Former Chaska resident Mark Kiefer of VIP Gallery in Waconia was recently named the 2009 TCPPA Photographer of the Year. This is the second year in a row Kiefer has earned this honor.

According to a press release, he was recognized for Best of Show in the Illustrative category as well as receiving two Judge’s Choice Awards. Kiefer also entered the top scoring album in the competition entitled “Haiti Revisited”. The awards were presented at the annual TCPPA Awards banquet held at Jax Café in Minneapolis.

Twin Cities Professional Photographers Association (TCPPA) is an organization of over 300 photographers, educators and vendors, located throughout the Twin Cities, and out state area, with members also residing in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

TCPPA Photographer of the Year is awarded to the maker of the four (cumulative) highest scoring entries in the TCPPA’s annual print competition.

"Moods of the Market"Best of Show Illustrative is given to the highest scoring illustrative image in the print competition. The Best of Show Illustrative image “Moods of the Market” was taken on a Rotary service project to Haiti in November of 2009.

Kiefer was the President of the TCPPA in 2007. In 2006 he was named the Minnesota Portrait Photographer of the Year and was recognized as a PPA Gold Photographer of the Year in 2008.

Kiefer and his wife Krish own and operate VIP Gallery, creating distinctive portraiture for high school seniors, families, and children. Their studio is located 3 miles west of Victoria. They have two children, Sage 9 and Skye 6.