Lensbaby is known for making offbeat lenses that can get a even the most jaded photographer’s creative juices flowing and set out to prove this by running their first Senior Style Portrait Contest. They have just announced the winners.
Kristin Villano of Kristanne V. Photography in Westminster, CO won first place (see photo, above). Second prize went to Mandy Lynne of Mandy Lynne Photography,in Springfield, MO, while Jess Bishop of Photography by Jess, based in Cedar Hills, UT won third place.
The winners recieved a package of prizes, with the grand prize winner getting a Canon 5D Mark II.
You can view all entries here.
For details, read the Lensbaby press release:
Lensbaby Announces the Winners of its Senior Style Portrait Photo Contest
The top three winners chosen from hundreds of creative submissions
Portland, OR – November 8, 2011 – Lensbaby, manufacturer of creative effects camera lenses, announces today the top three winners in its inaugural Senior Style Portrait Contest. The contest drew submissions from photographers all over the world and showed a tremendous movement in creative portraits that truly capture a subject’s uniqueness and spirit.
Lensbaby is known for unlocking creativity within a photographer to produce spectacular and unique images, so they asked photographers to submit photographs from their senior portrait sessions that showed this in action. The world of portrait photography is highly competitive and the images submitted showed that many photographers are opting for more unique images to set themselves apart.
In order to celebrate and reward outstanding, forward-looking Senior Portrait photography, Lensbaby put together a contest full of exceptional prizes, with a Canon 5D Mark II camera being one of many valuable items in the grand prize package.
A panel of expert judges, which included Holli True, Lindsay Adler and Matt & Meghan Feyerabend with Aus 10- Photoartists, sifted through all the submitted images and chose three winners that captured the essence of using a Lensbaby lens.
First Place: Kristin Villano of Kristanne V. Photography, based in Westminster, CO
“This image is successful because of the pose, Lensbaby effect, and expression,” said judge Lindsay Adler. “As with any good portrait, the expression of the subject is key to the image’s success. Her smile here is genuine and glowing. The Lensbaby was used successfully in this image to help create a dream-like scene. The bottom of the dress almost melts away into the field. Finally, the pose is playful and fun. The negative space and triangles in the pose make it dynamic. Put these three ingredients together and you get a successful portrait!”
Second Place: Mandy Lynne of Mandy Lynne Photography, based in Springfield, MO
“We loved the creative aperture in this image and the soft, ethereal feel”, said the Aus 10 Photoartists judges. “This is truly a one of a kind senior image that perfectly brings together lighting, posing and mood into a gorgeous piece of art. We always find ourselves so concerned about focus and being able to see the face of the subject in portraiture, but the Lensbaby helps to beautifully and gracefully break all rules and create something very special!”
Third Place: Jess Bishop of Photography by Jess, based in Cedar Hills, UT
“I was immediately drawn to this image for many reasons and knew instantly that it would be one of my top picks,” said judge Holli True. “I love the indy vibe this picture gives off, the post-processing treatment, her pose and expression all work together perfectly. Despite there being several elements in this shot, the dynamic blur directs your eyes right to her. This image is the amazing result of the power of Lensbaby.”
