From Aspiring Photographer to International Recognition: My Journey in Photography Competition
I'm thrilled to share my remarkable journey in the world of photography competitions, one that has been a testament to my passion for the art of capturing moments through the lens. My story began in 2021 when I decided to take a leap of faith and enter the prestigious Baby Photo Awards and Portrait Photo Awards.
Like many aspiring photographers, I embarked on this journey with a heart full of curiosity and a drive to test my skills on a global stage. Little did I know that this decision would be the catalyst for an extraordinary adventure.
Fast forward to 2023, and I am both honored and humbled to announce that I've achieved a level of recognition that was once beyond my wildest dreams. In the Baby Photo Awards, I proudly received the esteemed title of "Best Photographer of the Year." This accolade means the world to me, as it acknowledges the love and dedication I pour into capturing the innocence and beauty of our youngest subjects.
But that's not all. In the Portrait Photo Awards, I secured a place in the top three, a remarkable feat given the fierce competition from photographers around the world. This achievement represents a significant milestone in my career, one that motivates me to reach even greater heights.
While these accomplishments are a source of pride, I view them as just the beginning of my journey. My heart is deeply invested in photography, and every award and recognition is a stepping stone toward my continual growth and evolution as an artist.
One of my most exciting goals is to establish myself as a prominent figure in the field of portrait photography. It's a challenge I wholeheartedly embrace because I believe in the power of perpetual improvement and pushing creative boundaries.
The opportunities and recognition I've received in these competitions have reinforced my commitment to growth. My aspiration is to refine my craft continually and expand my horizons. Ultimately, I want to share my knowledge and experiences with other passionate photographers.I believe in the importance of giving back to the community that has supported me, just as I've been supported.
As I reflect on my journey, I'm profoundly grateful for the support I've received from my clients, fellow photographers, and the broader photography community. Your encouragement has been pivotal in my growth, and I'm excited to continue this incredible journey with you by my side.
I eagerly anticipate the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. Please continue to follow along as I strive for excellence in the captivating world of photography.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
Your Guide through MCPA
I'm Marta, the brains behind Moose Photoshoots and also the founder and judge of the prestigious international photography competition known as the MCPA Magical Childhood Photography Awards.
My journey into the world of photography dates back to my early years, starting at the tender age of seven when my mother gave me my very first camera. However, it wasn't until 2018 that I ventured into photography professionally.
In 2020, I embarked on a mission to establish MCPA, a platform dedicated to nurturing young, talented photographers. It was born out of a desire to provide them with a space where they could fearlessly promote their work, seek constructive feedback and bask in the glory of their first awards. This endeavour was fuelled by the need for a photography community where professionals and newcomers could coexist harmoniously. I initiated the MCPA Facebook group and laid the foundation for what would soon become a full-fledged competition. Over time, we developed a sophisticated website and welcomed other exceptional photographers to join our judging panel, marking the beginning of a true photography competition.
In late 2002, MCPA expanded its reach with the launch of MCPA Magazine, a monthly publication that resonated with passionate photographers eager to showcase their work to a wider audience. It was clear that MCPA was more than just a competition; it had become a thriving community.
In May 2023, a pivotal moment came when MCPA made the transition to a commercial venture. This move was driven not only by our growth and increasing prestige, but also by the increasing costs associated with maintaining a website, hiring graphic designers, and running a judging platform for voting. These demands, both in terms of financial resources and time, led us to re-evaluate our approach.
In response, we launched an Accreditation Programme, a game changer for photographers associated with MCPA. This programme allows them to achieve Professional and Master levels, earning badges and culminating in the prestigious Master Photographer Trophy. We strongly believe in the intrinsic value of this programme, especially for those just starting out on their photographic journey. It gives them the opportunity to gain invaluable feedback from our esteemed panel of judges, all free of charge.
This narrative is intended to shed light on the evolution of the MCPA, its mission and its commitment to empowering photographers. We warmly invite photographers, new and experienced, to join our remarkable community. We want to motivate and reassure them that their participation is not only rewarding, but also a vital step towards personal and professional growth.
Join us at MCPA and together let's capture the essence of photography's transformative power.
And now, for the very first time, we're embarking on a thrilling journey through all four seasons, spanning three months each, throughout the year. As we stand here today, our summer round is just three days away from coming to a close. The anticipation is palpable, and we're eagerly looking forward to witnessing the exceptional photographs that await us.
Magical Childhood Photography Awards – December 2022
Photographer of December 2022:
Marion Flemming
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD December 2022:
Elena Petrescu
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Categories:
Pregnancy:
1. Agnieszka Nowaczyk
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2. Shiran Ben
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3. Dani Zipf
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Newborn:
1. Joanna Wolska
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2. Limor David Samovich
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3. Yana Dylewski
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Toddler:
1. Yael Izikovitz
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2. Dorota Perec
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3. Katarzyna Fałowska
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Children:
1. Lauren DeGrove-Carpenella
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2. Dorien Culo
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3. Gosia Jurasz
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Youth:
This month combined with other categories as there were not enough entries.
Studio:
1. Masha Parkhomenka
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2. Nechami Gozlan
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3. Nicole Jennings
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Family:
1. Callieanne Jayne Major
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2. Riki Jovani
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3. Kinga Pakula
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Fine Art:
1. Zoë Daez
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2. Marzena Işik
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3. Lidiane Santiago
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Magical Childhood Photography Awards – November 2022
Photographer of November 2022:
Marta Grochowska
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD November 2022:
Sheli Yekev
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Categories:
Babies:
1. Vared Valinsky Avidan
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2. Anna DiLuna
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3. Natalia Fabiano
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Children:
1. Victoria Aurel
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2. Osher Eden Pashinsky
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3. Tanja Davis
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Youth:
1. Katarzyna Kapala
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2. Michele McDougall
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3. Justyna Schiller
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Studio:
1. Malgorzata Sylewska-Czarnecka
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2. Vera Shknevsky Santos
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3. Maria Potashova
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Family:
1. Tomasz Pacyna
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2. Yodfat Lev Ari
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3. Dominika Shaka Kutylowska
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Fine Art:
1. Anna Jadczak
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2. Paula Carvalho
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3. Claudia Regina Gaimoro
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HONORABLY MENTIONED November 2022:
Nadine Biezmienova
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Dorota Klewicka
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Barbara Bierut
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Miriam CM
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Moshe Azulay
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Magical Childhood Photography Awards – October 2022
Photographer of October 2022:
Hamutal Avioz
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD October 2022:
Inga Heńk
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Categories:
Babies:
1. Yarden Shiri Zagoury
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2. Hadas Valinski
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3. Hander Hai
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Children:
1. Monika Matusik
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2. Ania Hopciaś
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3. Masha Parkhomenka
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3. Marta Grochowska
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Youth:
THIS MONTH COMBINED WITH CHILDREN CATEGORY
Studio:
1. Kwak Karolina
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2. Marzena Işik
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3. Osher Eden Pashinsky
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Family:
1. Marion Flemming
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2. Kasia Kapała
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3. Erika AndJuan Tinoco
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Fine Art :
1. Miriam Barzel
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2. Kathryn Moore Kinsler
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3. Angie Sol Studi
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HONORABLY MENTIONED OCTOBER 2022 :
Katarzyna Fałowska
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Allie Lucas
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Gennaro Marano
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Israel Zoari
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Sarah Kern
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Barbara Gepert
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Marlena Niedźwiecka
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Aleksandra Swann
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Maria Anna Jacewicz
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Dasha Dias Valdes
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Magical Childhood Photography Awards - September 2022
Photographer of September 2022:
Callieanne Jayne Major
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD September 2022:
Joanna Bonk Art Fotografie
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Categories:
Babies:
1. Jagoda Kolasińska
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2. Ornit Vita
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3. Rakefet Menda
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Children
1. Sarah Marciano
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2. Agnieszka Nowaczyk
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3. Tomasz Pacyna
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Youth:
1. Alicja Galant
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2. Marcin Błoch
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3. Hana Petrželová
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Studio:
1. Whitney Minten
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2. Riki Jovani
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3. Petrescu Elena
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Family:
1. Amanda Colgan
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2. Hamutal Avioz
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3. David Suarez
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Fine Art:
1. Mirella Komar
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2. Ana Troncoso
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3. Jana Tolaszová
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HONORABLY MENTIONED September 2022:
Anna Di Luna
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Ratio Wale
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Lauren DeGrove-Carpenella
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Marta Grochowska
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Olga Brzeska
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Magical Childhood Photography Awards – August 2022
Photographer of August 2022:
Masha Parkhomenka
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD August 2022:
Hadas Valinski
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Categories:
Babies:
1. Vered Valinsky Avidan
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2. Tania Gorkoz
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3. Oana Crisan
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Children:
1. Tiffany Gurholt
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2. Natalia Fabiano
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3. Joanna Sordyl
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Youth:
1. Dasha Dias Valdes
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2. Marion Flemming
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3. Kasia Kapała
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Studio:
1. Heather Haygood Harvey
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2. Monika Sliwa
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3. Anna Di Luna
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Family:
1. Patrycja Walczewska
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2. Avishag Twito
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3. Shiran Eliachin
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Fine Art:
1. Ania Jadczak
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2. Katarzyna Fałowska
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3. Kamila Culwell
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HONORABLY MENTIONED August 2022:
Aleksandra Swann
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Airide Skra
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Joanna Dzienis
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Riki Jovani
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Amanda Colgan
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Magical Childhood Photography Awards – July 2022
Photographer of July 2022:
Kirsty Louise
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD July 2022:
Marzena Isik
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Categories:
Babies:
1. Orian Halevy Tasa instagram account
2. Karen Nicholson instagram account
3. Lucia Kurajska instagram account
Children:
1. Marta Grochowska instagram account
2. Michał Otrębski instagram account
3. Hadas Valinski instagram account
Studio:
1. Leanne Livingstone instagram account
2. Amanda Colgan instagram account
3. Anna Jadczak instagram account
Family:
1. Masha Parkhomenka instagram account
2. Tatiana Kaufmann instagram account
3. Ancuta Cabau instagram account
Fine Art:
1. Anna Garbat instagram account
2. Beatriz Herrera instagram account
3. Malena Vanzetti instagram account
HONORABLY MENTIONED July 2022:
Kdu Kosta instagram account
Dana Chrysler instagram account
Natali Rozman instagram account
Andi Kronkop instagram account
Ana Lozano Contreras instagram account
Lucia Valasco instagram account
Joanna Sordyl instagram account
Yana Dylewski instagram account
Linda Gajdosova Repcekova instagram account
Monika Nagy instagram account
Magical Childhood Photography Awards - June 2022
Photographer of June 2022:
Vered Avidan
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD June 2022:
Joanna Malejko
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Categories:
Babies:
1. Hamutal Avoiz
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2. Nadia Colin
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3. Callieanne Major
instagram account
Children:
1. Viviane Bachega
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2. Marion Flemming
instagram account
3. Anna Wańczko
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Studio:
1. Kateřina Bartoň Tománková
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2. Dani Zipf
instagram account
3. Magdalena Wiącek
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Family:
1. Katarzyna Kapała
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2. Justyna Winiarz
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3. Avishag Twito
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Youth:
1. Sylwia Glazer
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2. Joanna Bartnik
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3. Vita Kosova
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Fine Art :
1. Shiran Ben
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2. Magda Jarmołowicz
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3. Monika Nagy
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HONORABLY MENTIONED June 2022 :
Kamila Culwell
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Erick Ortega
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Anna Jewtuchow
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Irena Kazatsker
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Beatriz Herrera
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35 Awards International Photography Competition
35 Awards International Photography Competition
Last year, for the first time, I found courage in myself to take part in one of the largest and most prestigious international photo competitions - 35awards. It was the 7th edition of the 35 Awards. It is a significant challenge for me, because the best photographers in the world take part in the contest.
How to build a photographic career abroad?
When building your own brand, when you are building a photographic career also abroad, it is extremely important to challenge yourself and to be recognised not only locally but also internationally. It is true that the quality will always defend itself, but without a well-developed brand and name, there is no chance of being recognised.
A great dilemma arose
In the meantime, a war broke out in Ukraine with Russia. Sadly it is related to this competition because it has been organized in Russia. A great dilemma arose. I got messages telling me to quit as a lot of people are withdrawing and I can expect a bad PR. They often forget that not everyone is in such a good position to give up something. Especially if you work internationally and try to stand out among others in a given industry. That someone would be looked at regardless of their country of origin. This competition is known all around the world and the achievements in it are also recognizable. I decided to submit my photos for those reasons. I represented Spain and Gibraltar in 7th edition- 2021/2022
The results of the 35 Awards International Photography Competition
And yes, we finally have the results. Last year's edition was attended by 124,827 photographers from 174 countries, who sent 470,000 photos! Therefore, today I can share with you, the greatest success so far in my career as a photographer. My photo is among the BEST 35 PHOTOS in the FEMALE PORTRAIT category. Moreover, I’m in the top 300 best photographers in the CHILDREN STAGED PHOTOGRAPHY category. It is a great honor for me and a motivation for the future.
At this point, I would like to thank my mother, whose photo was in the forefront, and my loved ones for their support and patience.