A Gardnerville photographer was commissioned to shoot foreign and domestic VIPs at the Weatherby Hunting and Conservation Award at the Silver Legacy in Reno on Jan. 23.
Annette Philips of Positive Images Photography was hired by Mexican glass company Vitro Corporativo whose president, Federico Sada, is the 2006 winner of the conservation award.
Among the participants at the awards dinner were former Mexican President Vicente Fox, former Vice President Dan Quayle, and former U.S. senators William Frist and Bob Dole.
The Weatherby Hunting and Conservation Award recognizes individuals who support wildlife conservation and are dedicated to the principles of ethical sport hunting. The awards were first presented in 1956 as the Big Game Trophy Award.
Philips said she was recommended to the Mexican company by the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino where she has photographed other corporate events.
"The Vitro company wanted me to take photos of President Fox with people and to take photos of the big award winner," said Philips.
She said Fox and his wife Marta were very gregarious and that everyone wanted their photo taken with them.
"I've met a lot of VIPs and famous personalities in my day and Vicente Fox and his wife were so cordial," she said. "It's nice to see somebody in such a high position be so pleasant."
Philips is in her 14th year of business at Positive Images Photography. She and her staff of photographers specialize in weddings, family portraiture and senior photographs.