TEXAS PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION - Key Persons
has been a member of PPA since 2011. He earned his Master's Degree in 2015 along with his Craftsman Degree and Imaging Excellence Award in 2016. He is a four-time Diamond Photographer of the Year, Platinum Photographer of the Year, and a Gold Photographer of the Year. Lastly, Doug is a two-time Grand Imaging Award Finalist finishing 1 st in 2017 and 2 nd in 2015 in the Landscape/Nature Category.
Kimberly J. Smith began her professional photography career in 2001 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Through Professional Photographers of America, she has earned her Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman, Master Artist, Certified Professional Photographer and Imaging Excellence. She is also a PPA Affiliate Judge. She truly believes in lifelong learning and that every competition and every journey to a new degree has pushed her to become a better, more creative photographer.
She is blessed to have a job she truly loves.
Kristi Elias is a professional portrait photographer with 25 years experience creating Masterpiece portraits for clients and celebrities. She creates wall hanging one of a kind portraits of you and your family.
Kristi is an International Award winning photographer, and California Photographer of the year. She has earned the degree of Master of Photography, Master Artist, Craftsman and the Prestigious ASP Fellowship. She is also a Triple Master of Wedding & Portrait Photographers International.
Kristi owns a luxury based fine art portrait studio inLong Beach, California. She believes in giving back and helping to grow the photography industry. Kristi is a photographic and business educator, teacher, author and image competition judge.
Laura Bennett, a PPA member since 2012, earned her Master's Degree in 2015, Craftsman Degree in 2017, and Imaging Excellence Award in 2018. She is a three-time Diamond Photographer of the Year, two-time Platinum Photographer of the Year, and Gold Photographer of the Year. Laura is a four-time Grand Imaging Award Finalist winning 1 st Place in Illustrative Category in 2013 and was the 2023 World Photographic Cup Gold Medal winner in the Landscape category.
Job Titles:
- Marketing, Successful Sales, Abundance of Creative Inspiration
Richard Sturdevant is a leading expert in photographic artistry and creative composites. His award winning work, style, and techniques have earned him high praise in the photographic industry. Richard is known for an impressive track record in PPA print competition - receiving 17 prints with a perfect 100 point score in both state, regional and district competitions. He also made history with PPA at SWPPA District competition in September 2010 for the highest print case ever scored in the USA, Receiving a 100 print score on all four of his prints.
Richard is the only Photographer in PPA History to go Double Diamond four times 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. He has been awarded Diamond Photographer of the year 11 times with Diamond and Platinum awarded at Imaging USA 2011 and 2014.
Sandra Pearce is one of the most sought out digital artist in the photographic industry today. She is a Master Artist, Master Photographer, Craftsman and CPP. She is an Image Excellence & Image Excellence Bar Recipient. Sandra has had the opportunity to speak to thousands of professional photographers across the country from guild level programs to state and national conventions.
Her experience in digital imaging has set her apart in competition and she has been awarded Artist of the Year by the Florida Professional Photographers numerous years, Canon Par Excellence 2015, 2016 and 2017, Kodak Awards, Fuji Awards and other awards through the years. Sandra has been in the top ten for GIA awards since its inception in 2010. Sandra won the GIA Award for 1st place in the Art Category in 2010 and 2016 at the Imaging Awards. She is an IPC Juror.
Tanya Long Has been a full-time photographer for 29 years and a professional studio owner for 27 years. She is a PPA Certified Professional Photographer. She studied photography at ETSU (East TN), SUNY (NY) and UC Berkeley (CA). She has been on the speaking circuit for Tennessee state and has been teaching creative photography in Tennessee, Texas, California, and Colorado.
Tanya has built a solid portrait business and very loyal clientele in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, in the suburbs of Nashville. She also has many commercial accounts photographing products and branding professionals. She also has experience photographing, lighting, and styling music video sessions for artist around Nashville.