Industry: Education

As a business school for photography, Photography Business Institute celebrates student excellence at Go Boutique Live. It’s the fifth annual event and Julie Awards ceremony.

Springfield, IL (PRUnderground) February 29th, 2024

Photography Business Institute proudly announces the fifth annual Go Boutique Live event from February 27 to 29, 2024. As one of the top international conferences for professional portrait photographers, Go Boutique Live celebrates the achievements and innovations within the industry, providing valuable insights, strategies, and networking opportunities — all within a virtual setting.

A highlight of the three-day event is the esteemed Julie Awards ceremony. The awards honor business school for photography graduates who have demonstrated excellence in various categories, from achieving significant client orders to charitable contributions. This year, Photography Business Institute will recognize 218 professional portrait photographers from around the globe for serving clients and their communities at an elite level.

Hosted by Sarah Petty, founder of Photography Business Institute, the Julie Awards ceremony acknowledges the dedication and talent of photographers who have excelled in serving their clients and communities. The event underscores the importance of boutique photography businesses in delivering personalized, high-quality artwork to clients’ homes, setting new standards of excellence in the industry.

“Our Julie Awards ceremony recognizes the exceptional service and creativity demonstrated by photographers who go above and beyond to deliver unparalleled experiences to their clients. Our award recipients sold over $8 million in combined boutique photography sales. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the photography industry,” said Petty.

During the ceremony, Photography Business Institute will present awards in ten categories for all stages of careers in photography. These include photographers’ First Julie ($1,000 client order using the boutique model), $5,000 and $10,000 in a single client order, and total client orders ranging from $10,000 to $300,000 in 2023. Additionally, the institute always gives special recognition to photographers who have made over $1,000 in charitable contributions through their work, the largest award category this year.

With over 1,000 attendees expected to participate in this year’s Go Boutique Live virtual event, the Photography Business Institute remains committed to providing photographers with the tools, resources, and support needed to dive in and persevere in an ever-changing industry. To learn more about Photography Business Institute’s events and resources, visit www.PhotographyBusinessInstitute.com.

About Photography Business Institute

Photography Business Institute aims to educate photographers about how to have a viable, self-sustaining career as a professional portrait photographer and to make lasting contributions to the legacies of the families they photograph and the communities in which they reside.

The Beloit Art Center is gearing up for its 13th annual juried photography contest, promising an engaging month of artistic exploration and competition. Scheduled to commence with a First Friday Gallery Reception on March 1, from 5 – 7 p.m., the event will not only showcase over 66 captivating images but also feature an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. to honor the exceptional talents of participating photographers. This much-anticipated exhibit is proudly sponsored by Alongi Santas Moss Insurance Agency, located at the heart of downtown Beloit at 520 E. Grand Ave.

Empowering Local Talent

At the core of the Beloit Art Center’s mission is the empowerment and celebration of local artists. Through this annual photography contest, the center provides a vibrant platform for photographers, both amateur and professional, to display their work to the public. The contest’s juried format ensures that the quality of work displayed is of the highest standard, fostering a competitive yet supportive environment for artistic growth.

Gallery Reception and Awards Ceremony

The First Friday Gallery Reception offers the community an opportunity to engage directly with the artists, appreciating the stories and techniques behind each photograph. The inclusion of an awards ceremony further highlights the center’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding artistic excellence. Sponsored by Alongi Santas Moss Insurance Agency, the ceremony is a testament to the support of local businesses in nurturing the arts within the community.

A Snapshot of Beloit’s Artistic Community

This exhibition is more than just a contest; it’s a snapshot of the vibrant artistic community thriving in Beloit. Each photograph tells a unique story, offering insights into the diverse perspectives and creative expressions within the city. As visitors wander through the exhibit, they are invited to immerse themselves in the visual narratives that span a variety of themes and techniques, reflecting the rich tapestry of life captured through the lens of each photographer.

The Beloit Art Center’s 13th annual juried photography contest is not just an event but a celebration of creativity, talent, and community spirit. As March unfolds, the exhibit stands as a beacon of artistic inspiration, inviting all to explore the depth and diversity of photographic artistry. Whether you’re an avid art enthusiast or simply in search of a captivating cultural experience, this exhibit promises a memorable journey through the lens of Beloit’s finest photographers.

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A pair of photographers unexpectedly shot the first-ever images of two humpback whales engaged in having sex — and even more remarkably, the sexual encounter was between two males.

Photographers Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano were whale-watching off the coast of Maui, Hawaii in January 2022.

As the photographers shot images, two male humpback whales approached their boat and circled around it before engaging in some close activity together then eventually parting ways.

Krannichfeld and Romano knew that they had witnessed something highly unusual with the pair of humpback whales — so the photographers contacted PhD student Stephanie Stack of the Pacific Whale Foundation.

It turned out that Krannichfeld and Romano had photographed the first-ever images of humpback whales — a species that can span 50 feet long and weighs more than 30 tons — having sex for the first time in recorded history.

The photos of the underwater tryst not only marked the first time humpback whales have been observed copulating, but it was also the first recorded instance of homosexual behavior in the species — because both whales were male.

A Historic Finding By Two Photographers

The groundbreaking photographs captured by Krannichfeld and Romano provide an unparalleled glimpse into the private lives of these humpback whales — despite these majestic marine animals being one of the most studied species of whales.

“Despite being well-studied for decades, the sexual behavior of humpback whales has remained mostly a mystery until now,” Stack says in a statement to The Guardian.

“This discovery challenges our preconceived notions about humpback whale behavior. While we have long recognized the complex social structures of these incredible creatures, witnessing the copulation of two male whales for the first time is a unique and remarkable event.”

According to a press release by the Pacific Whale Foundation, the two whales circled the boat numerous times, allowing Krannichfeld and Romano the opportunity to carefully document the event by holding their cameras over the side of the stationary vessel. The Foundation says that it is illegal to swim with or approach humpback whales within 100 yards in Hawaii and the vessel remained in neutral as the whales approached the boat.

Although this is the first time it has been reported for humpback whales, homosexual behavior is common in the animal kingdom and well-documented for many species of cetaceans.
Scientists think humpback whales’ homosexual tendencies may be a way to practice reproductive behaviors, could be a way to form social alliances or to assert dominance.

The scientists’ paper on the photos has been published in Marine Mammal Science.

 
Image credits: All photos by Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano via Pacific Whale Foundation.

Sean Tucker will appear at The Photography & Video Show in Birmingham, England, on 16 March to discuss his book The Meaning in the Making, an exploration of the importance of creativity. The book draws on Tucker’s career, as well as insights from his psychology degree. 

Rather than specializing in one photographic genre, Tucker produces work across the spectrum, taking in portraiture, still-life, product photography and street photography.

While you can get a good flavor of Tucker’s work on his YouTube channel, which offers many highly polished informative tutorials, equipment discussions and much more, we sat down with him to get a taste of what to expect in his upcoming talk. 

Standard entry tickets to 2024 start from £14.95 and are valid for any one day of the event. Click here to buy your tickets. 

Sean Tucker‘s talks at The Photography & Video Show

‘The Meaning in the Making’ with Sean Tucker takes place on the Behind the Lens stage on 16 March at 15:45. 

‘Thomas Heaton & Sean Tucker: In conversation’ takes place on the Behind the Lens stage on 16 March at 13:00. 

Both talks are free. 

Standard entry tickets to The Photography & Video Show 2024 start from £14.95 and are valid for any one day of the event. Click here to buy your tickets.

Sean Tucker

Based in the UK, Tucker came to professional photography after a period spent making films for corporate clients. His output spans a variety of genres, including street, portraiture, documentary and still-life. In 2021, Tucker self-published a book about creativity and the important role it plays in the lives of humans. He also runs a successful YouTube channel, where his videos cover a wide range of photographic techniques. 

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This interview appears in the March 2024 issue of Digital Camera magazine, on sale from March 01. Click the link below to see our latest special subscription deal!

You can buy limited back issues of Digital Camera magazine in print at our Magazines Direct secure store.

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• Readly (digital magazine subscription service)

By Eleanor Dye

Published: 07:44 EST, 29 February 2024 | Updated: 07:48 EST, 29 February 2024

The hidden stories behind famous photographs of Princess Diana are set to be shared in a hit exhibition coming to London for the first time. 

Iconic moments including Diana’s 1981 wedding to Charles, her black ‘revenge dress’ and game-changing gym wear style all feature in the Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition. 

Photographers Anwar Hussein and his two sons Samir and Zak will share their remarkable photographs of the late Princess and her family, paired with their first-hand accounts of the stories behind each moment. 

It has so far been featured in Melbourne, South Carolina, Las Vegas and more – and is now coming to St Katharine Docks in London for the first time from May 25. 

The exhibition consists of ‘larger than life images, bespoke art installations and first-hand narration’ in a 60-minute experience delving into the lives of the royal family.

Accredited by the Royal Family, the Husseins make up the longest-standing family of official royal photographers, having collectively spent over four decades working side-by-side with the princess and her family. 

They received special access to document the lives of the royals in public, as well as capturing more intimate, private moments, including the unforgettable revenge dress which dared to break royal protocol and the princess’ simple handshake with an AIDS patient that showed the world how to be human. 

Samir and Zak followed their father’s footsteps into royal photography by capturing the lives of Diana’s sons Prince William and Prince Harry, and now are multi-award winning and celebrated photographers themselves  

One story the exhibition tells is the touching image of Diana cradling a sick child in her arms during her visit to Imran Khan’s cancer hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, during April 1996. 

The photographers tell of the moment: ‘Diana later told me that out of so many pictures taken of her, this was her favourite photograph of all… 

‘She was so sad when she found out the boy had passed away shortly after her visit.’ 

The exhibition tells how iconic photographs of Diana wearing her ‘Fly Virgin Atlantic’ jumper, a gift from Sir Richard Branson, may never have come to light without the personal relationship between Anwar and the princess. 

Diana was often seen wearing it when she left the gym at the Chelsea Harbour Club in London. 

Anwar’s sons describe: ‘Father had mentioned to Diana that he wanted to see how health conscious she was and be inspired by her. 

‘She agreed, so he snapped these photographs where we see Diana coming out of the gym.

‘Her popularity sky-rocketed as the public showed their adoration for her willingness to go against the grain and to forgo formality.’ 

As well as the famous revenge dress and the iconic shot of Diana by the Taj Mahal, the family also cast a light on photographs of Diana that haven’t been seen as often by members of the public. 

One shows Diana wearing a casual white shirtdress for a visit to Ayers Rock during a royal tour of Australia in 1983. 

In another, she attends Ascot the month before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 wearing a striped dress and a matching lilac hat. 

Anwar said: ‘I am honoured and humbled to have been given the opportunity to photograph Princess Diana so extensively and to have had the pleasure of having many friendly and insightful conversations with her.

‘I am delighted that the images captured, as well as those of my sons, are coming home to London to recognise and memorialise such a remarkable woman and her sons. 

‘There are so many memories of our two families connecting and creating a special relationship, which I am pleased to be able to display in such a unique way through the exhibition.’ 

The Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition is set to open on May 25, 2024 at Dockside Vaults in St Katharine Docks until September 2. 

Tickets will be available to book from 10am on Thursday, February 29 and are available to pre-order now from £17 at PrincessDiana.London