Wyant Photography Received 2011 Best of Carmel Award

Jim Wins Top Three in International Professional Competition

Local photographer, James Wyant of Wyant Photography was honored with one of the new Grand Imaging Awards at the International Professional Photographers Convention that was held last week in San Antonio, Texas.

 

The host of the convention; the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the world’s largest nonprofit association for professional photographers, with more than 20,000 members in 54 countries. This association seeks to increase its members’ business savvy as well as broaden their creative scope, advancing careers by providing tools for success...as they have since 1880.

 

Jim Wyant holds both distinguished degrees from PPA:

 

Master of Photography (M.Photog.)

* Celebrates superior photographic competence through a variety of channels.

* Awarded through photographic competition, advanced education, and service to the profession.

 

Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.)

* One of the highest recognitions for speaking, writing, or mentoring on photography; positions the photographer as an authority in the           industry.

* Awarded in recognition of service to the profession as an orator, author, or mentor.

 

Jim was recognized at the recent convention as one of the top three photographers in the Illustrative category.  His image “Soul Mates” of two wolves in a snow storm was created in Yellowstone this past January 2010. Jim, who has been awarded the Diamond Excellence Award through PPA, and the Canon Par Excellence (two time winner out of only 33 winners in the USA) for superior imaging, feels this is one of the highest honors he has received

Many opportunities exist for professional photographers

By Erum Rizvi
<erizvi@hilite.org>

Although it only takes a millisecond to press the button on the camera to take a picture, there is much more involved with the process in taking pictures from professional photography companies. Senior Kathleen Keller said she had a great time at the photo shoot at Cripe Photography where she had her senior portraits taken. She said there were some aspects about the photo shoot she had not known about before the experience.

“I had to bring about six different outfits as well as some make up. The photographers had me take pictures indoors and outdoors to make the pictures look really spectacular,” Keller said.

Most photography studios in the area like to get a feel of the personality behind the people they are photographing. According to Master Photographer Sheila Kneringer, photography sessions at Studio K are all about the client.

“We never schedule more than one client at a time. We have music playing, fresh flowers in the dressing room, and the photographer does a wonderful job making sure the client is comfortable. We work hard to capture your personality as well as your inner beauty,” Kneringer said.

Sophomore Haley Breeden had photographs taken by Wyant Photography for the “Peter Pan” play. She said the photographers made the process easy and comfortable.

“I felt really relaxed when getting my picture taken,” Breeden said. “I think it’s good that photographers try to get to know their clients personalities because that helps them take better pictures,” Breeden said.

In order for people to have photography sessions, they must first schedule an appointment with the photography company. According to Lois Wyant, the master photographer at Wyant Photography, people can contact their company through their Web site, which has a calendar to let clients know what days are open. Clients can also call the company to schedule.

Besides everything that goes into a photography session and scheduling appointments, photographers are vital in the process. According to Wyant, her photographers kept working with photography in order to turn it into a professional career. Wyant herself is a testament to that dedication.

“I studied photography in college and have loved it from the beginning. That’s why I have been in this business for 26 years now. There’s something about the art of photography that has a quicker gratification that I get when I take a picture. It’s different from painting because that art takes much longer than the instant photograph you take,” Wyant said.

Junior Sonia “Sonnie” Irons said she has been interested in perusing a future career in photography. She is currently in the independent media arts class at this school and has previously taken a photojournalism class.

“I have wanted to become a photographer since I was in the fifth grade. I love how there is so much you can do with pictures as they are everywhere. I want to continue studying photography in school so that one day I can open a company and even travel and take pictures,” Irons said.

Wyant said students interested in photography careers should continue to study photography, and also study business and marketing.

Wyant said, “You have to know how to market if you want to start a business in photography. With the economy so bad today, you have to know how to market to survive.”

Jim takes top award at state convention (see below)

Recent news story in the Westfield paper, March 2009

Legacies In The Making
Senior Leaders at WHS are Honored in a Local Publication
by Samantha Edwards, news editor

Society is full of millions of people that constantly seek attention, affirmation, or recognition.  Many people do things in order to try and achieve some of that glory, and there are many people that will eventually get a taste of that.  High school can sometimes be the place where it all starts, and Jim and Lois Wyant have been quick to notice that.

They have created a series of “Legacies” in order to honor those that they believe deserve it the most.  Their first book was created to honor 83 business owning women in Hamilton county.  The newest book focuses on outstanding 2009 high school seniors.

Eight students from Westfield were included in the book including;  Hannah Adams, Alexander Barker, Brandon Dart, Katrina Gerlach, Charlie Holcomb, Sarah Jones, Andrea Orton and Brandon Thomas.

Other than WHS, there were five more schools with students represented; Carmel High School, having 14 students honored , Fishers High School, six, Hamilton Heights, one, Hamilton Southeastern, two and Sheridan, three.

“It’s a great thing to be here tonight.  To be recognized for what we’ve done.  I know that we don’t do the things we do for the recognition.  We do it to make a difference, to help out, “ said Gerlach during her speech as a keynote speaker at the recognition ceremony.  These 34 students were selected because they show, as well as understand, the qualities that it takes to be a good leader.

The nominations have nothing to do with the students’ grade point averages, or how well they do in classes.  The Wyant family just took this to acknowledge the people that may very well be future leaders of the communities.

“I still don’t know who nominated me, “ said Gerlach.  Not knowing who, or maybe not even why, you’ve been chosen adds to the glory that the students have been offered.

School officials, city officials or previous nominees had the opportunity to nominate this year’s seniors.  Once students were nominated, their entry was then reviewed by a committee who selected what they considered to be the elite class leaders.  Those people were then sent an invitation to accept the nomination.

“People know your name.  People like you .  And you are making an impact in the lives of those around you by caring about people.  By being yourself, “ Geralch said as she spoke to her peers.

On March 4, the Ritz Charles in Carmel hosted the ceremony recognizing the leaders.  Katrina Gerlach and Alexandra Barker were chosen to be the two keynote speakers for the evening and both of them presented speeches.

After the students accepted their nomination, they filled out interviews.  Things on the interviews included the activities they participate in, what hopes hey have for the future, what their job as a leader entails, and advice they have for the freshman that will be entering high school this fall. 

Once they completed the interview, Joshua Wyant, son of Jim and Lois, compiles all of their answers into an eloquent piece for each of the honorees, which is the main contents of the book.  Students have a two-page spread dedicated to them.  On the left page pictures of them or their activities, on the right, their story.

Each student received a free copy of the book to keep.  Copies of the book have all been donated to the school and public libraries.  Wyant Photography plans to come back to these students in about ten years to se how their futures have turned out.

They consider this book a piece of living history and they are looking  forward to being able to look back on this book as a reference to their leadership philosophies that they developed during high school.

As the back of the book states, “In a world that speaks so negative toward the problems of youth today.  Jim and Lois Wyant were encouraged to shine a light on the depth, maturity, and leadership skills that are also present.”

This positive view of something that often seems so dark to the outside world comes to the community with a refreshing sense.  It shows others that high school is not all about doing things to be cool.

It shows that teen-agers aren’t all the awful moody people that they can often be perceived as.  It shows part of the future and where this world is headed in the hands of these youth.  Next year, this new tradition will continue, honoring another group of students.  The nominations for 2010 seniors are already being taken into consideration.

With the same words that Gerlach used to end her speech, “Thank you for your leadership and the impact you have made in our communities.”

Jim wins "Best of Show"

At the 2008 Indiana State Fair Jim won "Best of Show" in the professional black and white portrait division.  He also took 1st and 2nd in the color portrait category, and 1st in the black and white portrait category.   That means he received the top three awards in the portrait category. Congratulations Jim, we are so proud of you!

    

Wyant Photography was featured in the Noblesville Daily Times on February 19, 2008, article by Rebecca L Sandlin.

Local Photographer Brings Home Several Top Awards

"Jim Wyant, founder of Wyant Photography located at 240 E. Main St. in Carmel, ended his term as president of the Professional Photographers of Indiana in style this month by sweeping the organization's annual photography competition in awards.  Wyant's list of awards is impressive:

• Kodak Gallery Award- for wedding album and illustrative division
• Silver Award- for illustrative category
• H&H Color Lab Award- for highest scoring wedding album
• Gold Award- for highest scoring wedding image
• Bill Stockwell Memorial Award- for best album of the convention
• Top Ten Award- presented to the 10 photographers of the highest accumulative scores

Wyant was also honored with two "judges choice" ribbons, eight state merits, two third-place bronze awards, and a Best Outdoor Portrait ribbon, for which he also received $100.  About 300 people attended the convention in Indianapolis in which the contest awards were presented. 

For Wyant, who just celebrated 25 years in business, it was a sweet way to be recognized.  "I actually did better last year than I did this year, believe it or not.  I received two '100' scores, which are perfect scores, and it just so happens that it's never been done in the state before," he said.  "But his year I actually won more awards, and this was the year that was my year of presidency, and I had all my family there at the banquet."  Jim's wife, Lois, said she was very proud of her husband's accolades at the convention.  "He puts a huge amount of passion into his work and into creating the photographs so that they're just perfect for competition," she said.  "It was a special honor, since it was his presidential year, to do so well."

Jennifer Connolly of Noblesville has had Wyant Photography chronicle her family in portraits for the past 10 years.  She found them at a bridal fair when she was looking for a photographer for her wedding.  She's not surprised that Jim Wyant is an award-winning photographer.  "The Wyants stood out from everyone in photography," she said.  "What they do- their concept is so different.  And you can see people who try to imitate what they do, but nobody does it like Wyant!"

Wyant Photography was featured in the Indy Star, article by Tania E. Lopez.

First of Couple's Five Photography Books Spotlights 83 of the County's Business Owners

"A Carmel business couple will pay tribute to Hamilton County female entrepreneurs through a self-published book scheduled to hit the independent circuit in a couple of weeks.  Jim and Lois Wyant, owners of Wyant Photography and The Ami Gallery and Photography Studios in the Arts & Design District, plan to publish a series of five photography books titled, 'Legacies of Hamilton County.'  The first book in the series, 'Women of Entrepreneurial Spirit,' features 83 female business owners in the county.  'It was really Lois' idea,' said Jim.  'She wanted more acknowledgment of small business owners, specifically women in business.'  Lois, a business owner and mother of three said women are expected to adhere to traditional roles- such as raising children, organizing schedules and feeding their families- in addition to running successful businesses.  'She coordinated the school schedules, private lessons, then goes home to fix dinner,' she said.  'I'm not saying that men don't help out, but we have to be a little more focused on our family's desires.' 

Among those highlighted in the book are Carmel business owners Jessica Deetz of Trichology Salon, Melanie Harper of CTPM, Kay Krober of Krober Invitations and Alice O'Brian of Alice's Catering.  O'Brian said she was pleasantly surprised when Jim approached her for the project.  'It's always nice when women are singled out for accomplishing amazing things,' she said.  Corporate giants and big-box stores are two more reasons the Wyants created the book, they said.  'It's difficult to compete in the world of corporate business,' said Jim.  'The corporations can afford to do a lot of things the small business owner can't.'  The photographs of women entrepreneurs will be shown at a gallery opening from 5 to 8 Nov. 29 at The Ami Gallery and Photography Studios, 240 E Main St."

Wyant Photography was featured  in the Carmel Star on Wednesday, December 26 2007.

Carmel High Student is Photo Studio Contest Winner

"Carmel High School senior Ashley Steele emerged with top honors in a Carmel photography studio's 2008 Senior Survivor contest.  Wyant Photography, 240 E Main St., sponsors the event annually to pit high school seniors' pictures against each other.  For the competition, photographs of participating seniors who had their pictures taken by Wyant were posted on the business's Senior Survival Web site in August.  The site asked viewers to select their favorite picture each week, and each week's winner was set aside for a final, two-week competition this month.  More than 80 high school seniors from Hamilton County and one from Fort Wayne participated.  Steele won the final round by getting more than 1200 votes and received a $500 gift card from Best Buy.  Steele, who was photographed with her horse, Victory Moon, is the daughter of Scott and Tami Steele, Carmel."

Wyant Photography was featured in Carmel Topics on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

2 Perfect 100s:  Wyant Photo Set State Record

"CARMEL-  Master Photographer James Wyant of Carmel was awarded Best of Show at the Professional Photographers of Indiana (PPI) state convention Feb. 1-5 in Indianapolis.  Wyant's image, "Symphony of LIght" scored a perfect 100, a score seldom seen in professional competition, according to a PPI news release.  It also was awarded Best of Show, the Fuji Masterpiece trophy, Judges Choice, and a Court of Gold.  Wyant, the incoming president of PPI, earned a second perfect score on an album titled, 'India', telling his story of a mission trip.  Perfect scores during one competition set a state record.  He has three of the state's five recorded 100 scores.  He also received a Court of Gold for the highest-scoring event album.  He and Lois Wyant of Wyant Photography, own and operate The Ami Gallery in the Carmel Arts and Design District."

Wyant Photography was featured in the Indy Star, article by Bruce Smith on Wednesday, August 9, 2006.

Photo Gallery Joins Art District

"Amazing things can happen when a skilled photographer looks through the eyepiece.  And, sometimes, the photographer can be just as amazed and affected by the images that are captured.  James N. and Lois Searfoss Wyant, a husband and wife team, opened the Ami Art Gallery and Photography Studio recently in Carmel's emerging Arts and Design District, to showcase some of their photos.  "This gallery is a dream for us, and a chance to display our work," Lois Wyant said.  "We already have some people coming in the gallery.  And I hope this Arts and Design District continues to take off, so we'll have even more people walking up and down Main Street and stopping into the stops to see the art, " Jim Wyant added.  The Wyants, longtime leaders in the state Professional Photographers Association and other organizations are well known as portrait photographer of families, high school and college seniors, and weddings. 

They're also known as teachers of photo classes for groups and the occasional understudy who joins their studio to practice skills.  The new Ami Gallery, at 240 E. Main St., Carmel, a renovated historic house, is a chance to exhibit that portrait work and to display their fine art photographs.  It's the fine art photos- some in bold and abstract colors, others in inspirational landscapes such as a waterfall at the bottom of the Grand Canyon- that can highlight a home decor.  The gallery provide a place for interior designers to see their full-sized, framed pictures as they would hang on a wall rather than the miniature versions that can be shown on the internet. 

The Wyants have long done much of their portrait work at their 10-acre Clay Township mini-farm in western Carmel that they named Country Harmony.  The settings of trees, streams, nature and old barn wood fives warm and relaxed texture to the surroundings of the people in their pictures.  Portrait photos, typically taken with a landmark occasion, "are for both this generation, but also for the future generations of a family," Jim Wyant said.  "When pictures are rediscovered by a family member 100 years from now, they can be a valuable link to the past.  The pictures are on of the fist things the next generation will want to see of us and preserve," he added.  So a professional photographer, who cares about the art and craft, not only works on the lighting and technique but finds ways to make a face come alive or tell a story.  "Our approach is to talk with the individual and get to know them so we can put them at ease and have a little fun with it," Jim Wyant said, about a portrait photo session.  Walking through the gallery, he point to a large framed picture of several laughing boys in a family portrait, and he said "I Took that one several yeas ago, and it's still one of my favorites." 

The Wyants have been in the image making trade over two decades.  Jim, who grew up on the southside of the Indianapolis metro area, started in the business in 1982.  A couple years later, Lois had graduated from Ball State University and landed a summer job as a photo assistant to Jim, and their partnership blossomed.  Both have earned professional credentials as craftsman and master photographers.  Both have studied and been inspired by some of the national names in professional photography and, in turn, taught the skills of the trade to a new generation. 

They've made the transition in photo technology from film to digital cameras, believing that correct and carefully crafted lighting in still the key that separates average from exceptional, eye-grabbing pictures.  The widespread use of digital cameras and computers to touch up the pictures has caused an explosion in the number of wedding and portrait photographers trying to cash in on a fairly lucrative business.  Photographer often charge between $1,000 and $5,000 for a wedding.  'I'd encourage anyone hiring a photographer to go to their studio, see their work in person and not just rely on what you can see on the Internet,' Jim Wyant said. 

And then there are times that the view through the lens can have a soul-searching impact on the photographer.  It can be a deep contrast to the happy and fun sessions shooting a wedding party or a graduating senior filled with hope and future prospects.  Jim Wyant returned recently from a trip to central India with a mission group from Central Christian Church in Carmel and a related group on a medical mission to treat people who rarely have access to a physician.  'It was my objective to photograph the people, the faces of the people in India," he said. "And I guess what I noticed what emptiness.'"

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