A Hollywood-based photographer, Amber Ward, formerly of Weyburn, won recognition for her photography work as she was named the RAW Hollywood Photographer of the Year, and will now have her work judged along with the best of other cities around the Un
A Hollywood-based photographer, Amber Ward, formerly of Weyburn, won recognition for her photography work as she was named the RAW Hollywood Photographer of the Year, and will now have her work judged along with the best of other cities around the United States for the overall title as RAW Photographer of the Year.
The daughter of Darryl and Patricia Ward of Weyburn, Amber is a photographer and an award-winning graphic artist based in Los Angeles, Calif., where she lives with her husband Jeremy Cleek.
RAW is an independent arts organization for artists, by artists, helping them in their first 10 years of their career with tools, resources, and exposure for their work, with genres including independent film, fashion, music, visual art, performing art, hairstylists, makeup artists and so on.
For winning as the best photographer in Hollywood, Amber wins more opportunities to showcase her work, as she won a show in San Diego, Hollywood and Silverlake, she gets a three-month ad with LAArtparty.com, plus there was exposure through the press coverage of the event.
Amber attributes part of her success to the support of her family as she learned about photography and began getting involved with her own projects.
"My parents and husband have always been super supportive of my art.
They have always encouraged me and have always been my biggest fans," said Amber.
She went on from high school to take art and design at Medicine Hat College, which included classes in photography. Later she went on to Film School in Vancouver, and took a hiatus from photography, but then got back into it in a serious way about two and a half years ago.
"Both film and photography have similar traits. I think what I have learned in both industries has helped me out. What I love about photography is the immediacy; you can see results right away," said Amber.
Asked to describe her process in working on photos, she explained, "I go to great lengths to conceptualize photographs that tell captivating stories.
Connecting with an audience and inspiring others through those stories is what makes my world go round. I live for that process. Usually an idea just comes to me; I brainstorm and then get the ingredients together to create the shot. Simplicity is the key."
Artists involved in RAW can interact with other artists, post their work or videos, promote upoming projecs and track their success. Each year, the community, a panel of judges and the nation-at-large vote for their top favourite artists in the genres of film, fashion, music, art, photography, performing art, accessories, hair and makeup.
Raw then takes that popular vote and narrows down the nominees in each city, then a live vote is held of those finalists. Los Angeles had two shows, the LA RAW show and the Hollywood one, and Amber was Photographer of the Year for Hollywood. She will now be judged against the top photography winners of the other cities, with the national awards to be presented in mid-January in Hollywood. The winners will receive career-boosting prizes like distribution, store placement, studio time, gallery placement and consultations with industry executives.
