PRESS RELEASE: Local Queensland-Based Female Photographer Overall Open Winner at Heritage Bank 2019 Photographic Awards.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leesa McGill Creative 2019
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Local Queensland-Based Female Photographer Overall Open Winner at
Heritage Bank 2019 Photographic Awards.
Wednesday, 4 September, 2019 — Toowoomba, QLD — Fine Art Photographer and business owner, Leesa McGill of Leesa McGill Creative based in Mackay Qld, has been announced as the Overall Open Winner of the Heritage Bank 2019 Photographic Awards, for her image, “Dream Big”, a self-portrait encouraging people to dream big regardless of how difficult or impossible things may appear. The winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony held at USQ Arts Gallery, in Toowoomba, last night.
The Heritage Bank Photographic Awards is an Australia-wide photography competition open to all professional and amateur photographers. Leesa’s image ‘Dream Big’ captured the romantic dream of flight, with a delicate perspective of ‘nothing is impossible’. As the overall open winner, the ‘Dream Big’ image will be purchased by Heritage Bank, and displayed at the USQ Arts Gallery Top 50 Exhibition, for public viewing from 3 September – 25 September, 2019. Leesa will receive $1500 and $150 Camera House gift certificate.
Leesa is a Central Queensland based self-portrait photographer, who since 2017 has worked her way from a hobbyist to an award-winning emerging artist. Self-educated, Leesa initially experimented with fashion, lifestyle, people and pet portraits, before remote living, a familiarity with solitude, and an impromptu nature served as catalysts for an eventual shift toward playing both the director and actress in her creative works. Leesa honours freedom of expression and creates accordingly. “It’s that tiny moment that makes a person feel something big, or a big moment that makes a person feel tiny, a passion, a fantasy, a dream, a reality; these are the real subjects of my work, I simply bring them to the stage,” said McGill.
She diversifies between the styles of conceptual, illustrative and portraiture, allowing each moment its own uniqueness, while at the same time tying them all together through her trait of anonymity. “I am a self-portrait photographer, yet I never take photos of myself,” said McGill.
A contemplative and reserved, yet highly driven, vivid individual, Leesa is constantly striving to expand her skill set, extend her achievements and most importantly, build on her connection with her viewers.
While still a newer face in the industry, with a relatively young career, Leesa has already captured the attention of industry professionals with her fresh and engaging photography, through entry into local and national photography competitions;
Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2019: Top 20. (11th). Art category
Entered: “Her Heart” series – A series of six images telling the story of a young woman who discovers her personal strength through unrequited love.
Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2019: (Highly Commended). Art Category
Entered: “In Love” series of six images.
Australian Photography Magazine 2018: People’s Choice Award (Winner)
Entered: “Quinni” – A dramatic equine portrait.
Australian Photographer of the Year 2018: (Highly Commended). People and Portrait Category
Entered: “The Horse Woman” series of four images.
Australian Photographer of the Year 2018: (Highly Commended). People and Portrait Category
Entered: “Golden Moments” series of four images.
Australian Photographer of the Year 2018: (Commended). People and Portrait Category
Entered: “The Four Elements” series of four images.
Leesa McGill continues to challenge herself creatively and personally for images that capture honest emotion, and encourage thought and discussion.
For more information, or to view and purchase works by Leesa McGill Creative, visit https://leesamcgillcreative.com/ Learn more about the Heritage Photographic Awards at https://www.heritage.com.au/about/sponsorship/photographic-awards
