American Advertising Award-Winning Photography
The work is its own reward, but awards are nice
Every commercial photographer has reasons for choosing this path. I do it because I 100 percent love it.
I love the challenge of puzzling over angles and light. Of using both the creative and analytical sides of my brain. The thrill of getting a rare shot by being in the right place at exactly the right time.
But I also shoot because I enjoy making clients happy. I like seeing their wide-eyed looks when they review shots I’ve captured. And knowing that on some level, my work is helping their businesses grow.
And every now and again, the work I love to do gets a different kind of love in return.
I’d Like to Thank the Academy…
A few weeks ago, the advertising industry recognized four images I produced for Paruch Automotive Craftsmanship as being award-worthy. Three judges from across the country awarded the four shots with a Silver ADDY in the category of Elements of Advertising – Photo Stills as part of the American Advertising Awards AAF-Fox River.
Winning an ADDY is a pretty big deal in the ad world. With nearly 40,000 entries from across the country, the American Advertising Awards are the industry’s largest and most represented competition for creative excellence.
Winning regionally is the first step in a three-tiered national competition that’s conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation. My silver-winning project now advances to a four-state district competition, with the opportunity to again advance to the national award level.
Not bad for four hardworking pics of some hardworking people.
Capturing the Spirit of Restoration Craftsmanship
The hands, hearts, and minds behind the Paruch Automotive team have restored some of the most coveted and highly valued cars in the world.
Skilled craftsmen, they invest all their energies in, under, and around classic car projects.
Owner Austin Paruch wanted photography that would match the level of their passion for the work.
I shot the talented team in their automotive workshop in late February 2020, right before the world came to a screeching halt. Gritty and genuine, their love of all things automotive shines through.
Driven by the Work
Winning awards is never the reason for what I do. Instead, like Austin and his team, it’s the passion that drives me.
But I’m not going to lie; it feels pretty darn gratifying to have industry professionals recognize my work as excellent.
You can watch the entire awards show here on AAF-Fox River’s YouTube channel.
Need to capture what drives your team or business? Call my agent…just kidding. I haven’t gone Hollywood over my ADDY Award. Give me a call or drop me a line.
More about the AAF-Fox River Ad Club: The club is the preeminent resource to the advertising and communications community in Northeast Wisconsin. Membership includes professionals in advertising, marketing, sales, public relations, broadcast production, photography, graphic design, media, printing, and internet/multi-media services. I have volunteered as the club’s photographer for the past four years and currently serve on the board as programming chairman.