Senior Style Guide: 2017 Hot 100 Recipient | Emily McGonigle Photography

Here is the part where I state the obligatory, " I haven't been keeping up with blogging and social media lately because I've been SO BUSY!"

It's true. I have been super busy (which is awesome), and I *haven't* been blogging like I've wanted to... But the good news is that I have a SLEW of backlogged posts to share with you once things calm down a bit.

THAT BEING SAID... I did take some time out of my regularly scheduled workflow to bring you a special blog post announcement!

Today the winners for the "Senior Style Guide: Hot 100" list for 2017 were announced.

What is the "Senior Style Guide: Hot 100" list? It's a contest run every year by Senior Style Guide. Senior Style Guide is both a website and magazine that showcases senior portrait photographers, and their seniors, from all over the country. Every year they run the Hot 100 contest, where they take submissions for various categories, have guest photographers judge the submitted images, and compile a list of the top 100 senior portrait photographers.

Last year, I entered for the first time ever and to my delight and surprise, I won! I received a Hot 100 award for the category of "Studio" with this image:

This year, there were 8315 images entered, a record-breaking number for SSG. Of those 8315 images, I entered 10.

Today I am proud to announce, that I am once again one of the winners of the Senior Style Guide: Hot 100!

There were 10 categories possible to submit to, which were: Backlit, Urban, Off Camera Flash, Studio, Editorial, Black and White, Straight Out Of Camera, Organic, Styled Concept Shoots, and Photographer’s Choice.

This year, I won in the category of "Editorial". I honestly don't know *which* image won yet, as I submitted several to that category, but the winning images will be revealed when the SSG magazine is released this month. I will be purchasing a copy for not only myself, but also for the senior of the winning image!

But until then, I'd love to share with you the images I *did* submit... the Emily McGonigle Photography finalists! :)

BACKLIT

ORGANIC

PHOTOGRAPHER'S CHOICE

STUDIO

EDITORIAL (Winning Category)

I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to ALL my seniors for trusting me with such a precious time in your life. I've enjoyed hanging out and getting to know every single one of you. I am super blessed to have such amazing clients. To those of you who had sessions with me this year, but don't see a submission from your shoot, it's only because they weren't done in time to make the deadline. BUT... you will definitely be entered into next year's contest.

So once again, to all of you, THANK YOU! I quite literally couldn't do any of this without every single one of you, so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU once again. <3

I also want to take this moment to say thank you to Vickie Black, who runs Senior Style Guide, and to this year's judges, True Moua, Devon Jones, and Thomas Nguyen for choosing me for the honor of having a slot on the 2017 Hot 100 list!

And of course, I can't make this announcement without also saying thank you to my team, who helped me create these images. Katrina Brooks, Kenzie Leath, Allie Corzine were the ladies who had a hand in the hair and makeup portion of at least one of the photos I entered, if not several. Hair and makeup artists are the unsung heroes of the photo industry. Even on something like a Senior Portrait session, having a skilled hair and makeup artist present can make or break a shoot. They are the first step on my way to making stunning images for my clients.

I also want to send a huge thank you to my friend, and business partner, Matthew Simmons, who keeps me sane on set, always makes sure my lighting is on point, makes sure I stay caffeinated, lifts and moves heavy things around set so I don't have to, and continuously pushes me to be better. Thanks for everything you do, dude!

AND TO KEITH... (anyone else getting the impression that every time I write these things, I'm imaging being on an award stage, holding onto a golden camera trophy, wearing some fancy, sparkly, fitted dress made by a designer whose name I can't pronounce? Cause I am... in case you were wondering) ...my chip/cookiehead, coffee and tea connoisseur, who supports my business endeavors, believes in my abilities as an artist, and deals with a cluttered house during editing marathons in the months of September and October, especially. I often read stories online of my peers whose significant others have a hard time understanding their goals or supporting their businesses, but I'm eternally grateful that I have a husband who is both supportive and understands. I love you, babe!

And now that the "wrap-up" music is playing in my head, I'll go ahead and say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for your support. I love you all, and once I know which image won, I will be sure to post!

Until next time!

Emily McGonigle Photography is a Franklin and Nashville Senior Portrait Photographer, and can be contacted for booking inquiries here.

Emily Rose McGonigleNovember 1, 2017