Going global from New Zealand is an ambition many New Zealanders hold in their hearts. Made From New Zealand uncovered someone who’s been doing it successfully for a while, and discovers the world’s richest photography prize originates from Aotearoa!

In 1998, New Zealander Geoff Blackwell launched an ambitious photographic competition with the unusual acronym M.I.L.K. – Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship, Fresh MILK Photography Competition. The competition received over 40,000 entries from all over the world, culminating in a collection of 300 winning entries – 100 in each category of Family, Friendship and Love, selected by Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt.

The collection was published worldwide in a series of award-winning books, and received global recognition when an exhibition opened at Grand Central Station in New York City in July 2001, and toured the world. The M.I.L.K. books have subsequently been published in numerous languages and sold over three million copies.

Ten years later, M.I.L.K. Licensing, in association with Elliot Erwitt, is again offering the world’s most generous photography prize with Fresh M.I.L.K. – a USD$125,000 international photography competition. Entry is free and the 150 winning finalists will be chosen by Erwitt, with the overall winner pocketing USD$50,000.

The 150 winning images will be published in a new book in 2009, entitled: “Fresh M.I.L.K.: Friends, Families, Lovers & Laughter,” and on selected licensed products. Photographers will retain copyright of their images in exchange for granting M.I.L.K. a non-exclusive license.

So why is Blackwell doing this? “We wanted to commemorate the tenth anniversary of staging the M.I.L.K. competition. Given the popularity of the original collection, we felt the time was right to once again stage a photographic competition that celebrates humanity and, particularly, moments shared between families, friends and loved ones,” said Blackwell. “I’m really excited to see the diversity in the entries coming in, and can’t wait to begin the selection process.”

Blackwell is also excited to be working with Chief Judge Elliot Erwitt again: “Elliot is one of photography’s great masters. We’re so honoured to have his involvement again.”

When the inaugural competition launched, the internet was still in its infancy, and the task of spreading the word took a dedicated effort from the M.I.L.K. team, hitting websites and publishing adverts in prestigious photographic magazines. This time around, Blackwell is making good use of integrated web communities to spread the word around the globe.

“Using well-established online communities was the obvious way to promote our competition. People are so globally connected and networked these days, it really does make running this type of global competition much less complicated than it was ten years ago,” said Blackwell.

Because this is an online competition, only electronic images submitted online will be accepted – no physical prints or images on disc will be accepted. There are guidelines for submission requirements on the website. There is also a page with the judging criteria, which it would pay to read before you start submitting your favourite holiday snaps!

For a detailed overview of the M.I.L.K. project and full details of entry, visit www.milkphotos.com. The competition closes on the 31st of December 2008 – so get snapping, selecting and submitting!