On March 12, 2015, the Professional Photographer of East Tennessee held their annual Image Salon Photography Competition.  My image - "Grease Monkeys" - was awarded "Best in Show" for its category, Groups: Couples.

The event is one where a panel of master photographers, certified as judges by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), evaluate an image based on 12 elements (in order of importance):

1. Impact
2. Technical Excellence
3. Creativity
4. Style
5. Composition
6. Presentation
7. Color Balance
8. Center of Interest
9. Lighting
10. Subject Matter
11. Technique
12. Story Telling

This is a step towards achieving my goal of certification by the PPA as a Certified Professional Photographer and to earn a degree as a Master of Photography.  Entering print competition means that an image cannot just be "good enough" - it has to be great.  That challenges me to always be always be learning and looking for ways to improve my craft.  But I am not alone in this achievement - my clients win as well, by having a photographer who strives for excellence.

My heartfelt thanks to my models, Desirae Sanders (left) and Sarah Harrison (right), as well as a big thank you to Rusty Perkins, the owner of that lovely 1947 vintage knucklehead Harley Davidson and the person who graciously allowed us to shoot in his garage.  Rusty is a master craftsman himself and Perk's is the place in Maryville, TN for restoration of classic motorcycles.