Image Competition: The Who, What, Where, Why, and How - with Kari Doumas
An Online Zoom Class for Photographers of All Levels
Are you curious about image competition or ready to sharpen your skills and take your work to the next level? Whether you're just beginning your journey or you're a seasoned competitor, this class is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.
In this comprehensive session, we’ll explore the who, what, where, why, and how of image competition. You'll learn how to interpret rules and guidelines, select images with impact, and understand the 12 elements of a merit image—and how they apply in competition.
This class is more than just information; it's about inspiration, growth, and creative challenge. You'll gain practical insights, develop a keener eye, and come away feeling empowered to enter with purpose and clarity.
Join us for an engaging and informative experience that will elevate both your craft and your confidence in the world of image competition.
Bio: Kari Douma, M.Photog., M.Wed.Photog., Cr., CPP
Kari Douma is a Certified Professional Photographer based in West Michigan, renowned for her exceptional wedding and portrait photography. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Kari has earned local, state, and national recognition, including accolades from the Professional Photographers of America and the American Society of Photographers.
Passionate about photography education, Kari has served on the boards of local and state community network partners, as well as the Great Lakes Institute of Photography. She actively shares her expertise by teaching across the United States and contributes to the industry as a PPA Council member, a PPA-approved juror, and a wedding juror for photographic competitions and Merit Image Review. Kari is dedicated to advancing the photography profession and supporting her peers through service and leadership.
Pre-Competition Image Review and Critique Party
Bring your laptop loaded with images—yes, any images, even ones you’re not sure about. Our team of PPA Master Photographers will be there to help you review, refine, and polish your selections. Together, we’ll cover what makes a strong competition image, including composition, impact, technical execution, lighting, and all the other elements judges consider.
We look forward to seeing you and your best images!
Join Andy Greenwell as he discusses his path to becoming a world-class, sought after photographer \ cinematographer \ instructor. Andy will share his thoughts on becoming a well rounded professional photographer, and discuss his techniques for success. This is meant to be an open discussion where Andy will take questions from attendees. This is a precursor to tomorrow's Merit Class and a great opportunity to hear from one of the industry leaders.
Register early. Space is limited. Attendees must register and pay in advance. No refunds or onsite registration.
ABOUT ANDY GREENWELL:
Beyonce’, Aretha Franklin, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Tim Allen, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Chauncey Billups, Lee Iacocca, Sophia Loren, Barry Sanders, Isiah Thomas, Grant Hill, Joe Dumars, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Dennis Rodman, Bo Schembechler, Sparky Anderson, Tom Monaghan, Mike Ilitch, Ernie Harwell, Richard Belzer, Tara Lipinski, Kenny Rogers, Jerry Stackhouse, T. Graham Brown, Marie Osmond, Ted Nugent, Air Supply, Oak Ridge Boys, etc.
Rolling Stone, Conde’ Nast, Entrepreneur, Architectural Digest, StyleLine, Good Housekeeping, Hour Detroit, Muscle & Fitness, Total Fitness, American Photo, Windsurfer, The Big Idea, Town Magazine, Hummer Adventures, The Horse, Detroit Home, Society for Human Resource Management, Ratchet & Wrench, etc.
Live Albom II (Author Mitch Albom)
Live Albom III (Author Mitch Albom)
Ernie Harwell – Stories from My Life in Baseball
AAA, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Daimler, Audi, Saab, Kia Motors, Conde Nast Magazine, UAW, Detroit Diesel, Freightliner, Alliance Trucking, Arvin Meritor, Bosch, Alliance Automotive, Kaiser Aluminum, Timken, Holley, Boeing, Pioneer, Johnson Controls, Farm Bureau, State Farm, Ameritech, Valassis, Comp-U-Ware, K Mart, Domino’s, Little Caesars, Hungry Howie’s, Applebee’s, Olga’s, Big Boy Restaurants, Morton’s Restaurant, Seagram’s, Rocky Peanut Co., Olde Discount, Lazy Boy, Newton Furniture, Aristokraft Furniture, Pulte Homes, Tiger Shark Golf, Technique Golf, Pewabic Pottery, Guardian Glass, Midwest Skate, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, The NBA, The NFL, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Nickelodeon, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, MTV, VH1, WJBK, WDIV, WXYZ, WKRK, WGBH, WJR, WDVD, WSB Atlanta, Weller Grossman, Michigan Humane Society, The United Way, CATCH, The Rainbow Connection, FBMJ Law, Magnys, Xede Consulting, Hospitals: Henry Ford, DMC, Oakwood, U of M, Botsford, The University of MI, Mary Grove College, Walsh College, Grace & Wild Studios, Federal Mogul, Mobis, House of Blinds, Hyatt Hotels, Yahoo!, Manhattan Entertainment, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, Comerica, Honey Baked Ham, Helm, Eldec, Shiloh Industries, SAF-AIR, Prairie Farms, Absopure, Price Waterhouse Cooper, countless law firms and real estate agents, and many others…
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 6:00 pm
Considering the Subject - Specialized Lighting
Do you control the light – or does the light control you?
This is an incredible opportunity to learn from a photographer who is booking this work on a daily basis. You will get real answers to the important questions and zero fluff. Find out how to find the magic in the light, make more money, thrill your clients, and grow your business in a single day of education.
This is an incredible opportunity to learn from a photographer who is booking and shooting this work on a daily basis. You will get real answers to the important questions and zero fluff. Find out how to find the magic in the light, make more money, thrill your clients, and grow your business in a single day of education.
Get those images ready, image competition is coming!! For those that have been waiting to test some images or looking to try image competition for the first time, mark this date down in your calendars, November 19th, 7:00pm
Information you need to know:
Please view rules at www.dppa.net under Photo Competition tab ( https://dppa.net/Photographic-Competition-Rules )
We will be using Printcompetition.com. You will need to sign up on the site if you do not have a membership with Printcompetition.com, there is a fee of $13.. If you are a premium member, you are covered. Follow the instructions on the site for uploading images. Make sure to select DPPA MI, there is a DPPA Texas site also.
Entering opens up November 1st, 2025
No submissions will be accepted after November 17th, 5:00PM, EST, 2025
We will follow PPA guidelines and judged according to The 12 Elements of a PPA Merit Image: Impact, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Center of Interest, Color Balance, Lighting, Subject Matter, Technical Excellence, Technique and Story Telling
Registration Fees: Members (DPPA, MAPP, & PPofM must register as DPPA members)
$10 per image (ten images total) for those registered by November 16, 2025 by 6:00PM. EST
$15 per image (ten images total) for those registered November 16th, 2025 after 6:01PM EST
DPPA members: You can upload a maximum of 10 images for judge critique \ scoring. The top four scores (out of six images - you select) will be considered for DPPA awards.
Non-Members:
$15 per image (ten images total) for those registered by November 16, 2025 by 6:00PM EST
$20 per image (ten images total) for those registered November 16, 2025 after 6:01PM EST
Files must be sized so the longest dimension is 4000 pixels. Each file must contain an embedded color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998 and be saved at a JPEG quality setting of 10. In most cases, the total file size should not exceed 3.5 MB. Larger files will be accepted when necessary, so long as they are JPG/10.
Files are to be named by their title. No underscores or special characters. The maker's name may not appear in the title or on the image itself.
This will be a remote event. On November 19th, you will sign into Printcompetition.com, to watch the judging.
We are looking forward to another year of great images! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: mari@photographybymari.com or 248-666-7995. Now get working on those images!
On Location: Holly Dickens Festival Photoshoot
With event leader: Russ Follick
Come and join Russ for an afternoon of fun, adventure, and photography! Everyone is invited - this is a free event!
We’ll walk the streets of historic downtown Holly, MI shooting street photography at the annual Dickens Festival. Actors will be in period costume and provide a fun atmosphere - taking us back in time.
BRING YOUR GEAR!!! Everyone will be able to photograph during this program. Russ recommends wide-angle to telephoto lenses.
This will be a fun, interactive afternoon/evening. Come meetup with fellow DPPA members and members of other local camera groups.
Russ Follick - Meet the host. Russ is a long time award winning local photographer who will be there to meet you at 12:00pm and give a brief introduction. Feel free to ask Russ photographic questions, but we will primarily be on our own to wander the streets in search of that perfect shot. This is a great networking event.
Meet at 12:00PM in front of the Historic Holly Hotel
There will be NO CLASSROOM time. This will be a highly interactive mobile workshop.
Parking: Free parking, Village parking lots and side streets.
