Author Archives: Barb

Heir to the Throne

I had better get to blogging about this since it in today’s paper.

http://www.northfortmyersneighbor.com/page/content.detail/id/519736/Local-photographer-receives-awards-for-portrait.html?nav=5164

 

HeirtotheThrone

 

I am still amazed looking at this portrait and all the awards it has won. Here’s the story how it all came to be.

After leaving our annual photographers convention, It was last year about this time that I was inspired to photograph my 4 year old granddaughter McKenzie Virginia in a Renaissance Era costume I picked up at Cracker Barrel on my way home.

I have always loved the era, from romance and fiction to walking thru every castle I could convince my family to go thru while traveling in England years ago. I wanted this image to be a portrait of a little girl that could be the daughter of a Queen.

Bringing McKenzie into studio , dressing her into the costume and her mommy curling her hair just so.

She stood perfectly still and smiles, I asked her to stand very “regal” knowing she didn’t understand that word. I told her to stand tall, she was very important, and not to smile but not look bored or mad. Apparently she knew exactly what I needed because she nailed it!

I titled her appropriately  “Heir to the Throne”

It was entered at local competition among professional photographers and it received  1 st place for children and Best of Show for the evening. A honor but not something that I hadn’t won before. Went home very pleased.

Next was several months later I entered in the South Eastern States Regional Competition that covered 13 states and 3 countries. I had never entered before but wanted to get critic so I could enter into International later in the year. I received an email asking where did I want my award mailed to? and then a phone call from Florida Photographer President stating since I wasn’t at convention they picked up my award.

1st Place Children’s Portrait Southern Region United States – WOW!!!

shocked I sent her to International Print Competition where she Merited and is being published in a Show Case gallery book.! Big Honor

Then coming back for our annual State Convention, she won 1st place children’s portrait, The peoples choice award ( which is all the photographers vote on their favorite portrait entered no matter what catagory) WOW!!!

and then only one award for Kodak Gallery award and again they announced ” Heir to the Throne” Barbara Spratlin for the 4th time that evening.

_LS_4388 46-web

Needless to say I was emotional and speechless, so proud and received so much recognition and praise from such talented photographers in this industry who understand how difficult it is to get these awards.I am still humbled and very grateful.

I would love to produce such a portrait for others, something of their loved ones, truly  to be cherished for a lifetime. A piece of Art. ~ Barb

SandBar Photography Sponsors Happy Mom Conference

Layout 1

HAPPY MOM CONFERENCE

Barb and I are very excited to be a sponsor of the First ever Happy Mom Conference!  We will both be there for the weekend, stop by our table and say Hello, and receive a special treat from us in your goodie bag!  One lucky Mom will win a Family session and a Wall Portrait for her home!!!! Additional  Family sessions will be raffled off !

There are conferences for dentists, journalists and Star Wars geeks, so why not a conference for moms where women can learn abut the business of running a family in today’s modern world.

Local life coach, April O’Leary is organizing Southwest Florida’s first Happy Mom Conference, taking place Sept.14 and 15th at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Estero.

Topics include self care for moms, ways to earn extra income, organizing and beautifying the home, child behavior, discipline, marriage recover careers, financial health and physical health.  Speakers com from Southwest Florida and across the country, such as Stacey Antine, creator of HealthBarn USA and a registered dietician who has appeared on The Rachael Ray Show and in Business Week.

The full conference pass is $199.  One day pass is $149.  The first 200 moms to register receive a goodie bag.  You can also purchase recordings of all the sessions for $69.

For details, visit www.uofmoms.com/happymomconference   or download their app!

(Article: Parent & Child Magazine)

What makes a photograph award winning?

 What makes an image worthy of an award ?

Receiving a merit is not easily come by. Below are some of the things that judges are looking for.

Twelve Elements of a Merit Image

The Photographic Exhibitions Committee (PEC) of PPA uses the 12 elements below as the “gold standard” to define a merit image. PEC trains judges to be mindful of these elements when judging images to the PPA merit level and to be placed in the International Print Exhibit at Imaging USA, the annual convention. The use of these 12 elements connects the modern practice of photography and its photographers to the historical practice of photography begun nearly two centuries ago.

Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image. Any image, art piece, or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one

The Twelve elements listed below are in accordance to their importance.

1.) Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements.

2.) Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.

3.) Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.

4.) Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.

5.) Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.

6.) Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.

7.) Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.

8.) Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.

9.) Lighting —the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.

10.) Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.

11.) Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.

12.) Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.

With Sincere Gratitude, Ft Myers, Family Florida Photographer

A letter of appreciation for our 2012 clients including Family portraits outdoor at SandBar Photography

FT MYERS FAMILY FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHY
With heartfelt gratitude, we thank you for being apart of our SandBar Photography family.

At the end of each year at SandBar Photography, we always pause to take a look back. We have much to be thankful for, starting with YOU …. our loyal clients.

In our 6th year of business, we continued to grow, with 2012 being our best year yet! We truly appreciate you and value your business.

As Artist, we continue to challenge ourselves every year, with 2012 being of no exception.
SandBar earned the prestigious Portrait Photographer of the Year 2012 awarded by the Professional Photographers of Southwest Florida. In National Competition, three of our portraits earned the highest recognition in the industry with merited images and were displayed in Atlanta this month among America’s finest photographers.

It has been our privledge and honor providing you and your family with portraits that will last a lifetime.
We look forward to many more opportunities to connect with you and your loved ones in the future.
Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/SandBarPhotography in 2013!!!
Wishing you abundance this new year.

Love,
Sandy & Barb
www.sandbarphotography.com
239-707-7971/ 239-707-9570