Photographer Al Weems received top honors in the commercial category from the Professional Photographer of Rhode Island Annual Convention and also received a Fuji Masterpiece on the weekend of February 28-March 2 for a photo taken for the Jenn Lee Group’s client the Darlene Group Inc.’s new jewelry line.
The winning photograph was taken at a photo shoot for an editorial spread on March 5, 2008 for the Rosa Flores “Organic Artistry” jewelry, a Pawtucket based jeweler. CEO of the Darlene Group Inc., Maria Baccari sent President of the Jenn Lee Group, Jennifer Bogutt a request for a photo shoot to be featured in an editorial spread in the April 2008 edition of the New York City based magazine Accessories, Baccari states the winning photo is “hands down the best and most effective ad we have ever run in our corporate history.”
Bogutt decided on Weems as the photographer immediately. “Al and I have been working together for 4 years now,” Bogutt continued “Al works with me to develop my vision and the vision of the client through on every project.” The Jenn Lee Group chose Angelee King from the Rhode Island Modeling Association as model and collaborated with Baccari to decide the wardrobe, hairstyle and the art direction for the photo.
Bogutt stated “I always love working with [Weems], he has definitely excelled with every project we have worked together on, whether it be a food shoot, product shot, or real estate.” Bogutt stated “[Weems] and I have a lot of great synergy, something that is hard to find with a photographer,” working with Weems is “always a pleasure.” Weems returned the sentiment stating that “working with Jenn and the Group has always been a pleasure and a breeze” Weems continued that he “appreciate[s] being able to have input rather than having to strictly follow a script all of the time.” Weems says that this quality that Jenn has “makes the creative process much more of a positive experience.”
Baccari stated that she “adored working with Al, he is the consummate professional and it does not surprise me to learn of his success. I couldn’t be any more thrilled for him and Jennifer and can’t wait to work on our next campaign!”
Rhode Island and out of state photographers entered the Professional Photographer of Rhode Island Annual Convention which is an annual print competition that Weems has entered many times over the years and has won “Best of Show” on 3 different occasions. Weems has also won Kodak Gallery awards in the past.
Members of the Professional Photographers of America Inc. (PPA) made up the panels of judges at the competition. Weems stated that receiving the award “felt great… [it is] always good to be recognized by ones peers for a job well done.” Weems has been a photographer with over two decades of experience, growing up in Fall River, Massachusetts; he currently resides in Cranston and is a member of Cranston Chamber of Commerce.