Aussie photographers win big in Vegas
Australian photographers have proved themselves to be the cream of the camera-savvy crop, winning 23 out of the 59 awards at the 2007 Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) 16x20 and Album awards.
The awards, which are for international professional photographers, offer more than $20,000 in prizes and conclude the annual photographers’ expo in Vegas each year. Australian entries took a total of nine first place awards, nine second place awards and five third place awards, including three of the five grand awards for 16x20 portrait and the grand prize for best album.
The Australian winners of the grand awards are Chris Fawkes for MEN! (portrait), Tania Niwa for The Prayer (commercial) and Peter Rossi for Life’s Precious Gifts (photojournalism). Jerry Ghionis won the grand prize for best album.
Other first place award winners were Tero Sade (no title, Bridal Party), Tania Niwa (Sudanese Princess, Individual), Mercury Megaloudis (Bill & Buck, Animals/Pets), Giorgio Karayiannis (untitled, Technical/Scientific/Industrial and pyramids, Illustrative), and Peter Eastway (Horseshoe Bend, Fine Art). Australians also won all three awards in the Bridal Party category.
Second place award winners were Nick (Ridwan) Hadi (The Shadow of My Lover, Bride and Groom Together), Yervant Zanazanian (print 9, Bridal Party), Peter Rossi (Eternal Love, Non-Wedding Photojournalism), Tania Niwa (Jahmilla, Children), Mercury Megaloudis (Regina's Dream, Individual), Simon Jackson (Victorian Sisters, Group), Giorgio Karayiannis (infinity, Technical/Scientific/Industrial), Peter Rossi (Old Lessons, Illustrative), and George Trifunovic (`, Fine Art).
Shireen Hammond (No Title, Bride or Groom Alone), Gordon Jovic (The Boys, Bridal Party), Philip Kuruvita (End of the day, Non-Wedding Photojournalism), Mercury Megaloudis (Eternal Bond, Group), and Philip Kuruvita (Misty Morning, Illustrative).
