World Press Photo Awards Days 2012

The winners of the 2012 World Press Photo awards stand on the stage at the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam. (Photo by Dawn Miralle)

I just returned from a fantastic trip to Amsterdam for the World Press Photo Awards Days 2012. My sister Dawn accompanied me and we had a great time biking around the city (and only getting a little lost), seeing all the great museums including the VanGogh and Anne Frank House, and most importantly watching all the inspiring winning photographer presentations at Felix Meritas! The opening of the 2012 exhibition also kicked off at the Ode Kerk “The Old Church” last Friday hosted by Canon and nothing can compare to viewing amazing photography with a glass of wine in a 13th century church.

Amsterdam Canals and old architecture in Spring…

On set filming interview for RedDotAgency

My sister Dawn and I enjoying opening of 2012 Exhibition at the Ode Kerk.

In contrast the Awards Ceremony was held at the Muziekgebouw, a beautifully modern music hall, and we enjoyed great performances by the 8chelos and moving speeches by Managing Director WPP Michiel Munneke, Jury Chair Aiden Sullivan of Getty, World Press Photo Patron HRH Prince Constantijn and touching words by the girlfriend of the late Award-Winner Remi Ochlik. The loss of Ochlik, who was killed in Syria just days after he was announced a WPP winner, as well as the one-year anniversary of the deaths of award winning photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, were somber reminders to everyone of the risks photojournalist take in the field.

Photographer extraordanaire and great guy Brent Stirton speaks about his “Rhino War” piece that one first prize. Brent has won several WPP awards, including two this year alone, and is a great example to all.

At Van Gogh Museum enjoying “Crows and Wheat Field” up close…

Exterior view of Muziekgebouw on Awards Night.

Accepting 1st Place Awards in Sports.

Everyone who attended couldn’t help but feel inspired and uplifted after the week’s events, soaking up the best press photography from 2012. The Award Days finale was the post-Muziekgebouw afterparty held at Fifteen, which lasted to the early hours of the morning, throwing back some beers with friends and  getting loose on the dancefloor. It was awesome to see old faces and new, as always was a humbling experience being around the best in the industry, and special thanks to all at WPP for making the Awards Days THE photography event to attend.

Donald Miralle Photography selected for the 2012 PDN Photography Annual!

Proud to find out that my work has been selected by jury as a winning image in the 2012 PDN Photography Annual! PDN, or Photo District News, is the award-winning online and print magazine for the professional photography industry and their Photo Annual is one of the coveted photo contests/annuals worldwide. You can go to their website here to view winning images here in May or pick up their magazine at any bookstore. They have a killer winners party at the Tribeca Rooftop in NYC May 23rd, hope to see you there!