Awards put locals in frame internationally

Erin Pearson
THREE Geelong photographers have won international awards against competition from as far away as Iran, Belgium and Ireland.
Geelong Camera Club’s Jacquie Llaste, John Conway and Heather Hartkamp were among the winners at a VIGEX International Photographic Competition and Exhibition.
Ms Llaste won a gold medal for her people category entry Angelique.
Mr Conway, an Independent photographer, and Ms Hartkamp earned merit awards.
Ms Llaste said she worked at a photographic studio as a “young woman” but only rediscovered her passion for photography in recent years.
She described her winning entry as a portrait of a girl with a “very angelic expression on her face with textual effects”.
“I entered the piece into competitions last year and got some acceptances and this year I received 10 acceptances and the first-place award,” she said.
“I only picked up a digital camera for the first time in years three years ago and started playing around with it.”
Ms Llaste described photography as her hobby but said she was “thrilled” with her award.
The VIGEX event was one of only two international competitions in Australia, she said.
“They’re only held once every two years and attract thousands of entries.
“I’ll definitely be entering more work into competitions.”
Geelong Camera Club was placed third in an Australian clubs category.