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Email: wrhphoto@aol.com

Metrobeat

"Surprised" Photographer
Racks Up In Competition

By Jessica Metzler

Multiple award winner "Jazz"
by Rick Haithcox

"Enigma" by Rick Haithcox is now in Professional Photographers of NC's Traveling Loan Collection

Rick Haithcox, a photographer who lives in little Dallas, NC, entered the 2001 Professional Photographers of North Carolina Annual Print Competition on the advice of a friend. It was his first time out, so he fully expected to bring all of his work back home with him; instead he brought back 10 awards, including the prestigious NC Photographer of the Year award. In addition, Haithcox also won Best of Show: Portraits Category, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Portraits/Men Category, the Presidents Award, the Fuji Masterpiece Award: Portrait Category, and two Honorable Mentions in the Portrait Category and the Unclassified Category. Whew! Oh, and he also won a spot in the Traveling Loan Collection. His piece in that group will travel for three years throughout the state and make an appearance at the Southeastern and National conventions.

So, what's next for the surprised photographer? "A lobotomy to shrink his head," jokes Don McGinnis, a friend and business associate. "We didn't know anything about this level of competition," McGinnis explains. "At the awards ceremony everybody was in black tie, he was in a suit."

All the attention gave Haithcox a taste of celebrity status. He called McGinnis to say, "Man, this is like the Grammies or something." Ecstatic, he called it the best night of his life.

Haithcox has been a professional photographer for 12 years and was a member of the Charlotte Light Factory, but nothing had prepared him for this level of recognition. He hopes to continue his winning streak in the Southeastern Competition and the Professional Photographers of America National Competition. McGinnis is cautiously optimistic. "It would be nice to win. He has some powerful pieces."

Until then it's business as usual for Rick Haithcox Photography; well, maybe a bit busier than usual. In addition to commercial and advertising work, Haithcox plans to continue taking the non-traditional black and white portraits that made him the best in the state. "He likes to capture the personality of the person, not just blank smiles," says McGinnis. Only time will tell if they will make him one of the best in the country.