RCAF photographer wins national photographic award

News Article / June 13, 2012

Chief Warrant Officer Michel Lavallée was recently presented with the “Service of Photographic Arts” award by the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC).

He is the first member of the Canadian Forces to win this prestigious award, and the 50th recipient.

The PPOC was born in 1946, when commercial and press photographers in Ontario formed an organization that became the Commercial and Press Photographers Association of Canada. In 1962, the organization’s name was changed to the Professional Photographers of Canada Inc. to reflect the national nature of the membership.

When formed, the organization’s goals were to provide unity; speak for the photographic profession when dealing with legal matters, government agencies, or legislation; and to share the same rules regulating print show competitions, presentations of merits, awards, and professional recognition. It continues to elevate and maintain professional standards and ethics among professional Canadian photographers.

PPOC chairman, Kent Frazer, presented CWO Lavallée with the SPA award on April 24, 2012, during the organization’s annual convention in Halifax.

CWO Lavallée, who currently works at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, is chair of the Professional Government Military Photographers of Canada. Like all professional photographers in the Canadian Forces – known as “image technicians” – he is a member of the Air Force.

The SPA award is achieved by accumulating merits through participation in the PPOC national print show, by working for the association or its provincial member associations, and by promoting professional photography within the community.