Tony Hewitt – Chair of Jurors
Tony Hewitt is an artist whose photographic journey has seen him explore a diverse mix of genres including Fine-Art, Aerial, Landscape, Portrait & Nature. With a passion
for people, places and pictures, and an instinctive sense of the moment, Tony brings a unique combination of creative skills, award winning photographic vision and simple
creativity.
He has been recognised as a ‘Fellow’, an Honorary Fellow, and ‘Grand Master of Photography’ of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), and is also,
a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, and ‘Grand Master of Photography’ of WPPI (USA).
Tony’s career highlights feature over 400 state, national and international photography awards. Tony has been recognised as the AIPP Australian Professional Photographer
of the Year, and in the same year received the New Zealand Overseas Photographer of the Year. As recently as August 2021, Tony received the ‘Bill Hurter Award for
Excellence’ at WPPI in Las Vegas, USA. In January 2020, he won the Nature, Landscape, Wildlife and overall Photographer of the Year at the SWPP 20×16 Print Awards in
London UK.
As an internationally recognised Fine-Art Photographer, Tony has exhibited both within Australia and Overseas since1995 sharing successful expressions of his vision
through regular solo exhibitions including ‘Transience’, ‘Continuum’ & ‘Occuli’ at Lynton & Kay Galleries in Australia. More of his work features in the incredible collaborative
100 piece ‘Girt by Sea’ collection. He has regularly been invited to judge, and chair judging panels at local, national and international levels for the past 25 years, and also
served as ‘Chairperson’ of the AIPP Awards Committee 2016-2020.
Tony is a respected, and in-demand, creative mentor and coach, and offers a diverse range of opportunities for learning and inspiration. His instinctive
philosophies on photography and vision, together with a broad skill set in the areas of personal and interpersonal communication make him an ideal presenter for almost
any conference.
Tony loves family, great music, a game of table tennis, and can still ride a skateboard.
Des Birt – Chair of Jurors (2024)
After owning/operating a photography business for more than more than 30 years, Des returned to where he started his career in photography – the North Metro TAFE Photography course from where he graduated and has been lecturing for the past 10 years.
Des’ business specialised in wedding photography and also worked in the areas of portraiture, government, corporate and small business. During this time he was also involved with the former Australian Institute of Professional Photography and held a range of positions on Councils and Board.
In recent years he was involved in the establishment of the Pro Photography WA association and the Ilford Orloff Awards.
Kelly Barker – Juror
Kelly has been in the photographic industry for 25 years and still to this day, loves the still image. She has built a reputation in the Australian commercial and artistic photography genres, holding prestigious accolades and awards from Australia wide associations and competitions.
Kelly has served on varying committees and has been invited to judge, not only here in WA, but also in nationally based awards since 2012.
Sandra Jackson – Juror
Sandra Jackson’s passion for photography began at 14, and gained a placement at The Sunday Times under Julian Cowan. After gaining experience at The West Australian, she was mentored by renowned National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry.
Her career took her across Australia, from remote communities, to Carnarvon and the NT border, and even to London. Sandra covered a wide range of subjects, from sports to politics, but found particular joy in capturing politicians off guard.
Aspiring to become a pictorial editor, Sandra eventually took on the role, overseeing photography for The Sunday Times, Community News, and other Seven West Media publications. She thrives on collaborating with photographers and reporters to produce compelling visual stories.
“Photography truly is everything imaginable. I love it.”, Sandra says.
Simon Westlake – Juror
Simon has been a photographer since he was 13, never wavering for a single moment. An unusual mix of practical mechanic and visual artist, he grew up to the smell of photo chemicals as he learned the craft from his grandfather in their tiny home darkroom.
Consumed by this magic, it would take him several years and a win as the AIPP WA Student Photographer of the year, before realising he was able to use it as a creative tool.
Considered one of WA’s leading commercial photographers for over 30 years with numerous state and national awards to his credit, including an unrivalled four times AIPP WA Professional Photographer of the year, there are not many jobs he hasn’t taken on.
Despite a large proportion of his work stemming from the advertising industry, “I don’t consider myself to have a specialty area at all” says Westlake, who maintains experience is one of the best tools to have in your kit. “Back in the day, we had to achieve everything in camera, without the benefit of today’s post production, so commercial shoots were bigger and more involved. And I feel that experience has made me that guy who people come to with a tricky shoot that simply can’t be stuffed up”
However, having the opportunity to document humans and their place within the living and working environment gives him his greatest satisfaction. “I think having constructed large studio setups for so long, I now prefer the spontaneity and unpredictability of achieving the animate image. It brings me untold satisfaction”
“Photography has always been something I live, rather than do. I see images everywhere and am compelled to document them”.
John Woodhouse Master of Photography II – Juror
Photography has been a passion for John for most of his life, starting from the early age of 12 when he received a Pentax SLR for his birthday.
He has been involved in many aspects of photography, teaching and mostly wildlife during his early years in South Africa. After moving to Australia in 1989,
he has been involved in portrait, wedding and creative photography. In 2008 John opened the Orangery fine art gallery in Shenton Park where he held
numerous exhibitions of his work.
Since 2006 John has been a member of the AIPP and was awarded the AIPP West Australian Photographer of the Year in 2015. His judging experience has
been at the AIPP state and national awards, Fremantle international portrait prize and many local and regional competitions. November 2021 was the launch
of the book ‘Selected Works’ which is a curated collection of John’s artworks.
John currently lives in the country South West of Perth where he is fortunate enough to sell commissioned artworks created from his photography.
Greg Hocking GM Photog, Hon FAIPP, FAIPP – Juror
A commercial photographer for over 40 years, Greg Hocking was a member of the AIPP for 38 years and an APPA Judge for 28 years. Greg was the AIPP National President from 1997 to 1999 and the Chairman of the AIPP Board from 2000 to 2002. Greg has been AIPP Landscape Photographer of the Year on two occasions, 1997 and 1999.
Greg remains active in commercial photography, working for many leading architectural, design, high end real estate and mining companies.
With the AIPP, Greg had a long involvement with the Honours and Compliance Committees. Outside of photography, Greg is a musician and plays trumpet and flugelhorn and was the band leader and musical director of “Blow the House Down” a ten piece rock and soul band. Greg also enjoys yachting and competitive Masters road cycling racing.