Grandma & Grandpa by contender Lane Collins

Hey, Hot Shot! is gaining an international reputation. The Winter 2007 Edition drew photographers from around the world to attend the opening of their show at Jen Bekman Gallery in NYC a few weeks ago.

So far, the Spring 2007 competition entries affirm the trend with new to New Zealand photographer Lane Collins. Originally from Hickory, North Carolina, this 25 year old received her B.F.A. in photography from the San Francisco Art Institute before heading south, to the land of kiwis. While new to N.Z. she is not new to traveling and seeks to record the experience with her camera, she writes:

My recent circumstances have moved me to make pictures in a more introspective way, during a time in which most everything seems irresolute except the familiarity of a camera in my hands. These photographs are lifescapes - an account of my travels, relationships and experiences. Many of the pictures are derived from a general feeling I have yet to verbalize.

I have some general feelings about her images too and won't hesitate to share; that is after all, what I'm here to do! Two things came to mind immediately when I saw this portrait:

First, Alec Soth's Portrait Week in early March, which I'm bringing up again in April because this image really resonates with the John Singer Sargent quote Alec cited.

Second, I was reminded of this Eggleston photo, so I guess it is no coincidence that Lane listed him as one of her major influences.

You can see more of her thought provoking photographs on her website. Lane also has a sweet personal site, Pink Elephants, where she confesses to the trials and tribulations of submitting work early for the Spring 2007 Hey, Hot Shot! competition. For those of you who haven't jumped on it, don't fret, you still have time! Put your application together, get your website traffic-ready and send us your stuff!