The Equine Photographers Network's Annual Photo Contest

I have been a member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPNET) for three years. Here’s part of their mission statement:

“Our mission is to encourage professional integrity and career development through education, communication and mutual support, while promoting our members in numerous markets.” http://www.equinephotographers.org/mission.php

EPNET has an annual “Equine Ideal Photo Contest” and the contest is open to the public. 

In 2011 I entered a photo called “December’s Honey.” It was the first time I have ever entered a contest before. I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. When EPNET sent out an email notification on the winners last year, I deleted the email. After seeing all the entries I was sure there was no way I could have placed. A few days later I received a Facebook message from Bev Pettit, a professional photographer who’s work I really admired, congratulated me on my win. I was confused, but sure enough I received an honorable mention for my image. I was ecstatic at the news, but mostly because I found out through Bev Pettit; we hadn’t even met in person yet.

Head Study

Decembers Honey

Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Head Study 2010

 http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2011.asp?cat_id=105

For this years contest I finally had a body of work I was pretty happy with and decided to go for it entering six categories:

Black and White

Bachelors 

Details 

Eye of the Beholder

Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Details 2011

http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=129

Extreme Action 

 

Snow Dash

Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Extreme Action 2011

http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=126

Head Study 

Sisterhood

Horse and Human Portrait

Eddy and the Boys

Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Horse and Human Portrait 2011

http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=123

Wild Horse

Tranquility

I’m happy and disappointed all at the same time. I’m thrilled that three of my images received a mention, but I’m a little bummed that I didn’t place better. The perfectionist in me is such a torturist. Its so hard for me to focus on the good, four out of seven of my images received recognition in the last two years, but instead I think what can I do better next time? What was wrong with the three images that didn’t place? Hopefully my speculation will relax when I receive my awards in the mail.

If you would like to see more of my photos please visit my website www.KimMichels.com