San Diego, CA—Sony Electronics Inc. unveiled the winners of its Alpha Female Creator-in-Residence program contest. It is one of the flagship initiatives in the company’s Be Alpha campaign.
The Alpha Female initiative is Sony’s response to the imaging industry’s well-documented challenges with diversity. Moreover, it focuses exclusively on providing opportunities for women creators to advance their careers. The Alpha Female Creator-in-Residence program contest awards five winners a six-month grant of $25,000 in funds and $5,000 in Sony digital imaging product allowance. In addition, awardees receive a mentorship pairing with one of Sony’s high-profile Artisans of Imagery.
“Women make up the majority of the U.S. and Canadian populations. Yet they are significantly underrepresented in the professional imaging field,” said Jennifer Geddy, head of digital marketing at Sony Electronics.
“The Alpha Female initiative provides a pathway to empowering more women photographers and videographers througha combination of mentorship and financial support. Efforts such as the Alpha Female initiative help expand the industry’s pool of gifted and diverse creators and raise the bar for everyone. We are extremely excited to welcome our talented Alpha Female winners. We look forward to collaborating with them.
Alpha Female Creators-in-Residence
Judged as winners from more than 6,000 entrants, the Alpha Female Creators-in-Residence follow.
Megan Allen: A wedding photographer from Ohio, Allen’s goal is to create photos that make viewers stop in their tracks for a moment in time. Her mentor will be Artisan of Imagery Sara France.
Danielle Da Silva: A storyteller, conservationist and scholar, Da Silva is also an activist speaker. Moreover, she is the founder of Photographers Without Borders. Her mentor will be Artisan of Imagery Cristina Mittermeier.
Erin Hogue. An adventure and lifestyle artist, Hogue focuses on capturing the impossible. Hogue’s mentor will be Artisan of Imagery Brooke Shaden.
Nitashia Johnson. An educator as well as a portrait photographer,
Johnson focuses her passion on developing a community-based media arts program for high school teens. Her mentor will be Artisan of Imagery Me Ra Koh.
Colette Robinson: A photographer and creative, Robinson is focused on stop-motion graphics. Robinson’s mentor will be Artisan of Imagery Caroline Jensen.
To follow the journeys of all five winners throughout the program, visit alphauniverse.com/alpha-female.
Additional Sony Alpha Female Support
In addition to the Alpha Female Creators in Residence grant program, Sony will support several female-backed and focused events.
These events aim to push progress for diversity in photography as well as filmmaking as part of the Sony Alpha Female initiative.
Moreover, the company will fund several additional projects by female creators.
