2009 Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards

This year, 655 professional photographers entered more than 2367 prints vying for the highly coveted and esteemed title of Canon AIPP Professional Photographer of the Year. After more than 50 of Australia’s best photographers spent three days judging entries, Queensland photographer Charmaine Heyer was awarded the most anticipated accolade in the Australian photographic industry for her stunning illustrative portraits. Heyer walked away with $20,000 in prizes sponsored by Canon and the prestigious title of 2009 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year. In addition to the Canon AIPP Professional Photography award, Charmaine’s portfolio also won the Illustrative category.

Australian Institute of Professional Photography President Alice Bennett says, “The quality of entries to the APPAs continues to improve each year making the three-day judging process increasingly harder. Charmaine’s stunning images received the highest score in her category and were then voted the overall best portfolio.”

This year, 2009, marks the 33rd year of the AIPP’s Australian Professional Photography Awards and the eighth year of Canon’s major sponsorship. Entries are individually critiqued and scored via a rigorous peer-review judging process to determine the highest scoring prints across the different categories. Award-winning images go on national tour in the AIPP’s Canon APPA Traveling Exhibition and will be showcased in the AIPP’s Canon APPA book.

The Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards are open to all Australian and overseas professional photographers. In addition to the 2009 Canon AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Award, entries are also considered in sub-categories covering specialized forms of professional photography including:

Commercial, Illustrative, Self-Commissioned, Portrait, Wedding, Science, Environment & Nature, Landscape and an Open Award.

Founded in 1963, the AIPP is a nonprofit organization run voluntarily for and by professional photographers and industry representatives who seek to set a standard of excellence within the photographic industry. AIPP strives to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional competence and business ethics in the industry.

For more information please visit www.aipp.com.au.