Photography.Book.Now Competition

Press Release:

The Photography.Book.Now International Juried Competition today announced prize packages for all levels of achievement in its photography book competition. B&H Photography, Canon USA, CENTER, Induro, Maine Media Workshops, Tenba, Virgin America, Wacom and X-Rite have all joined Photography.Book.Now as prize sponsors. Hewlett Packard has previously announced its sponsorship of the $25,000 grand prize. Photography.Book.Now, hosted by Blurb®, celebrates the finest self-published photography books – and the people behind them.

Prizes will be awarded to the most creative and innovative photography books in three categories –Fine Art, Editorial, and Commercial. There will also be one $25,000 Grand Prize winner. Prize packages are listed below; juror biographies and full category descriptions are available on the Photography Book Now website.

Grand Prize Winner

• $25,000, sponsored by HP

Category Winners

• Ultimate Review Package
• Personal Portfolio Review with a Judge in Your Category
• Canon Powershot
• Blurb Vouchers

1st Runners-Up

• Photographic Experience Package
• Admission to CENTER’s Review LA
• Virgin America Airline Ticket
• B&H Photo Gift Card
• Blurb Vouchers

2nd Runners-Up

• Professional Equipment Package
• Wacom Intuos4 Professional Pen Tablet
• X-Rite i1 Display LT Colorimeter
• Induro Carbon Fiber Tripod & Head
• Tenba Shootout Medium Backpack
• Blurb Vouchers

People’s Choice (3 prizes to be awarded)

• Maine Media Workshop Scholarship Package

“To have the support of these leading brands is truly exceptional, and brings tremendous credibility and excitement to the competition,” said Darius Himes, Lead Judge, Photography.Book.Now. “The photography community was already buzzing about the opportunity to get their work in front of our judging panel – now to see what’s actually on the table for them to win only adds to the excitement. Thanks to all our prize sponsors for their generous contributions and support.”

“Supporting our partner, Blurb, by sponsoring Photography.Book.Now for the second year, is a great way for us to reinforce our commitment to the photographic community,” said Amy Kawadler, Western Regional Manager, PPMP Canon USA. “ The Photography.Book.Now audience is a combination of professional photographers and enthusiasts – people who put a lot of thought into their photographic choices. It’s important to Canon USA that we have an ongoing engagement across many channels and Photography.Book.Now is the perfect example of that.”

“Virgin America is all about reinventing the flying experience with beautiful design and the latest technology – the same is true for Blurb and Photography.Book.Now,” said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing, Virgin America. “Partnering with Photography.Book.Now allows us to work with Blurb to support their contest, reach an engaged audience, and align our brand with like-minded groups. The awareness and visibility with this engaged community is a great opportunity for us, and we’re excited to introduce these folks to the Virgin America experience.”

Hundreds of photography books have already been submitted to the 2009 competition, and are available to browse and to buy in the Photography.Book.Now Bookstore.

Submissions will be accepted through 12:00 pm PDT on the 16th July, 2009, on the Photography Book Now website.  The Photography.Book.Now International Juried Competition is presented by Blurb, the creative publishing and marketing platform that enables anyone to design, publish, share and sell bookstore-quality books.