Carlisle, PA – Robert A. Howard, owner of Howard Studios in downtown Lebanon was honored recently at the annual convention of the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania, Inc. As part of this annual event, a statewide-juried competition and public exhibition of photography was held. All four of Robert’s entries received honors from the judging panel including two Blue Ribbons and a Judge’s Choice Award. One of the Blue Ribbon images entitled “It Was the Best of Times,” scored a 91 out of 100 points and was awarded a Best of Category in the Illustrative division. This image went on to garner the LEXJET Award for the best quality print and presentation, PPA National CPP Competition Award as well as the Best of Show trophy. Robert also received two awards for “Quality,” both of which were awarded in recognition of his creativity in the Commercial and Illustrative categories.
Three of the four images that Robert entered where part of his new line of “Rail Art” images and featured both modern and vintage railroading themes. “Rail Art” is a genre created by Robert by merging traditional railroad photography with various Photoshop techniques to produce unique fine art images. These unique images have been featured in several national magazines and are quickly becoming part of many private collections. Several of Robert’s “Rail Art” images were selected for inclusion in a new gallery exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This exhibit entitled “From Your Lens: Images of Contemporary Railroading,” opens to the public on Saturday, April 27, 2013.
Robert has been entering his works for nearly twenty-five years and has been recognized for excellence in portrait, commercial, fine art and illustrative photographic techniques. The award winning images are displayed throughout the year in his studio located in downtown Lebanon and as part of the American Society of Photographers Master’s Loan Exhibit, a traveling show.
State College, PA – Robert and Cindy Howard, owners of Howard Studios in downtown Lebanon were honored this past weekend at the annual convention of the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Cindy was chosen to receive the PPA National Award for outstanding service to the profession of photography. The award recognizes persons who generously contribute their time and talents to the service of their profession. Selections of the award are determined by the recipient’s peers, which add to its distinction and value. This is the second National Award for Howard Studios as Robert was chosen for the honor in 2006 in recognition of his leadership and teaching contributions.
Robert’s efforts were also once again recognized in the annual PPA of PA juried exhibition. All four of his entries received honors including a Blue Ribbon, Judge’s Choice Award and a Best of Show in the Illustrative category.
Robert also received three awards for “Quality,” two of which were awarded in recognition of his creativity in senior/graduation portraiture. The two images featured portraits of local high school seniors, Taylor Ford from the CCHS class of 2012 and Nikki Walker from the ELCO class of 2013.
The week prior to the state convention, Robert achieved national recognition when he competed in the Professional Photographers of America Northeast District juried exhibition. The PPA-NE competition was held in Ohio and included more than 1000 entries from eleven states and eastern Canada and was judged by an international panel of jurists.
All four of Howard’s images received recognition from the judging panel. In addition to three Blue Ribbons, Howard received his second score of a perfect “100” on his image entitled “Lethal Weapon.” This image, a black and white presentation, depicts an APACHE AH64D Longbow helicopter in flight during a training exercise at Ft. Indiantown Gap. Howard also achieved a perfect score in the same exhibition in 2010.
Based on his cumulative score for the exhibition, Howard was also selected to the PPA-NE District Top Ten and chosen as the Pennsylvania State Photographer of the Year. This is the fourth consecutive year that Howard has received both honors.
Robert has been entering his works for nearly twenty years and has been recognized for excellence in portrait, commercial, fine art and illustrative photographic techniques. The award winning images are displayed throughout the year in his studio located in downtown Lebanon.
Lebanon photographer Bob Howard of R. Howard Photography was recently recognized by the Annville-Cleona school board for his contributions to the district.
In business since 1992, Howard Photography has been providing free services to Annville-Cleona High School for 13 years, according to a news release. These donated services have been particularly important to the high-school yearbook staff, which relies on the studio for professional sports action shots and team photos used in the yearbook.
Additionally, the ACHS staff receives professional photos of the homecoming court, the teacher dedication and the musical, the release states. All of these services are provided without a fee.
One service that benefits seniors annually is receiving a complimentary photo of each of them accepting a diploma on stage from the principal at commencement. Photos are mailed to every senior after graduation.
Since 1998, the studio has photographed more than 370 varsity athletic events, 280 clubs and organizations, 180 sports teams, 12 proms, 12 commencements, eight dedication portrait sessions and eight homecoming courts, the release continues. More than 1,100 students have been provided with free diploma photographs, and more than 70 publicity sessions have taken place for district officials without a fee.
In all, the studio has provided more than 2,000 hours of donated photographic services, and those hours have a retail value of more than $200,000, the release states.
Ryan Clements, an English and journalism teacher and yearbook adviser at ACHS, presented Howard with a plaque at the April 15 board meeting.
"Over the course of 12 years, I have developed the utmost respect for Bob and Cindy Howard, two of the most generous people I know," Clements said in the release. "Just like the rest of the country they face the impacts of the current economic condition. Yet they have continued to donate over 2,000 professional hours to our district."
Lebanon County Photographer, Robert A. Howard, recently competed in the Mid-East States Professional Photographer’s Association (MESPPA) exhibition. At the MESPPA competition held in Ohio, nearly 500 entries from the states of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were judged by an international panel of jurists.
All four of Howard’s images received recognition from the judging panel. In addition to two Blue Ribbons, Howard received the Best of Show/ Outstanding Illustrative trophy for his image entitled, “Ready to Run.” This image, a “vintage” presentation, depicts steam locomotive #40 preparing for a morning run from the New Hope Station. The image was further distinguished by receiving a perfect score of “100”points, an increasing rare occurrence at this level of competition. In awarding the print Judges Choice, jurist Jon Allyn wrote: “Brilliant! I wish I could score over 100!”
Based on his cumulative score for the exhibition, Howard was also selected to the Mid-East States Top Ten and chosen as the Pennsylvania State Photographer of the Year. This is the second consecutive year that Howard has received both honors and marks the third time he has earned recognition for Best Illustrative image including Best Illustrative in 2009.
Robert has been entering his works for nearly twenty years and has been recognized for excellence in portrait, commercial, fine art and illustrative photographic techniques. The award winning images are displayed throughout the year in his studio located in downtown Lebanon.
Lebanon County Photographer, Robert A. Howard, recently competed in several professional photographic exhibitions. At the Mid-East States competition held in Kentucky, all four of Howard’s images received distinguished honors from the judging panel. In addition to three Blue Ribbons, Howard received the Best of Show trophy for his illustrative image entitled, “Glory Days.” This image depicts steam locomotive #3254 changing tracks at the Tobyhanna Station in the Pocono Mountains. Based on his cumulative score for the exhibition, Howard was also selected to the Mid-East States Top Ten and chosen as the Pennsylvania State Photographer of the Year.
At the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania annual convention Howard’s images also received several honors. Once again, all four images were selected for recognition by the jurists. Three more Blue Ribbons as well as an Award of Quality were presented to Howard along with two Judge’s Choice Awards. The jury also selected two of Howard’s images to be placed in the Master’s Court of Honor. During selection for trophies, several prints took top honors including a Kodak Gallery Award, Best Portrait of a Man, the PA Certified Photographers Best of Show Trophy and the American Society of Photographers ASP State Elite Trophy for best among eligible entries.
Most recently Howard competed in the Professional Photographers of America annual exhibition. From his four images entered, the judges selected two images to be included in the American Society of Photographers Masters Loan Collection. These images, representing the top 1% of all entries, will be part of a traveling exhibit which will tour internationally throughout 2009 and be displayed at the National Convention of the PPA to be held in Nashville in January 2010. They will also be published in a limited edition gallery book.
Among the three exhibitions, Howard had all twelve of his entries accepted for show with all twelve receiving recognition and eight total images receiving top honors. Robert has been entering his works for more than fifteen years and has been recognized for excellence in portrait, commercial, fine art and illustrative photographic techniques. The award winning images are displayed throughout the year in his studio located in downtown Lebanon.
Phoenix, ARIZONA. - Lebanon County Photographer, Robert A. Howard, was honored by the American Society of Photographers at their 64th annual awards banquet on January 12, 2009 in Phoenix Arizona. Howard was selected as the 2009 recipient of the Society’s “Educational Associate” degree.
The American Society of Photographers (ASP) was officially founded August 1, 1937 as a small group of PPA Masters of Photography who desired to encourage the continuation of professional development through education and photographic exhibitions. Membership in the society is still by invitation only and currently consists of more than 900 photographers from around the world. Recognized today as the “Best of the Best,’ the ASP membership roles represent the who’s who of the photographic industry.
Each year, members of the society who have continued to serve the photographic community as lecturers, educators, writers and teachers are offered the opportunity to submit an original thesis. The ASP Educational Associate is conferred on those special individuals who actively participate and promote the ideals and philosophies of the organization beyond the initial recognition given with their acceptance into the Society. Robert A. Howard, a PPA Master Craftsman, submitted his thesis entitled “The Total Image.” to the ASP panel of jurists in October of 2008.
Following several weeks of review, the panel voted to accept the thesis and confer one of the ASP’s highest honors on Robert at the 2009 convention of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Robert became only the 36th person in the history of the Society to receive this honor. ASP President, William Eaton presented Robert with the Educational Associate Degree while Robert’s wife Cindy was given the honor of draping him with the medallion signifying this national achievement. Since being invited to join the Society in 1994, Robert has had several images selected to be part of the ASP Masters Loan Traveling Exhibition which represents the top 100 images from the international exhibition.
Best of Show
Robert A. Howard, owner of Howard Studios, 738 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, receives the FUJI Film USA Masterpiece Award from Harry Markel a TSR with FUJI. The award, which recognizes superior excellence in imaging, was presented to Howard for having the highest scoring photograph in the Illustrative division of the Middle Eastern States Exhibition of Photography. Howard’s image scored 94 out of a possible 100 points and was also recognized with a Blue Ribbon and a Judge’s Choice Award. More than two hundred photographers from six states competed for awards at the exhibition. Howard also recently competed in the PPA of PA Exhibition held at the Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill. All four of Howard’s entries received awards, including three Blue Ribbons in the Portrait and Illustrative categories. One of Howard’s prints again scored a 94 out of 100 points and ended in a tie for the highest scoring print in the exhibition. This print was further honored by being selected into the Masters Court of Honor.
LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
Robert A. Howard, owner of Howard Studios in downtown Lebanon was honored at the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania Convention held recently in Camp Hill, PA.
Robert was honored with the Professional Photographers of America, Inc., National Award for outstanding service to professional photography. The bronze and walnut plaque was presented by Robert Decker a councilman for the PPA on behalf of the PPA of PA, Inc., a PPA Affiliated Association.
The National Award is offered by the PPA to affiliated organizations on an annual basis. First made available in 1958, the award recognizes those persons who generously contribute their time and talents to the service of their profession, their affiliated organization, and their fellow photographers. Selections of the award are determined by the recipient’s peers which adds to its distinction.
The PPA is the oldest and largest association of professional photographers in the world with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The association provides educational services and establishes standards of professional performance for its more than 14,000 members and 214 affiliated organizations worldwide.
During the awards banquet, Robert also received the 2006 PPA of PA President’s Award from Mary Jane Smith. The award recognizes Robert for nearly twenty years of volunteer service to the organization and was given in appreciation of his continued efforts in service as a mentor and advisor to the current Board of Governors and Association Officers.
In other convention events, Robert received five awards at the annual print competition and exhibition. Robert received two awards of quality for his portraits of CCHS class of 2007 students Kaitlyn Kinloch and Samantha Spangler. Additionally he received a blue ribbon and judge’s choice award for his portrait of LHS class of 2006 student Missy Hower. Also garnering a blue ribbon was his commercial entry titled “Angiograph,” an image taken for the GSH annual report. Robert’s images will now go on to compete for honors at the PPA International Print Competition to be held in June.
Albert Einstein once said, "Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." Robert and Cindy Howard exemplify that thought in the operation of their studios. For nearly twenty years, they have lived their lives working to serve their fellow man and striving to be the best at what they do. Despite the need to overcome many obstacles, the little studio in a small town has received much recognition. From the local level, to the international arena, their tireless efforts in support of the profession of photography and the community they call home have been recognized on countless occasions.
Robert is a firm believer in the adage, "to be the best you have to compete with the best." He has placed his works in competition before his peers since 1989. Entering portfolio and individual print exhibitions at the state, regional and national levels, He has received "Blue Ribbon" honors in nearly every year of competition. His works have been recognized among the best in the world and he uses the knowledge gained through these competitions to refine and polish the "everyday" work produced for his clients.
The Professional Photographers of Pennsylvania have honored both Robert and Cindy with the organizations "Service Degree." Robert is the 1999 Past President of the PPA of PA and has served as an elected volunteer for more than fifteen years. Locally, the Howards make their studio available to mentor high school and college students and Robert teaches several classes for the Lebanon Campus of HACC. These efforts have produced several new photography studio "start-ups" in and around Lebanon County.
Community service is extremely important to the Howards. Before moving into leadership positions within his church, Robert was very active in the local Chamber of Commerce for many years. In addition to their personal time, the Howards have given a great deal of financial support to the Lebanon, Cornwall-Lebanon and Annville-Cleona school districts. They have contributed photographic services, studio materials, camera and lighting equipment and scholarships to these districts for many years. The Howards were selected as "2001 Friends of Education" by the Lebanon School District as well chosen for recognition by the Cornwall-Lebanon School District as "Falcon Advocates."
Despite the notoriety that comes from their dedication, the Howards believe that the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson best sum up their commitment. Emerson said, "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." Robert, a dedicated "Star Wars" fan prefers to quote the great philosopher, "Yoda." When asked the secret to mastering life, Yoda responded, "Do or do not, there is no try."
Developing a link with schools
By John Latimer
Staff Writer
Lebanon photographers help with yearbooks
Bob & Cindy Howard's profession is all about image, but their work is full of substance.
The Howards are owners of R. Howard Photography. In business since 1992, they have worked from their studio on the second floor of the down-town mini-mall, at the intersection of Ninth and Cumberland streets, since 1994.
"I do all the work," jokes Cindy. "He just presses the button on the camera."
The Howards are the first to admit that the image created by their stylish studio is designed not only to make customers feel comfortable, but also to impress upon them that the Howards are top notch photographers.
They point out that many other professional photographers in the area work from their homes, but the Howards say they feel that the impression created by their studio is worth the operational cost it subtracts from their bottom line.
The wood-paneled walls of the waiting area are full of framed examples of Bob's work. Many of the photographs are portraits of high-school students. And that is where the focus of the Howard's image blurs into the substance of their lives.
For the past 10 years, Bob, a 1981 graduate of Lebanon High School, and Cindy, a member of Cedar Crest High School's Class of '83, have donated time and money to help meet their alma maters' photography needs. This has included taking pictures at special events, athletic competitions and stage performances. But the largest part of their commitment is helping the schools publish their yearbooks free.
The couple, who live in Cleona, also began offering the same services to the Annville-Cleona School District in 1996. "With each school the amount we provide in service is based on need," says Bob. "Lebnon needs a little extra. Their publications department is a little behind Cedar Crest's." "At the request of the yearbook advisor, we will photograph any event, sports team, club, organization or faculty member," he adds. "Whatever they need they just ask, and there is no charge for time or materials."
In acknowledgement of their commitment to the high school, the Lebanon School District recently honored the couple by naming them "Friends of Education." Howard said that if he didn't enjoy his job as much as he does, he probably wouldn't be so generous with his time. That enjoyment, and the fact that he credits his teachers with helping him make photography his career, are why he and Cindy are so committed to the schools.
The couple concedes that there are benefits to their relationship with the districts. For example, the schools do not stand in the way of the Howards' attempting to sell photos of students taken at school events to their parents. And the reason there are so many pictures of high-school students on the Howards' studio wall is that many parents remember the couple's support when arranging family photos. "It is two-fold," Bob admits. "It does benefit the business. But putting it all in perspective, last year we donated about $70,000 in services to the three districts."
During a recent week, about 10 hours of work were billable, he says, and the rest of his time was donated. And if you still think the Howards' relationship with the schools is merely to benefit their business, consider this: in addition to taking pictures, the Howards gave a complete 35 mm camera system to Lebanon High School's Lodestone (yearbook) staff and a set of specialty photographic lenses to Cedar Crest's yearbook staff. They also provide an annual scholarship to a worthy Lebanon student.
In addition, Bob Howard also contributes as a guest lecturer in the classrooms and serves as a mentor for students working on graduation projects. Their giving is not limited to schools. The Howards have also donated their services to the city by taking photographs for Lebanon's promotional brochure and a series of Lebanon Police Department trading cards.
The Howards say they like their Lebanon business location and have thrived there through good times and bad in the past eight years. "What we give back to the community keeps the studio open no matter how bad the economy is," Bob says.
(Article reproduced with permission from the Lebanon Daily News)
PPA of PA 2021
Receiving Awards
PPA of PA 2022
Awards being presented by PPA of PA President Aaron Beale.
