So, I try to keep up with our press releases on our print competition experiences, but this past year has been so crazy that I am just getting all of the results written into one big news story!

Please take the time to check out the article we are having published–we truly believe that print competitions, seminar attendance, and tons of classes really help us to give our clients the best images possible! It boosts our creativity, helps us to further develop our skill-set, and really makes us better artists! Feel free to leave us some blog-love! Thanks to everyone for their support! We love you all!

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Monarch Photography Receives Prestigious Awards for 2009-2010

Jonathan Brown and Rosemary Cundiff-Brown, co-owners of Monarch Photography LLC in Crestwood, Kentucky, have garnered several awards on the state, national, and international levels over the past few months. Jonathan and Rosemary are a husband-and-wife photography team with a studio located just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. They specialize in wedding events and high school senior portraits, but also enjoy photographing families, children, and fine art/nature subjects. They truly believe in constant education in order to further develop their skills and business. Entering their images in print competitions have not only helped them to win awards, but also to receive recognition among their peers and client base. They are members of the Professional Photographers of America, Kentucky Professional Photographers Association, and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International organizations. Jonathan currently serves on the board of directors with the KPPA, while Rosemary is part of the KPPA Print Competition Crew and Committee.

In January of 2009, Rosemary received a Blue Ribbon Merit Award at the Mid-East States Photography Convention, which was held in Covington and hosted by the Kentucky Professional Photographers Association. Her couture bridal image, “Happily Never After,” also won the Fuji Masterpiece Award for Portraits. The couple also took several advanced photographic seminars and brought new ideas and products back to their studio to better serve their clients.

One month later, Rosemary and Jonathan traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the 29th Annual Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention. The convention drew nearly 15,000 attendees and 365 exhibitors to its new convention space, the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Both image-makers of Monarch Photography LLC entered the 16×20 print competition. Designed to recognize outstanding photographers, the judging was held in Las on February 14 and 15, 2009. The Awards of Excellence 16×20 Print Competition awards are presented each year at the largest trade show, educational platform and convention in the United States for professional photographers. The 2009 competition included 2,717 prints in 19 different categories submitted by photographers from all over the world.

Jonathan received the Accolade of Excellence in the Nature/Animals category for his underwater jellyfish image titled “Ocean’s Blaze.” Rosemary received the Accolade of Excellence in the Individual Portrait category for her couture bridal image titled “Happily Never After.” Jonathan and Rosemary both competed against an international field of photographers to win such honors. They also took many advanced photographic seminars under the direction of some of the most well-known international photographers in the field today.

Last summer, Rosemary and Jonathan each entered a portfolio of 16×20 images in the Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition. PPA, an international non-profit association for professional photographers, exists to assist its more than 21,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic, and fraternal goals; promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science, and a visual recorder of history. From a field of over 4,300 entries, a team of jurors selected almost 1,700 images for the General Exhibit. From that group, just over 500 images were chosen for the prestigious Loan Collection, an annual compilation of what is considered to be the highest quality work from around the world. A panel of over 40 eminent jurors carefully trained to evaluate images based on stringent guidelines for technique, composition and creativity spent four days combing through the images, which are judged against the International Print Competition’s 12 elements, not against one another. This standard of excellence is a point of pride with PPA members, not only as a form of recognition, but also as an opportunity to have their work evaluated, improve their craftsmanship and strengthen their business.

Rosemary and Jonathan were two of only eighteen total photographers from the state of Kentucky to receive PPA international print awards for 2009. Three of Rosemary’s images were accepted into the PPA General Collection. “Happily Never After” was accepted, as was her portrait titled “Meerkat Mugshot” and her bridal image titled “Softness and Steel.”

Jonathan received the highest PPA honor given–his fine art image, “Appalachian Sunrise,” was accepted into the Loan Collection through the Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition. Loan Collection images are published each year in the Loan Collection commemorative book. Both collections were on display this past January at PPA’s Imaging USA, one of the photographic industry’s largest annual tradeshows and educational events. It was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. While attending advanced photography seminars at Imaging USA, Rosemary and Jonathan were thrilled to see their images hanging in the PPA International Print Collection gallery. Jonathan’s Loan Collection image will also be on display throughout the year at PPA headquarters in Atlanta, and various events worldwide.

“Viewing the exhibit is a moving experience. It gives you such a sense of appreciation for the artistry and skill that go into the creation of an exhibit-quality image,” says Jim Dingwell, International Print Competition coordinator. “With the advances in digital cameras, just about anyone can take pictures, but when you see the heirloom quality of the exhibit images, you can visually understand the difference. These professional photographers are truly experts at their craft—the best of the best.”

This past January, Rosemary and Jonathan traveled again toThe Kentucky Professional Photographers Association (KPPA) State Convention in Covington. Jonathan participated in various meetings and activities with the Board of Directors. Both Rosemary and Jonathan served as part of the KPPA Print Crew and Committee. At the awards ceremony, KPPA named Jonathan as the 2010 Wedding Specialist/Photographer of the Year. Jonathan also received the prestigious “Best of Show” Award and Kodak Gallery Award for his fine art image, “Appalachian Sunrise,” and the Fuji Masterpiece Award for Weddings with his image titled, “Romance Among the Ruins.” This is the third year in a row that Monarch Photography LLC has brought home a KPPA Fuji Masterpiece Award. Jonathan also received blue ribbon merits for his wedding image, “Lovescape” and his fine art image, “Morning Mist.” As a result of his four blue ribbon merits, Jonathan was also honored with the Kentucky 4 Award for Photographic Excellence.

Rosemary and Jonathan take great pride in their technique, creativity, and customer service. They truly believe that a professional photographer who approaches every client image as if it’s an entry for the International Print Competition will consistently produce better images, and that will translate into more clients. From the off-camera lighting to the finest in customer care, it’s what they call the Monarch Difference.

As well as being an active member and board member of the Kentucky Professional Photographers Association, Jonathan will serve as the Print Committee Chairman in 2011. Rosemary will continue to serve as part of the KPPA Print Committee. The couple has plans to begin teaching photographic seminars on the local and state levels within the next year. Jonathan and Rosemary are available for client consultations by appointment and can be reached at 502-641-0744 or via their website at: www.monarch-photography.com. The studio’s fine art and nature photography prints are also available for purchase.

And here are the award-winning images–we strive to make ALL of our images pieces of art!

"Romance Among the Ruins"

"Softness and Steel"

"Ocean's Blaze"

"Morning Mist"

"Meerkat Mugshot"

"Lovescape"

"Happily Never After"

"Appalachian Sunrise"

We don’t do many bridal shows, but when we do choose a show, we like to be our best! Be sure to come and visit us at The Gillespie this coming Sunday, February 21 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.! The Gillespie is a gorgeous wedding venue in beautiful downtown Louisville and it is sure to be a lovely bridal show! You can see some of the city’s finest wedding professionals, from caterers to musicians–and of course, yours truly!

We really believe that we give every wedding couple the images of their dreams–with a creative and professional touch. We invite you to come by our booth this coming Sunday–see what we have to offer that truly is above the rest!

BOTH parking and admission are complimentary–there will be food to sample, cake to taste, and lots of things to see!

Check out the site for more information–The Gillespie Bridal Show

Hope to see you there!