AIBP, Boston, MA (2026)

09/09/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | Shawn Black

Rounding out our judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards is AIBP President and owner Shawn Black.

As both a longtime bo***ir photographer and the person behind the continued development of the Visionary Awards, Shawn brings a perspective to the panel rooted not only in creating award-winning imagery, but in his commitment to elevating bo***ir photography as an art form and pushing the genre forward within the photography industry.

Known for his dramatic lighting and bold, editorial approach to bo***ir, Shawn has spent his career challenging many of the traditional expectations of what bo***ir imagery is supposed to look like. That same philosophy has shaped his approach to education, competition, and his leadership of AIBP.

Since acquiring AIBP in 2021, a major focus of his work has been creating more opportunities for bo***ir photographers to learn, compete, earn recognition, and have their work taken seriously throughout the greater photographic industry.

The Visionary Awards are an extension of that mission, celebrating not one particular style of bo***ir, but the incredible range of artistry, creativity, storytelling, technical excellence, and individuality that exists throughout our genre.

And above all, Shawn believes the strongest images are the ones where photographers aren’t simply trying to recreate someone else’s work, but are developing a voice that is unmistakably their own.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Shawn Black…

Shawn Black is an international award winning bo***ir photographer, author, and educator from Boston, Massachusetts. He has also been the owner and president of AIBP (Association of International Bo***ir Photographers) since 2021.

Shawn is best known for the dramatic lighting and editorial look of his images which has made him one of the most recognized photographers in the genre. He has written for and had his work featured across the top industry publications such as Rangefinder and Professional Photographer magazines.

While being behind the camera creating will always be his first love, he has always been passionate about pushing the genre forward and educating which is why in 2021 he acquired and became president of AIBP. This move has allowed him to further advocate and educate for the bo***ir community. As an educator Shawn has spoken at WPPI, Imaging, Shutterfest, ClickCon, Exposure Europe Conference, AIBP Retreat, and numerous stand alone workshops and private mentorships.

The industry recognizes Shawn as one of the top photographers in the bo***ir genre as he is sponsored by numerous industry leading companies including Geekoto, 17hats, Aftershoot, Bay/Pro Prints, Cheetah Stand, Fundy, and Evoto. He was recognized by AIBP in 2017 as The Photographer to Watch and in 2019 as The Photographer of the Year as well as garnering many other awards through out the years from different organizations and publications.

Everything Shawn does as a photographer, educator, and advocate for the bo***ir community follows his belief that bo***ir is for everyBODY, which is why his tagline has always been , with BeYou being the most important part.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

09/08/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | Mónica Olvera

We are incredibly excited to welcome Monica Olvera to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

With an incredible 30 years of experience as a professional photographer and more than 15 years dedicated to bo***ir, Monica brings a tremendous depth of experience, artistry, and understanding of the genre to this year’s panel.

Throughout her career in Mexico, Monica has built her work around photographing real women with elegance, sensitivity, and authenticity, creating imagery that goes beyond simply making someone look beautiful and instead celebrates the individual woman in front of her camera.

She has also made an incredible impact as an educator, sharing her knowledge with more than 1,200 photographers through courses, workshops, and conferences in Mexico and internationally.

We’re thrilled to have Monica’s experience, artistry, international perspective, and deep understanding of bo***ir photography evaluating the work of our 2026 entrants.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Monica Olvera…

Monica Olvera, a Mexican photographer with 30 years of experience, specializing in women’s portraiture, bo***ir, maternity, and newborn photography.

With more than 15 years of experience in bo***ir photography, her work focuses on portraying real women through an elegant, sensitive, and authentic perspective, turning each session into an experience that goes beyond photography.

Throughout her career, she has taught courses and workshops and spoken at photography conferences in Mexico and internationally, training more than 1,200 photographers.

She was a Nikon Mexico Ambassador for five years and currently collaborates with Tamron. She is also recognized as one of the pioneers of newborn photography in Mexico.

Her work has received several national and international awards and recognitions. In 2025, two of her images were awarded by the Association of International Bo***ir Photographers (AIBP), including one recognized among the best bo***ir images of the year.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

09/08/2026

Being a photographer can be an incredibly independent profession. But growth doesn’t have to happen alone.

Connecting with other photographers gives us opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, challenge the way we think, and be reminded that there are people who understand both the creative and business sides of what we do.

For Allana Taranto, community has been another meaningful part of her journey.

Writer Jacqueline Tobin shares Allana’s story in our August Member Spotlight, and we’re proud to have Allana as part of shares Allana’s story in our August Member Spotlight, and we’re proud to have Allana as part of the AIBP community.

Read the full feature:
https://aibphotog.com/blog/member-spotlight-august-2026/

Photography Community • Bo***ir Photographers • Professional Growth • AIBP • Modern Muse

09/05/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | Will Cadena

We are excited to welcome Will Cadena to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

With two decades behind the camera, Will brings something incredibly valuable to this year’s panel: range.

His career has taken him from high-end commercial campaigns and corporate stages to fitness, portraiture, international assignments, and everything in between. But regardless of what is in front of his camera, Will approaches his work with the same commitment to technical excellence, intentional image-making, and creating photographs with purpose.

Just as importantly, Will is no stranger to the responsibility that comes with judging photographic competition. Through his involvement with Professional Photographers of America, he has evaluated work in international print and image competitions, giving him firsthand experience looking beyond personal preference to consider the craftsmanship, creativity, impact, and ex*****on behind an image.

That combination of photographer, entrepreneur, educator, and experienced competition judge brings another incredibly well-rounded perspective to our Visionary Awards panel.

We’re thrilled to have Will’s experience, knowledge, and critical eye evaluating the work of our 2026 entrants.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Will Cadena…

Will Cadena doesn’t just take photographs, he builds brands, systems, and businesses that outlast the moment.

He’s a Westcott Top Pro, Aftershoot MVP, Fundy Storyteller, GraphiStudio Ambassador, and trusted partner of Canon USA, 17hats, Tenba, and few more credentials earned through two decades of consistent, high-caliber work.

As a Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Council Board member, Will judges international print and image competitions, holding the industry’s work to the same standard he holds his own. That standard recently earned him an invitation most photographers never get: documenting a United Nations–related cultural exchange with the World Cultural Arts Organization (UNWCAO), capturing ChinaAfrica cultural collaboration alongside ambassadors and diplomats.

His lens moves fluently between worlds: commercial campaigns for brands like Christian Dior, Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Walt Disney World, corporate stages, and the raw intensity of fitness and bodybuilding events, always with the precision and business instinct that built five companies spanning photography, fitness events, headshots, and media production.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

09/05/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | Karen Bagley

We are incredibly excited to welcome Karen Bagley back to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

Karen is the kind of artist who reminds us just how far photography can go when we’re willing to push beyond the expected.

As an internationally award-winning Master Portrait Photographer and Certified Underwater Portrait Artist, Karen has built a career creating imagery that blends movement, fashion, emotion, technical precision, and imagination into something unmistakably her own.

And while she may be best known for creating her art beneath the surface, what makes Karen’s perspective so valuable to the Visionary Awards goes far deeper than underwater photography.
She understands what it means to take creative risks, develop a distinctive artistic voice, and create images that demand attention.

As an educator, she has spent more than a decade encouraging photographers to trust their creativity rather than simply follow what has already been done. That ability to recognize intention, originality, ex*****on, and impact makes her an incredible addition to our judging panel.

We’re thrilled to once again have Karen’s experience, imagination, and artistic eye evaluating the work of our 2026 entrants.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Karen Karen Bagley

Karen Bagley is an internationally award-winning Master Portrait Photographer and Certified Underwater Portrait Artist known for creating bold, imaginative imagery beneath the surface.

As the founder and creative director of Significant Moments Photography, Karen brings together movement, fashion, emotion, and a little bit of magic to create underwater portraits that feel both powerful and completely unforgettable.

For more than a decade, she has also been a speaker and educator in the photography industry, teaching photographers around the world to trust their creativity, strengthen their skills, and create work that truly feels like their own.

Enter the Visionary Awards: https://aibphotog.com/aibp-visionary-awards/

09/04/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | ZSA’NEE
We are excited to welcome Zsanee Gaines to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

Bold, energetic, unapologetically creative, and never particularly interested in following someone else’s rules, Zsa’nee brings a fantastic perspective to this year’s panel.

Throughout her career, she has built her work around celebrating women of all ages, sizes, colors, and backgrounds, using photography not simply to create beautiful images, but to help the women in front of her camera recognize and appreciate their own natural beauty.

Her experience extends far beyond the studio. With a background in visual communications and digital design, an extensive commercial portfolio, collaborations with major brands and public figures, and years spent educating and mentoring other photographers, Zsa’nee brings together artistry, technical knowledge, individuality, representation, and a willingness to push creative boundaries.

And that last piece is especially important in photographic competition.

Great imagery doesn’t always come from following the rules. Sometimes it comes from knowing them, understanding them, and then having the confidence to throw a few of them out the window in pursuit of something uniquely your own.

We’re thrilled to have Zsa’nee’s energy, experience, perspective, and creative eye evaluating the work of our 2026 entrants.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Zsa’nee…

Zsa’nee is a multicultural Colorado based photographer with a loud, crazy, and energetic style that refuses to accept rules set by people. With a love and passion for photographing women of all ages, sizes, colors, and backgrounds. She prides herself on helping ladies appreciate their natural beauty.

Beyond photography, Zsa’nee is a proud wife, mother, mentor, speaker, and entrepreneur with a BA in Visual Communications and Digital Design, grounding her creative work in strong academic training.

Zsa’nee’s diverse portfolio includes collaborations with renowned brands and celebrities, such as Pioneer Landscaping, Home Depot, Traillionaires, Jack Daniels, BET, Rocsi Diaz, K. Michelle, VH-1, CHFA, Be Well, Denver International Airport, TWELVE Media, STREET SOURCE Marketing and more.

Zsa’nee’s commitment to teaching and sharing knowledge has positioned her as an ambassador for various brands. Her engaging speaking style has garnered various opportunities such as keynote speaker and presenter at events like Cherry Creek District, Speaker/Instructor at ShutterFest, Glitch, Project Obscura, PPA North Carolina, PPA Dallas, PPA Virginia, Bokeh Academy and more. Her work has been featured in various publications such as Shutter Magazine, Munaluchi Bride, Black Bride, Hair Magazines, and more.

Her commitment to sharing knowledge reflects her belief in the importance of education and mentorship. Zsa’nee’s love for teaching extends beyond the camera, She believes sharing is essential.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

09/04/2026

Style isn’t something you find once and then protect from change.

It develops as you do.

The photographers whose work continues to feel alive are often the ones willing to stay curious—to revisit ideas, experiment with technique, and allow their creative voice to evolve.

That spirit of exploration runs throughout Jacqueline Tobin’s conversation with August Member Spotlight photographer Allana Taranto of Modern Muse.

Read the full Member Spotlight:
https://aibphotog.com/blog/member-spotlight-august-2026/

Photographic Style • Creative Growth • Bo***ir Photography • AIBP

09/04/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | LORI UNRUH POOLE

We are excited to welcome Lori Unruh Poole to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

Great photography doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Behind every successful image is an understanding of the person in front of the camera, the experience being created, and ultimately, the connection that image makes with the viewer.

That’s part of what makes Lori’s perspective such a valuable addition to this year’s judging panel.

As a full-time photographer, educator, and co-founder of Photo Insight, Lori brings more than a decade of experience behind the camera and in the sales room, along with a deep understanding of client psychology, connection, creativity, and the business of professional photography.

Her ability to look beyond simply how an image was created and consider why it works, how it connects, and the impact it creates brings another important perspective to the judging process.

We’re thrilled to have Lori’s experience, insight, and discerning eye evaluating the incredible work submitted to this year’s competition.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Lori Unruh Poole…

Lori Unruh Poole is a full-time photographer and co-founder of Photo Insight, where she and her husband, Jeff, help creative entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses with greater clarity and confidence. With more than a decade of experience behind the camera and in the sales room, Lori brings a unique perspective that blends creativity, business strategy, and a deep understanding of client psychology.

Known for her no-fluff, psychology-backed approach, Lori helps photographers turn overwhelm into clear, actionable strategies—and replace guesswork with intentional growth. Her teaching focuses on the real-world challenges photographers face, from sales and client relationships to pricing, profitability, and building a business that supports the life they want.

Lori’s teaching style is approachable, practical, and action-driven. She has a gift for breaking down complex topics into simple, achievable steps, empowering photographers to gain confidence, strengthen their businesses, and ultimately reclaim both their creativity and their bottom line.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

09/04/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | CRAIG LAMERE

We are excited to welcome Craig Lamere to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

With 15 years as a professional portrait photographer and more than a decade of experience as an educator and mentor, Craig brings an incredible depth of knowledge to this year’s panel.

From lighting and posing to composition, storytelling, and the business of photography, Craig has spent his career not only refining his own craft, but helping other photographers refine theirs. His experience teaching at some of the industry’s leading events, including Imaging, WPPI, ShutterFest, and the AIBP Retreat, has given him the opportunity to work with and educate photographers across countless styles and experience levels.

That combination of technical expertise, artistic vision, real-world experience, and an educator’s eye makes Craig a fantastic addition to this year’s judging panel.

We’re thrilled to have his experience and perspective evaluating the incredible work submitted to this year’s competition.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Craig Lamere…

Craig Lamere is a professional portrait photographer with 15 years of experience and a passion for creating images that are both visually compelling and emotionally meaningful. For the past 14 years, he has owned and operated his portrait studio in Idaho, where he has built a reputation for his artistry, professionalism, and commitment to his clients.

In addition to his work behind the camera, Craig is a dedicated educator and mentor with more than 11 years of teaching experience. He has had the privilege of sharing his knowledge with photographers at many of the leading industry events, as well as numerous state and local photography guilds.

From lighting and posing to workflow and the creative and business sides of portrait photography, Craig brings a wealth of real-world experience and practical insight to every class and workshop.

When he’s not photographing or teaching, Craig enjoys golfing, cooking, and traveling.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

09/03/2026

MEET THE JUDGES | CHRISTINA “TINA” MEERLOO-CUSICK

We are thrilled to welcome Christina “Tina” Meerloo-Cusick to the judging panel for the 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards!

As a fine art and bo***ir photographer, educator, and co-founder of The Bo***ir Class, Tina brings a perspective to our judging panel that is deeply connected to both the artistry and intention behind intimate portraiture.

With an extensive background in art and art history, Tina approaches photography with an eye that goes beyond technical ex*****on. Her work explores connection, storytelling, composition, authenticity, and the feminine gaze, all while creating imagery that feels both powerful and timeless.

That combination of artistic vision, technical knowledge, and her understanding of the bo***ir experience makes Tina an incredible addition to this year’s panel, and we’re excited to have her discerning eye evaluating the work of our 2026 entrants.

Meet 2026 AIBP Visionary Awards Judge Christina “Tina” Meerloo-Cusick…

Christina “Tina” Meerloo is an accomplished fine art and bo***ir photographer and owner of Meerloo Intimates, a renowned New Jersey studio specializing in intimate portraiture. With more than a decade of experience and an extensive international background in art and art history, Tina blends artistic vision, technical expertise, and storytelling to create beautiful, meaningful imagery.

As co-founder of The Bo***ir Class, Tina is passionate about helping photographers elevate their craft and develop their own artistic voice. Her teaching philosophy centers on connection, creativity, confidence, and the feminine gaze, combining practical instruction in posing, lighting, and composition with a deeper understanding of the client experience. Her workshops are designed to inspire photographers of all skill levels to create imagery that feels authentic, empowering, and timeless.

Enter the Visionary Awards: www.aibpvisionaryawards.com

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