We held our 5th Annual Awards Ceremony…
As has now become a valued and anticipated tradition, the APG – Algarve Photographers Group – proudly hosted its 5th Annual Awards Ceremony Lunch on 21st February 2026. Held in celebration of the previous year’s achievements, the event brought members together to recognise excellence, dedication, and creative growth throughout 2025.
During the year, APG delivers a dynamic programme comprising six print exhibitions, six online challenges, and 12 magazine challenges in collaboration with Algarve Plus magazine. Members accumulate points through both participation and placement in each activity, with these results contributing to the annual Order of Merit — the group’s most prestigious accolade and a benchmark of consistent performance across the year.
In addition to the Order of Merit, a range of special individual awards provided further inspiration and recognition, highlighting outstanding accomplishment in specific genres and contributions to the group. APG exists because of its members; their passion, commitment, and camaraderie are the driving force behind its continued success. It is therefore a privilege to celebrate those who excelled across multiple categories during 2025 and to honour the collective standard that continues to rise year after year.
In 2025, 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 those new members who have joined since the beginning of 2026 also take on the challenges with the same enthusiasm moving forwards.
This years awards went to:
APG Order of Merit Winner: Mr Glyn Parry
The Order of Merit Award 2025 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.
As Rookie of the Year in 2024, Glyn had his eyes set firmly on reaching the paramount of the groups awards in 2025. Glyn also holds a position on the groups Steering Committee.
Glyn won this years award with 669 points.
Runners-up were:
– Ina Tanzer – 535 points
– Daryl Gabin – 435 points
The President’s Award: Mrs Jan Chapman
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).
Jan Chapman received this years President’s Award due to the fact that her work has been superb since she joined the group early 2025.
She took part in a Workshop organised by The President and got stuck into each and every theme throughout the year which is why she finished 4th in this year Order of Merit.
Also nominated for this award were
Jan Chapman (31.8%)
Marijke McBean (22.7%)
Fred Bos (18.2%)
Ligia Glover (13.6%)
Robert Bousfield (9.1%)
Sharon Johnson (4.6%)
The Veit Mueller Award: Mr Robert Pool
The Veit Mueller Award is for “exceptionally high standards” of work presented during 2025 and is named after one of the group’s founding members who was also an advocate of delivering images with very high standards.
This is Robert’s hattrick for this award having won it in 2023, 2024 and now 2025. 40.9% of voters stated that his work continues to be of the highest standard. we look forward to seeing more of his work throughout 2026.
Also nominated for this award were:
– Glyn Parry (18.2%)
– Daryl Gabin (13.6%)
– Ina Tanzer (13.6%)
– Sgharon Johnson (9.7%)
– Nigel Moore (4.6%)
The Award this year was presented by Mr Mark Braun, Chairman of the Board of the IPHF.
The Mary McClay Award: Mrs Marijke McBean
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.
Marijke McBean is and has been the Groups Secretary for four years. Her commitment to her role and to the group both in organisation as well as participation is second to none and this award pays tribute to that devotion. 36.4% of votes awarded Marijke with this award which prevented the previous winner from taking it for a third time.
Also nominated for this award were:
– Daryl Gabin (31.8%)
– Neil Adamson (22.7%)
– Peter Kain (4.5%)
– Glyn Parry (4.5%)
The Award this year was presented by Mr Neil Adamson, Longstanding APG Honourable Member.
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:
– Robert Pool (18.2%)
– Sharon Johnson (13.6.%)
– Ligia Glover (9.1%)
– Nigel Chapman (4.5%)
– Fred Bos (4.5%)
This award was presented by Mr Peter Kain, Honourable APG Member to Marijke Mcbean on Behalf of Ina Tanzer.
The Rookie Award: Mrs Jan Chapman
The Rookie Award was introduced in 2022 and is aimed to be presented to the most integrated newcomer each year.
Since joining the APG early in 2025, Jan Chapman has participated in all of the groups activities and both her and her husband Nigel, (also nominated for this award), have accustomed themselves to the group like fish in water. Jan has also recently accepted to sit on the Steering Committee. Jan wins this award with 68.2% of votes.
Also nominated for this award were:
– Philip Houtekier (26.3%)
– Nigel Chapman (10.5%)
Award presented by Mrs Susi Rogol- Goodkind (right), Owner and Editor of the Algarve Plus Magazine.
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”.
Next year (2027), and starting a new trend, the dedicated photographers role will be assigned to the previous year’s Order of Merit winner – Glyn Parry 2026.
