While I was in the States, I received an email from Weddings & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) informing me that I had received two accolades of excellence and a third place in the 2010 WPPI 1st Half International Photography Competition. I was quite elated and so encouraged by this news. I have so much more to learn in my photographic journey but, as I stated earlier, I will celebrate the small successes along the way.
I want to thank my mentor and friend, Scott Robert Lim, who has done so much for me this past year. Talking about Scott and his teaching requires a whole separate post but I want to acknowledge him and his community of photographers for blessing me in my journey. There are more good times still ahead, my friends!
I couldn’t show a high resolution file of the winning images because I didn’t have access to them while I was in the States. But I am now able to show you those images here in this post. I have also included the press release that came with the announcement. And I haven’t received it yet but I saw that I will also receive some award ribbons in the mail 
The last thing I would like to share is this whole idea of success. It’s easy to think about it when it involves your career, your vocation. In my case, I want to be a success in my photography and a success in my teaching. But I have been convicted recently that all this doesn’t mean anything if, in the process, I am a failure with my family. I strive and toil for those things that are secondary to my family so it would be a colossal failure if my family gets the leftovers. I am thankful and indebted to them for supporting me with my dream of photography. I really like what John Maxwell has to say about this and I hope you will take the time to reflect on his words:
“Success meant having those closest to me love and respect me the most. Success would be impossible if I achieved outwardly but failed to take my family with me on the journey. The applause of others would never replace the appreciation of my family. Respect from others meant little if I did not have the respect of my loved ones. I would make caring for and communicating with my family one of my life’s priorities.”
- Placed third in the WPPI 8 x 10 Competition (Individual Category)
Received Accolade of Excellence for the 2010 WPPI 8 x 10 competition
And thank you to the models and my friends, Akira Fukuda and Kanae Tanaka. You guys rocked it! Thanks for being a part of it.
Stay tuned: images from the New York City workshop and further reflection…
