Competing with over 6,000 entries from 85 schools in the Association for Texas Photography Instructors (ATPI) Fall Contest, several students from Allen’s Commercial Photography Program received recognition. With a over 100 entries from about 20 students, 16 received either a top three spot or an honorable mention in their respective categories.

“We worked together with our teacher to pick which photos we submitted,” senior Madison White said.

Students considered photographs they had taken over the past year for assignments and on their own. ATPI contests consist of 31 categories and two divisions. High schools compete in the advanced division and participants could submit up to 3 photos for each category they wanted.

White said choosing the right picture to submit was a difficult task because so much of art is based off opinion and perception.

“I think a good photographer has to have an aesthetic eye,” White said. “there’s a lot that goes into photography and it’s easy to over complicate things.”

Despite having to choose from hundreds of personal photos, Allen students were able to make an impression in the professional photography community.

“To be recognized as a photographer gives me hope that my art may speak to others out there,” junior Darlyn Herald said,  “and possibly inspire people to find the beauty and peace in the simple pleasures that this world offers which most people don’t even bother to recognize.”