MDPPA Spring Image Competition!
Date: March 19, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Join us via Zoom to view and hear the judging live. Zoom details are provided after registering for the event. Viewing the event is free to everyone who registers!
The themed category for this competition is Macro photography.
Macro photography is the art of revealing the intricate beauty of the small and often overlooked. Through extreme close-ups, this category captures the delicate textures, vibrant colors, and mesmerizing details of subjects like flowers, insects, or everyday objects. Whether it's the crystalline pattern of a dewdrop, the delicate veins of a leaf, or the fine hairs of an insect, macro photography invites viewers to experience the world in a way that’s rarely seen with the naked eye. This category celebrates the artistry, technical skill, and unique perspectives that bring the micro-world to life.
Entry Details:
- You may enter up to a maximum of ten entries in any one category.
- Digital entries only via PrintCompetion.com. The deadline for entry was 3/16/25 at 11 p.m. EST.
- Zoom information for the event will be provided after you register for the event.
Entry fees:
Members $12
Nonmembers $20
Note: Before submitting your images, all entrants need to read and understand the 2025 Image Competition Rules. The Official Rules can be found on the Image Competition tab of the MDPPA website.
If you have any questions, please contact printcomp@marylandppa.com
Spring Image Competition Judges:
Rick Avalos, M.Photog.Cr., CPP (PPA Approved Juror)
As of June 2024 Rick has been practicing his craft for 50 years and has lectured and judged at the regional and national level as well as in Mexico and Spain. His images have been recognized by receiving many Kodak “Gallery Awards” and Fuji “Masterpiece Awards”. In addition, Rick’s photographs have been displayed at Disneyworld’s EPCOT Center, Photokina in Cologne, Germany and in Korea at Imaging Asia.
In 1986 Rick was certified by the PPA and received the Master of Photography degree in 1992. The Photographic Craftsman degree was awarded in 1994. He holds the Photographic, Educational, and Service Fellowship degrees from the Professional Photographers of Colorado. Rick’s service to the photographic industry has been acknowledged by his peers who have twice awarded him the coveted National Award, those being from the Professional Photographers of Colorado and the Professional Photographers Association of New Mexico. Rick was honored to receive the Duncan MacNab Service Award from the Rocky Mountain Professional Photographers Association and in 2012 Rick was honored by the Professional Photographers of Colorado with the Lifetime Achievement Award. At the 2020 PPA Imaging Conference Rick was bestowed the Jurors Meritorious Service Award.
Tim Babiak, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Tim Babiak is a full-time photographer in Austin, TX. Tim is a PPA Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman and Certified Professional Photographer. Tim currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Texas PPA and the Austin PPA. Tim is a two-time recipient of the Photographer of the Year award from the Austin Professional Photographers Association as well as a two-time Bronze Medalist in PPA’s International Print Competition.
Kari Douma, M.Photog.M.Wed.Photog.Cr., CPP
Kari Douma is a certified professional photographer in the West Michigan area and has earned her reputation as one of Michigan’s premiere wedding and portrait photographers. She owns and operates a retail studio in Grandville, Michigan, just outside of the Grand Rapids area. Kari has developed her passion of photography into a distinctive craft through her discriminating eye and commitment to excellence. Her works have achieved both local and national recognitions, some of which include “Photographer of the Year” from Professional Photographers Michigan and Platinum Photographer of the year” award from the Professional Photographers of America.
Passionate about photography education, Kari has served on the boards of local and state affiliates, as well as the Great Lakes Institute of Photography. She actively shares her expertise by teaching across the United States and contributes to the industry as a PPA Council member, a PPA-approved juror, and a wedding juror for photographic competitions. Kari is dedicated to advancing the photography profession and supporting her peers through service and leadership.
Chris Richman, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., CPP
Chris Richman is an award-winning photojournalist and fine art photographer, is 7-time PPA Photographer of the Year, has earned the PPA Imaging Excellence Medallion, is a PPA Approved Juror and is a PPNC 2-time Photographer of the Year. She is a recipient of the PPNC Service Award, the ASP Service Medallion, and the PPA National Award.
Her twenty years as a senior research scientist, her decades of teaching and leadership in the informal science education arena, her years of editorial sports and event photography, and her deep dive into macro and micro photography give her an eye for precision, composition and story-telling.
Chris loves teaching and has developed an 8-session program, the Image Competition Readiness Program, for those who are new, new-ish or returning to image competition. Chris is a mentor, a frequent speaker, and loves being a judge for the teachable moments.
Gena Tussey, M.Photog., M.Artist, Cr., CPP
Gena joined the PPA in 2008 and received her CPP in 2012, Master of Photography in 2016, Photographic Craftsman in 2012 and Master Artist in 2023.
Gena was a double finalist and received a Grand Imaging Award in 2020. Was a finalist for GIA in 2021 in restoration and double in 2022 for her work in Restoration as well as a Platinum for her case in 2022. She was a top 32 in IPC for 2023 for Children portraits. She was also a top 32 in IPC for 2024 in Wildlife. She also earned her PPA Approval for IPC approved Juror in 2022 and a Juror for MIR/IPC.
Gena is an animal lover, history buff, rock hound, and Passport traveler, who enjoys building her own sets, props, costumes by creating quirky off beat designs for clients AND her personal happiness.