Artisan of the Year Project - Virginia Professional Photographers Association

HomeArtisan of the Year Project

The 2025 - 2026 Theme was selected by the 2026 President, Mary Fisk-Taylor,
"The Elements"

2027 Artisan of the Year Theme is :

Deadline to Submit Quarterly Images

November 15, 2026

February 15, 2027

May 15, 2027

August 1, 2027

The fee to enter is $100 per entry (4 images) Look for the upcoming registration to enter.
Any questions email Image Competition - [email protected]

Overview of the principles of judging for the VPPA Artisan Project:

Scoring will be based on two criteria, each of the 2 criteria will contribute a maximum of 50% of the total score:

Impact and Visual Language - 50 points max.

Does an image have an impact visually and how successful has the maker conveyed the Artisan Project Theme. Does it create in you a sense of emotion when you see it for the first time? How does the image affect you (laughter, sadness, anger, or other strong motions)? Is the image powerful, vibrant, creative, original? Is the visual language in relation to the theme compelling? Is the photographic art used well to convey the theme? Does the selected visual language (style, light, technique, and enhancement) support the intent of the image and expresses relevantly the definition of the theme?

Technical excellence / composition - 50 points max.

Is the image professionally and technically strong? Is the lighting and posing (where applicable) done with excellence? Is the product (car, building, etc.) showcased with excellence? Is the post production management done with excellence (color balance, sharpness, retouching, and compositing where applicable)? Is the composition strong – and possibly innovative? Does the composition support the story of the image, hold the iewers’ attention to the image, and emphasize the theme of the image?

How To Prepare Digital Files

Only electronic images will be accepted in the annual image competition, no physical prints will be accepted.
Image files should be sized with the longest side at 4000 pixels, quality 10 jpg with an imbedded color space of sRGB or Adobe 1998.
Files are to be named, Image_Title (use_for spaces, e.g. See_Spot_Run.jpg)
Borders and strokes, although not required, are suggested as part of the overall image presentation.
Studio identification or entrant's name cannot appear on any part of the entry.

Past Winners:

2024 - "Glass Half Full' - Ann Fulcher

2025 - "It Ain't Easy Being Green" - David "Buck" Buckwalter

2026 -"Elements" - Ann Fulcher

Margo Kent about 1958, first woman president of VPPA

Margo Kent in her home studio about 1998.

Photo taken by fellow VPPA member James Taylor (VPPA president 1975)

What is the Artisan of the Year Award?

This award was created by the 2023 Board of Directors to honor Margo Kent from Staunton, VA, the 1958 VPPA President, the first woman president of VPPA. She was well respected as an artist and was the first VPPA member to receive her Master of Photography degree from PPA (13th woman in PPA). In one of her editorial messages, Margo strongly advocated that professional appearance and demeanor were as important as the quality of the images for all who represent the VPPA. It was during her term that the Traveling Loan Collection began to be exhibited as a separate division, distinct from the general print display (both of which are retired today).

At Margo's direction, the Virginia degree and credit system was developed in 1962 to recognize exceptional ability in photography and service to the profession. By the 1960's Margo devoted a great deal of her time painting portraits or painting photographs, a specialty she developed.

Margo retired in 1981 and died in 2003 at the age of 88. Her art collection stands alone as the Augusta County Historical Society's largest collection to date.