LISBON FALLS – Alan J. Boutot of Boutot Photography was presented with a Bronze Level Photographer of the Year Award from Professional Photographers of America at the organization’s annual convention in New Orleans, La.

Boutot earned this award by receiving four blue ribbons out of four allowed entries in the Professional Photographers of America annual print competition, held last summer in Las Vegas. Boutot was one of only 60 Bronze Level Photographers of the Year, “an incredible accomplishment,” according to PPA officials.

2005 is the inaugural year for PPA’s Photographer of the Year Awards, which were developed to encourage photographers to improve their artistic and technical skills, and demonstrate their talent through competition, as well as a way for the public to discern the best of the best.

PPA, a worldwide association, assists its more than 14,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic and fraternal goals, promote public awareness of the profession and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history.

A 20-year veteran of the photography business, Boutot owns and operates Boutot Photography in Lisbon Falls, with his wife, Patty. You may contact him at 207-353-5034.