A photographer from the Foothills has received recognition from the Professional Photographers of Canada.

Karyn Lee of Karyn Lee Portrait was awarded with the Craftsman of Photographic Arts after three years of working towards it. The designation takes a minimum of three years to complete.

Lee says the designation represents hard work.

"This designation indicates I've competed in national competitions and done really well and earned a certain amount of print points, it also means I've been very active within Professional Photographers of Canada," she says. "I'm vice-chair of PPOC Alberta and I have been for two years now, so just through service and doing well in print competitions as well as becoming accredited I was awarded with it."

With her new designation Lee is now a qualified judge for image competitions.

An example of one of Lee's favourite projects to work on: compositing photos. (Photo Courtesy: Karyn Lee Portrait)

Lee opened Karyn Lee Portrait in 2007, purchased Ted Dawson Studio in 2013, and combined it with her business which is now ran out of downtown High River.

She says while she loves her job and photographing different subjects, she has a current favourite.

"Lately I've been doing a lot of compositing photos which is where you take a subject and you composite them into another background with other objects... these are really great for kids because there's a fantasy element to it so it's the things you don't get to do in real life."

Lee received the award at the PPOC national convention in Calgary in April.

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