07/02/2024
THE “MILLE” AWARD
This prestigious award was presented to me in May at the WPPA Convention by Mary Mortensen, who was the first to receive The "Mille: Award.
What an exciting end to an evening!
It is a great honor and privilege to be recognized for this achievement. Each of the previous recipients has given so much of their time and talents as educators, mentors, and volunteers.
This award is a “Service” award, not a “Print” award. The intent of this award is to recognize an individual for their passion for success and outstanding performance.
Here are Mille's recommendations as guidelines for selection:
A WPPA member for 10 years or more who has demonstrated a commitment to their education and advancement.
The recipient must hold at least one PPA Photographic Degree - evidence that this individual has unselfishly given their time and talents to help others excel in the profession of photography.
Mille had been a tremendous role model to so many of our members. Early on, she was a pioneer as a woman in a man’s profession.
She invested in herself by studying under the Masters', and developing her own unique style. Her business grew from a small basement studio to a prominent business in a historic schoolhouse.
She challenged herself by entering print competitions, winning numerous awards, earning her Master, Craftsmen, and ASP degrees, and then passing her knowledge on through teaching, judging, and mentoring her peers. She could take a 65 print and with cropping and matting, transform it to a merit image. Even in her “golden years” she continued to enter prints and attend seminars. Her passion for the art of photography will never wane.
It’s by this standard the "Mille Achievement Award" should be bestowed to a WPPA member who patterns their life on Mille’s example.
Presented to Jamie Steeno, M.Photog, CPP, H.Fellow-WPPA on May 18, 2024.
