Quite the Month!

July has been quite the month around here! I have been a bit overwhelmed by all the very amazing things that have been going on. And to be honest, have been a bit remiss in sharing some of them! Although I intend to remedy that starting now!

I am so very grateful for each and every one of my clients who chooses to work with me. These opportunities only occur because you allow me to run with my crazy ideas, give me creative freedom to design the sessions, and tolerate me to working through the images I have in my head that I *need* to get into my camera!

One of the results of that freedom has been the honors and opportunities that have come along this summer.

First Publication

I am proud to say that I was published in a Photography Magazine for the first time this month. The NAPCP (National Association of Child Photographers) chose one of my images for their “Low Light” theme I was published as a Featured Artist in the June issue of INSPIRED. To have a printed magazine sitting on my desk featuring one of my images…Well. I really don’t have words to describe the honor.

NAPCP INSPIRED Magazine Low Light Theme Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater Photographer
NAPCP INSPIRED Magazine Low Light Theme Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater Photographer
“My beautiful ballerina was absolutely magical.  Her form was perfection and I nearly gasped when I went under to compose this shot.  Her fingers and toes, even her skirt, everything in perfect order.  The night sky was pitch black and the only light we were using was the single pool light, forming a perfect silhouette.”
Nikon D750 in Ikelite Underwater Housing | Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 | f/2.8 | 1/640 | ISO 6400
Light Source: Single Pool Light
Charlotte Underwater Senior Ballerina at Night in Silhouette
NAPCP Low Light Image published in June issue of INSPIRED

There is more?!?

YES! The same week that NAPCP released INSPIRED with a full page dedicated to my image and story behind the image, the announcement was made that THREE of my Underwater Images were chosen to be displayed in the NAPCP Top 100 Annual Gallery Event and Print Competition in Atlanta.

NAPCP Top 100 INSPIRED Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater Photographer
NAPCP Top 100 Featured Artist
NAPCP Top 100 INSPIRED Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater Photographer
“Color” ~ NAPCP Top 100 Featured Artist
NAPCP Top 100 INSPIRED Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater Photographer
“Color” ~ NAPCP Top 100 Featured Artist
NAPCP Top 100 INSPIRED Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater Photographer
“Story” ~ NAPCP Top 100 Featured Artist

And as if all of that wasn’t enough…

The date of the NAPCP Top 100 Gallery Event was announced a few weeks ago. And once I realized it was the SAME WEEK I would be in Atlanta with my boys for our little summer getaway, I was beyond excited! I actually got to attend the event in person at Alice Park Studios! What a treat!

Olympic Park Atlanta Georgia, Olympic Rings
Five kids and two Mamas take over Atlanta for a week! Wahoo!! First Stop: Atlanta’s 1996 Centennial Olympic Park!
The Varsity Atlanta Drink Coca Cola
The VARSITY! I had heard so much about this Atlanta Classic that of course we had to pick up Milkshakes before leaving town!!
Lionfish at Georgia Aquarium | Photo taken on Portrait Mode with iPhone XS
Many more amazing photos to come from the awe-inspiring Georgia Aquarium! But for now, can you believe I took this LionFish photo with my new iPhone XS?!? Hello Portrait Mode!

Park Studios

Park Studios Atlanta NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer
My First Peek into the NAPC Gallery Event at Park Studios
NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography "Color" Category with Image "Hello World"
Such an Honor to be standing next to my First Gallery Piece. This Underwater Senior Image in the Color Category is one of my favorites from the session we did with WBTV Charlotte!
NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography "Color" Category with Image "Tropical Anticipation"
Didn’t Musea do an amazing job with these Fine Art Prints!?!
NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer
Underwater Maternity is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres within Underwater Photography
NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer
Park Studios Atlanta NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer
The TOP 100 Images looked incredible covering the walls of Park Studios

What a Room!

The talent and creativity in the room, as I walked around and looked at each of the 100 images on the walls of the studio, was awe-inspiring. Alice Park Studios is the most beautiful venue. It was lovely to be able to return so soon after spending time there this winter for the NAPCP Marketing Summit. And of course, getting to see old friends and making new ones is always the best part!

Park Studios Atlanta NAPCP INSPIRED Gallery Event and Print Competition Featured Artist Renee Stengel Photography with Atlanta Underwater Photographer Elizabeth Blank
So amazing to meet up with Elizabeth Blank, fellow Underwater Photographer from Atlanta. We closed down the Gallery Event chatting life, swimming pools,
and Underwater Photography!

Congratulations!

Please join me in offering a huge congratulations to each of the eight photographers who placed or took home an honorable mention in one of the three categories.

Color: Ashley McBroom, Diogo Loureiro, Lena Antaramian, and Tamara Gonzalez.

Story: Keely Owendoff, Ashley McBroom, and Hayley Johnson.

Emotion: Karyn Novakowski, Liz Deremer, and Jennifer Mehling.

Thank you to our Amazing Competition Judges Elizabeth Blank, BreeAnne Clowdus, and Kelly Berry. We appreciate all of your hard work!!

Transformation

I love this quote from Roy T. Bennett. Of course I had hoped one of my images would place. But I am also proud of myself for even submitting images in the first place. This has been a year of pushing my limits. Of reaching outside my norm. Of trying new things and reaching for goals that I have no idea how long it will take to attain. And again, I thank each of you for your kind words, your support, and your encouragement on this journey…

“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.”

― Roy T. Bennett

RENEE STENGEL Photography | Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer |

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