Shoot & Share

Back in January I took a major leap out of my comfort zone. I put myself out there in a way I never thought I would. I entered a photography contest. I submitted some of my images to the Shoot and Share contest. A contest where photographers can submit up to 50 images in 25 different categories. Those photographers (including me) then vote on everyone's images. 

I decided on the last day to submit some images. So, after getting Chloe to sleep, I quickly searched through my images and submitted some. It was very last minute and down to the wire. I had an hour to spare before the deadline after I has sent my images off to be judged. 

February was spent voting. I swear I lost countless hours of my life going through the images. There are rounds and rounds of voting and you never know which of your photos are still in the contest. So, I kept voting. All the while being blown away by the talent of these other photographers. Many of the photos were next level. I was both humbled and inspired being a part of the Shoot and Share contest. 

I never thought I would place. That wasn't my intention. I wanted to do something I normally would have been to afraid to do. More than 412,379 images were submitted. When the results were in I was beyond shocked. Four of my images placed in the top 30% of their category; six placed within the top 20% of their category, four in the top 10%, and one was a finalist in its category! WHAT?! How did I, a girl from a small Saskatchewan town, have images that placed in the Shoot and Share contest!?

Images from my newborn session with Ivory placed, maternity session with Ashley, and my very first session (one year with Mason) placed in the top 10%! Also, personal images of our everyday placed! The fact that the image of Chloe and Snu at the window placed in the top 10% means the world. That's my favorite image I have of the two of them, and for it to have done that well in the contest really means something to me. Then, there's my finalist image. An image I took of Chloe for one of my photography courses. Every time I look at it I smile, and now I have even more of a reason to.

I am constantly learning and growing as an artist. I look forward to the images I will produce this year and in the years to come. But, for now, I'll review the images I have taken, and be proud of myself for where I was, and where I am.