Local Photographer Wins Best of Show in Detroit

Winning Photo Features Pioneer High School Student – Ann Arbor, MI – December 12, 2008 – For the second year in a row, a portrait by local photographer Betsy Finn was named Best of Show at the annual Print Competition held by the Detroit Professional Photographers’ Association (DPPA). Pioneer High School student Leslie Brown was the model for the photo, which Finn called “Soul Shoes.” The announcement was made just before Thanksgiving, giving Finn and Brown additional cause for thanks.

Finn submitted six images in all, receiving also one award for Best of Category, two Awards of Excellence, and four Awards of Merit. All six photos featured clients from Ann Arbor, Dexter, and Grand Rapids.

“When I created ‘Soul Shoes,’” Finn recalled, “I had an artistic epiphany. I lined up four pairs of shoes brought for outfit changes. The result, a pair of feet standing among the shoes, speaks volumes about Leslie’s personality, allowing viewers to imagine what it must be like to have a world of choices at their feet.”

“Playing the Angles,” featuring another Pioneer student, Senior Hannah Carl, received recognition from the judges for its modern and non-traditional composition. Finn’s other entries included an engagement portrait (“Joyride”), an infant portrait (“In His Hands”), an editorial-style portrait (“Coffee Break”), and a senior portrait (“Checkmate”).

“I was extremely surprised when I realized ‘Soul Shoes’ won Best of Show,” Finn said, “especially considering the odds of winning Best of Show two years in a row.” Last year, Finn’s winning photograph was of a white egret.

In preparing for the DPPA competition, Finn, whose specialty is wedding and portrait photography, made the decision that all six of her entries would be portraits of real clients. Finn’s competition results exemplify the quality of work her clients receive: Best of Show.

Betsy Finn was born and raised in Ann Arbor. She graduated from Greenhills High School and now lives in Dexter. She is a Certified Professional Photographer whose work has been featured in international exhibitions. Her portrait studio, Betsy’s Photography, offers a creative portrait experience that is tailored to each client’s vision. She was named 2008 Photographer of the Year by the Professional Photographers of America and Michigan’s Top 7 Photographer of 2008 by the Professional Photographers of Michigan. She was nominated for 2008 Detroit Photographer of the Year as well. Finn’s work will be featured in the highly acclaimed 118th International Exhibition of Professional Photography.

Finn is available for interviews, and can be reached at 734-424-0472. For more information about Betsy’s Photography Studio, visit BetsysPhotography.com.