MDPPA Summer Image Competition!
Date: July 23, 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 AI-Assisted Image Editing.
This category highlights the integration of artificial intelligence in the creative editing process, showcasing images enhanced or transformed using AI-driven tools. Entries may demonstrate advanced techniques like automated retouching, intelligent compositing, AI-assisted color grading, or creative effects that amplify the artist's vision. This category celebrates the synergy between human creativity and machine learning, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in photography.
Entry Details:
- You may enter up to a maximum of ten entries in any one category.
- Digital entries only via printcompetition.com. The portal is open and accepting submissions. The deadline for entry is 7/20/25 at 11 p.m. EDT.
- Zoom information for the event will be provided after registration.
Entry fees:
Members $12
Nonmembers $20
Note: Before submitting your images, all entrants need to read and understand the current Image Competition Rules document on the Image Competition tab of the MDPPA website.
If you have any questions, please contact printcomp@marylandppa.com
Summer Image Competition Judges (In Progress)
Adilfa Ford M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Adilfa Ford is the owner and president of Don Polo Photography Inc., a fine art portrait and wedding photography studio in business for over 30 years. Adilfa prides herself on exceptional customer service and the best quality product in the industry. That and her exciting and dynamic personality have made Don Polo Photography one of the intermountain area’s leading portrait studios.
Adilfa is a past president of the Intermountain Professional Photographer’s Association (IPPA). She currently represents the state of Utah on the PPA Council, was an International Committee Member for 4 years and currently serves on the Ethics and Bylaws Committee. She has served for 17 years on the Heart Gallery committee to promote adoption through professional photography and believes very strongly in business giving back to the community through service and charity events.
Adilfa was born on a farm in La Luz, Venezuela without electricity or running water. She was raised by her grandparents and named her business for her grandfather who taught her about integrity and honesty in life and in business. One of the reasons that she became a professional photographer was to educate her community on the value of professional portraits.
Adilfa has won many awards for her work and been featured in several national photography magazines. Adilfa speaks fluent Spanish and has taught photography seminars to photographers all over the world. Adilfa is a Certified Professional Photographer and has been awarded the Photographic Craftsman and Master of Photography degree by Professional Photographers of America. Adilfa is also the recipient of the coveted Professional Photographers of America’s National Award given for exceptional dedication and service to the photographic industry.
Adilfa’s says that her greatest accomplishment in this life is her marriage of over 35 years, her 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
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Jim Trapp
A PPA member since 2012, Jim Trapp began his Professional Photographic career working and managing portrait studios for various companies. With no formal photography education, he enrolled in professional photography workshops and courses. After joining PPA, he entered his 1st Image competition in 2014. Along this path, he realized the value of belonging to professional organizations and joined the local affiliate in Sacramento, CA, in 2013, followed by the State Organization in 2015. Today, he runs his studio specializing in heirloom wall art for families, weddings, and family and fine art portraits.
Service, Awards, Degrees
PPA Master Degree 2018, PPA Craftsman Degree 2019, PPA Master Artist Degree 2023, PPC Business/Arts Degree 2019, PPA Silver Medalist 2015, PPA Gold medalist 2016, PPA Silver Medalist 2017, PPA Bronze medalist 2018, GIA Finalest in Portraits, Gold Medalist 2022. Jim is a PPA Approved Juror since April 2025
Kimberly Olker M.Photog. M.Wed.Photog. Cr, CPP
Kimberly grew up in an environment filled with cultural events, theater and art. This creative and nurturing environment eventually led her to a second career as a Professional Photographer. While her formal education and first career were in technical fields, she continued to be drawn to opportunities allowing her to express her artistic side. She loves capturing life’s special moments to help preserve them for a lifetime. She is passionate about connecting with her clients and providing them with exceptional images that show their unique spirit.
Kimberly is also passionate about helping others. She thrives on volunteering for various non-profit organizations and loves donating both her time and her skills. She truly enjoys teaching, mentoring and helping others achieve their goals. This love of teaching reached a new height for Kimberly when she was offered a part-time faculty position for Sierra College in later 2024 for their Photography department.
Kimberly is an award-winning Northern California Portrait and Event Photographer who specializes in Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. She has earned her Masters of Photography, Masters of Wedding Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Besides being a Certified Professional Photographer, Kimberly is a wife, mother, caregiver, survivor, martial artist, software engineer, math nerd, teacher, tutor, artist, actress, gymnast, … and wine enthusiast.
PPA International Photographic Competition (IPC), Bronze medals 2024, 2025; OPPA awards for Best Wedding, Best Landscape/Nature, CPP award, 2024; PPSV Photographer of the Year, Image of the Year, 2024; PPA Masters of Wedding Photography, 2023; PPA Master of Photography Degree, 2023; PPC People’s Choice Award, 2023; PPSV Wedding & Event Photographer of the Year 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023; OPPA Best Wedding, 2023; PPWC Best Wedding, 2022; OPPA Award for Business Excellence, 2022; PPA Photographic Craftsman Degree, 2019; Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), 2016-2028; Councilor: Professional Photographers of America (PPA) 2022-27; Member: Professional Photographers of America (PPA) since 2008; Member: Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley (PPSV) since 2015, Board member 2016, Vice President 2017-18, President 2019-20, Treasurer 2021-25; Member: Professional Photographers of California (PPC); Member: Oregon Professional Photographers Association (OPPA); Member: American Society of Photographers (ASP); Member: Professional Photographers of Wine Country (PPWC)
Mark Sweeney M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr.
Mark’s photographic career started in high school as a staff photographer for The Elkhart Truth and South Bend Tribune newspapers in Northern Indiana, where he photographed sporting events, feature stories, and spot news.
Residing in Clifton Park, New York, Mark photographed weddings for over 30 years. Now, he photographs corporate events and spends his free time either in front of the computer working on digital art or on the golf course, where he’s constantly searching for that perfect round.
Mark holds the Master of Photography, Master Artist, and Photographic Craftsman Degrees from PPA. A recipient of PPA’s Imaging Excellence Award and Imaging Excellence Bar, he’s twice been a Top 10 Grand Imaging Award finalist and is a 13-time IPC Medalist.
Mark is actively involved in PPA, serving as a PPA Councilor and on PPA’s list of Approved Jurors.
Lisa Dillon M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Lisa Dillon is a Master Craftsman Photographer and CPP from Portland, Oregon. She is a Diamond Fellow of Photography in Oregon. She is in her 23rd year of business and specializes in high school senior, executive headshots and family photography. She is a 3-time president of Oregon Professional Photographers of Oregon and past president of the Professional Photographers of Oregon as well as an approved PPA juror. In addition to judging, Lisa teaches classes on image competition and business. She also mentors young photographers. She is a mother and a grandmother and loves to travel the world. A long-time competitor, Lisa uses Image Competition as a way to explore new ideas and build on personal projects.