When the Professional Photographers of Canada – Alberta announced the results of the 2025 Image Competition, I was stunned:
all four of my submitted photographs were accepted, two were selected for the Best of Alberta travelling exhibit, and I was named a finalist for Commercial Photographer of the Year (POTY).

This recognition celebrates not only my craft as a portrait photographer here in Calgary, but also the stories and moments behind each image.

What “Photographer of the Year Finalist” Means

The PPOC Alberta Image Competition is judged by a panel of master photographers from across the country.
Each entrant submits four images that must demonstrate technical excellence, creativity, and storytelling.
Images can be awarded one of four designations: Excellence, Merit, Accepted, or Not Accepted.
To be named a Photographer of the Year finalist, all four images must be accepted or higher—an achievement that represents consistency and artistry across a portfolio.

What the Judges Look For

The PPOC judges provide thoughtful feedback in seven key areas—focus and sharpness, composition and cropping, lighting and exposure, colour and tone, background, editing and presentation, and storytelling and impact.
Even images that earn an Accepted designation face a rigorous review.
The positive notes for my set highlighted storytelling and emotion, creative use of light, strong colour instincts, and overall impact.
Those insights are invaluable as I continue to refine my craft.

Why It Matters

For me, these accolades are more than awards.
They confirm that the attention to detail, lighting, and storytelling I bring to every branding session, commercial project, and fine-art portrait resonates beyond my own studio.
They also underscore how photography—whether a scenic Italian landscape or a meticulously lit commercial portrait—can connect deeply with an audience.

The Four Finalist Images

"You're Doing Great"

This portrait was one of many that I created with Kiran for a branding shoot we did together.

Kiran Randhawa McKay is the creator and host of Middle Fingers Up, a podcast that pushes beyond the surface to explore mental health, culture, identity, and the real stories that are often left unspoken.

As she pulled items from her bag to use as props for her session, I knew I would love the results. The meaning behind each prop is one that might be overlooked by others, so it gives me a feeling of an inside joke, which I'll let you in on.

The carpet, which for this shot is held against the wall by her feet, was a gift from Kiran's brother. It rests beneath her feet while she's interviewing her guests, which simultaneously offers her comfort and makes her smile every time she looks down.

The less noticeable prop, the notebook (my favourite!), was another cheeky gift from her younger bro. It's hard to read unless you really zoom in. It's titled:

"I'm Kiran Doing Kiran Things -By Kiran"

Inside the screen of the laptop, I placed another image from the same session where Kiran appears to be reading her notebook.

This portrait is so on-brand for Kiran's personality and is a dynamic image that she can use to catch her audience's attention. Not just another boring headshot.

I was thrilled to call Kiran up and let her know that her portrait was selected to be featured in the Best of Alberta travelling exhibit, which will even make an appearance at the Calgary Stampede!

"Whip It"

My passion as a portrait photographer is to rebel against the idea that beauty has an expiration date.
As a Gen-Xer, I grew up surrounded by “perfect” faces and bodies on magazine covers, TV, and movie screens.

I didn’t realize at the time that it was all a marketing scheme: make women and girls feel as though something is wrong with them, present a “solution,” and you’ve built a lucrative business.

That message seeps in early and lingers, quietly shaping how many women see themselves well into adulthood—and even decades later.

This is why I want women to exist in photographs at every stage of life.
Not only for themselves, but for the people who love them.
I want them to have images to look back on and recognize how beautiful they were—even if they can’t see it in the moment.

For most of my career I’ve focused on photographing women over 40, building their confidence and showing them their beauty, whether they're 40 or 77!

One standout from this year’s Fabulous Over 40 Art Exhibit is a portrait of Lauren that radiates bold self-expression.
Dressed in lingerie that reveals her intricate full-leg tattoo, Lauren leans into a powerful toss of her hair, creating a stunning arc of curls that feels both sensual and triumphant.
The image isn’t about fitting a mold—it’s about capturing the thrill of a milestone birthday and the freedom to celebrate her body and her story exactly as she chooses.

When it comes to creating images like this, we do the hair toss more than once, so props to Lauren for "whipping it" multiple times for me to create this shot - I love it!

"Youthful Glow"

I created this image to celebrate the luminous quality of young skin.
Wrapped in soft cream fabric and leaning against a white fur rug, the model is surrounded by subtle textures that add interest without drawing attention from the true subject: her skin.

I love the intentional hint of imperfection—a few strands of blonde hair escaping the sleek ponytail.
For today’s audience, who are increasingly aware of the polished unreality of traditional advertising, those tiny irregularities feel refreshing.
They give the portrait a modern honesty, showing that beauty doesn’t need to be air-tight or overly retouched to be compelling.

A classic clamshell lighting setup sculpts her features and creates gentle shadows that add depth and dimension, letting that natural radiance take center stage.

"Sanctuary in the Storm"

This pictorial landscape captures Civita di Bagnoregio just as a summer storm rolled across the valley.
A faint rainbow arced across the sky and landed directly on the ancient hilltop village—the only place bathed in sunlight while dark clouds and rain surrounded it.

Often called La Città che Muore (“The Dying City”), Civita is a hilltop jewel in Italy’s Lazio region, about 120 km north of Rome.
Founded by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, it once flourished as a trading center.
Centuries of earthquakes and relentless erosion of the soft volcanic tufa rock have left the town perched on a fragile plateau, isolated from neighboring communities.
By the 20th century most residents had relocated, yet Civita endures thanks to its medieval stone architecture, sweeping views of the Valle dei Calanchi, and dedicated preservation efforts.
Today it’s reached only by a pedestrian bridge and is home to a handful of permanent residents, winding lanes, and ancient churches.

My husband Dave and I were visiting Civita on our 20th-anniversary trip to Italy.
After a leisurely lunch inside the medieval walls, we started back across the bridge when I noticed the storm building.
Despite knowing we had at least a 20-minute walk before we’d reach the shelter of our car, I couldn’t resist stopping to capture this incredible scene.

Civita is an incredibly popular destination, so getting a clean composition without crowds required a higher vantage point.
I moved to a spot where foreground greenery framed the town and softened the busy pedestrian traffic below.
I tried a few frames from the bridge itself, but the stream of visitors made it impossible to achieve the quiet, dramatic image I envisioned.
From the hillside, though, the timing, the rainbow, and the fleeting shaft of sunlight aligned perfectly—allowing me to create Sanctuary in the Storm.

In the image above, you can see how busy the bridge is. It's impossible to get a shot from the bridge without masses of people in it.

The image below is a photo of my husband that I took from Civita before we headed back across the bridge. In this photo, I've illustrated where I managed to get the perfect spot to capture the award-winning image of Civita.

See the Work in Person

Two of these images will travel with the Best of Alberta Exhibit throughout 2025.
I will share exhibit dates and locations with my email subscribers and social media followers, so sign up or follow me online to stay in the loop!

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Finalist: Alberta Commercial Photographer of the Year