2023 Industry Awards

If you follow my Facebook page you might have noticed my recent post - 4 Awards at the 2023 Pro Photography WA Orloff Awards.

This is kind of a big deal if you are a professional photographer.
The Orloff Awards is an Industry Competition for Professional Photographers. It is judged (or heatly debated) by a panel of fiercely passionate accredited judges covering different aspects - technically correct, quality, aesthetics, interest, new, exciting, wow factor etc. All judges will give a score and the average is worked out for a final score. High scoring works that are above the current industry standard are awarded points. These are then point scoring or seeded and as a photographer can be used towards grading. Gaining a “seed” is needed to enter in other Industry competitions. Points also accumulate over years, and this is how we work towards being awarded Master Photographer Accreditation through the industry.

The Orloff Award is an industry competition, and all photos entered are going to be of a professional standard. Even if your work is not awarded, the information and scores given back are vital to continue working and improving in the industry. The industry is fast paced and rapidly improving and evolving. Not to mention the introduction of Mirrorless cameras, AI and advancement in editing software and skills to improve the photo are epic - and allowed in an industry competition. Those photos that we drooled over that won the top award 10 years ago, if judged today might not even achieve a high score today! That’s how much it’s changing. And that’s how quickly you can be left behind.

These awards are the only Industry award for photographers held in Perth since 2019! Before Covid! As you can read, these awards are invaluable to the industry and peer review.

So for me I went through some pretty massive changes after losing my home in the Wooroloo Fires. Losing all my photographic equipment, studio, home I was ready to walk away from the Photographic Industry all together. It took a long time to take photos again, and even now I have moments where I struggle with PTSD, and still haven’t recovered all the lost equipment, a studio space or even a permanent home. My style and outlook on photography has changed. Previously I was focused on exploring and pushing what can be done with a camera, creativity and producing epic photos. I wanted to be a Master Creator and set new standards and discussion pieces. I had projects lined up and planning exhibitions. Now I take soulful photos with “the simple truth”. My style has become more simple as I struggle with PTSD . I don’t focus on trying to take epic photos, but taking ordinary photos and looking for the extraordinary within my scene.

Entering the awards and trying to pick photos bought on PTDS and spiralling depression. I picked at random some recent images across multiple jobs that sort of matched a theme, and entered as quickly as possible with the least amount of touch ups. Probably not the best way to enter a competition where you are up against competitors striving for perfection. I didn’t enter to win, just the feedback to make sure I am “keeping on track”. I hold myself accountable for continuing to produce a high standard of work for all clients, assignments and jobs.

Well done to everyone who entered! And the category winners who are so dedicated and continue to shape the standard of photography.... and keep the rest of us accountable for setting high standards.

Thank you Shire of Mundaring for giving me amazing assignments around the Hills, where I can keep producing award images.