International Photography Award (IPA) Win

YOUNG CANADIAN
WINS INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

Kieran Oudshoorn wins second place in the 2011 International Photography Awards in the category of People: Family. Click to see winning images.

“This Arctic Life”, the series of photographs that garnered a 2011 International Photography Award (IPA) second place finish for, Kieran Oudshoorn, was shot in Iqaluit, Nunavut. It reflects one Inuit family’s combination of traditional and modern lifestyles. Oudshoorn also received a 2011 IPA honourable mention for, “At Home”, a series of photographs depicting young, twenty-something Edmontonians.

Oudshoorn’s recent accolades are a result of a continued commitment to the north and its people and are an example of a young Canadian receiving attention and recognition on the international stage. Oudshoorn, who was born and raised in Edmonton, parlayed his portfolio along with his experience as a freelance photojournalist into a coveted New York internship with the international photographic agency, VII Photo in the winter of 2010. He went on to receive two honourable mentions in the 2010 International Photography Awards. In addition to the Whitehorse Star, Oudshoorn’s photographs have been published in; Yukon News, Up Here, and What’s Up Yukon. 

About IPA:
The International Photography Awards is a sister-effort of the Lucie Foundation, where the top three winners are announced at the annual Lucie Awards ceremony. The awards event will be held at the Lincoln Center in New York on October 24, 2011. Over 8,000 submissions from 90 countries were received for the 2011 International Photography Awards with over 70 jurors, the largest to date. The Foundation's mission is to honor master photographers, discover new and emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of photography. IPA is dedicated to recognizing contemporary photographers' accomplishments in this specialized and highly visible competition.

Odanadi Portraits

I got the chance, while working on my Escape From Traffic: Odanadi project, to shoot a series of portraits of the girls staying at the Odanadi facility. Having been saved from a variety of extremely adverse environments from street gangs to brothels, it was inspiring for me to see the resilience and vibrance of each girl and to interact with them on a personal level.

All photos are taken with natural light in the hallways of the Odanadi Centre.

It's A Yogi Life

Drawn to the ancient capital of southwestern India, Mysore, professional yoga practitioners or "Yogis" from around the world gather each year to learn from the feet of the master, or the master's grandson as the case may be.

Making Snow

Kamloopa Pow Wow 2010

Each summer in the sweltering heat of early August, the Tk'emlups Indian Band of Kamloops BC plays host to a celebration of traditional indigenous storytelling, song and dance. With more than 500 dancers and drummers, this year the 31st annual  Kamloopa Pow Wow attracted an estimated 15,000 spectators over the event's three day run.

One of the biggest events of its kind in Western Canada, the celebration is held on the sprawling Secwepemc Pow Wow Grounds, located just north of downtown Kamloops along the South Thompson River. The location provides ample space for camping, a sandy beach to get away from the heat and a impressive outdoor amphitheater that not only houses the main performance stage, but also the event's many vendors.

Much more then just a singing, dancing or drumming competition, the Kamloopa Pow Wow is truly a cultural event. It brings together members of diverse indigenous communities and provides a platform for native peoples to share, explore and reconfirm their distinct cultural identity.

With upwards of ninety percent of participants being of aboriginal heritage, the Pow Wow is a vibrant celebration of indigenous culture, by indigenous peoples for an indigenous audience.