Monday 1 February, 2010 – A collection of the greatest Australian photography is set to make its way to Cairns this month as part of the Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (or ‘APPAs’) Travelling Exhibition.  Featuring in the exhibition are prints by Cairns resident and 2009 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year, Charmaine Heyer.

655 professional photographers from around Australia entered 2,459 prints vying for the highly coveted and esteemed title of Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year which, in June of last year was awarded to Charmaine.  More than fifty of Australia’s finest photographers spent three days determining the winner and more than 150 volunteers from around the country made the highly involved judging process happen.

Charmaine works with her partner in life and in business, Peter Rossi.  Peter and Charmaine are the first couple to have taken out the prestigious Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year:  Charmaine in 2009 and Peter in 2001.   Together they operate Highlights Photography in Cairns.

Their approach to photography is to tell thought provoking stories through their images.  Charmaine loves the challenge and excitement that comes with adding an element of magic or mystery to their work.

‘Winning such a celebrated award was confirmation to me, if you really focus on what you want, anything is possible.  My subjects, who starred in my images, have been wonderful in providing input, patience and a desire to create something special,’ says Charmaine.

As artists, Charmaine and Peter feel they need to capture something more than just a visual record of people - how they feel, where they've come from and the message they want to illustrate for themselves and to the world.

In the above image entitled, ‘Beyond the Mask’, Charmaine explains, ‘Through this image I wanted to demonstrate the inner beauty that is often hidden behind a mask.  Modern life, with its pursuit of perfection is so focused on the outer beauty, and not about the other facets of beauty we all have within.’

‘Through discussion with our subject we discovered the woman had won a beauty pageant years prior to her accident and still had her winning sash.  I felt instantly that this could be the concept that would tell her story,’ continues Charmaine.

‘We really strive to entertain and make the viewer ask questions and become involved.  Hence, the addition of a frame with an inscribed mirror and dates on the sash changing; giving a sense of a shift in time and attitude.  The challenge was making a pictorial statement to display this message,’ says Charmaine.

More than one hundred photographs by Australia’s most recognised professional photographers will be on display in the free exhibition which commences Saturday 13th February 2010 at Cairns’ DFO Shopping Centre.  The images will remain on display until Saturday 27^th February before continuing on their way around the country until June 2010.  A wide variety of images will make up the exhibition including landscape, portrait, wedding, press, science, nature and environmental, commercial and documentary photography.

For a full list of category winners and to view winning images, visit www.aipp.com.au.

Other locations will include Adelaide, Launceston, the Whitsundays and Melbourne.

Exhibition details:

For further information visit www.aipp.com.au