Welcome to my top 9 photography moments of 2022! Every year becomes more & more of an adventure & 2022 was no exception.
Read on to take a look back at the honors, travel & partnerships that were part of the Holly Lund Imagery top 9!
1. France Workshop
Now this is the way to kick off my top 9!
Back in March, I ventured to France with about 30 photographers & models for a week of photography, tourism & really, REALLY great food!
We flew into Paris & immediately got on the road to head to Normandy. Actually, we first stopped for some provisions at none other than Costco. I desperately needed lots of coffee for the 3+ hour drive ahead of me. (Not so fun fact: I cannot sleep on planes. It was painful.)
We set up for the week at Chateau de L’Isle Marie, a 12th century castle & beautiful, rustic property. On top of shooting all around the grounds, we traveled throughout Normandy & photographed at Mont St. Michele & Omaha Beach.
Students also got a detailed editing tutorial from yours truly – make sure you scroll all the way to number 9 on this list to see the image from that class!
2. WPE Awards 1st Place
While technically this was a 2021 achievement, the final round of the year isn’t announced until early the following year.
This honor is my subject Kayla’s as much as my own. Just as she & mom were leaving the house to come to my studio, she caught her fingers in the jamb of the front door. Kayla walked in with a couple of red eyes, swollen fingers & a bag of ice cubes.
Once she got into my make up chair, it was like it never happened! Kayla was super chatty & full of questions (mostly, “are you done yet?”), hardly noticing her fingers that I periodically reminded her to flex.
By the time she was in front of my camera, the swelling had gone down & she was able to pose so delicately. You’re a champ, Kayla!
3. WPPI
In February, the crowds descended onto the Las Vegas strip for the annual WPPI conference, expo & print competition. Due to extenuating circumstances, I wasn’t able to attend in person, but I was tuned in remotely as much as possible.
Especially during the live judging of the print competition.
While the privilege of listening to the live judging is reserved only for those in attendance, those who enter are updated in real time when their scores are entered. It’s quite nerve-wracking & many of us provide moral support for each other.
I submitted 4 images & received one gold, two silver distinctions & 1 silver for my work. During the awards gala, it was announced that I received third place overall in the child & teenager portrait category! I was so grateful to all of my friends who were there for sending me photos, video & congratulations. It was about 11:30 ET by that point, so I turned off the live stream & dozed off to sleep.
Around 1AM, my phone would NOT stop chiming!
Something wonderfully unexpected occurred – I was awarded a new honor! Along with fellow amazing artists Barbara MacFerrin & Samantha Leon, I was given the Excellence in Photography Award in recognition of all of the images I entered.
Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep. This will be tough to top!
4. Shutter Magazine Cover
Shutter Magazine, a publication owned & produced by Sal Cincotta, selected one of my images to grace the cover of their June issue, which is dedicated to children’s photography!
Previous June cover photographers include Anne Geddes & Anna Brandt, among others.
5. Framed Canvas Artwork
I added a new offering to my wall art line up this year – framed canvas!
If you’re looking for traditional artwork reminiscent of the old masters, this is for you.
This canvas is an archival quality, 100% Natural Cotton Hahnemühle Canvas featuring a finely woven, elegant surface structure. It is carefully coated with a matte varnish, resulting in a non-glare surface that retains excellent color.
Every canvas is hand-stretched on custom-made stretcher bars & each corner is custom cut to reduce bulk. The back is finished with archival backing material that is acid-free, moisture & puncture-resistant.
You have your choice of dozens of responsibly harvested, hand crafted wood frames to suit your decor aesthetic. Not sure what’s right for you? I’m here to help guide you in the right direction!
6. Braving the Heat
If you were in NJ at the end of July, you’d know that it was HOT & a half! We were pushing 100 degrees with the “feels like” temperature over that mark thanks to the humidity. It was rough.
Thanks to my building-mate Michelle Amy Photography, I learned of this gorgeous field of Black Eyed Susans right around the corner from our studios just before the heatwave began. But cue the heat & the blooms began to wilt!
Before we lost them entirely, I met up with another photografriend (Jenna Elizabeth Studios) & her daughter for a quick shoot. And I do mean quick – we were only out in the open for less than 15 minutes. No one has time for heat stroke.
We also had some shooting fun in a creek nearby which was MUCH more enjoyable & as equally beautiful!
PS: it’s always community over competition in my house!
7. Fine Art Backdrop Line
This is one partnership that I am SUPER excited about!
As more & more photographers were seeking fine art backdrops for their studio work, Baby Dream Backdrops launched a subsidiary called Fine Art Dream Drops.
For some time, I had been adding painted landscapes into my post production editing, but it would be much more efficient having tangible backdrops to capture the entire scene in camera.
I sourced a variety of 6 landscapes to launch my namesake line with Fine Art Dream Drops. Stay tuned for more to come!
8. Marie Antoinette Project
Fun fact about me: I wrote my college thesis on the portraits of Marie Antoinette, as well as her court portraitist Elisabeth Louise Vigée LeBrun.
Ever since getting to “know” her so well (no, she did not say “let them eat cake”), my interest in her has only deepened. I knew that one day I wanted to put together a shoot inspired by her.
After many, many years of brainstorming, finding a designer to custom create a gown, sourcing the right accessories & launching my fine art backdrop line, it was finally time to shoot!
Thank you to the lovely Levianna for helping to bring this project to fruition!
9. Cosmos Awards 2nd Place
At last we have reached the image I mentioned was used in my editing class!
Can you tell I love historical garb yet?
I was pleased to receive second place for this image from one of my workshop sessions in France.
Any time you join me for a photography workshop or one-on-one mentoring session, rest assured that you will be learning all of my award winning techniques!
Happy New Year & see you in 2023!
Thanks for being part of my top 9 photography moments this year!
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