Getty Images announces "this is Canada" photography competition winners

B.C.-based photographer captures unique snapshot of everyday life in Canada

TORONTO, June 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Getty Images today announced that Laureen Carruthers from British Columbia has been recognized as the winner and People's Choice Award recipient for "this is Canada," a photography competition that gave enthusiasts the opportunity to show off their visual definition of Canada. Judged by a panel of some of Canada's foremost photographers and industry experts, nearly 5,000 images were submitted to showcase what makes Canadian life unique.

The winning photograph, which was taken at the historic 153 Mile Ranch located just outside Williams Lake, B.C., depicts what is most important to the photographer and showcases Canada's breathtaking landscape. Focused on the special moments in life that bring friends and family together, the photograph captures an afternoon outdoors.

The competition also recognizes Michelle Valberg from Ottawa, Ontario as the runner up for capturing the raw beauty of the arctic. Taken in Wakeham Bay, Nunavik, the photograph is rich with culture, capturing the subject standing under an inuksuk wearing an amauti, a traditional parka worn by Inuit women and one of the world's most interesting and unique pieces of clothing.

"We were overwhelmed by the number of Canadian photographers who entered," said Andrew Delaney, Director of Creative Content for Getty Images. "The competition has empowered nearly one-thousand Canadian photographers to submit five-thousand authentic and regional images, providing a glimpse of the everyday life and special moments that make Canada such a unique place to live."

The competition provided a platform for the country's outstanding creative talent to show off their visual definition of Canada and gave photography enthusiasts the opportunity to become Getty Images contributors through the Flickr Collection.

The images submitted to the "this is Canada" photo competition were judged based on their quality, creativity, and artistic merit as well as representation of Canada. The judging panel consisted of:

• Sean Davison, SVP Creative Director, MacLaren McCann Canada
• Andrew Delaney, Director of Creative Content, Getty Images
• Carey Ivison, Senior Manager of Creative Services, Scotiabank Canadian Marketing
• Richard Lam, Vancouver B.C. based freelance photographer

In addition to the recognition as a Getty Images contributor through the Flickr collection, the first place winner receives a brand new Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Kit (approximately $3,000 value) and 2,000 AIR MILES® reward miles**. The runner up receives 2,000 AIR MILES® reward miles** and the opportunity to partner with Getty Images to offer content through the Flickr Collection on Getty Images' website.

For more information on the "this is Canada" competition, please visit www.showusyourcanada.ca. To view all of the competition entries, please visit the Flickr Collection at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1905436@N24/. For more information on Getty Images like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About Getty Images
Getty Images is a leading creator and distributor of still imagery, video and multimedia products, as well as a recognized provider of other forms of premium digital content, including music. Getty Images serves business customers in more than 100 countries and is the first place creative and media professionals turn to discover, purchase and manage images and other digital content. Its award-winning photographers and imagery help customers produce inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and Web sites. Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com to learn more about how the company is advancing the unique role of digital media in communications and business, and enabling creative ideas to come to life.  Additional information on how Getty Images inspires and powers communications can be found on The Getty Images Blog at blog.gettyimages.com as well as on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gettyimages and Twitter at www.twitter.com/gettyimages.com.

Contest Management
The contest is managed by Getty Images. LoyaltyOne, Inc. is in no way connected to the management of this contest.

** The approximate retail value of AIR MILES® reward miles prize depends on the chosen method of redemption and available reward options at the time of redemption. If redeemed for flights (950 reward mile minimum required for flight redemption), value depends on destination chosen, date of travel and use of multiple carriers or suppliers. For example, one return economy flight from Toronto, Ontario to Winnipeg, Manitoba is 1750 AIR MILES reward miles and has an approximate value of $525.00 (Canadian) excluding taxes. Winner must pay applicable taxes, related transportation fees, governmental levies, excess baggage and other non-ticket costs. The value of AIR MILES® reward miles redeemed for non-flight reward options depends on reward options in effect at the time of redemption. AIR MILES reward miles prize is subject to the terms and conditions of the AIR MILES Reward Program as amended from time to time. Prize is not transferable or convertible to cash and must be accepted as awarded.

If a potential winner of AIR MILES reward miles is not an AIR MILES Collector, he/she may enroll in the AIR MILES Reward Program by visiting airmiles.ca. By enrolling to become an AIR MILES Collector you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the AIR MILES Reward Program as amended from time to time.

media please contact:

Nicole Tuschak
Environics for Getty Images
[email protected]
416.969.2712

Amanda Fearon
Environics for Getty Images
[email protected]
416.969.2654