2011 Platinum Photographer of the Year

This is pretty wild, but after double checking to verify that the judges didn’t confuse me for somebody else named Dan I’m excited to share the news with you! If you’re a regular on the blog, you might remember that back in February my entries in the Professional Photographers of Iowa print competition won every category that was submitted. After the state competition I sent my prints on to a regional competition, and then onto the Professional Photographer’s of America‘s International Photographic Competition where my images competed against the best work from 22,000 photographers in 54 countries.  I’m very shocked (and a little giddy) to find out that I did rather well…I was named a 2011 Platinum Photographer of the Year. What the heck does that mean? Here’s part of the press release from PPA:

The level of the award is determined by how many of the photographer’s four entries receive the highest possible honor: acceptance into the PPA Loan Collection, which is displayed at photographic exhibitions, conventions and other photography events. McClanahan was named a Platinum Medalist, meaning that three of his four merited images entered the PPA Loan Collection. In 2011 he was one of only 32 Platinum Medalists worldwide.

“These photographers have reached a prestigious achievement,” states Dennis Craft, PPA’s Photographic Exhibition Committee Chairman. ‘The consistent quality required to earn the title of Platinum Medalist in one of the world’s most celebrated photography competitions certainly bodes well for their clients, too!”

I must give a HUGE thanks to our clients and our friends that put up with our craziness and allow us to create images like these. What we do wouldn’t be possible with out you and you truly are the reason we love our job!   My winning entries were as follows:

“Never Trust A Woman“- This image is a top 10 finisher and will duke it out for a 1st place Grand Imaging Award at Imaging USA in February. This print is also nominated for a Kodak Gallery Elite Award, which will also be announced at Imaging USA.

“Heidi & Neal” – engagement album selected for the Loan Collection. Here’s one spread from the album:

“Jill& John” – wedding album selected for the Loan Collection. Here’s one spread from the album:

“All American Slam” – merited image:   (GO STATE!)

-Dan