Category Archives: Newborn Photography

Ft Myers Newborn, Children, and Pet Photography Images

As many of you know, Barb and I are members of our local professional photography guild here in Southwest Florida.

Last night was our first Print Competition of the Year check out some of the adorable images that merited.

We were so excited to have Merited and received placement awards!  Click Here to see the Twelve elements we are judged on.

Why do we enter? It is our goal to continue to perfect our craft by entering images into local, state, and international competitions.  We are eager to hear the judges’ critiques and are able to learn and grow from them.

It pushes us to strive for excellence and it certainly helps us in our daily sessions at the end of day to deliver a top notch product for our clients.

Check out some of last night’s Award Winning SandBar Photography Images that were taken from some of our clients sessions:

“Bandana Buddies” Pooh Bear and Scruffy

This Pet Photography image was taken during our annual Animal Refuge Center Calendar Contest.  ARC is No-kill animal shelter in Fort Myers, FL dedicated to adopting homeless dogs and cats and educating the population on the humane treatment of animals. A cause we are passionate about here at SandBar.

“Wrapped in Love”

Our beautiful mother and her precious 6 day old baby girl. Newborn photography can be tricky and should be trusted to professionals, not only for safety (our number 1 concern) but also for those amazing portrait images to ensure the proper lighting. We encourage parents to bring in newborn before 10 days old for the sleeping baby all folded up look, after 10 days old they tend be be a little less likely to be fussed with for certain poses. Like this sweet baby girl that just slept thru being held folded in her mothers palms.

“Sweet Dreams”

”  Little Boy Blue”

Another award winning portrait from a newborn session. This little man is 2 months old and wide awake with his gorgeous blue eyes. Ty was ready to smile at the camera and check it all out.

He came to studio with his older brothers and  from that same session another image worthy of a merit was taken.

“Brotherly Love”

Next is on list is our Regional Competition made up of 13 South Eastern States.

FIRST PLACE for Children’s portrait last year was none other than ” Heir to the Throne” read all about it by clicking on link =  “Heir to Throne”

That was a HUGE HUGE honor and totally unexpected.

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Give us a call:      Sandy 239-.707.7971 / Barb 239.707.9570

 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.