IPC Announces Nine 2014 Leadership Award Recipients
Honors Professional Photographers, Celebrates 40th Anniversary at U.N. Luncheon
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, March 17, 2014—The International Photographic Council (IPC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2014 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Awards. The award recipients will be honored at the 16th Annual IPC Pro Award Luncheon—while the organization also marks its 40th anniversary—at the United Nations in New York City on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 11:30 a.m.
The IPC Awards Luncheon kicks off “May, International Professional Photography Month,” which salutes working professionals around the globe. “The honorees, nominated by professional photography organizations, are selected because they best represent the groups’ criteria and ideals,” says IPC President James Chung. Andy Marcus, President of Fred Marcus Photography, is Pro Award Luncheon Chair. Manny Almeida, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, will deliver a keynote address on “The World of Professional Photographers.”
IPC President James Chung will welcome the group. IPC Vice President Kathy Schneider and Board member Alice Miller will co-host the popular Q&A panel with honorees to find out what inspires their photography, how their businesses continue to adapt to change, and which products are essential for their work.
Nine associations have designated honorees for the 2014 IPC Leadership Award: American Photographic Artists (APA), American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Federation of European Photographers (FEP), HIPA (Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award), National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA), White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA), and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).
The 2014 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Award recipients are:
• American Photographic Artists (APA): Theresa Raffetto
• American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): Ed McDonald
• Federation of European Photographers (FEP): Andy J.J. Hens
• Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA): Ali Bin Thalith
• National Press Photographers Association (NPPA): Greg Smith
• Professional Photographers of America (PPA): Timothy Walden
• Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA): Bill Freeman
• White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA): William Collins Auth
• Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI): Jerry Ghionis
Greater New York City-area photographer Theresa Raffetto focuses primarily on product photography, yet the experience she has gained working on projects of all scopes and sizes has made her a versatile photographer, as well as director, producer and collaborator. Theresa’s work is classic in style and light and airy in feel, “luscious yet simple” according to the Associated Press. Equally as comfortable working spontaneously on set as with a definitive, pre-determined vision, she has shot ad campaigns for Pampers, cookbooks for Random House, catalogs for Whole Foods, editorial location shoots for Woman’s Day and All You. Theresa is a member of American Photographic Artists (APA) and currently serves on the national board as President.
Central Florida-based “Photographic Storyteller” Ed McDonald creates powerful imagery for high-profile clients in diverse industries. Developing strong visual narratives that audiences connect with immediately has earned Ed projects with companies such as wide-ranging as the Kissimmee Utility Authority, Plus Publishing, Northstar Travel Services, AWD accountants, Full Sail University, Gencor, Travel Weekly and Cruise World. Upon becoming ASMP President, he orchestrated the redesign of the organization’s logo, revision of its governance documents, and passage of a constitutional referendum. As a national board member, Ed created and managed ASMP’s social media presence. Previously he served in various leadership roles in ASMP’s Central Florida Chapter.
Born in Menden, Germany, Belgian Andy J. J. Hens has been a member of the professional photographic board of examination since 1992, serving as an instructor since 1996 at the handcraft-guild Dortmund. Since becoming the first chairman of the professional photographic board examiners in 2006, Andy has served as a member of the guild-board of the Association of Professional Photographers in Westphalia, a Qualified European Photographer (QEP) and a Master of QEP. A Delegate of the Central Federation of German Professional Photographers CV for the FEP, he has served as Vice President of the Central Federation of German Professional Photographers CV since 2013. Andy has focused on mentoring photographers and serving on judging panels in Germany and Europe for years.
Ali Bin Thalith is a professional documentary film photographer in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and current Secretary General of HIPA, a prestigious international photography competition under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Dubai. Ali has participated in underwater expeditions throughout Asia, including Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Islands and Sipadan in Malaysia, and helped establish an educational program for children there. An active member of the UAE wildlife program, he helps raise awareness of local species and habitat. He led a delegation to provide photography training and workshops to Syrian children at the Emirates-Jordan refugee camp in Northern Jordan. One of his most notable works is the short documentary “Gaza Diver,” which narrates the journey of a young amputee who travels to Dubai for medical treatment thanks to the Crown Prince of Dubai.
Greg Smith has been a photographer, writer, editor and producer for 35 years. A board member and Business Practices chairman with the National Press Photographers Association, he has authored or edited several photography business tools and initiatives, including NPPA’s Cost of Doing Business Calculator, UPDIG and PLUS. Greg produced the documentary “Keeping the May River Wild,” co-authored Gullah Home Cooking the Daufuskie Way, from University of North Carolina Press, and has written and made pictures for publications around the world. An enrollment communications strategist for Western State Colorado University, he holds a B.S. in Journalism and M.A. in Visual Communication from Ohio University. Greg exhibits photography at galleries and imediasmith.com, with some images marketed by Zuma Press.
When Tim Walden and his wife, Beverly, took over Walden’s Photography from his father in 1980, they took the studio in a different direction, developing their trademark “Relationship” Black and White Fine Art portraiture. Today, they provide clients with beautifully crafted portraits and impeccable customer service in their elegant Louisville, Kentucky, studio. A M.Photog. Hon.M.Photog. Cr., CPP and F-ASP Chair, Tim earned Photographic Master and Craftsman degrees from PPA and a Photographic Fellowship degree from ASP. He was PPA President in 2012, a Kodak Mentor, international speaker, Gold Photographer of the Year 2013 and Gerhard Bakker Award winner for outstanding service through education in photography and visual communications.
Bill Freeman started Freeman Photography in the early ‘80s in Houston, Texas. Self-taught, he began working in sports photography on nights and weekends, learning the industry through books, classes, tapes and seminars, while maintaining his full-time job in commercial construction during the week. By 1989, Bill and his wife turned photography into their livelihood. Today, they focus on undergraduate school yearbook photos, high school senior portraits, family portraits, corporate portraits and commercial events. Since PSPA, PMA, PPA and DIMA played a strong role in his career development, Bill has remained active with the groups. He recently served as PSPA President, serves as Chairman of the Speaker Selection Sub- Committee for School Sports & Events and has collaborated with the Yearbook Guidelines Committee to help photographers and publishers with the schools. He is a Certified Professional Photographer and Master Photographer.
William Collins Auth is a long-time photojournalist based in the Washington, D.C., area. After 21years with US News & World Report, he began working for editorial, commercial and private clients, solving problems on the fly with a smile. In addition to multiple Olympic assignments, refugee coverage in Asia, every U.S. Presidential Inauguration since Nixon, William has worked for the Associated Press, Reuters, McClatchy, EPA, Polaris and Prensa-Internacional. Recognized for his volunteer efforts with the WHNPA and NPPA, he serves on the board of the Northern Short Course in Photojournalism, handles event logistics for the WHNPA and is working on a project about the long-term effects of Hurricane Katrina on East Biloxi, Mississippi. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his AP coverage of the return of Iranian hostages to the U.S. and currently works with the Grammy-nominated kids’ rock ‘n’roll band, Milkshake. William is represented by Presna-Internacional and Polaris.
Based in Beverly Hills, California, and Melbourne, Australia, Jerry Ghionis travels frequently on international photography assignments and for speaking engagements. His flair for fashion and architect’s ingenuity help him create images that blend soul, drama, imagination and technical skill. A United States Nikon Ambassador, Jerry was among American Photo’s first Top Ten Wedding Photographers in the World. He has won the WPPI International Wedding Album of the Year eight times, won the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year and SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) Photographer of the Year Award. Jerry created the Ice Society.com training site and designed the Ice Light, a revolutionary LED continuous light. He and his wife founded the non-profit Soul Society to help needy children in Third World countries.
Reservations for the May 15 Pro Award Luncheon at the United Nations must be received by Monday, April 21. To RSVP or receive more information, please call James Chung at 914.476.1712 or email him at jchung1@prodigy.net.
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The International Photographic Council (IPC) is a multinational, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, composed of representatives from every major sector of the photographic industry. Founded in 1974, IPC is dedicated to increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication. IPC’s motto is “Peace Through Understanding, Understanding Through Photography, the Universal Language.”