Mesa photographer receives coveted major awards at state convention and print competition.

MESA, Ariz. - May 15, 2013 - PRLog -- The Arizona Professional Photographers Association (AZPPA), an affiliate of the national Professional Photographers of America (PPA), presented its annual service, achievement, and photographic merit awards at their convention banquet held at the Phoenix airport Hilton.

The coveted Kodak Gallery award was awarded to Jim Walls, Certified Professional Photographer, owner of Fourwalls Photographic, for his image "Athena's Gown", an interpretive wedding photograph. The title and trophy, only one of which is presented each year in Arizona by Kodak, was awarded to the highest scoring print made on Kodak paper. Images are scored by a panel of five nationally certified judges who travel from around the country to judge AZPPA's annual print competition. In addition to receiving a first place, best-in-category award for the same print, Walls also received a first place award in the commercial category for a stunning depiction of a Cinderella ballet, entitled "Off to the Ball", featuring his own daughter, Emma, as the fairy godmother from a local youth ballet performance. Ralph Romaguera, Fellow of the American Society of Photographers, and this year's PPA president commented how he "…loves the composition and perfect exposure that gives this image a complete range of tonality.  You can almost hear the music!". And of the wedding photograph, "… the image has such impact and sense of dimension because of the beautiful lighting." Both images were also selected by the judges to be included in the 'Traveling Loan Collection', representing striking examples of the photographic art form.

Walls is a Director on the Board of AZPPA, and in recognition of his volunteer contributions to the running of the association over the past 7 years, was also awarded the prestigious "Artisan Award" for his service to the photographic community in Arizona.  Additionally, because of his high-scoring print case total, Walls was awarded a Top Ten Photographer of the Year award by AZPPA for 2013.

Walls seems genuinely overwhelmed by all of the attention these awards have brought to him and his work, and looks forward to participating in future professional photographic competitions.

About Fourwalls Photographic: Fourwalls Photographic, LLC is a photography studio in Mesa, Arizona, specializing in portraiture for families & high-school seniors, weddings, dance, and commercial/event work.  Visit: www.fourwallsphoto.com

About Professional Photographers of America: Professional Photographers of America (PPA), an international non-profit association for professional photographers founded in 1869, exists to assist its 25,000 members with unparalleled protection, education and resources to ensure their continued success in the photographic industry. For more information, visit www.ppa.com