APPA (Australian Professional Photography Awards) Breakout 2008

APPA 2008 was one of the biggest, best and most fun events that has happened so far this year! APPA judging went from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June. However it all started before judging even began.

APPA breakout on Mon 26th to Thursday 29th May was the process of receiving the 2000 or so prints from photographers all over Australia and New Zealand and sorting, categorizing, randomising, scanning, packing and relocating them ready for judging on Friday at the Brisbane Convention Centre. For Wednesday and Thursday I was able to attend and help with the whole process and got to see everything that goes on behind the scenes before APPA. It was also a wonderful way to meet people on the committee, photographers, students and friends whom I haven't seen in ages.

View APPA Breakout Images

APPA 2008

After my first dose of APPA last year in Melbourne I now look forward to APPA every year and this year was one not to forget. Friday, Saturday and Sunday was spent helping behind the scenes morning 'til night sorting prints, rotating prints to be judged, hanging prints, packing prints and print cases. I was able to see some amazing images and meet some amazing photographers and students.

This year I entered APPA for the first time and out of my 4 prints I was ecstatic when I walked away with two Silver Awards. One of the best parts about it though was being able to hear the comments and feedback that was said about my prints by the judges.

I also was able to attend the APPA Wrap up party at the Fox Hotel and the APPA Awards Dinner at the Tivoli which were both wonderful nights to meet people and learn more about photography and the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography)

View APPA images

Hair of the Dog 2008

On the 9^th to the 11^th February I had the great opportunity of attending my second Hair of the Dog Photography Seminars. Here for three full days professional photographers from Brisbane and around Australia came to speak about their work, their experiences and tips and tricks of the trade. It was the most inspiring, fun, exhilarating and educational three days of my life, as well as one big huge party!!!

I learnt and was inspired by photographers ranging from and/or specializing in landscape, wedding, portrait, fashion, Surfing, and Photoshop as a very broad outline.

I also went to the HOTD (hair of the dog) dinner and cocktail party, which were lots of fun and a great way to meet and greet photographers and people in the industry.

--- HOTD Photos
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Some favourite quotes I got from HOTD

“I am a photographer because I have to be. I photograph for my soul.” Parker Pfister

“Through the alchemy of photography I get to live on when I die.” Parker Pfister

“An artist cannot fail, it is a success to be one.” Charles Horton Cooley