Your Best Shot 2017 Judges – Top 25

We have now moved on to the next level of our contest Your Best Shot of 2017. We have asked some amazing, award-winning photography judges to lend their expertise in helping us narrow down the top 100 images to the top 25.  With years of experience behind them, they offer some great insight and skill into choosing the best. Here are the Your Best Shot 2017 Judges.

Audrey Wancket owns the high-end portrait studio, Wancket Studios in Spring Grove, Illinois.  She is a Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman and a Certified Professional Photographer. And if that was not enough, she’s been a member of Professional Photographers of America since 1987 and currently sits on the Board. She also has images which scored a perfect 100. Ready to see the awards she’s won? Here are just a few:
2012, 2013 Canon Par Excellence Award
2011, 2013 Photographer of the Year, Professional Photographers of America’s North Central District
2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013“Kodak Gallery Award”
2000, 2004“Best of Show” – Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois
1996, 1998, 2006, 2007“Best Portrait” – Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois
1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 “Top 10 Photographer” – Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois
1998, 2002, 2004, 2007“Regional Medallion Award” – American Society of Photographers
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Loan Collection Portraits” – Professional Photographers of America
1996, 2000, 2004 “Masterpiece” award – Fujifilm
Check out her website HERE to be inspired.

Kim Ackerman owns Vogue Portrait Studio out of Edwardsville, Illinois. She has been, taking professional portraits for 16 years and is also a speaker.  Mentoring has become a new passion for Kim as she creates designs and teaches couture styling classes. She also instructs posing, lighting, and editing. Boudoir, fashion/couture, and glamour are her favorite topics to teach. She speaks at Shutterfest and offers workshops in boudoir and fashion posing.  You can find her beautiful work HERE. 
 

Neil Kiekhofer has been shooting weddings for over 21 years. He is one of the owners and co-founders of Front Room Photography based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His vision, passion, and excitement for his work are legendary.  He has received numerous awards for his photography and continues to work diligently with non profit organizations in and around the Milwaukee area. You can check out his work HERE.
Thank you, Audrey, Kim and Neil for your expertise. The top 25 images will be released on our Instagram account on Tuesday, May 8th.