Every year, I take part in the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers Iris Awards.
Every year I stay quiet and don't tell many people (out of nerves, in case I don't do well) but this year I want to take you along on the journey and that starts with explaining what they are!

"The Iris Awards starts on Monday 26th July with live judging. We have two judging rooms, which will each host the judging of different categories. A panel of five judges each view the image and then give a score out of 100. There is often quite a bit of discussion before a final score is given, and feedback on each image for the entrant. It is free to come in and watch the judging, just turn up, grab a seat and soak it all in. Judging runs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with the full schedule of category judging to be released following the close of entries in mid June.

When the category has been judged, the awarded images are taken through to the exhibition and displayed for you to view. This is also free to attend, and it's a great way to meet new people while you talk about their work. It's pretty cool to see what different techniques others use, or paper or finishing on their prints. It's a very social area, and it's pretty special to see your images up there if you are lucky enough to win an award."

- Sarah McGregor, NZIPP Executive Director