The 2017 Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA) was held in Melbourne, and it’s time to share the results. I can still feel the excitement of 3 days watching the judging, trade show, an absolutely wonderful wrap up party and Gala dinner party. Thanks to everyone who made this happen, all the volunteers, judges, sponsors, and everyone who entered into this VERY exciting competition.

Entering into APPA means planning and working on your images from months before and enter them into the state awards for being judged to find out their weaknesses so you can rectify and get them ready. This simply shows how much time, creativity and effort is used from everyone and the best proof for that was all those great pieces of art hanging on the display walls outside of the judging rooms. Being among such great artists and creative photographers and watching all those images judged is an incredible experience and I feel so honored to be part of this family.

This year I entered my prints into portrait category which is my absolute passion and love, and I am very happy with the results: one gold (90), a silver with distinction (85) and 2 silvers (84 and 83).

I would like to share the stories behind my images, and today I’ll start with my favourite photo: “Requiem for Freedom”.

The idea behind this image came many years ago when I was watching a BBC program about Afghan women who were covered with burqa, their life and their rights after Taliban got power in Afghanistan

I remember they were sitting in front of the camera completely covered except few brave ones you could see their sad faces talking about what happened to them. I quickly took couple of photos of TV with my phone.

After maybe 10 years, and during all the conflicts in the middle east I finally found the concept of how to show their story: living under the power of religion in a masculinist society.

To me this photo is kind of a statement against extremism, and the power of men and the way they treat their women in those societies! I am simply questioning the authority of those male dominated cultures suppressing the freedom of speech and appearance of the women.

This photo brought me home a Gold in AIPP QLD State Awards, a Gold in APPA and Second Place in WPPI Portrait First Half 2017.