Judges are not current club members, nor do judges have access to metadata, names or other information about entrants. Competition is open to members who have paid current year dues.
Judges are selected by the Competition Committee; members are Shawn Gibson, Ken Spencer, Roy O’Rear, Jeff Heyer, Brian Fesko and Robert Chura.
January 2026: Chris Smith
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the Jan. 15 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the Jan. 29 meeting.
Chris Smith earned master artist, master photographer and photographic craftsman certifications from the Professional Photographers Association/Texas Professional Photographers Association. He owns and operates Ivey Studio in Midlothian, Texas. Chris has received numerous awards from Texas and national associations. Learn more, view images.
February 2026: Steve Kozak
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the Feb. 5 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the Feb. 19 meeting.
Steve is Executive Director of the Texas Professional Photographers Association. He has earned Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman degrees and Certified Professional Photographer designations from PPA. Steve has been an instructor at the Texas School of Professional Photography, Imaging USA, and other national schools of photography.
March 2026: Jim Walsh
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, March 5, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the March 5 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the March 19 meeting.
Jim is a past president and a Fellow of the Dallas Camera Club. He has been Competition chair for the Dallas and Plano camera clubs.
April 2026: Larry Petterborg
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, April 2, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the April 2 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the April 16 meeting.
Larry has been actively involved in club photography for more than 20 years. He is a Fellow of the Dallas Camera Club, a designation earned by receiving top awards in monthly competition over time. He is 2026 field trip director and a past president of Dallas club, a member of Plano Photography Club and a member of the Heard Nature Photographers Club. View Larry’s images.
May 2026: Kalee Appleton
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, May 7, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the May 7 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the May 21 meeting.
Kalee Appleton is associate professor of Art at TCU. She earned a BFA from Texas Tech and an MFA from Texas Woman’s University. Her work has been in print and online publications, including “D Magazine,” “Glasstire,” and “LensCulture.” Appleton exhibits her work at Ivester Contemporary, Austin. She has exhibited nationally at Houston Center for Photography and the Hilliard Art Museum, Lafayette, La. View her images.
June 2026: Tracy Allard
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, June 4, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the June 4 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the June 18 meeting.
Tracy Allard is a Certified Professional Photographer who operates PennyWhistle Photography in Carrollton. She specializes in pet, equine, and family photography. She earned Master Professional Photography designation from the Professional Photographers Association of America in 2023, and also holds certified craftsman and professional photographer certifications from PPA.. View her images.
July 2026: Melissa Digue
Print entries should be delivered to the parking lot west of Clifton Street (view map) by 7:15 p.m. July 2. The July 2 meeting is a Photo Walk around the UNT Health campus. Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, July 2, 2026. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the July 16 meeting.
Melissa Digue says her approach to photography is intentional and art-driven. Her specialties are fine art portraits, boudoir images, editorial features and wildlife. View Melissa’s images. Melissa is a member of Professional Photographers of America, Texas Professional Photographers Association, Dallas Professional Photographers Association, Professional Photographers of Michigan, and the Fort Worth Professional Photographers Association.
August 2026: Olivia Ogren-Hrejsa
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the Aug. 6 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the Aug. 20 meeting.
Olivia Ogren-Hrejsa has received multiple awards from juried competition sponsored by the Texas Professional Photographers Association (PPA), Artrageous and others. Her photography-based artwork and multimedia have been exhibited throughout North Texas, including at Collin College and Frisco’s Art in the Atrium. She is a graduate of Iowa State University and earned a Master of Photography degree from PPA. Olivia is an active member of PPA, Texas PPA, and Dallas PPA, and regularly serves as a juror for art and photography competitions. She is a juror-in-training for PPA. View Olivia’s images.
September 2026: Landon Day
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the Sept. 3 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the Sept. 17 meeting.
Landon Day is a Certified Professional Photographer, and has earned advanced degrees from the Professional Photographers Association, including a Photographic Craftsman Degree in 2016 and a Master Photography degree in 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Art from Hardin Simmons University
Landon has shared his knowledge at events in Atlanta, Orlando, Las Vegas and Los Angeles as a platform speaker helping other photographers further their skills. View Landon’s images.
October 2026: Jerry Schlesinger
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the Oct. 1 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the Oct. 15 meeting.
Jerry is a contest administrator for the Plano Camera Club, which is affiliated with the Photographic Society of America and the Gulf States Camera Clubs. View Jerry’s images.
November 2026: Sharon Prislipsky
Digital entries and a digital image of a print entry are due by midnight Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. Print entries should be turned in at the Nov. 5 meeting. Awards and judge’s comments will be made at the Nov. 19 meeting.
Sharon Prislipsky is a member of the Photographic Society of America. Her images have received more than 1,250 acceptances and 130 awards in international exhibitions. She is a frequent presenter at local and national PSA clubs and Audubon Societies. Sharon has developed “Beyond Capture,” and “The Elements of a Winning Image,” among other programs. She has been a judge for club competitions and international exhibitions. View Sharon’s images.
December 2026
There is no Competition in December. We celebrate another year of outstanding photography with a holiday party and awards presentation. Follow us on this website and Facebook for information.