Donna Jirsa
Membership Chair
membership@ppconline.com
Phone: (800) 439-5839
A portrait studio owner for more than thirty years, I am a Fine Art Photographic Artist. Specializing in artistic portrait design and photo restoration, my vast experience in portrait enhancement, new product development and innovative marketing techniques continually expand my imagination, helping me to think outside the box. My creativity exploded in the early days of the digital revolution, and has continued to expand thanks to educational, networking, mentoring and volunteer opportunities I’ve taken advantage of thru my PPC membership. I thrive on technology and continuously strive to improve the quality of my craft. Our family of PPC members inspire and encourage me, and I’m both thankful and proud to be part of such a vital organization.
Awards include Fellowship Degree (F-PPC), Service Award (S-PPC), 2007 Top Ten Photographer, President’s Award and the Barry Evans-Elmer Kingham Service Award. I’ve been an Early Bird Speaker at Conference, served as Digital Cafe Chair for Pro Photo Expo, Conference Committee Member, WCS Model Coordinator and currently serve as Membership Chair. I’ve returned as Editor of Pro Photo West magazine for which I was awarded 2007 & 2008 First Place National Affiliate Communications Editor by PPA.
Karen Nakamura
Affiliate Chair – Business & Arts Chair
affiliate@ppconline.com
Phone: (310) 719-2329
Karen started her career shortly after achieving a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Cal State University Long Beach. Striving to give her clients lasting memories to be enjoyed for a lifetime, many clients have stayed with her since she began her business in 1992.
She has received multiple awards for her photographic artistry including the Canon Par Excellence Award, 2011 PPA Silver Medalist, 2012 PPA Bronze Medalist, 2011-2012 PPC Top Ten Photographer, 2011 PPC Photographer of the Year Nature, PPLAC Photographer of the Year Award 2009, and WPPI Accolades of Excellence Awards.
Volunteering for organizations like PPC and your local affiliate will help your business grow and better your photographic skills. Everything I have, the awards and a busy business, wouldn’t be possible without the friends that I’ve made through volunteering, the opportunities I’ve been given and the education that PPC and PPLAC has provided.
Dawn Fairfield
Marketing & Branding Chair and Vendor Liaison
dawn@lastingimpressionsfoto.com
Dawn Jirsa-Fairfield became a professional photographer unexpectedly after her father’s passing in 2011. Though she grew up in the family business she never worked behind the camera but instead learned business management, marketing, sales, personnel management and customer service. Knowing that Professional Photographers of California would be a good resource for the quick education she would need, she immediately joined PPC and got involved. After nearly 2 years of active volunteerism with PPC she has had constant access to professionals who have acted as her mentors and have helped her keep the family business going strong. Dawn continues to volunteer for PPC because she understands first hand how important this organization is for everyone in the industry!
Marketing & Branding Chair
Silent Auction Chair
West Coast School Social Coordinator
Social Media
Vendor Liaison
Ways & Means
Marcy Dugan
Scholarship Chair
scholarship@ppconline.com
Phone: (310) 322-2917
Photography has always been an alluring profession for Marcy Dugan. The opportunity to work with different people on a regular basis keeps the job interesting and exciting!
Marcy specializes in High School Seniors, Families, Children, and Sports photography. She has been greatly involved in her community as a volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce and at various city events.
As a Certified Member of Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographers of California, and Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County, you can be assured that Marcy takes great pride in making sure her clients’ photographic experiences are memorable ones!
Brenda Harper
Industry Adviser
During my extensive years in the industry I have worked with several top manufacturers in the industry as well as some of the top Photographers in the industry. I am happy to announce my new position with Excel Picture Frames, Inc. and Image Books Inc. This gives me the opportunity to work with so many people I have worked with over the years and to offer you some incredible products right here in California, Made in the USA.
I am committed to providing you with exceptional Customer Service as well as quality products that are sure to help you grow your business in today’s economy.
Marie Zigon
Volunteer Coordinator West Coast School
A professional photographer since 1994, specializes in children and family portraiture. Marie strongly believes in education and volunteering. She has served on the Board of Professional Photographers of Santa Clara Valley, Professional Photographers of California and is currently classroom assistant coordinator for West Coast School.
Stewart Schulze
Audio-Visual Chair
Stewart has been a professional photographer and an audio visual tech for close to 30 years. He runs a country studio and spends a great deal of time photographing Central Valley agriculture and creating web sites. He is a Past President of Stanislaus Professional Photographers and Professional Photographers of California (PPC). Following in the footsteps of many great Past Presidents, he takes pride in giving back to PPC. Stewart has served as a PPA Councilor for the past ten years because he believes Northern California needs good representation. Stewart has worked as a volunteer for West Coast School and volunteered much time to rebuild the PPC web site.
One of Stewart’s second loves is audio visual. While studying photography in college, he started a second career in AV. For close to ten years, he was the AV tech at Mission Springs Conference Grounds. Over the past 15 years, he has been the AV Chair for Pro Photo Expo and Conference. Stewart has taken pride in knowing that he has brought together a great volunteer AV staff, which has led Pro Photo Expo and Conference to be known as “the best convention to speak at” by presenters nationwide.
Kip Cothran
Assistant West Coast School Director
Phone: (951) 696-9706
Kip A. Cothran has been in the photography business for over 25 years & is currently the director of West Coast School of Photography. Kip started his professional career in photography managing a photo lab, processing, and printing film. Kip additionally photographed weddings and events during his free time gaining further photography knowledge and experience.After 5 years in the business Kodak Cruise Service came looking for Kip to run their Photography Operation aboard the Royal Princess. Kip looking for adventure and opportunity traveled the world for 2 years as a cruise ship photographer. During his time aboard the cruise ships Kip photographed a multitude of countries, and over 350,000 people. When Kip returned to the United States he became an in home baby photographer, photographing newborns from 5 days to 6 months old. Now Kip is a Digital Event Photographer running his in home studio in Murrieta, CA photographing Portraits, Weddings, Sports, Schools, Reunions & Corporate Events. 98% of Kip’s work is photographed digitally, printed and delivered the same day. Kip’s passion for photography is a life long adventure. Kip’s business motto is “We Aim to Please” Kip fulfills this promise with his everlasting quest for knowledge in learning all aspects of the photography business.
Michael Collins
PPC Executive Administrator
exec_adm@ppconline.com
Phone: (800) 439-5839
Michael is an award winning photographer from Santa Barbara County. He is a Past-President of the Professional Photographers of California. He is also served as the President of the Gold Coast Professional Photographers Association for ten years.
Dea Meyer
Expo and Conference Manager
conference@ppconline.com
Phone: (800) 439-5839
Dea Meyer is a professional photographer who has traveled the world in search of history, art, diverse cultures, and challenging topography. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in art history, literature and music and brings a wealth of experience in non-profit and corporate management to her position with Professional Photographers of California as their Conference Manager. Currently a member of Professional Photographers of California and Channel Islands Professional Photographers Association, she has been actively involved as a PPC volunteer for many years through the Expo, Conference, Silent Auction, West Coast School and Print Competition; and was a member of the Board of Directors of Professional Photographers of Santa Barbara County for three years. Dea has worked in the photographic industry for over twenty-five years, most currently with Meyer Photography alongside her husband Tim Meyer. Her decades of photographic experience and images spanning many photographic medium illustrate an abiding love of the craft of photography.
Kathy Metz
West Coast School Director
director@westcoastschool.com
Phone: (800) 439-5839
Fax: ((626) 915-3243
Kathy Metz has been a professional photographer for more years than she cares to count! Her studio, located in Covina, CA focuses primarily on seniors, families, and the occasional odd-ball sittings that her studio manager books for her! She has participated in PPC and West Coast School for many years and was a past Executive Director of WCS. She is sticking her toe back in that pool for the 2012 session.
Donna Jirsa
Publication Editor
editor@prophotowest.com
Phone: (800) 439-5839
Donna is an awarded illustrative photographer and digital portrait artist. She has successfully managed her portrait studio for over 32 years, responsible for not only the business and accounting duties, but also creating unique promotional campaigns and successful marketing materials; and most notably, exceptional client relations strategies.
She previously held the position of Editor from Winter 2005 thru Spring 2008, bringing Pro Photo West to the forefront of our industry when she was initially awarded First Place Editor in Professional Photographers of America’s Communications Competition. That distinction has been repeated by Donna, and has also been achieved by other Pro Photo West Editors who followed.
Her passion for the profession of photography fuels Donna’s drive to create a publication that is a delivery vehicle for revealing the latest techniques, tools and trends in the industry, but more importantly, inspiring her peers to greatness. PPC has a strong talent pool and Donna believes that by sharing the experiences and images of fellow photographers, PPC Members will be motivated to achieve their goals.
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Cayce Newman
Webmaster
webmaster@ppconline.com
Beginning in High School as the Photographic Editor of his newspaper and yearbook, Cayce Newman followed his passion for photography at a variety of venues including Golden West College, Orange Coast College and UCR.
In 1987, Cayce opened Goldmark Gallery and Portraiture in California’s Inland Empire. Beginning primarily as a commercial photographer, Cayce joined the Inland Empire Professional Photographers and Videographers in 1994 and won Commercial Photographer of the Year 1995. Transitioning to portraiture and working to stay on the cutting edge both visually and creatively, Cayce moved to 100% digital technology in 1999.
At IEPPV, Cayce has served as Board Member, Newsletter Editor, Web Master, Secretary, Vice President, and two consecutive years as President. As a member of the Professional Photographers of California, Cayce is the current Affiliate Chairperson and has volunteering at Pro Photo Expo in many capacities, from elbow grease to Digital Café Mentor, and in 2006 as co-chair of the Digital Café.
On volunteering:
“My involvements with IEPPV, PPC, Pro Photo Expo and West Coast School have enhanced my abilities as a professional photographer far beyond any expectations I had. Giving back is genuinely amazing when no matter how much you give, you always seem to get back more.”
Tim Meyer
Conference Programming Chair
programming@ppconline.com
Phone: (805) 933-0464
Photographer, educator and author, Tim Meyer is passionate about the field of photography. Drawing from over 30 years as a professional photographer, he brings experience and sustained energy to his work. Mixing our rich artistic heritage with today’s modern styles, his images enlighten and inspire.
Tim possesses the Professional Photographers of America’s coveted Masters and Craftsman Degrees, and earned an academic Master of Arts Degree and a Master of Fine Arts Degree, both in Fine Art Photography. In addition to numerous one-man exhibitions of his fine art work, his photography has been internationally recognized for its innovative style and technique.
He currently teaches full-time and serves as the Portrait Division Chair at Brooks Institute where he also designed and teaches in the Wedding Certificate Program. His nationally acclaimed portrait and wedding studio, Meyer Photography, is managed by his partner in business and life, Dea Meyer.
Tim is honored to be sponsored by H&H Color Lab, Big Folio and Triple Scoop Music. He also speaks and teaches internationally for the MAC Group Pro Educational Team, representing, among others, Sekonic, Pocket Wizard, Profoto and Creative Light product lines.
Tim’s writings on photography and art have been published internationally and his book, The Portrait – Understanding Portrait Photography, co-written with Glenn Rand and published by Rocky Nook, Inc., is available worldwide.
Tim Matheisen
Print Competition Chair
printcomp@ppconline.com
Tim Mathiesen has over 40 years experience in the photographic industry. His experience ranges from operating his own business to marketing management positions at several leading photographic manufactures. He is a recognized expert in panoramic and commercial photography. He has traveled the world as a speaker, photographer and educator looking for that fleeting image. Tim has won many international and national awards for his photography. His website, www.panoscenes.com, is a showcase for his panoramic photography. As a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, he has gone on to earn the Fellowship of the American Society of Photographers, the Masters degree from the Professional Photographers of America and the Fellowship from the Professional Photographers of California. Tim is a PPA international qualified photographic juror and Jury Chairperson. He has conducted image critiques in the USA, England, Mexico, Canada, Korea and Japan. He has over 200 PPA exhibition merits and more than 40 images in the PPA Loan Collection. He has won the Kodak Gallery Elite Award, 6 Fuji Masterpiece Awards and 5 Kodak Gallery awards.
Michael Sauer
California Sunday Chair
casunday@ppconline.com
Phone: (530) 276-8404
Michael started his photographic career in 1996 at the prompting of friends and family who could see that his heart was in both capturing sights from around the world and experiencing the thrill of helping others learn to see their world in a new ‘light’. Michael has found that a lifetime is an exceedingly short period of time to fit in all the wonderful hobbies – and eventually the careers – that he has come to enjoy. Channeling an OCD’esque personality, he has found himself involved in occupations requiring detail and a high degree of accuracy, from certifying diamonds to running an accounting business. However, his passion changed from office-based businesses to the creative and traveling career of professional photography. Michael began shooting wildlife, scenic and fine art images, studying with leading outdoor photographers Galen Rowell, Art Wolfe, Franz Lanting and George Lepp. Michael has since expanded his business to incorporate portrait and commercial photography, and once again surrounds himself with the best in the business at the state and national levels. Raised in a loving family environment and prompted at an early age to give back to the world that has provided him so many wonderful opportunities, Michael now finds himself serving on the board of the Professional Photographers of California – which he considers a great honor.