Chasing the Dream: How I Became PPOC’s 2025 Commercial Photographer of the Year

This Year… My Year

Something BIG happened!

I’m beyond honoured to share that I was named Commercial Photographer of the Year by the PPOC for 2025.

Even writing that gives me chills.

This award is more than a title. It’s a culmination of years of hard work, creative risk-taking, and constant evolution. It’s every client who trusted me. Every colleague who encouraged me. Every quiet moment spent refining the craft I love. 

The Heart of the Competition

Each year, the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) hosts its Annual Image Competition, a juried exhibition that highlights the best photography from across the country. It’s not just about beautiful images - it’s about pushing the boundaries of creativity, technique, and storytelling. Pushing ourselves to be our absolute best.

The PPOC Image Salon is one of the most respected competitions in Canadian photography. It brings together work that is cutting-edge, original, and technically excellent. And for many of us in the industry, it represents a benchmark of success.

How the Judging Works

Behind the scenes, a group of master-level photographers - each having earned the Craftsman or Master of Photographic Arts designation - gather to evaluate over 800 submissions.

These jurors are highly trained, experienced professionals who judge with integrity and objectivity. They carefully assess each image, looking for that perfect balance of vision, impact, composition, and technical excellence. Only the strongest work is selected for inclusion.

A Career-Long Goal

I’ve been chasing this award my entire career.

For me, this wasn’t just another competition - it was a guiding star. Over the years, I’ve poured heart and soul into my work, submitting images that I hoped would resonate, would stand out, would speak.

Each entry was a piece of me. A reflection of what I’ve learned, what I’ve seen, and what I believe photography can do. Below are the four images that made this dream a reality. Every detail, every decision, every flicker of inspiration led here. I'm grateful for the craft and all it teaches me.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

To be recognized by such a respected organization, and by peers whose work I deeply admire, is humbling. I’m filled with gratitude - for the PPOC, the jurors, my community, and everyone who’s been part of this journey.

This win isn’t the finish line - it’s fuel. I can’t wait to keep creating, growing, and sharing what’s next.