2015 AIPP TASMANIAN PET PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Where to start in describing how i feel right now. I am still reeling from gaining this prestigious title and it really has not sunk in yet and probably won't for days. When i made the decision to enter the 2015 Aipp awards it was to make myself step out of my comfort zone, see how i was actually going, get advice and learn from being judged and critiqued from by far more experienced peers and if only i could pick up a Silver Award or something, that would be the icing in the cake. 
There i was, sitting in my armchair watching the live stream, next up was the Pet/Animal section, could i survive this, how gutted am i going to feel, wanting to watch but then not wanting to watch, next turned into NOW !
I saw the first image and my heart sank, it was good, i was out of my league, remember the reason you entered in the first place i thought. Then one of mine popped up and 77. I knew before i submitted it was not strong  but already printed and too late to change so no surprise on 77. A few images later then one of mine... deep breath....81 bingo, Silver Award..  woohoo.... right at that moment i really didn't care about the rest, i had entered  and i had a Silver Award, anything from there was a bonus...
And so i sat watching, feeling pretty damn pleased with myself and then Silver, Silver then the  GOLD !!! 
It was like i had won an Olymic event or something, Gold, Gold to Deb..... 
After doing a few laps around the house, cheering, fist pumping etc you can all imagine ( thankfully i was alone so no one could see my idiotic display) i just sat and breathed... 3 Silver and 1 Gold, how did that happen. Now what ? Then i start to have the belief i could actually win this, could I ???
Presuming the overall category winners would be announced later on that night at the presentation dinner which i didn't attend saying i just couldn't make it but really didn't go because i felt right out of my league, wasn't going to do any good anyway  and didn't want to look silly in a room full of amazingly talented people so it was easier to stay home, i just waited....
Then there is was a message, Deb, you have just been named 2015 Tasmanian Pet Photographer of the Year woohoooo
OMG was my initial response followed by screaming, followed by another lap around the room, followed by tears.
Never in a million year would i have thought this possible. 4 years ago if you had of told me in the year 2015 i would be sitting here writing all about this i would have laughed at you and told you not to be so ridiculous. But here i am writing, still in shock and trying to get my head around what i have achieved.

I would like to congratulate all of you wonderful photographers that entered, entered and picked up some awards and entered and won their categories. Each and every one of you are amazing, talented, inspiring individuals whose talent and knowledge is incredible and i feel humble just know you and seeing your work.
To the Aipp and all the hardworking people that put these events together and make it happen from setups to judges to the people on the ground, thankyou for your time and energy.

To my family who i constantly drive crazy and annoy with my camera but who put up with me and love & support me anyway, thankyou and much love from the bottom of my heart x.
To all my friends near and far, your never ending care and support  means a lot and keeps me motivated. mwah x
And to some special friends close to me who told me it was OK to believe in myself you have my never ending thankyou x

You have to dream hard, wish big and chase your dreams
Because no one is going to do it for you