Flare Competition

2009 FLARE Competition Winner Announced!!

2009-06-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of our entrants for being so patient with us while we worked so hard to narrow all of these down to one! What a TOUGH job!! But with no further adieu, here is our FLARE Grand Prize Winner!!

Drama by Shanna Ingram!!!

Shanna will receive:

$500 Cash!
$300 Gift Certificate to Michelle Black's Resources
$250 AsukaBucks from Asuka Book
Free Flash Template plus One Year Free Hosting with BluDomain
Lensbaby 'Composer' with complete optics kit
Online Marketing prize worth over $2000 from Folio Mojo
Loktah Super Sampler Giveaway Worth Over $200.00
Print Credit worth $100 with Free Shipping from Mpix
Free One Year Membership to WPPI
DVD Set from Davis Impact
An 11x14 Damask frame from Elements Frame Co

Three featured pieces at Michelle Black and Jessica Price's Flare Exhibition in Zanesville, Ohio

Our 4 runners up are:

Date Night by Lori Barbely

Father and Son by Jan Paul Yap

Sunny by Shanna Ingram

Good Times by Jessica Fajardo Photogrpahy

Those 4 will receive:

Choice of a wristlet, neck strap, or lens cozy from MyFunkyCamera
$75 gift certificate to Lensbaby
$75 gift certificate to Michelle Black's Resources
$50 AsukaBucks
$25 Gift Certificate to BluDomain

Chance to exhibit your piece at Michelle Black and Jessica Price's Flare Exhibition in Zanesville, Ohio

Our top 9 are:

Date Night by Lori Barbely
Father and Son by Jan Paul Yap
Sunny by Shanna Ingram
Cindy by Luis Aguirre
Doppelganger by Elle Moss
Epic Love Story by Christi Nelson
Good Times by
Serious Sunset Thoughts by Gina Oh
Taking Back Roads by Jennifer Hogan

These 9 will receive:

$25 Print Credit plus Free Shipping at Mpix!

We will be in touch with all of our winners in regards to their prizes!

Thanks to everyone that entered and we hope to see you all again next year!

Flare Competition People's Choice Winner Announced!!

2009-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for all the wonderful Flare Competition entries! We will announce the Grand Prize winner tomorrow, but for now, here is YOUR PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER, winner of a one year WPPI Membership, Olan Rogers with The Musician!!

Vote for the People's Choice Award!

2009-06-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

So here you have it.... all of the 7 finalists from the previous weeks have been waiting for this opportunity! One lucky winner will recieve a FREE one year membership to WPPI!

Please cast your vote using the poll to the right.

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEDNESDAY.
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL!

In the meantime, judges are deliberating over the final top 10 winners, reviewing all entries that have been received throughout the course of the competition. We will have our judges' top 10 winners, 4 runners up, and Grand PRIZE WINNER announced to you next Wednesday!

1. Alive by Stephanie Cantin

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2. Sunkissed by Kathryn Mathis

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3. Dancing Through the Trees by Jessica Fajardo

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4. Soy Disco by Sandra Flores

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5. Carlton and Denise by Crystal Genes

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6. Sunny by Shanna Ingram

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7. The Musician by Olan Rogers

Finalists from Weeks 6 + 7

2009-06-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sunny by Shanna Ingram

The Musician by Olan Rogers

VOTE FOR THE WEEK 7 PEOPLE'S CHOICE FINALIST!

2009-05-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Please use the 'WEEK 7' poll to the right to cast your vote!

1. Serious Sunset Thoughts by Gina Oh.

2. aLcOVE by Marisa Hugonnett

3. Doppelganger by Elle Moss

4. Sunny by Shanna Ingram

5. Dancing Alone by Olivia Williams

6. Gabby's Flare by Jeanelle Caraway

7. First Kiss by Claudia Akers

8. Drama by Shanna Ingram

9. Jules by Patricia Dimeco

10. A Great Joy is Coming by Shawna Percival

VOTE FOR THE WEEK 6 PEOPLE'S CHOICE FINALIST!

2009-05-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

PLEASE USE THE 'WEEK 6' POLL TO THE RIGHT TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

1. Cindy by Luis Augirre

2. The Musician by Olan Rogers

3. Tina and Derek by Jen Arthur

4. Untitled - Eva by Katherine Gaines

5. Newborn Baby Flare by Jessi Ringer

6. Pregnancy Glow by Jessi Ringer

7. Train car by Jen Arthur

8. Untitled - Jackson by Katherine Gaines

9. Pub Dog by Dave Tyson

10. Natural Light by Robert Lewis

Your Week 5 People's Choice Finalist!

2009-05-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

And your winner is.....

Carlton and Denise by Crystal Genes!!

Vote for your Week 5 People's Choice Finalist! (use the poll on the left!)

2009-05-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Please take a moment to look over the Top 10 entries for our Week 5 People's Choice Finalist! Be sure to vote through the poll to your right!

#1 Rick by Jennifer Alnwick

#2 Heart by Jan Paul Yap

#3 Father and Son by Jan Paul Yap

#4 Untitled by Ashley Jennings

#5 Bursting Love by Christine Berry

#6 Self Portrait by Matt Wyatt

#7 Violet by Kirstin Roper

#8 Soft Shimmer by Simply Bloom Photography

#9 Ryan and Katie by Kelly Olivares

#10 Carlton and Denise by Crystal Genes

Thanks for your participation and good luck!

Your Week 4 People's Choice Finalist Sandra Flores!!

2009-05-12T08:47:00.001-07:00

Soy Disco (the band) by Sandra Flores

Thanks to everyone for your participation! Check back today for our Week 5 poll!

Featured Sponsor Elements Frame Co.

2009-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

The featured Sponsor today is Elements Frame Co. They are generously offering our winner an 11x14 frame!

"Elements Frame Co is a unique, whimsy frame company location in Southern Utah. We specialize in custom hand made frames in all sizes. Each frame is made from quality solid wood. Frames are individually made, painted, and de-stressed. We have spent the last 3 years perfecting our designs and are so excited to finally have a nice selection of unique frames not offered anywhere else."

You can see some of their frames through the links below, they are so beautiful!

Bella
Brynlee
Chloe
Emma
Madilyn
Sophie

Please vote for your Week 4 People's Choice Finalist!

2009-05-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Please vote through the poll to the right!

#1 Daddy's Break from Deployment by Amy Lantz

#2 Rose Rouge by Joey Marconi

#3 Lala by Matthew Snelson

#4 Lady Lazarus by Kerry Ellis

#5 The Waiting by Kerry Ellis

#6 Little Wagon Man by Dawn Gordon

#7 Into the Glow by Erinn Austin

#8 EPIC Love Story by Christi Nelson

#9 Soy Disco (the band) by Sandra Flores

#10 LED Love by Joey Marconi

Congratulations to our Week 3 People's Choice Finalist Jessica Fajardo!

2009-05-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and good luck to all of you in the Competition!

Judges' Flare Images+ Quick Tips on Getting Lens Flare!

2009-04-30T16:06:00.001-07:00

Here are a few images from our judges that fit the FLARE theme well. Enjoy!

Joe Ayala

Beck Photographic

Cheryl Muhr

Cheryl Muhr

By Bella Valentina Photography

Bella Valentina Photography

Michelle Black

Michelle Black

by Melissa Rodwell

*Quick Tips: Getting Good Lens Flare*

1. Experiment with your aperture settings, and shoot into the sun. Try starting from the top and continue stopping down one full step to view differences. (Do this with different lenses and focal lengths also!) Remember - expose for the subject!

2. Cheapie lens attachments can be an awesome way to get some flare. You can find suitable wide attachments for very reasonable prices on ebay. Be sure to get an attachment that will fit the lens you specifically want to use. Lensbaby's new Superwide is a great compliment to the Composer... and both give some nice flare!

Featuring Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride + Loktah!

2009-04-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled when we acquired award winning wedding videographer Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride to the FLARE judges' panel. As a videographer, one must take great care to maintain a very skilled eye for lighting and composition, so we knew he would be perfect for the job! You can keep up with what Josh is up to on his blog.

From Josh's blog...

Josh is such a visionary and has also recently developed a company featuring products for media packaging.

From his site...

"Loktah is inspired by the natural beauty of the earth, featuring products that recall the planet’s majestic form.

Loktah's essential element is the organic paper, a renewable source in the foothills of the Himalayas.

This green product rises from the earth to showcase your work to your client. Each product is dipped in bee’s wax to preserve the quality of the paper yet allow the product to age with natural beauty.

Soft twine encircles the product with an organic red stone bead completing the look. Created by hand, each case is slightly unique.

The mystery and beauty of the Himalayan region offers inspiration like no other place on earth."

Please have a look at the loktah site and consider incorporating some of his lovely items into your own business!

Please vote for your Week 3 People's Choice Finalist!

2009-04-28T04:46:00.000-07:00

*NOTE: we had to repost a new poll due to an error on our end but all previous votes were logged (none were lost).*

#1 Pixie Hollow by Mallea Ellett
#2 Pacifico Bartender by Julie Comfort
#3 On the Fence by Julie Comfort
#4 Light:Air by Jaclyn Sollars
#5 Hong Kong by Ben Liu
#6 Good Times by Jessica Fajardo Photography
#7 Freedom by Alee Svensson
#8 Dancing Through the Trees by Jessica Fajardo

#9 Blackout by Valerie Oliveiro

#10 Simply Sensual Flare by Erin Buckanis

Your People's Choice Week 2 Finalist - Kathryn Mathis

2009-04-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Kathryn Mathis on being the people's pick for our Week 2 People's Choice Finalist! Thanks to all of our participants and voters so far!

Watch for our Week 3 poll later today!

Sponsor FolioMojo & Judge Joe Ayala

2009-04-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

After moving into a new market and realizing our previous wedding bookings were mainly a result of word-of-mouth referrals, we decided to tap into our combined marketing knowledge, web development skills and wedding industry savvy to bring attention to our photography business. With no more than a shoe string budget, our Mac tower, endless cups of liquid caffeine, countless late nights (seriously) and a passion to succeed, we created an online marketing plan that got our website in front of lots of interested brides. In fact 45-50% of the weddings we book are from brides who find us online. We were fully booked and profitable our first year in our new location!
Then an interesting thing happened. Our wedding photographer friends started calling, asking how we were getting our site to the top of the listings in the search engine results pages. Online Mojo we said and winked. that's when we decided that although we loved our own success, we wanted to help other photographers be successful just as much. The idea for FolioMojo was born.

Joe Ayala was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico but has resided in Lorain & Cleveland, Ohio most of his life. A primarily self-taught artist, he studies and practices through the influences of Renaissance Art through 19th Century European Art. His expansion of inspiration, experimentation and ideas came when he became a noted curator and participating artist in many solo and group shows in the Cleveland area from 2004 to 2007. His influence as a painter, illustrator and promoter has encouraged many other emerging Cleveland artists and collectors to do the same to bring a new generation of creativity and energy to the city and to help put Cleveland on the map as a premiere arts destination.
As well as creating an ample collection of paintings, drawings and ideas for new exhibitions, he gained national notoriety in 2007 when he was one of five artists selected to draft, paint and assist what would become the last mural designed by the late international artist Sol LeWitt and is now a permanent piece in the main lobby at the new Akron Art Museum.
His latest projects include headlining a major group exhibition this September as well as collaborating and producing the top rated online radio show in Cleveland called “Life Death Reset” which can be heard on morningshowcentral.com. He is also currently writing & directing their first commercial for the show.

Thanks to our very generous sponsors and judges and good luck to all of our participants!

Judge Thomas Beck & Sponsor My Funky Camera!

2009-04-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today we are profiling Thomas Beck and My Funky Camera for their support!

When Thomas Beck picks up a camera, his goal is to create commercial and editorial photography that extends beyond what is expected. As proprietor of Beck Photographic, he applies a method of interaction to understand and convey the essence of businesses, people, and environments. He is lending his valuable time to us to assist us in our very difficult judging process. Please lend your support by visiting his site as well!

Gabi, of My Funky Camera creates neck straps, wristlets, and fabric covered composition journals for those of us that want something a little less ordinary - you have to check these out! The fabric is so fun and as much as I LOVE my Nikon, these beat the heck out of my yellow and black strap lol! Head over and take a look around!

As always, thanks so much to our sponsors and judges and good luck to all of our entrants!

BLUDOMAIN + AUNDREA HASSELBACH

2009-04-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today we are profiling Bludomain - whose fresh, modern templates are a must for every photographer. Who wouldn't want a stylish, clean website that is also super easy to self maintain?! A special thanks to Blu for donating $25 to each of our top 9 winners, as well as a free flash template + 1 year of FREE hosting to our Grand Prize winner!

Onto one of our awesome judges,
A U N D R E A!

Aundrea Hasselbach is one of the creative genuises behind everything design related at Blu. For the past five years she has been carefully hand selecting each photograph that appears on the bludomain sample sites and is the sole visionary of the exclusive blu couture line. Her extreme attention to detail, style, and art shows through in everything she touches. A natural visionary, she has an innate ability in finding new talent and bringing them to the forefront of the photographic industry.

Thanks for reading, and go stop by Blu's site today to check out some of their newly designed templates!

Week 2 People's Choice Finalist poll!

2009-04-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

#1 All you soul-searchin' people c'mon! by Matthew Morgan #2 See of Wonder by Sean Wright

#3 Staying With the Light. by Christopher Mann#4 Sunkissed by Kathryn Mathis

#5 Resting by Jennifer Whisenhunt

#6 Breathe Elizabeth Leighton

#7 Murder Noir by Cheyne Gallarde

#8 Bethany by Braeden Rogers

#9 Taking Back Roads by Jennifer Hogan

#10 Kenneth by Jennifer Hogan

Please choose your favorite image and vote for the Week 2 People's Choice Award Finalist in the poll to the right!

Good luck!

Week 1 People's Choice Finalist!

2009-04-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

And this week's finalist to be considered for the People's Choice Award is Stephanie Cantin with her image titled Alive! Congratulations Stephanie and good luck!

Week 3 Sponsor/Judge Feature!

2009-04-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

This week's featured sponsor is AsukaBook USA! AsukaBook is an international company located in Bend, Oregon. Their headquarters, Asukanet, started manufacturing coffee table books in Japan in 1995, and continues to print and bind books for clients worldwide. Asukanet (Japan) asked Kevin Kubota to be their USA representative in 2005 and thus AsukaBook USA launched in March of that year; and has been booming ever since. Kevin is also the owner of Kubota Image Tools, Kubota Photo Design, and Red Boot Design.

"Our business mantra is to Empower Photographers, and everything we sell and do is designed around that simple principle. If it won't help you make money, or become a better photographer, we won't offer it."

AsukaBook USA was one of the first companies to offer professional quality coffee table style printed books for photographers. They offer a superior product with a polished look and feel that is very popular with photographer's clients.

AsukaBook products have received the Hot One award in 2005, 2007, and 2008. AsukaBook is proud of these accomplishments and strives to continue to innovate and provide customer service that exceeds all expectations.

Our featured judge for the week is Scott Perry of Think Photographics! "Think Photographics started off as a hobby, we never really thought it would end up where it has. Although we mainly aim to shoot weddings (no pun), we do a lot of portraiture as well. We find all kinds of joy and gratification from seeing people in Love. Our style has developed and become refined and we believe it alone makes us stand out from other photographers in our area."

Please be so kind as to visit our judge and sponsor sites! Its the least we can do in return for their generous prizes!!!

Thanks and good luck to all of our photographers!

Your Weekly Top 10 Poll! Please vote for your favorite image!

2009-04-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

So we've carefully rounded up the first week's Top 10! Take some time to look over them all and then vote for your 1 favorite image for the week at the poll to the right!

Remember - this is not a vote for the overall winner! This is a chance for all of you to vote for your People's Choice Winner to win a 1 year membership to WPPI!!! Thank you and good luck!

Jessica & Michelle

#1

#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8

#9

#10

Week 3 Sponsor/Judge Feature!

2009-04-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Cheryl Muhr is an Austin-based photographer specializing in contemporary maternity, newborn, child and family portraits, as well as editorial and commercial work for magazines and companies across the United States. Her wildly successful workshops for professional photographers, The Secret Photography Workshops, teach new and already working photographers how to build profitable, natural light photography businesses while maintaining balance and joy in their lives. Spend some time looking through Cheryl's website, her work is inspiring to say the least!

WPPI Wedding and Portrait Photographers International wants you to be the best that you can be, so they provide you with exclusive information, programs and professional services to help you with your photographic artistry and business needs. They're constantly bringing their members new benefits and new industry information. Check out their latest benefits, and find everything you need to know on their website. There's never been a better time to build and develop your personal support network. Joining WPPI will give you the resources you need to succeed.

WPPI has graciously donated two memberships for our contest - one for the Grand Prize winner and one for the People's Choice Award that will be voted on by you so keep your eyes on our blog for the voting to come!

As usual, please support the wonderful judges and sponsors bringing you these great prizes by visiting their sites and having a look around!

Week 2 Sponsor/Judge Feature!

2009-04-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

We are very excited about the fantastic images that our competitors are sending in! Stay tuned here so you can help choose our People's Choice winner with our weekly votes!

This week's featured Judge is world renowned Fashion Photographer, Melissa Rodwell! A Los Angeles native, Melissa studied photography at the Art Center College of Design before starting her globe-spanning career in entertainment photography that lead to exposure in international advertising campaigns and publications. She has photographed ad campaigns for Coca Cola, Honda, Virgin Records, and NBS Television as well as being published in Playboy Magazine, More Magazine, Sportswear International, and Mademoiselle. Check out her website as well as her Fashion Photography Blog for incredible behind the scenes footage and her invaluable information!

If you haven't been to Lensbaby.com and seen their incredible products I suggest you go now! They offer creative effect lenses that enable you to bend your lens until you find your sweet spot of focus and blur the rest of the image. And if you have seen or used them in the past, you should check out their newest lenses that have replaced their older line!

As always, without these amazing judges and sponsors we wouldn't have all of these incredible prizes to offer our entrants! Thanks again to Melissa Rodwell and everyone at Lensbaby!

Good luck!

Sponsor and Judge Feature of the week!

2009-04-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

After a few minor delays, we are finally able to kick off the Flare Competition! If you haven't had a chance to check out what we've put together for you, you may want to head over to www.flarecompetition.com and see what you can win!! There are prizes for the top 10 images as well as a People's Choice award! Be sure to subscribe to the blog to watch the People's Choice images and vote for your favorties! Of course none of this would be possible without the help of our incredible judges and sponsors for volunteering their time and amazing products! Our sponsor feature for this week is Mpix!

Mpix.com is an online digital imaging lab for the both the professional photographer and the advanced amateur. With an internet connection, a digital file and a credit card, photographers can upload their images, order professional photographic prints ranging from mini wallets to 24x36, specialty photographic items, and press products. Mpix is offering a Print Credit worth $100 + Free Shipping for the Grand Prize winner, as well as $25 Print Credits + Free Shipping to the top 9 finalists! Please, visit their site and look around at all of the amazing products they offer!

Our feature Judge is one of our competition founders, Jessica Price. She runs her own portrait photography business, Bella Valentina Photography as well as sharing a wedding photography business with Michelle Black, called Allura Modern. Jessica does on location and in studio portrait work offering artisitc images for Seniors, Children, Families, Musicians, Models, and commercial assignments. At your convenience, take some time to browse her sites to see her work!

Thanks again to ALL of our judges and sponsors and Good luck to all of our entrants!

Contest Opening Later Today!

2009-03-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned everyone!