By Jasmine Franklin
A versatile photographer has earned her second provincial award from the Professional Photographers of Canada Alberta.
Tamie Campbell was awarded with a prestigious provincial award and three national nominations for photography based out of her Ponoka home business.
“It seems like the camera is always in my hand,” Campbell said. “Winning these awards is huge — it’s an honour to be able to compete with your peers in this fashion and reach that level of competing side-by-side and coming out on top.”
Her award-winning photograph entitled “Spirit of the West,” captures a moment of pure emotion in one of her horses.
“I was just out one time going to see my horses and caught this moment of it running,” she said.
The photo won the Best in Class Award for the animal wild or domestic category. She won the same award in 2005 with a different photo.
Taking an interest in photography since a young age, Campbell took a few night classes to sharpen her skills but most of her talent, she says, is natural. Campbell shoots weddings, animals, portraits, fine art photos and mostly anything she can focus her lens on.
“I’m living my dream right now,” she said. “But I do hope to continue working really hard to take this as far as I can. There is always more to learn and a new level to reach.”
Campbell produces her work in a home studio but hopes to one day have her own separate business space as her photography continues to expand all across Alberta with some clients from out-of-province.
Campbell’s portraits are well received at local functions including Ponoka’s latest casino night where one of her prints sold for more than $600 with the money donated toward the Alberta High School Rodeo Finals Committee and the Blindman Rodeo Club.
One of Campbell’s prints will also be up for auction at Ponoka’s Victim Services Gala April 17.
“I’m trying to give back to the community through photography,” Campbell said. “Photography is not my job, it’s my passion.”
To view some of Campbell’s work, visit www.tamiecampbellphotography.com