APPA 2015 - My First Time

APPA - Australian Professional Photography Awards. 
It's now gone one week since my very first APPA entries were judged and one week to reflect on how i went, where i went wrong, what i achieved.
I hear other photographers say judging was tough this year, the toughest ever and i just have to take their word for it as i was an APPA virgin so to speak going in. First time entrant at this prestigious national level.
As a (i must say unexpectant) state category winner i gained entry then my next biggest decision was what to enter. Obviously the Pet/Animal category was always going to the one for me but what images, did i go with those ones i had won awards with at state level or did i go with something new and different. Making that decision, choosing four images i think was the hardest thing i have ever had to decide.Sunny and Skye, the two girls i had won Gold with at state level. I adore their goofy faces so how could i not.
Tho Gold at state level this image picked up a Silver Distinction. Disappointed ?? NO.. this was at National level so i welcomed anything with open arms. Quietly chuffed.

My second image i entered was Peigi whose happy smiling face picked me up a Silver Award and i was over the moon about that. Peigi was new and had never been judged before. 

I had two other images which were scored at professional standard with scores at 73 and 75.. 
I was disappointed here on two levels, not so much with the scores but i guess eveyone has been there, made the decision, printed, labelled, sent off then seconded guessed.
The Grafitti Dog image i personally love and i was hoping the judges would connect the overuse of colour clouds, grungy editing to the strong proud look of this dog owning this skatepark but i think it was missed. I see it tho so i guess that counts.
My last image i entered was to show connection, a moment, a love... but now looking back and looking at all the other entries i now know it was a weak image, not award worthy but still a standard award just the same. Personally knowing the subject i guess gives it a little more meaning, i see his expression and i know what it means for him but in a judging environment Rammy is an unknown so his expression and lead up to this image is lost.

What did i learn from this first time experience.. Not to over think, go with what feels right and not be afraid to put yourself out there for the world to see. 
I now have a far better understanding of where i am, where i sit, what i want to achieve in the future and have learned i am actually a great photographer in the scheme of things ( yes a bit of self praise never hurt anyone) and i am proud of my efforts.
Congratulations to everyone who entered regardless of how you went. It's not easy to put yourself in the limelight, awesome work people
Looking forward to next year, i'm chasing bigger and better