Photographic Excellence Award PPAM 2020
Karen A McCall. m. photog, m. artist, certified, asp
Was awarded the photographic excellence award for the 2nd year.
“Mamma says I have to kiss a lot of these” won the highest scoring image in Massachusetts this past March.
This image was created from a studio portrait which was digitally manipulated, enhanced with frogs and then digitally painted.
Story telling is one of the key elements in the judging process. The judges loved this little girl and the story it told.
Mamma says…. scored a 99 earning it the
Highest scoring image by a certified master of photography.
Highest scoring image by ASP member
Court on honor in the artist category.
Elements used to create final image ” momma say I have to kiss a lot of these.”
McCall also won the Highest scoring image for a High School Senior. Grace graduated 2 years ago from Natick High School
Lastly McCall was presented with the creative themes award for the best image that depicts the word “HIGH”
This little goat was taken at Davis Farm and digitally painted to ad a whimsical “high” goat.
Diamond Photographer of the Year 2019
Skill, creativity, consistency. These are just some of the qualities a photographer needs to go four-for-four in PPA’s International Photographic Competition. This year, 20 talented individuals did just that by having their case of four images judged as worthy to enter the Loan Collection and thereby being named Diamond Photographers of 2020.
Karen A. McCall earns Master Artist Degree
What is the Master Artist degree?
The Master Artist (M.Artist,) degree is awarded to photographers for their superior photographic skills demonstrated through the Artist Exhibition category of PPA’s International Photographic Competition (with images evaluated for computer-applied techniques and proficiency), advanced education and service to the industry.MA
Karen McCall Added to her Master Artist Degree to her standing Master of Photography degree this past January 2020 at the Gaylord Convention Center in Nashville.
Award Presented the Professional Photographers of America President Audrey Wancket master photographer,Cr.,cpp
ASP District Elite Award and Grand Imaging Finalists 2019
The ASP District Medallion Award is presented to the ASP member in good standing with the highest scoring entry at their District Print Competition.
“Shark Week is Over…You Bully” Highest scoring image in the Northeast Score of 100
“A Squirley Love” Second place winner in the Northeast Score of 100
Both images are nominated for a ” GIA” at The Professional Photographers of America’s Grand Imaging Awards Gala in January held at
The Gaylord Convention Center in Nashville
Artist Category
- Shark week is over, You BULLY, Karen McCall, MA Score 100
- A Squirrly Love, Karen McCall, MA Score 100
- Wicked, SHERRIE FRYXELL, NY
Local Photographer Shines at State Photography Convention
Local Natick photographer Karen McCall was honored at the annual Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts (PPAM) convention last weekend in Plymouth. She is both thrilled and humbled to have received a total of five awards including the highest three that the convention judging board can bestow.
She entered 6 “art images” into the competition and received five blue ribbons with three of the images scoring in the top 10 out of over 250 total entries.
McCall was awarded the Photographic Excellence Award, which is presented to the entrant with the overall highest scoring collection of images. This is the highest honor awarded in Massachusetts.
Her personal project was an art image, featuring farm animals that were composited and digitally painted, entitled “Ham and Eggs” (Pictured below). It was awarded the Highest Scoring Print, Highest Scoring Image by a Certified Professional Photographer, Highest scoring Image awarded by ACI Color Lab (for digital artistry), and the Judges Choice Award for overall favorite image.
She was also awarded the Creative Theme Award for her art print entitled “Royal” which features her beloved golden doddle.
McCall holds a master of photography degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and is a certified Master of Photography from Professional Photographers of MA (PPAM). She was also recently presented with her 5th star. Each awarded star represents merits accumulated from entering images in state competition. She is one of two individuals in Massachusetts holding the highest number of merits.
The winning images will now be entered into the New England competition which takes place in April and will advance to the National level following that.
When interviewed, McCall shared her passion for photography. Her personal motto is that “It’s not a job when you love what you do.” She is currently well-known and sought after for photographing local high school seniors and family portraits and has been chosen best of Natick for the past 3 years. She continues to evolve and loves experimenting with new techniques. Her art prints are composites, created by seamlessly stitching together multiple single photos, which are then digitally painted for a whimsical look. McCall is excited to be able to add this type of photo product to her current offerings in addition to the traditional photographs that she is known and loved for. She is always looking for opportunities to take classes to hone her skills and is now giving back to the photography community by teaching a class herself on digital painting starting in March.
Want to learn more? Check out her website at karenmccall.com.
Best Gift for Mom? Photos of Course!
Mother’s Day is coming up on May 13th! Looking for a gift for the mom in your life who “doesn’t want anything” or has it all? Give her the gift of a priceless family photo! I know from experience that moms appreciate and value photographs of their children and families more than many other seemingly thoughtful gifts. Do you have a recent high school grad? How about one last family picture of portrait of the kids before your grad goes off to college? Do you have a new baby in the family? Mothers and Grandmothers alike love receiving portraits of the new mom and baby. The possibilities are endless!
*Tip: Purchase mom a gift certificate. In my experience, moms like to be involved in photo process so surprising her with a gift certificate and letting her plan the session can be a bigger hit than surprising her with the photos themselves.
Striving for Excellence
Did you know that even award winning photographers always have something new to learn? I am always looking for new opportunities for continuing my education as a photographer so that I can improve my craft and serve YOU, my valued clients, to the very best of my ability. This month I am going to be taking a class at the New England Institute of Photography to sharpen my photo skills and learn about new technology. I look forward to using my new skills to enhance the experience of my clients.
“When the student is ready, the master appears.” – Buddhist Proverb
Vote for Your Favorite Local Businesses!
The 2018 Readers Choice awards voting is underway and ends on Wednesday! Support your local businesses by voting for your favorites here: http://promotions.wickedlocal.com/2018-Wicked-Local-Readers-Choice-Nomination-Ballot
I have voted for the following awesome businesses:
- Mirage Hair Design
- White Horse Landscaping
- Encore Dance Academy in Plainville MA
- China Rose Asian Cuisine
- Allure Nails in Wayland
- Landshark Automotive in Natick MA
If you have loved your pictures I would appreciate it if you would vote for me for best local photographer!
Thank you again for last years votes which earned me the following award. I hope to be a favorite again this year. Don’t forget… voting ends on Wednesday!
Professional Photographers of America Loan Collection
I am happy to share that three of my images have journeyed from winning awards from the Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts to recieving the Seal of Approval for photopraphic excellence from the Professional Photographers of America this past January in Nashville, TN. In addition, one of my images was also selected to be included in the International Photography Loan Collection – a prestigious collection for photographic excellence known by photographers worldwide. The photo is also published in their loan collection book.
“A Seaside Stroll” Accepted into the PPA Loan Collection book.
“In A Dream” – Merit Image featuring Cate Toole of Natick
“The White Raven” Merit Image