About the PPOC Image Salon

Every year, during the Canadian Imaging Conference, PPOC holds an awards banquet to celebrate the best of the PPOC image competition and announce the PPOC Photographer of the Year recipients. Images submitted to the image competition are judged by a panel of jurors to determine those worthy of being accepted into the PPOC Salon Exhibition. Images selected for inclusion in the Salon receive a score of “Accepted”, those which stand above the rest receive “Merit” and the small number which are deemed to be truly exceptional images are awarded the prestigious score of “Excellence”.

Photographer of the Year Awards

The Canadian Photographer of the Year Awards reflect the various disciplines within the field of photography and include national designations for Commercial Photographer of the Year, Portrait Photographer of the Year, Wedding Photographer of the Year and Photographic Artist of the Year. The winner of each designation is chosen from the top scoring entries based on aggregate rating of four accepted photographs in the appropriate categories. Photographer of the Year winners are selected by a panel of judges that bases its decision on overall impact, technical merit, composition, presentation and overall variety of skills exhibited. Winners receive a crystal trophy, wood plaque, and thanks to the generosity of sponsors, a cash award. Their work is also displayed on the PPOC website and they receive a feature article in the printed edition of Gallerie Magazine.

  • The Commercial Photographer of the Year
  • The Portrait Photographer of the Year
  • The Wedding Photographer of the Year
  • The Photographic Artist of the Year
Master Award

The Master’s Image Competition was created in an effort to encourage Master photographers to compete against other Master of Photographic Arts recipients. The intention is also to encourage non-MPA’s to continue to strive towards a higher level of achievement.

In addition to the regular Image Competition entry each Master of Photographic Art’s entrant may submit one image in this specific competition. The images are judged in the regular competition categories and the finalists are selected from the top-scoring entries of the Master’s competition. One single image will be selected overall and the maker will receive the prestigious Master’s Image competition award. The winner receives a trophy and their work is featured on the PPOC website and in Gallerie Magazine.

Best In Class Award

Accredited PPOC members may submit up to four Image Competition images in any of the 21 categories, including two album categories. Top scoring images in each category become finalists for an award. All finalists are judged by the jurors and an overall award winner is selected. The winner in each category receives a trophy and their work is featured on the PPOC website and in Gallerie Magazine.

The Wedding Album Award recognizes the overall talents of photographers who work in this field. Each entry is judged under similar conditions to regular print entries and the winning album is selected by a panel of judges that bases its decision on story content, overall impact, technical merit, composition and presentation. The winner receives a trophy and their work is featured on the PPOC website and in Gallerie Magazine.

The Feature Album Award allows for the presentation of images depicting a subject or occasion. Each entry is judged under similar conditions to regular print entries and the winning album is selected by a panel of judges that bases its decision on image content, as well as overall quality of design, flow and impact. The winner receives a trophy and their work is featured on the PPOC website and in Gallerie Magazine

Loan Collection

At the completion of the PPOC Image Competition 40 of the top scoring images are selected based on overall impact, technical merit, composition, and presentation. These images cover a cross section of competition categories and become the PPOC Loan Collection, which represents the best of Canadian photography.

Student Awards

Student PPOC members and students at recognized professional photography schools may submit up to two Image Competition images in any of the 18 categories. Top scoring student images are then judged in the following categories: General, Commercial, Portrait/Wedding and Outstanding Student Image. The winner in each category receives a certificate, a cash award, and their work is featured on the PPOC website and in Gallerie Magazine.