Ken Drake has been named 2017 AIPP QLD Epson Professional Photographer of the Year. Run annually in every state by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), the awards are sponsored by Epson. To be eligible for the title of Professional Photographer of the Year in each state, photographers must first win a category. Drake was the winner of the pet/animal category. More than 140 entrants submitted a collective of 701 of images to be judged.
Owner of Zoo Studios, Ken Drake has received numerous awards for his photography and is a keen advocate for animal welfare “in all its guises”, and a proud supporter of animal welfare charities. This year he has produced a book, Pawtraits – a collection of images of dogs and their owners – with 100 percent of the royalties going to the RSPCA QLD.
Drake, who is “the proud dad” of two dogs, several cats, and a clutch of chickens, has been recognised for his animal portraiture all over the world, with his work extensively published both locally and internationally.
The state awards also act as a stepping stone to the AIPP’s national awards for professional print photography, the APPAs (the Australian Professional Photography Awards). State awards entrants must receive 80 points and above for at least two of their images to be eligible to enter the APPAs.
2017 AIPP QLD EPSON Professional Photography Awards recipients
- Professional Photographer of the Year – Ken Drake
- Commercial Photographer of the Year – Matthew Gianoulis
- Documentary Photographer of the Year – Liz Harlin
- Family Photographer of the Year – Andrea Thompson
- Illustrative Photographer of the Year – Kris Anderson
- Landscape Photographer of the Year – Peter Rossi
- Newborn Photographer of the Year – Elizabeth Reeves
- Portrait Photographer of the Year – Forough Yavari
- Pet/Animal Photographer of the Year – Ken Drake
- Travel Photographer of the Year – Selena Rollason
- Wedding Photographer of the Year – Andy Zheng
- Emerging Photographer of the Year – Shane McCaffery
- Student Photographer of the Year – Tim Marshall
- Highest Scoring Print – Elizabeth Reeves
- Signature Worthy Award – Peter Rossi
- Print Handler Award – Melanie McNiven
