We are excited to share this educational video we put together with World renowned photographer Alan Shapiro. Alan will be judging the Emerging From Shadows Photo Contest and shares what he is looking for in a winning image! Enjoy the video, learn the thoughts behind Alan's shots and enter the contest to explore your creativity and skills.

photo by Alan Shapiro

Taking a great image is more then just pressing the shutter... you need to feel it from the heart. Award winning, New York based Pro Photographer, Alan Shapiro, talks about this and much more as he takes you through his own portfolio. Discover what Alan is looking for in a winning image!

I grew up on the creative side of the advertising world, working with clients around the world; telling their unique stories in very unique ways.

Along the way, I've had the pleasure of working with many, many talented photographers, directors and imagemakers. I became envious of their art and craft. At first, I saw it as a means of reducing my stress-filled life. As a Chief Creative Officer at the world's largest Advertising Agency Network, I needed a distraction. So I bought a camera. And then another. And another. My new hobby and daily "creative exercise regimen" quickly turned into a joy-filled and all consuming passion.

I love talking to all sorts of people and seem to have a knack for getting them to open up and share themselves despite the intrusion and intimidation that a serious-looking camera often represents.

I like finding and sharing things I find.
Beautiful things. Powerful things. Poignant things.

I am incredibly patient and am often rewarded with moments of magic.

I also enjoy taking something ordinary and making it something well beyond that. Illustration and painting are other passions and I love creating unique photocompositions. (To paraphrase Ansel Adams: "…making pictures, not just taking them.")

One thing led to another and now I have been published, shown in galleries and commissioned by clients around the world including General Motors, Apple Computer and Lockheed Martin.

It also led me to a new chapter in my career. I now combine my love of marketing and my passion for photography in my new role of Chief Marketing Officer for the MAC Group, the second largest distributor, marketer and sales organization in the world for photo and video products with brands including Induro, Benro, MeFOTO, Novoflex, Elinchrom, Tenba, Sekonic and ILFORD.

Happiness.

Visit Alan Shapiro's website to see more of his amazing shots and remember to participate in the Emerging From Shadows Photo Contests to test your skills.