Local Photographer Honored at Industry’s Famed Lucies Awards

Lucies Award Shows Equivalent to Oscars Celebration

Oct. 25, 2012

DURHAM, N.C. – Renowned, Durham-based photographer Marthanna Yater received four honorable mentions during the 10^th annual International Photography Awards, (IPA), Lucies Awards in Los Angeles earlier this month. 

The awards – equivalent to the Oscars in acting – acknowledge her talent and achievement through four photographs: What Will They See?; Grounded; Brilliance of Their Last Days; and Doors, Not Walls.

According to Yater, each of these photographs gives her the opportunity to tell a different story – to take the viewer on a fresh adventure. The Lucies honorable mentions publicly highlight her ability to achieve those goals.

The black-tie celebration pays homage to master photographers and up and coming talent. The Lucies recognize accomplishments in fine art and documentary photography, and other categories, such as fashion, advertising and sports. There were approximately 18,000 submissions, representing 104 countries.

“These awards exemplify a new direction for me professionally. They separate me from the commercial and the ordinary,” she said. “The images represent a component of my evolution and are a reflection of the oeuvre of my work. These awards recognize my unique vision, artistry, interpretation, and distinctive quality.”

The Lucies honorable mentions not only acknowledge the versatility and value of her work, but also serve as a further testament to the consistency of her photography. In 2011, Yater received a 2^nd-place and Merit of Excellence honor from the Black and White Spider Awards in London for First A Woman, as well as a nomination in the Fine Art category for I left my trike at Uncle Lem’s…that was 40 years ago. In 2010, she received two additional Lucies honorable mentions; and, in 2009, she beat out over 600 photographs to win one of two merit awards at Palm Beach Photographic Center for First A Woman.

Yater photographed Good Morning America’s Love at Times Square, and her work appears on magazine covers, in international magazines, advertising and print work illustrations, on national and international book jackets, in fine arts exhibitions and has received numerous national and international awards.

Throughout her decades-long career, Yater has photographed women and children in organic and natural settings. The quality of her work is pure. From children in mud puddles to evocative feminine form and gesture, Yater peels back the layers of life, unveiling The Art of the Moment.

For thumbnail images of the award-winning photos: marthannayater.com

Kristen, Ali, & Scout

There's nothing like the bond between mother, daughter, and well...dog. Marthanna was fortunate enough to capture these tender moments when, after business meetings in New York City, she traveled to the home of Kristen, 7-month-old Ali, and the four-legged Scout in Ansonia, Connecticut.

The first photo, entitled, This Used To Be My Chair, is currently hanging in the entrance to the internationally renowned Palm Beach Photographic Center.  Marthanna received a Merit Award in the annual juried exhibition, INFOCUS, and was asked to extend the loan of her images so they could remain on display.  Thus making Ali and Scout the stars they were born to be!

Marthanna Yater Wins Big In West Palm Beach

Marthanna Yater won one of two merit awards in the Annual Juried Exhibition, INFOCUS, at the grand opening of the state of the art Palm Beach Photographic Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Marthanna's award winning image, First A Woman, beat out over 600 other entries in this acclaimed competition.

The juried show was part of the opening celebration for the 11 million dollar Photographic Center and was attended by many renowned artists, photographers, and dignitaries including Palm Beach Mayor, Lois Frankel.

Entrance to Palm Beach Photographic Center

Thousands of fans also enjoyed the festivities, reveling in the state of the art 26,000 square foot center devoted to the enrichment of life through exhibitions, community programs, workshops and other educational activities that promote the arts of photography and digital imaging.

The grand opening also featured a solo exhibition from acclaimed artist-photographer Anna Tomczak, with whom Marthanna studied under at Penland over 25 years ago.

Marthanna Yater (left) and Anna Tomczak

Marthanna's success at the Palm Beach show was the perfect time to announce the launch of her new website celebrating her passion for photographing women and children and capturing the art in each moment.