I enter the Shoot and Share Contest because I enjoy voting and the winner is chosen through a long process of elimination by the voters. My goal is to just complete against myself and to improve and do better than the last year. I was so nervous an excited for the results to finally be in for this years contest. The long few weeks waiting felt like months! The day had arrived and I had no idea what or if I would get an award this year. I had seen some of my photographs while voting but not in the last round, so this made me nervous (it is highly unlikely to see your own photos most of the time).
My goal each year is to only Complete against myself. I want to keep improving every year. Although, my goal this year I really wanted to be a finalist! This is a big stride and have wanted this award to happen, hopefully this year. So it was a huge honor when I logged in, scrolled down to my surprise three different award categories!!! Could it be? Is this really happening? Yes, yes it is and I did it! There among with top 20% & 30% was a finalist award. I could not believe it. My heart was so happy and my soul fulfilled.
The best part was the finalist photograph was a moment in time I shot for myself as a fun project just having fun with my family. Being behind my camera feeds my soul to go out and show what is near and dear to my heart. We love to play in the rain and splash in water puddles. You are never too old to have some good old fashion, belly laughing fun.
Context behind the finalist photograph: It was mid July and had just stormed. I asked my niece and son if they would like to go play in the rain puddles while I grabbed some fun shots. They were excited and up for the adventure. Well while shooting it started pouring down rain on us again. It was very a little cold, but the kids laughed and played who did not seem to care so I kept shooting. The rain came and went within ten minutes leaving the road flooding behind. They sat down to see how deep the water had gotten and started splashing each other. These candent photographs showcased the pure joy with no care in the world fun they were having! Oh how I live for these moments which are my favorite I strive to shoot for.
Travel and lifestyle has to be by far my style of choice to photograph; but I still enjoy shooting different styles outside of these genres.
Top 20% award I had also improved on as well. Last year I had two photographs place in this category and was pleased to see I had increased that number of photos this year. I moved up by one with three different photographs placing in the top 20%.
The two landscape photos were both taken back in winter as we took a road trip across the west. Bryce Canyon has to be one of my favorite national parks and even had the pleasure to camp inside the park with my son. We got to spend a few days exploring the great landscape, trails, and sites it has to offer. I 100% recommend visiting the astonishing park.
Fishing with my nephew, Noah and my son, Austin at the Lake of Ozarks, MO. A huge highlight for them during the summer. Fishing, swimming and boat riding at the lake. They want to go every weekend. If these boys could, they would fish everyday rain, shine, hot or cold! I just love watching them fish. How their little hands bait the hooks, get a little hop when casting their lines (because you know that makes it go farther), and wait so very patiently for a bit. This is the only time they are this still! Who knew they could sit still, while being quiet for so long. The funniest part is when they hook a fish; this is when the real excitement begins. Oh how their faces light up with surprise and jump up real quick. The smiles and gasps let out as they reel in as fast as they can, but still cautiously as to not let the fish get off the hook. When the fish is finally in hand, they do not care if it is keeping size or they have to release it back; they are just filled with joy to have caught a fish. Oh but if the fish flops off the hook just as it surfaces when they are about to grab it; pure devastation!!! The hard part of life that teaches them valuable lessons even though it is hard to watch sometimes. Yes boys, I can watch you fish everyday also.
Yet again another improvement!!!! This year I went from two photographs to four!!! I have doubled the amount of photos to place in top 30%!
Seniors and teens dominated the top 30% with one from weddings. I do enjoy photographing Seniors/Teens and getting to know their personality. I like to let them shine through and just be themselves. Having fun and being comfortable is the prime goal.
Lindsay is a 2022 senior from our local high school. We got to have fun shooting her session early last fall. This photograph was taken in the historic town of Hermann, MO along the Katy Trail. The bride features a wooden path to walk/bike on over a steel frame. I love the rustic look; it gives for great background texture.
Oh the sunflower fields! Remember here, up above? She might look familiar as she is my niece from the finalist photograph. She is beautiful and love getting her in front of the camera. Always a joy to photograph. I feel any photos captured with the sunflowers just makes you smile. They give off happy feels and we can always use it. I am thrilled a black and white photo made it in the mix. They give a striking, stop scrolling, feel when executed well.
Another black and white, which I felt was a stronger feeling than in color. The black and white here really allows you to feel the deep, gut laugh they are having. You know the laugh where you cry a little and your ribs hurt.
I do not do weddings much as not a fan of traditional style weddings. I focus on outdoor, unique and elopements. The happy couple you see here, Mr. & Mrs. Stahlschmidt, eloped to their favorite fishing hole and tied the knot right on the lake bank. It was a very beautiful summer evening under a hand build archway. To top it off they even went fishing along the bank just shortly before. With luck, and skill of course, the bride caught a fish! It did just flop of before grabbing it at the bank though! What a bummer. Would have been a good photo if we could have gotten it in our hands. What a fun, unique story to share on their anniversaries in the future.
Past Awards
2020 Results
2019 Results
I am really pleased with the photos who have placed in the contest. It is hard to know what will be popular among the categories each year since everyone is the judge. I believe this makes it more fun.
If you would like more information on The Shoot & Share Contest and how it works comment below and I will write about it so you can get in on the fun next year!!! Anyone can enter into the contest and everyone can vote. The winners are picked on top number of votes from everyone voting and the photos you get are totally random and you cannot just go and choose a certain photo/photographer to vote for.
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