Sony announces winner in Sony Alpha D-SLR Photography Competition

Auckland, October, 2009: - Sony has announced Cambridge student Marcelle Te Huia as the winner of its annual Alpha D-SLR Photography competition – a competition aimed at giving up and coming photographers the chance to showcase their talents at Air New Zealand Fashion Week.

Twenty-three year-old Marcelle beat out fourteen other finalists from across the country to secure the top position.

The week involved early starts, late nights and plenty of glitz and glamour, including a special appearance by Hollywood celebrity Pamela Anderson, who showcased her eco-friendly range of swimwear and casual wear.

Marcelle found the experience exciting, exhilarating and challenging. “The best part of the week was having full access to all the designers’ shows and seeing my work displayed on the Sony BRAVIAs for everyone to see,” she said. “It really helped me gain confidence as a photographer.”

The Waikato Institute of Technology student was very surprised to find out she had been chosen as the winner. “I was both overwhelmed and excited when I heard I was the winner of this year's competition. This has been a truly valuable experience and I would encourage other photography students to give it a go next year!”

All fifteen finalists submitted impressive entries making the task of judging all the more difficult.

“The scores were very close but at the end of the day Marcelle was the clear winner. All the finalists have a bright future ahead of them and no doubt we will see them in the industry in the next few years,” said Sam Williams, Sony Marketing Manager for Digital Imaging Products.

Marcelle has won a Sony Alpha D-SLR Camera Package worth more than $2,500 and a $3,000 scholarship for a course relating to fine arts, design or photography in 2010.

Runners up Heather Liddell and Tamara Mapper, both Auckland tertiary students, will receive Sony Walkmans.

The Sony Alpha D-SLR Photography Competition runs annually as part of Sony’s Fashion Week sponsorship. Each year aspiring photographers are given the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Fashion Week and attend the much anticipated Designer Selection Show which is the biggest show at Air New Zealand Fashion Week. This year it was again an extravaganza of Fashion, music, lights and atmosphere, with more than 3000 people enjoying this spectacular showcase during the Week.

The fifteen Sony Fashion Week photographers also had their photos displayed on FrontRowDiary.com and Fashionz.co.nz as part of the People’s Choice Awards. Visitors to the sites were invited to vote for their favourite finalist. Thousands of votes were cast and 17-year-old Chrissy Kowenhoven came out the favourite.