LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER EARNS NATIONAL AWARD

A photography award from the International Professional Photographers Guild has been presented to Cape Girardeau photographer Bill Cheek.

Cheek was awarded the title of 1992 Children's Photographer of the Year.

Cheek and his wife, Cathy Cheek, are owners of Cheekwood Studios Inc., 2336 Kingsway.

"When it comes to quality photography we try to offer the best," said Cheek. "We work hard to stay fresh in our styles and variety of poses and props, and I'm pleased that our standards are noticed not only by our clients but by other professional photographers."

The guild is comprised of independent, professional, portrait and wedding photographers from the U.S., Britain, and other European countries.

Cheek's recent honor, presented at the guild's annual conference in San Diego, is determined by professional photographers. "A judging panel of Cheek's peers made the selection," said Jean Cordes, associate director of the guild.

Photographer of the Year honors were presented in five different categories.

Cheek, who is observing his 15th anniversary in the photography business, said the event would be marked by expansion of props and the studio's outdoor posing garden.

"We've been in business since 1977, and now we're one of the largest photography operations between St. Louis and Memphis," Cheek said. "We opened the studio in our home in 1977," said Cheek. "We moved to our present location six years ago."

Cheekwood Studios specializes in high-school senior photography and children, and offers wedding and family portrait services.

Cheek is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He has a bachelor of science degree in education and minors in journalism, graphic arts and photography.

Another full-time photographer at the studio is Barry Gray, a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He has a degree in photography.