"Award Winning Photographer"
Jan 13, 2018 12:00:10 #
Over the years, I've seen ads for photo courses and pro photographers offering their services. They all seem to have a common thread: "Award Winning Photographer!". Of course, it seems to me the courses are wildly overpriced and the pro photographers are teenagers with iPhones. So far I've resisted the temptation to add "Award Winning" to my website, even though I've picked-up a few ribbons in serious competitions and drawers full of certificates from club contests.
With that as prelude, my question for the erudite hogs here assembled is: When can one, without fear of contradiction, claim to be an "Award Winning Photographer"?
With that as prelude, my question for the erudite hogs here assembled is: When can one, without fear of contradiction, claim to be an "Award Winning Photographer"?
Jan 13, 2018 12:12:09 #
Jan 13, 2018 12:17:08 #
Jan 13, 2018 12:30:36 #
Rick Fox wrote:
When can one, without fear of contradiction, claim to be an "Award Winning Photographer"?
When one of your Photographs is used as the background for a Nike ad, or the newest desktop wallpaper for Windows 11.
Jan 13, 2018 12:44:10 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
When one of your Photographs is used as the background for a Nike ad, or the newest desktop wallpaper for Windows 11.
I agree, but I'd probably also add international corporations, magazines or globally focused websites that pay real money (at least 4 figures, not including numbers after the decimal point) for works that fit their editorial, commercial, artistic, or readership/viewership interests.
Jan 13, 2018 13:17:44 #
I am skeptical of any award one is required to pay a fee to participate.
Jan 13, 2018 13:23:37 #
Rick Fox wrote:
Over the years, I've seen ads for photo courses an... (show quote)
Hmmm. Interesting question. To some extent, I think this may depend partly on how and where one wants to use that designation in self promotion. For example, I have a good many awards at the local, regional, state, and one at a national level. If I am doing a weekend art show, I would be comfortable using the term “award winning photographer”. The label would be in sync with the environment and clientele I would be marketing to. However, I would not feel comfortable using that label if I decided to make a foray into leading workshops, for example, where my clientele might be largely national or even international. My awards would be below the level one might expect for that venue; although true technically, using that term would be somewhat misleading.
I guess I’m saying that the term is properly, and best used in venues in which the clientele being marketed to corresponds with the highest level at which the photographer has consistently received awards or public recognition.
Jan 13, 2018 14:16:35 #
Jan 13, 2018 14:19:05 #
Jan 13, 2018 14:20:39 #
Rick Fox wrote:
Well said. And, I like your website!
Please use <quote reply> so that we can track the conversation better. Thanks.
Jan 13, 2018 20:25:46 #
I’m an “award winning” state press association photographer. My employer pays dues, dozens of publications are members. A number of reputable organizations are in this category, New Jersey Press Association (NJPA), New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone SPJ, etc.. Members are mainstream media, broadcast, digital and print.
Jan 13, 2018 20:35:19 #
I like your answer, although you might cite awards to qualify yourself to an audience at the next level up. I am awarded at state level competions, and am perennially chosen to judge other state competitions. My resume creeps into the next level, national and international institutions and publications, so I am comfortable with a bit of a reach, even though I’m not really there, yet.
Photographer Jim wrote:
Hmmm. Interesting question. To some extent, I thin... (show quote)
Jan 13, 2018 20:44:00 #
I wouldn't put "award winning photographer." Any awards or honors I receive go on my Curriculum Vitae which is on a page of my website. In addition to awards/ honors, it contain exhibitions I've been in as well as my educational background
Jan 13, 2018 20:44:49 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
Rick Fox wrote:
Over the years, I've seen ads for photo courses an... (show quote)
I find 'award winning' to be the most hollow accolade imaginable. It's a running joke with me.
Both of my siblings have won awards for photography because they were forced to enter county fair contests as school projects. I'm the only photographer in the family that hasn't won an award, despite the fact that I'm the only one that's into photography. 😀
It's not just photography either. Go to any small town in the UK and they will have 3 fish and chip places that are all award-winning. It's a joke. If that's all you can say about yourself, that's a big red flag for me.
Jan 13, 2018 22:24:11 #
Rick Fox wrote:
Over the years, I've seen ads for photo courses an... (show quote)
I think if a photographer has won several awards from juried exhibitions, not a county fair or a club contest, then it would be fair to use the term "award winning." I think it's an honor to win awards and it does say something about our ability as a photographer if we win so winning a juried competition should not be laughed at. Yes, we all know about judges and their peculiarities but if your work, not the same piece but different pieces, has won an award in several competitions then you deserve the accolade. I would not, however, emphasize it or make it bigger than it is. I've won 10 juried awards, all different prints, and I am proud of this accomplishment, it took work to get to that point. These awards do not include any club competitions or any county or state fair competitions.
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