By MONIQUE ROTH
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – January was an exciting month for the Romaguera family of LaPlace, with national awards won and two master’s degrees earned.

Ralph Romaguera Jr. of Romaguera Photography Inc. recently represented team USA. in the inaugural World Photographic Cup global photography competition.

Ralph Jr. was named one of 10 finalists in the portrait division for his captivating image titled, “Tea Time.” The photograph depicts a “unique person” encountered at the Renaissance Festival, Ralph Jr. said.

The WPC is the first ever photography competition launched globally, with national photographic teams represented.

“I was thrilled to represent team U.S.A. at the World Photographic Cup representing one of 22 other nations who competed for the first ever world photography competition,” said Ralph Jr.

Ralph Jr.’s image was showcased during the awards ceremony of the WPC competition at the Professional Photographer’s of Ame rica annual national convention Imaging USA in Phoenix in January.

Team USA won the 2014 World Photographic Cup at the event.

Ralph has also been named a Gold Medalist in PPA’s 2013 International Photographic Competi tion and has the distinction of two photographic images being published in the annual PPA Loan Collection and two images in PPA’s General Collection.

At the same PPA convention, Ralph Jr. and his mother, Cindy T. Romaguera, were each awarded the Master of Photography Degree, which is the highest honor in the worldwide association of more than 27,000 members.

Cindy and Ralph Jr. were presented their degrees by Ralph J. Romaguera Sr., who serves as PPA’s president this year. The Master of Photo graphy Degree is presented in recognition of superior photographic competence demonstrated through photographic competition, ad  vanced education and service to the profession.

“It was such a joy to present the Master of Photography degrees to both my wife and son at Imaging USA,” said Ralph Sr.

“As president of the Professional Photographers of Ame rica, this certainly was a highlight in my life and career. I am proud of Cindy’s and Ralph’s accomplishments, photographic artistry and skills, as well as their contributions to the photography industry.”

Romaguera Photo  graphy currently has the largest number of degreed photographers on staff in the United States with five master photographers and three photographic craftsmen degree holders.