CELEBRATING SELF-ACCEPTANCE AS A DIAMOND AWARD WINNER

Feb 16, 2026

I AM A DIAMOND AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a Diamond Award Winning photographer and all I can say is wow… I am completely in awe that this happened!

My image of my sweet friend and breast cancer survivor, Jeza, won a DIAMOND Award at the International Photographic Competition (IPC), hosted by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) — America’s leading network of professional photographers. This annual competition takes place at Imaging USA, the world’s largest photography convention for professional photographers.

My First Win

My first “win” in the competition was placing as the 22 seed in the Top 32 for my category, Natural Portrait. I also had an image in the Day of Wedding category that just missed the Top 32 at seed 34. The Natural Portrait category emphasizes capturing people in an authentic, genuine way — reflecting personality, mood, and natural expression. It’s less about glamour or dramatic effect and more about real human connection.

I was absolutely thrilled just to make the Top 32. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what that meant — this was my first time entering IPC. I did know that my image would move on to live judging the day before Imaging USA 2026 officially began.

I arrived early, fully prepared to sit for a few hours and watch until my image finally found its end in the competition. What I didn’t expect was to be shocked, flabbergasted, completely excited, and in awe when my image made it all the way to the FINAL FOUR in my category. That meant it would appear on the big screen during the final evening of judging — a special main-stage event at Imaging USA.

Final Four

When the main event began, there were a few technical difficulties, which made all of us image makers even more anxious. Each category goes through two rounds of head-to-head judging, and the final winner earns a Diamond as the General Imaging Award (GIA) for their category.

When the Natural Portrait category finally came up, my image first went head-to-head with Teresa Whittaker’s emotional photograph of a lone elderly card player — you could almost feel the weight of his life through his weathered skin. Next, my image was paired against a powerful portrait by Kevin Dooley, featuring an Indigenous woman sitting peacefully in front of her hut, her gaze shared a lifetime of stories.

After the result, the man sitting next to me tapped my shoulder and said, very sternly,
“You just beat me.”

That man was Kevin — a member of the World Photographic Cup Team for the United States.

Natural Portrait Category Winner

That moment sent me to the top of the Natural Portrait category, earning me a DIAMOND Award and placing me among 16 category winners out of more than 2,200 global entries.

I was invited on stage and awarded a beautiful glass trophy, $1,000, and the elite recognition of being a Diamond Image Maker at IPC during Imaging USA 2026.

Once all the category winners were seated side by side, the final head-to-head judging began to determine the Grand Imaging Award winner. While I was knocked out before the final eight by my new neighbor, Kimberly Olker — whose stunning image depicted a peaceful hilltop wrapped in rolling clouds — I am absolutely floored and beyond grateful to have received the top award in the Natural Portrait category. (And yes… I had already been practicing what I might say if I won Best of Show — just in case 😅).

This entire experience was wild in the best way. Competing, learning, and witnessing the judging process firsthand has completely lit a fire in me. I’ve learned so much, and I’m already thinking about what I might create for next year.

But while the thrill of winning was incredible, what touched my heart most was how deeply Jeza took part in this journey.

What I’ve Learned

I have served as Vice President of The Affirmations Project in Tampa, Florida, for the last ten years, and through that work I’ve learned this:

As women — as humans — we carry so many emotional scars, often paired with physical ones. We walk through life holding these experiences quietly, and it can be very lonely. Whether you’re facing a breast cancer diagnosis, domestic violence, or another life-altering struggle, these stories shape us… but they do not define us.

We have the power to show up for ourselves.
To overcome self-deprecation.
To find our voice through the noise of life.

That is what this image is about.

Standing in your own skin.
Acknowledging what you’ve survived.
And choosing to take your freedom back.

JEZA

Of course, I’m deeply connected to the image I created—but when my art has a positive impact on someone else’s life, that becomes far more meaningful than any diamond medal. The fact that my model and dear friend, Jeza, was able to be part of this journey and experience the win alongside me—and for herself—is what this is truly all about.

Jeza showed up to this session ready to bare her soul — with vulnerability and humility — and in doing so, this image touched the hearts of so many others. During the event, people sought me out to share their own stories of breast cancer, of loved ones affected, of lives changed. They thanked me for showing a woman standing fully in her power.

While I am not a breast cancer or domestic violence survivor, I carry scars of my own — as we all do. I hope this image empowers you, and encourages you, especially during your own moments of darkness.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Michelle Caudle

Silver Moon Photography

Read more about my involvement with The Affirmations Project here.

Check out the judged brackets: https://commoninja.site/grand-imaging

See the Full Live Stream here! https://youtu.be/1_gKp-zGIxA

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL DIAMOND WINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS OF 2026 IPC

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