Awards

Photographer of the Year Trophy

Qualifications:

• Presented Annually to a member in good standing who has entered six or more prints during the current year in the Quarterly Photographic Image Competitions held in March, May, July, and September of each year.
• Based on the highest score resulting from an average of their six highest quarterly photographic Image Competition scores providing the average score is at least 80
• In the event of two or more members earning equal merits; each member receiving the highest total Image merits in that category will share the award equally.

Overall Photographer of the Year based upon the highest total image scores earned during quarterly competitions of that calendar year. The top six scores are totaled, at least four of which must have been 80 or above.

Divisional trophies are awarded to members who have highest image scores earned during quarterly competitions in each division (Wedding, Portrait,  Landscape/Pictorial/Fine Art and Commercial/Industrial). Overall Photographer of the Year may also receive one of the Divisional awards. In the event of two or more members earn equally high image scores, each member receiving the highest total image will be awarded Trophies.

Annual Open Image Competition Trophies

Awards are given for both category-level and division-level achievement. Additionally, some awards are non-divisional and may be drawn from the pool of eligible images regardless of category or division. These awards include but are not limited to Best First Time Entrant, Best Color Image, Best Black and White, ASP Elite, CPP award.

Qualifications:

• Presented annually to active members who excel in the Annual Open Competition.
• Membership dues must be paid by the Annual Open Competition entry deadline to be eligible for trophies.

1. Best Portrait (Human Subject)

2. Best Portrait (Animal Subject)
3. Best Wedding Portrait
4. Best Commercial/Architect
5. Best Photojournalism/Documentary. 
6. Best Fine Art
7. Best Landscape/Pictorial 
8. Best Digital Artist
9. Best Album  

Other Awards

• Best First Time Entrant (based on aggregate total of 4 scores)
• Best Color
• Best Black and White

President’s Choice and Judge's Choice Ribbons

Qualifications:

• Awarded to the image selected by the OPPA President & Judges at the Annual Open Image Competition.
• Only images that score 80 or better are eligible to be selected.
• Maker need not be present to enter
• Maker need not be a member of OPPA

President’s Award

Qualifications:

• Active member whose dedication & service benefits the association
• Considered a service to the community
• Photographer ambassador to the public
• Selected by the President or Committee of their designation
• Applicants can be nominated

OPPA Member of the Year

Qualifications:

• Active member for the entire calendar year
• Based upon highest total Merits earned December of prior year through November of current year.
• Must have at least 4 service merits to be eligible
• Maximum 6 image merits can be used
• In the event of two or more members earning equal merits as defined above in this section; each member receiving the highest total merits will share the award equally.

Jerry Auker Community Service Award

Qualifications:

Definition of Contributions:

Contributions can be in the form of time or services offered for free or at deeply discounted rates, or contributions can be physical assets donated such as prints, equipment, etc. There are no fixed criteria other than it must be photography-specific.

The value of the time (services) or assets donated will be determined by the member.

Miscellaneous:

If the charitable work involves a member shooting an event the time donation should not be communicated to the organization as officially “sponsored” by OPPA.

Please complete the application form with a brief set of questions. Either electronic or paper submission is acceptable. The form must be submitted by the due date given. 

Applicants can be nominated or submit the application on their own behalf using this PDF Application.

Please send your completed form to the OPPA Awards Chair, Nancy Smithman.

Qualifications:

Definition of Mentorship:

Mentorships can be in the form of time or services offered for free or at deeply discounted rates. There are no fixed criteria other than it must be photography-related, with mentorships involving 1:1 parings between a “mentor” and “mentee.”

Miscellaneous:

Time spent in classroom/workshop settings is generally not considered to be mentorship.

Please complete the application form, which includes a brief set of questions. Either electronic or paper submission is acceptable. The form must be submitted by November 18.

Applicants can be nominated or submit the application on their own behalf using this PDF Application

Please send your completed form to the OPPA Awards Chair, Nancy Smithman.