It's That Time of Year Again

What time of year, you say? CPOY time.

For the uninitiated, that's College Photographer of the Year, an international competition for photography students that is in its 66th year. I've been lucky to attend three years of judging; I learn something every year I go.

This year, like all the years before, it was something that I procrastinated in choosing so that it came down to the absolute deadline before I turned them in. So my blood is pumping and the adrenaline is going and then I press submit.

But, unlike last year, I submitted things in several categories. I'm sure, like last year, I won't win anything, but that's okay. Really.

Picture Story: Kasey Ryan

One of the other stories that I thought about submitting, but ran out of time to do so, was on Kasey Ryan, a recently-divorced woman who was embarking on several new beginnings in her life: beyond being newly single, she was opening a new restaurant and had recently gotten baptized into a new faith. This picture story highlights her journey:


Kasey Ryan unpacks some of her glassware as she works to ready her new business on Sept. 24, 2009. Recently divorced, Ryan recently decided to open a restaurant as an extension of her catering business as a means of supporting her family of 4 children.


Ryan (right) scrubs a window clean as her friends from her church group help clean and organize in preparation for her restaurant's opening in 2 weeks. The restaurant will be an expansion of Ryan's catering business.

Picture Story: Motherhood, Second Time Around

Pictures I submitted as part of a picture story featuring Tammy Kelliehan, a 41-year-old grandmother caring for her five grandchildren. Her daughter had health issues and became overwhelmed after the birth of a second set of twins, giving her 5 children 5 and under, so Tammy took them in.


A brief respite for Tammy as the two sets of twins guzzle their juice. From left: Keyah, Eric, Erykah, Tammy, and Kylah.


Tammy herds the twins away from the front door. They were attempting to go outside and join their "Papaw" as he was mowing the grass.

Picture Story: Blood Donor Dogs

One of the picture stories that I submitted to CPOY was about the dogs who donate blood for patients of MU's Veterinary Hospital. I interviewed Matt Haight, the coordinator for the program.


Blondie the greyhound peers out of her kennel at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine on Nov. 12, 2009. Blondie and her four kennel mates provide blood for transfusions for the College hospital's patients.


Matt Haight, the coordinator for the blood donor dog program at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine, takes some of the greyhounds out for a run and chasing the ball on Dec. 2, 2009. Besides times like this, the dogs are walked twice daily by volunteers.

A Few of My Entries for CPOY

CPOY, or the College Photographer of the Year competition, was founded by Cliff and Vi Edom in 1945. It's one of my favorite things about attending the master's program at MU. More than 600 students from 130 colleges and universities participate in the hopes of getting a nod. But what I really love about it is getting to hear the judges, well-known professionals in the field, discuss the works submitted and the field in general. Last year's judges included Barry Locher, Seth Gitner, Nicole Frugé, Lara Solt and Zach Wise. I walk away from every category's judging with little nuggets to apply to my own craft. And ideas for projects that I'm interested in doing.

The deadline for entries was October 5th at 11:59:59 pm. So, when I was working on my submission, I was one of those people who was trying to upload at the last minute and who overwhelmed the system. It was really frustrating. I kept getting these errors and my images wouldn't load, and then I couldn't submit them, because I advertently didn't get my permission code. So at 12 midnight, I surrendered to the fact that I had nothing entered in CPOY this year. Which was a bummer, because I had some stuff this year that I really liked. But I was at peace with the whole thing. I mean, I could feel frustrated because it always seems to happen where I just need 1 more hour, despite how I plan...

But then today, I checked my e-mail and discovered that I had until 11:59:59 pm on October 6th to submit my images. I wasn't sure if that meant submitting what was on the site or if I could upload more. But I figured that I would try it (the uploading part) and if it was out of bounds, then they just wouldn't allow it. When I was about to finish and submit my stuff, I discovered this message (right) on the home page. So it all was going to go! I didn't get to turn in everything I planned on, but I got to turn in some of what I wanted to. I feel very grateful that I was able to at least submit *something.* Fingers are crossed that I at least get a nod (like make it into the second round of judging). I have a 1:600 chance.

So here's some of the images I chose:

In the General News catergory:


To inaugurate the opening of a new and larger building, members of Columbia Second Chance's board cut a giant yellow ribbon, on April 20, 2010. A no-kill shelter, the new facility is twice the size of the animal rescue's previous location, enabling them to help more "second-hand" pets.

Something that Inspires Me

Just want to post a picture from a photo story that really inspires me:



I'm really interested in the Middle East, since my parents live there (Saudi Arabia). Hearing their stories and getting a peek into Arab culture, as well as knowing Palestinians and *knowing* what goes on in Palestine, it really caught my interest. I also like it because it's well-shot.

Dominic Nahr won gold for this international picture story at the 62nd CPOY competition. I really wanted his portfolio to win gold, too, but they chose a guy who did a story on Skatopia. I didn't like his story as much, but that's judges at CPOY for you (chipmunk).