Jury Chair: Angela Hughes

Judges: Rick Avalos, Lisa Dillon, Jeff Johnson, Corey McDonald

Number of Images: 135

Number of entrants: 20

Judging: June 30 2025

Host: PrintCompetition.com

Image Competition Chair: Chris Kendrick

2025 Image Competition Results

Photographer of Year
Master

The Photographer of the Year, Master, is bestowed upon the master photographer who has earned their Master's Degree with the National PPA and achieved the highest cumulative top 4 case score. This prestigious recognition celebrates this accomplished photographer's exceptional talent, expertise, and consistency. By evaluating their performance across their four best cases, MOPPA honors the photographer who has consistently delivered outstanding imagery, showcasing their mastery of the craft.

Doug Thomsen

Photographer of Year
Non-Master

Photographer of the Year, Non-Master, is the photographer who achieves the highest cumulative top 4 case score. This prestigious accolade recognizes the outstanding talent, consistency, and dedication displayed by a photographer who has not yet attained the status of a PPA master. By evaluating their performance across their four best cases, we honor the photographer who has demonstrated exceptional skill and artistic vision in capturing remarkable images.

Aloha Kelly

Best In Show
Master

Going Feet First!

The Best In Show, Master, is the photographer who holds the esteemed status of a master by earning their Master's Degree with the National PPA and achieving the highest scoring image. This prestigious accolade celebrates the mastery of the craft demonstrated by this accomplished photographer. It recognizes their exceptional skill, technical expertise, and artistic vision, which result in capturing the most captivating and impactful image of the competition.

Doug Thomsen

Best In Show
Non-Master

Obscura

The Best In Show, Non-Master, is the photographer who has submitted the highest-scoring image and does not have a Master’s certification from PPA. This esteemed accolade highlights their ability to create captivating and impactful imagery that stands out among the competition.

Aloha Kelly

Missouri Top Ten

The Top Ten photographers based on their cumulative top 4 case score, recognizing those with the highest overall performance. This prestigious accolade showcases the exceptional skills, creativity, and consistency demonstrated by these photographers.

Angi Landis

Danny Wilson
Patty Ingalls
Aloha Kelly
Dean Specker

Samantha Dittmann Struemph
Doug Thomsen
Lori Probst
Ann Aurbach
Lori Hahn

Reflections of Desire by Samantha Dittmann Struemph

Reign of Red by Samantha Dittmann Struemph

Contour of Confidence by Samantha Dittmann Struemph

Ummm, May I Have This Dance? by Lori Hahn

Remembering a Fallen Comrade by Doug Thomsen

Best of Sub-Categories

Photographers who have achieved a score of 80 or above on an image within a specific subcategory. The judges will engage in a head-to-head discussion for each category, deliberating and determining the winner of each subcategory through a majority vote.

Portrait of Senior - Still. Strong. Sure. by Lori Probst

Portrait of Woman - Obscura by Aloha Kelly

Portrait of Domestic Animal - Velvet Gaze by Michelle Huelsman

Illustrative Scenic Landscape - Red, White and Blue by Ann Aurbach

Illustrative Wild Animal - Silent Danger by Danny Wilson

Illustrative Still Life - Morning Dew by Ann Aurbach

Illustrative Cityscape - Beyond the Pane by Doug Thomsen

Reportage Sports - The Finish by Patty Ingalls

Reportage Straight-out-of-camera - The Tackle by Jeff Brown

Newcomer Award

The Tackle

Awarded to the highest scoring image submitted by a first-time entrant from a MOPPA member.

Jeff Brown

Non-Member Award

Matrix Moves

Highest scoring image submitted and is not a member of MOPPA.

Julie Schlette

4 For 4

"4 For 4” are participants who submit four or more images, with the top four images earning a score of 80 or above. This recognition celebrates the high level of excellence these individuals demonstrate in their submissions. By achieving a consistently exceptional scores across their case, these photographers showcase their remarkable talent and mastery of the craft. These winners are presented with a “4 for 4” MOPPA pin.

Ann Auerbach
Patty Ingalls
Aloha Kelly

Doug Thomsen

Samantha Dittmann Struemph
Angi Landis

Judges Choice

The Judges Choice Awards are presented to one image selected by each judge as their personal accolade, regardless of its merit. These awards provide an opportunity for the judges to express their individual preferences and highlight the image that resonates with them on a personal level. It's important to note that the selection is not based solely on technical or artistic merits but rather on the subjective interpretation of each judge. This approach celebrates the diversity of perspectives within the judging panel and adds an element of personal appreciation to the recognition bestowed upon the chosen images.