This was my third year entering the Professional Photographer’s of Canada (PPOC) National Image Salon. Each year I can submit up to four images in a variety of categories. The first year I entered, none of my images were accepted into the competition. Last year, three out of the four images I entered were accepted into the competition and one of those images received a merit. You can see my 2019 competition images here.

I have been a member of PPOC since 2015, when I received my first accreditation.

An Accreditation is achieved by submitting ten images in a chosen category to a PPOC Board of Review. This peer-reviewed program challenges candidates to demonstrate their capability of delivering exceptional quality photography in a chosen category. In assessing Accreditation Submissions, the judges consider the following criteria: Impact, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Colour Balance, Centre of Interest, Lighting, Subject Matter, Quality, Technique, and Storytelling. Once a member has earned an Accreditation and upgraded to PPOC Accredited Member they can use the title ‘Accredited Professional Photographer’.

https://www.ppoc.ca/membership/accreditation.php

I currently have accreditations in Newborn photography, Maternity photography, and Child & Infant portraiture.

This year I submitted four images to the National Image Salon and was thrilled that three images were accepted and the fourth image received a merit. Here are the images that are included in the 2020 PPOC National Image Salon:

Sara McConnell Photography currently has accreditations in Newborn photography, Maternity photography, and Child & Infant portraiture.
Sara McConnell Photography currently has accreditations in Newborn photography, Maternity photography, and Child & Infant portraiture.
Sara McConnell Photography currently has accreditations in Newborn photography, Maternity photography, and Child & Infant portraiture.
Sara McConnell Photography currently has accreditations in Newborn photography, Maternity photography, and Child & Infant portraiture.

When I made the decision to join PPOC five years ago, my goal was to improve my photography skills by learning from experienced photographers, especially those who aren’t in my chosen specialties. When I first joined the organization I worked with a mentor, which was a fantastic opportunity to learn how to look at my images with a critical eye. I am always looking for ways to improve my lighting, editing, and posing, and the attention to detail required for image competitions is a skill I have brought to my work on a daily basis.

This year I’m taking a workshop to fine tune my editing skills in preparation for future competitions (and of course my client images)!. What I love and hate the most about photography is that there is always something to learn but never enough hours in the day to dedicate to all the skills I want to acquire. I have a list a mile long of courses I want to take and skills I want to improve but I need an extra few hours added to my days if I want to work my way through that list in the next decade.

Thank you to the wonderful families who trusted me with their brand new babies. It’s always exciting to send out an email to my clients letting them know that an image they love was chosen to be part of a national competition.