Kodak Celebrates Wedding and Portrait Photography Excellence at Annual Gallery Elite Awards Event

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The KODAK Gallery Elite Award winners, representing excellence in the field of wedding and portrait photography, were honored last night by Eastman Kodak Company EK at the 26^th annual KODAK Gallery Elite Awards reception in New Orleans, LA. The awards, judged this year by Helen Yancy, Dennis Craft and Rich Newell, recognize outstanding creativity and skill of wedding and portrait photographers who have also utilized KODAK PROFESSIONAL Products and Services to produce exceptional photographic prints for their clients. Kodak unveiled the KODAK Gallery Elite Award winners at a reception last evening at Imaging USA (I-USA), the annual conference and trade show of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

The judges named Donna Goodhue, of Expressions by Donna (www.expressionsbydonna.com) this year's grand prize winner. Her photograph, “Endless Love,” features an older couple sharing a quiet, affectionate moment. Judges awarded the Rutland, VT based photographer for capturing real people at a moment that evokes a real emotion. Goodhue is an environmental photographic artist, specializing in wedding and portrait images.

“KODAK Gallery Elite Awards winners possess professionalism, talent and unique styles, which they deliver to their clients on a regular basis,” said Christopher S. Van Zandt, Vice President & General Manager, Paper & Output Systems, Americas Region, Eastman Kodak Company. “We're excited to honor their artistry and expertise, which combined with their use of KODAK PROFESSIONAL Photography Products and Services and a Pro Lab, deliver high quality, lasting memories for their clients.”

In addition to Goodhue, three photographers received KODAK Gallery Elite Awards:

• 2^nd Place: Dan McClanahan, McClanahan Studio, Ames, IA (www.mcclanahanstudio.com) for “Never Trust a Woman”
• 3^rd Place: Lora Yeater, Memories by Lora Yeater, Alma, WV (www.memoriesbylora.com) for “Good-bye”
• 4^th Place: Audrey Wancket, Wancket Studios, Spring Grove, IL (www.wancketstudios.com) for “Miss Priss”

In addition to receiving the Gallery Elite Crystal trophy, each winner receives a cash prize and lab credits at a professional photo lab that uses KODAK PROFESSIONAL Products. Also, Kodak will showcase the winners' images in the Gallery Elite circle at I-USA, on kodak.com, www.kodak.com/go/galleryaward, and in Kodak promotional materials. The ceremony also paid tribute to the hundreds of other 2011 KODAK Gallery Award recipients throughout the United States and Canada. During 2011, professional photographers affiliated with the PPA in all 50 states and Canada competed for Gallery Awards in five categories:

• Portrait or Landscape Print
• Wedding Print
• Illustrative, Commercial, Electronic Image Print
• Printed Album or Book (any category)
• Print or Album using KODAK PROFESSIONAL ENDURA Metallic VC Digital Paper

State and regional winners of Gallery Awards who used KODAK PROFESSIONAL Products, such as KODAK PROFESSIONAL Film, Media and/or Chemistry in the creation or production of their works, were eligible to compete for the KODAK Gallery Elite Award.

For more information, please visit www.kodak.com/go/professional or follow KODAK PROFESSIONAL on FACEBOOK at www.facebook.com/kodakprofessional.

About Kodak

As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

(Kodak, Kodak Professional and Endura are trademarks.)