APG Awards 2025 - Algarve Photographers Group

We held our 4th Annual Awards Ceremony…

As is now very much becoming a tradition, the APG, Algarve Photographers Group held our 4th Annual Awards Ceremony lunch on the 8th of March 2025. Initially scheduled to take place in February as in previous years, we were forced to reschedule this year to accommodate members who were nominated and eventually award winners, but were unable to be present in February.

Throughout the year, the APG holds six print exhibitions, six online challenges, and 12 magazine challenges (the latter in collaboration with Algarve Plus magazine). Members then earn points for participation and respective rankings in these activities. All of these contribute to the yearly Order of Merit, which is the main accolade during the year.

However, we also like to inspire our members with additional awards that they can strive to achieve. The APG lives for its members; without them, there wouldn’t be an APG. It is with their input that the group continues to thrive, and as such, we are very happy to acknowledge members who have excelled in various areas during 2024.

In 2024, several new members joined the group. All have integrated smoothly, some more than others, but they have all made an impact within the group one way or the other. We hope that the 16 new members who have joined since the beginning of 2025 also take on the challenges with the same enthusiasm moving forwards.

This years awards went to:

APG Order of Merit Winner: Mr Robert Pool

The Order of Merit Award 2024 is awarded to the member who, throughout the year, has obtained the most merit points. Merit points are obtained by participating in Print Exhibitions and corresponding public votes, as well as Online Challenges and other Challenges with subsequent selection.

Runner up in last year’s Order of Merit, Robert has made good on his word from last year and takes his maiden Order of Merit title, winning with 251 points.
If words from his speech at the award ceremony are to go by, he’s already looking to chalk a second title as he sets his sights on the Hat Trick record held by this year’s third place, Nigel Moore.

Runners-up were:
– Heidi Beck – 176 points
– Nigel Moore -166 points
– Ina Tanzer – 136 points
– Daryl Gabin – 122 points

The President’s Award: Mrs Sharon Johnson

The President’s Award is presented to the member who, throughout the previous year has demonstrated significant improvement in their photographic work and abilities. (The Most Improved photographer).

Once again, Sharon has demonstrated that if you put your mind to the test and focus, you don’t have to have the latest and greatest equipment to take photos.
Sharon simply uses her Mobile phone and Tablet to create her images. She has continued to participate on a regular basis at critique sessions and she takes it onboard and looks to implement that knowledge in her images. She finished 9th overall in the Order of Merit. This is Sharon’s second consecutive President’s Award (31.6% of votes) and we think she’ll be looking to go the next step in 2025.

Also nominated for this award were

– Bina Cline (21.1%)
– David Durrant (15.8%)
– Fred Bos (15.8)
– Robert Bousfield
– Daniella Soares
– Marijke McBean
– Ligia Glover

The award was presented by the President, Mr Daryl Gabin to Marijke McBean receiving the award on Sharon’s behalf.

The Veit Mueller Award: Mr Robert Pool

The Veit Mueller Award is for “exceptionally high standards” of work presented during 2024 and is named after one of the group’s founding members who was also an advocate of delivering images with very high standards.

Robert won it in 2023, and has been awarded this trophy again for 2024 with 42.1% of the votes. It’s therefore obvious that Robert’s work goes above and beyond high standards as he continues to excel with the work that he produces. His work and his input to the group as a new member of the steering group in 2024 continues to be nothing but impressive.

Also nominated for this award were:
– Ina Tänzer (26.3%)
– Daryl Gabin (10.5%)
– Nigel Moore (10.5%)
– Glyn Parry
– Heidi Beck
– Bina Cline
– Fred Bos

The Award this year was presented by Mr Glyn Parry, 2024 Rookie Award Winner.

The Mary McClay Award: Mr Daryl Gabin

The Mary McClay Award (Dedication Award) is presented to the member who, throughout the previous year has gone out of their way, moved mountains and constantly been promoting the APG as a whole, not to mention holding APG activities as high as if not higher than their own daily activities.

Daryl Gabin is and has been the Group’s President since Jan 2020. He, along with the Steering Group, continues to guide the APG in the right direction which isn’t always easy. The ideas he brings and manages to implement within the group tend to help glue everything together, and helps the group to evolve, which also appeals to newcomers. 47.4% of votes awarded Daryl this award which he also won last year.

Also nominated for this award were:
– Marijke McBean (26.3%)
– Neil Adamson (15.8%)
– Robert Pool
– Fred Bos
– Sharon Johnson

The Award this year was presented by Mr Robert Pool, 2024 Order of Merit winner and The Veit Muller Award, 2023 & 2024.

The Govert Sakkers Award: Mrs Ina Tänzer

The Govert Sakkers Award is the award which puts a premium on “Creativity and Consistency” and is presented to the member whose creativity is always noticed and whose consistency with their work, in general, is also clear for all to see.

When you look at images produced by Ina, you know you are observing an Ina Tänzer image! She has stamped a sort of trade mark on her work and her level of creativity with her work is off the chart.
Ina wins this award with 52.6% of the votes and was also runner up of this year’s Veit Muller award as well as finishing 4th in the Order of Merit standings.
It would not be a surprise to see Ina having a serious look at lifting the Order of Merit title for 2025, only time will tell.

Also nominated for this award were:

– Sharon Johnson (21.1%)
– Nigel Moore (15.8%)
– Heidi Beck
– Robert Pool
– Glyn Parry
– Daniella Soares
– Fred Bos

This award was presented by Mrs Marijke McBean, APG Secretary.

The Rookie Award: Mr Glyn Parry

The Rookie Award was introduced in 2022 and is aimed to be presented to the most integrated newcomer each year.
This award did not come easily for Glyn as there was stiff competition. All of the newcomers in 2024 were exceptionally active within the group and presented wonderful images throughout the year.
However, Glyn’s imagery speaks for itself and after accepting a seat on the steering group, and after obtaining 42.1% of the votes, he truly deserves this award.

Also nominated for this award were:
– Bina Cline (26.3%)
– Jorge Gabriel (10.5%)
– Kevin Saunders (10.5%)
– Robert Bousfield
– Ligia Glover
– David Durrant

This Award was presented by Mr. Neil Adamson (A long-standing member of the APG and distinguished at this year’s awards with an Honorary Membership).

A few photos from the lunch and the awards themselves.

The APG would like to thank José Carapinha and his team at Vila Sol for the spread laid on and their impeccable service. In addition, a big thanks to Robert Pool and Philip Houtekier for taking the time to be “Dedicated Photographers”.