We are pleased to announce the jurors for the 17th annual competition as J. Scott Graham, Joan Brook, and Erin Durham.  All of the images for this our annual competition are selected by this panel of jurors, each of which have a professional background in photography and love for the natural environment.

“We are thrilled to announce our jurors this year. They have a very broad background in photography and love for the outdoors and will provide a strong and varied perspective from which to view the images,” states AMPC competition organizer, Rich Campbell. “We are excited to have these individuals be a part of the AMPC who will dedicate their time, talent, and expertise to the competition this year.”

J. Scott Graham

It is difficult to picture the Southern Appalachians without seeing one of J. Scott Graham‘s iconic images. For three decades, his legendary photographs of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have helped define these beloved sites for millions of visitors.

In addition to these two locations, Scott also works with many state parks, national forests, national historic sites, tourist attractions, and resorts throughout the country to create an array of products for their gift shops and retail outlets.

Celebrated as one of America’s finest photographers, Scott has also become one of the country’s most commercially-successful artists. From calendars and coffee table books to puzzles and postcards, the J. Scott Graham brand is sold throughout the United States and in the Caribbean.

Scott resides in Johnson City, Tennessee, and has been married to his wife, Cathy, since 1990. They have two sons, Chace and Jackson, and a daughter-in-law Lainey.

Joan Brook

Joan Brook is currently employed by Appalachian State University and teaches as an Adjunct professor in the Department of Art in Commercial Photography.

A Texas certified photographer, Joan Brook is a professional documentary photographer. Her work has been accepted into several group gallery exhibitions, including the Texas Photographic Society, Austin Community College, and Black and White at A. Smith Gallery in Johnson City, Texas.

Joan lectures on the use of photography as playing a central role in forming our narratives of identity and space. These lectures focus on her photography of walls and borders specifically at the Texas/Mexico border, in Nepal, documenting the reconstruction of a Himalayan village demolished by the effects of climate change, and on the historical graffiti art in Austin Texas.

Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy of Interdisciplinary Studies from Miami University, an MA in Education from the University of North Texas, and an MAT in Teaching Biological Studies from Miami University.

Erin Durham

Erin Durham graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Commercial Photography. Throughout her life, she has spent as much time as possible traveling and working with various non-profit organizations. She hopes to use her photography to shed light on lesser known topics and inspire others to make a difference.

Durham is currently working on two ongoing projects. The first is a research and photography project working with people with albinism in East Africa and her other project is a collaborative effort with photographer/filmmaker Craig Dillenbeck, making a full-length documentary film about Black Mountain College artist Frank Hursh.

Erin is involved in the world of art and is continuously immersed in it – working in various art galleries and continually deepening her love of the installation process. She believes that the classic ideas of art and photography directly influence each other, leading to an immense amount of inspiration.

Portfolio Reviews

“We are also excited about continuing our popular initiative this year where everyone who submits an image to the AMPC will have the opportunity to register for a large number of Portfolio Review Sessions with some jurors, professional photographers, and others in the photography industry” states Campbell. “This initiative is designed to be an informative and educational opportunity made available, free of charge, for as many people as possible who have submitted images to the AMPC this year.”