2017

 

Susan Stripling,  New York, United States

“Susan is a highly awarded photographer and one of the strongest female wedding photographers and presenters in the world. I have so much respect for this woman, her technical ability, and her business structure are brilliant. She has her own education platform mentoring wedding photographers all around the world and still shoots 50 high-end weddings a year. Susan is a world-class educator, photographer, and judge and I am so happy she joined us.” ~ Sue

www.susanstripling.com

www.theweddingschool.net

BIO

Wedding, portrait, and theatre photographer.  Broadway junkie, avid reader, horror movie fanatic, obsessed with her dog.  Founder of The Wedding School, bringing real, honest education to wedding photographers.

AWARDS

WPPI Triple Master

WPPI Grand Award, Weddings, 2016

WPPI Grand Award, Photojournalism, 2010

JUDGING

Many years as a print competition judge at WPPI

 

Ray Schembri,  Sydney, Australia

“Yes, Ray is the husband to Pippin Schembri – although they run separate photography businesses. They met on the professional circuit in Australia and have just celebrated 10 years of marriage. Although I call them the ultimate power couple, individually their work, business and awards success is all their own. Ray has an incredible business and story – a second generation photographer, he took over his father’s business that he still runs successfully to this day. His years of experience in wedding portrait and business make him one of the wisest and most powerful business mentors I have ever connected with.” ~ Sue

http://www.hollywoodst.com.au/

BIO: Ray has achieved a Master Status 4x with the AIPP and he has won 7 x AIPP Australian & NSW AIPP Photographer of the Year titles for Wedding and digital photography. Over the past 16 years, he has also been asked to judge at the Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards by his peers and has been a Keynote speaker in Australia and overseas about his style of photography and business.

AWARDS
1995 NSW AIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year
1998 Australian AIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year
1998 Australian AIPP Digital Photographer of the Year
1999 NSW AIPP Digital Photographer of the Year
2001 Australian AIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year
2002 NSW AIPP Master Photographer of the Year
2004 NSW AIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year
2004  NSW AIPP Master Photographer of the Year
2005 NSW AIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year
2006 NSW AIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year
2010 WPPI International Awards for Wedding. 1st place.
4 X Masters with the AIPP

JUDGING
1996-2013
17 Years Canon APPA Awards (Australia)

 

Alycia Savage Alvarez,  Texas, United States

“I first met Alycia in 2010 as a fellow speaker at WPPI. Alycia has built a strong judging and educational career in the US photography market specializing in babies, children and high school seniors. She is one of the most vibrant, happy, loving and energetic people you will ever meet. She fills a room, and I welcome her experience on this panel.” ~ Sue

www.alyciasavage.com  

BIO

With over 16 years in the industry and studios in both Dallas, TX and Tampa, FL, Alycia is an Internationally Award winning portrait photographer, who specializes in babies, children and now high school seniors.  Alycia’s work can be seen in many publications, including Rangefinder, the cover of Professional Photographer and a feature spread in the book, Professional Children’s Portrait Photography.  Alycia is also a WPPI Associate and has been on the WPPI Competition awards judging panel for several years.  

JUDGING

WPPI – 11 years

Tappa Events; Tampa, FL

Michele Celentano,  Arizona, United States

“The Shakespeare quote, ‘Although she be little, she be fierce’ would be the easiest way to describe Michele. With over 27 years in the wedding and portrait industry, Michele is a highly honored Canon Explorer of Light. She dominated the NY wedding industry for many years before building her portrait studio in Phoenix. She a dynamic speaker and you will find her regularly presenting around the world and on the Canon stage. She presents one of the best family portrait posing programs I have ever seen and absolutely slayed at The Portrait Masters 2017 with her amazing sense of humor. I commonly refer to her as my ‘pocket rocket’, so much power in such a little body.” ~ Sue

BIO

As a 27-year veteran of the photography industry, I still enjoy every image I create.  The most important belonging we can ever hold in our hands are the pictures of the people we love the most in this life.   ~Michele  

Michele is beyond proud to be part of an elite group of photographers to be sought out by Canon USA to represent their company as an Explorer of Light. Michele and her images have been featured in numerous advertisements for Canon and their professional line of cameras.  She is a regular and popular presenter for Canon at trade shows through the county.

Michele Celentano is the author of “Photographing Families – Tips for Capturing Timeless Images”.  She has  traveled to Korea and Italy to teach family portrait photography. She appeared on CreativeLive.com for a three day workshop about photographing families that was viewed globally by more than 30,000 photographers.

Michele was awarded her Craftsmen Degree from the Professional Photographers of America and the Accolade of Photographic Mastery from Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.  Her artwork has been published in literary works such as Rangefinder, American Photographer, Shutterbug, Studio Photography as well as numerous books on the art of photography.

In addition to running her portrait business, Michele continues to travel internationally to teach and lecture on the subject of portrait photography.

You can find her at:

michelecelentano.com

facebook.com/MicheleCelentano.photographer

AWARDS
WPPI Grand Award Wedding

JUDGING

Many years at WPPI

 

Sue Bryce,  New Zealand & USA

I always dreamed one day I could create an accreditation program for portrait photographers. One of the biggest hurdles I experienced as a business owner was not getting a college or tertiary education. Becoming accreditated with the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) meant that I felt that I had achieved a level of accreditation and acknowledgment in my industry. I wore this achievement with great pride and displayed it on my website. We have now created a Portrait Masters accreditation certificate to frame in your studio and logo to display on your website as you achieve each level of accreditation. You can stand proud that you have been judged by one of the finest judging panels in the world.

Join us at theportraitsystem.com for next year’s accreditation 2018.

AWARDS

NZIPP New Zealand Institute Professional Photography FELLOW II

NZIPP National awards Portrait Photographer of the year 2007

NZIPP Highest scoring print 2008
AIPP Australian Institute Professional Photography MASTER
AIPP National Awards Highest scoring print 2009
AIPP Australian Portrait Photographer of the year 2011
NZIPP Overseas Photographer of the year 2011
AIPP Australian Portrait Photographer of the year 2012
WPPI Wedding Portrait Photographers International
WPPI Premier Grand Award 2012

WPPI Children’s Portrait Photographer of the year 2012

HOPE Sue Bryce
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