PPA presents a number of awards recognizing the service and contributions of individuals to the profession as a whole. Below is a list of past and current PPA Awards. For a Directory of Award Recipients, click here.

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS are divided into Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. They are presented to individuals who demonstrate excellence in their craft and earn tremendous achivements at PPA's International Print Competition.

GEORGE W. HARRIS AWARD is presented to individuals for distinguished service to photography. Mr. Harris specified that “the medal be a token of high esteem to an individual who by his ability, ingenuity and gracious sharing of his talents has bequeathed to photography an achievement of service of far reaching value.” Only twenty medals were struck, and the award is not necessarily conferred each year. All medals have been awarded as of 2005.

ROSS SANDDAL INTERNATIONAL AWARD is presented to individuals who have made major contributions is promoting and developing professional photography on an international level. As of 2005, 14 have been awarded.

HONORARY MASTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY

GERHARD BAKKER AWARD may be presented annually to an individual, school, company or organization who best epitomizes outstanding service through education in the field of photography and visual communications. The award is not necessarily conferred each year, and a maximum of 25 may be given. As of 2005, 16 have been awarded.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD is presented to an individual whose life’s work has enriched our profession.

DIRECTORS AWARD is conferred by the Board of Directors of the PPA to individuals in recognition of outstanding service to professional photography performed usually through Association service. This award was established in 1958, and is not necessarily awarded each year.

PPA JURORS MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD will be given in recognition of outstanding service to the profession and dedication to the improvement of the Professional Photographers of America, Inc. International Print Competition and Annual International Exhibition of Professional Photography, and is not necessarily conferred each year. This was renamed the Harold Bovee PPA Jurors Meritorious Service Award in 2000 so only 25 awards may be presented. As of 1/05, 6 have been awarded.

HELEN K. YANCY AWARD will be presented to individuals for distinguished service to photography. The Award shall be a token of high esteem to an individual who by their ability, ingenuity and gracious sharing of talents has bequeathed to photography an achievement of service of far reaching value. The award is not necessarily conferred each year, and a maximum of 25 may be given.

CHARLES H. (BUD) HAYNES AWARD is presented in recognition of distinguished service to PPA and its members for encouraging business awareness and practices in the field of professional image-making. The award is not necessarily conferred each year, and a maximum of 25 may be given.

PPA CHARITIES LEGACY AWARD recognizes outstanding service and commitment to PPA Charities and philanthropic endeavors.

VENDOR OF THE YEAR AWARD is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to PPA and the photographic industry. Nominations for this award are made and approved by the Board of Directors. No input from the Awards Committee is necessary. The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may choose to award multiple Vendor of the Year Awards in a given year.

The NATIONAL AWARD is provided by the PPA to national, regional and international affiliated associations which confer this special honor in recognition of a outstanding service to professional photography per- formed by an individual usually in the association's region. Recipients are selected by the affiliated association. Click here to view the list of National award recipients (PDF).

The IMAGING EXCELLENCE AWARD recognizes those individuals who have obtained their master's degree in photography and continue to excel in their profession and succeed in PPA's International Print Competition. To be eligible for this honor, an entrant must hold a master's degree from PPA and have had a minimum of 13 images accepted into the PPA Loan Collection.  Click here to view the list of Imaging Excellence award recipients (PDF).

The IMAGING EXCELLENCE BAR was created to honor rare accomplishments in PPA competition. Such a rare accomplishment will be designated by the IE Bar for every 13 additional Loan Merits earned. Both the Award and the Bar have been exquisitely designed by PPA member Kaye Frey and will be distinguished by their black lacquer finish with a central stone and gold trim. Click here to view the list of Imaging Excellence Bar award recipients (PDF).