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TAFE Queensland photography students make their mark in national photography competition
TAFE Queensland photography students have shone on the national stage, walking away with a swag of accolades at the prestigious Australian Photographic Prize.
In this international competition, emerging student talent is judged alongside professional photographers.
Among this year’s standout entrants were Pavitra Tandon, Rachelle Van Slobbe, and Nicola Poznanovich, who were each recognised for their compelling work across multiple categories.
Pavitra Tandon won a Silver Award in the Portrait Photography category for her powerful and evocative work.
Nicola Poznanovich received a Highly Commended Award in the Documentary category, further showcasing the breadth and calibre of talent nurtured at TAFE Queensland.
Rachelle Van Slobbe earned Highly Commended Awards in both the Commercial and Portrait categories, with her commercial series DARE landing in the Top 30 - a significant achievement in a genre she only began exploring during her studies.
Rachelle credits her success to the support and guidance of her teachers throughout the Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging (CUA50920).
“Since finishing my diploma, I’ve had jobs in the commercial genre that I wouldn’t have felt confident accepting otherwise,” she said. “I’m so appreciative of my teachers’ encouragement - especially for pushing me outside my comfort zone,” said Rachelle.
Eight TAFE Queensland students entered the 2024 competition, submitting their work for three rounds of external critique between April and June before final judging took place in July.
In total, they received 14 Highly Commended Awards and 4 Silver Awards - a remarkable result reflecting the program's strength and its focus on hands-on, real-world training.
The Australian Photographic Prize is one of the most significant events on the photography calendar, attracting international entrants across 19 categories and judged by more than 50 experts.
It offers students not just awards but also exposure, industry feedback, and a launching pad into professional creative careers.
This outstanding result reinforces TAFE Queensland’s reputation for producing industry-ready graduates and delivering on its commitment to Make Great Happen.