Emerging Photographer of the Year Finalist – Tasra Dawson

Hopefully you’re aware of our Emerging Photographer of the Year Award – to recap, over the next year, we’re going to identify 24 photographers who have outstanding work and offer them the exposure that they can get through our Photofocus website. Then, we’re going to select one to give a special award to. (You can still enter the contest. Read the rules linked to above.)

1. Copy Aperture $199
2. Copy Nik Complete Collection $299
3. Think Tank Rotation 360 Backpack $279
4. $500 cash from Bourne Media Group
5. $500 worth of free consulting from Scott Bourne on Selling/Publishing Photography
5. One year free premium subscription to lynda.com $375
6. Lensbaby Composer $270
7. $500 gift certificate from Red River Paper
8. One Year NAPP Membership $99
9. One year subscription to Layers Magazine $30
10. One free pass to either Photoshop World East or West (Doesn’t include lodging or transportation – just admission) $699
11. One year free Smug Mug Pro Account $150
12. KIBOKO Camera Bag from Gura Gear $400
13. TrekPod Go! PRO $230
14. $500 gift certificate from Outdoor Photo Gear
15. Trek-Tech T-Pod Mini Tripod w/ Ballhead & MagMount STAR Quick Release System $50
16. Xtand iPhone holder by Just Mobile $40
17. BorrowLenses.com $150 gift certificate
18. Nations Photo Lab – $500 gift certificate

I’m proud to announce our 23rd finalist. Tasra Dawson is a portrait photographer from Atlanta, GA.

Tasra has developed a unique program designed to help teenage girls improve their self-esteem through photography. Her photos of the girls are fun, authentic and credible. I like the look and feel of the images and the strength that these young girls take from the positive images Tasra makes of them.

I’ve worked with and counseled Tasra. While I haven’t had the proximity necessary to mentor her, I feel connected to her, her husband Ron and the work Tasra is doing. Accordingly I had some fellow professional photographers judge her entry and they confirmed her selection as a finalist for this year’s contest.

Take a look at Tasra’s work here and congratulations to Tasra. We’re going to announce the 24th and last finalist in two weeks.

Here’s a complete list of the finalists so far:

2. Ana Adams

8. Christian Del Rosario

9. Daniel Winters

10. Bryan Rowland