Are you ready for the World Photographic Cup?! This May, 30 countries are competing in the highly-anticipated international event co-founded by PPA, the World Photographic Cup. 

The national teams, including two-time winner Team USA, will be vying to take the cup from two-time, reigning champ Portugal. This year's list of registered countries spans from the U.S. to Pakistan, Singapore to Spain. For all things WPC including galleries of competing images, visit WorldPhotographicCup.org.

Today we'd like to shine the spotlight on a Team USA member and creator of the below image in the Portrait category: Erich Caparas!

Erich Caparas was born in the Philippines but grew up in Northern Virginia /Washington DC area. He has a degree in Economics and Engineering. Professionally, he worked as a graphics designer/photographer in Washington DC and New York. He started photography in 1977, way before digital, back in the film days and did all his film processing and darkroom work.

Erich is quick to admit being lucky to be on the forefront of the digital age. He beta-tested Photoshop and consulted with them when they introduced layers in 1993-94. Being on the cutting edge of technology gave him an opportunity to work with some of the best clients in the industry. Notable ones include National Geographic, Mobil, Smithsonian Institution, Discovery Channel, Victoria Secret, Ringling Brothers / Barnum and Bailey, Siegfried and Roy, and the White House.

Erich has kept his techniques and skills up to date and shares his 40 years of experience in photography in workshops. "I travel around the world teaching both amateur and professional photographers to take their photography to the next level," he says.

Erich's notable accolades, awards, and achievements:

Becker Memorial Award for Creative Photography, 2017Highest Gold Award - Photographer of the Year 2017 from The Societies of Photographers (SWPP, UK)Diamond Photographer of the Year from Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and International Photography Contest (IPC) 2017Selected by Team USA for World Photographic Cup, 2017Named Top Photographer of the Year (Overall), Commercial Photographer of the Year & Digital Illustration Photographer of the Year in Master Photographers International (MPI) Competition, 2017.7 trophies at the Prestigious WPPI Print Competition in Las Vegas including the WPPI Grand Award Winner for 2016 Members Online Competition Creative Division - Feb 2017International Master Photographer of the Year & Overseas Master Photographer of the Year in Master Photographers Association (MPA), UK, 2016/2017Awarded Top Photographer of the Year (Overall), Commercial Photographer of the Year, Portrait Photographer of the Year & Digital Illustration Photographer of the Year in Master Photographers International (MPIO) Competition, 2016Awarded Photographer of the Year in 4 categories in The Societies of Photographers, London, 20x16 Print Competition 2016WPPI Grand Award Winner Online Competition, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS, ERICH! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU & THE REST OF TEAM USA!

The winner of the World Photographic Cup will be announced at the WPC Awards Ceremony at Sea World, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, on May 5, 2018. For more information on the World Photographic Cup, and to view the finalist images from around the world, visit WorldPhotographicCup.org