I have been interested in photography since childhood growing up in the Portland, Oregon area, when I began with roll film and a box Brownie. After active duty in the US Navy, I attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Industrial Photography and Color Technology. Shortly thereafter, I was hired by General Dynamics Corp, where I worked as an industrial photographer and color printer for 10 years. When our facility was sold and moved, I switched to Lifetouch, a school photography company, where, for 10 years I photographed classroom groups from 6 to 600 students, dances, seniors, and sports. I had my first Photoshop class in January, 2000, and, by April had hired on as a full-time retoucher for a local full-service portrait studio. Currently, I am semi-retired, accepting assignments if they interest me, but mostly doing Photoshop work for other photographers.

I am a Lifetime member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), having served on the PPA Council for nine years between about 2005 and 2014. Through PPA, I am certified as a Certified Professional Photographer. I have also earned the PPA Master of Photography Degree, the Photographic Craftsman Degree, and the Master Artist Degree. At the state level, I have earned recognition as a California Master Photographer. I have been the recipient of two Peoples Choice Awards, a Fuji Masterpiece Award, and two Kodak Gallery Awards at the state level. I am a past president of the Inland Empire Professional Photographers and Videographers, based in Riverside, CA, a local affiliate of Professional Photographers of California (PPC).

I served as President of the International Association of Panoramic Photographers (IAPP) during 2013-14 and remained involved as a board member until term limited out in 2019.

Within Photographic Society of America (PSA), I am a Past President of the Southern California Council of Camera Clubs (S4C). I am also a member of two S4C affiliated clubs: Photochromers (based in Sierra Madre), and the Riverside Art Museum’s Photo Artist Network (PAN). I received my first ROPA distinction, PPSA, September, 2017. Within the PID Digital Study Groups community, I am active in two where I serve as both Commentator and Secretary for both DSG 29 Natural Landscape, and DSG 52 Competitive. I also serve as the Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Projected Image Division (PID) of PSA. In October, 2022, I received recognition for my portfolio entry Semi-Arid Beauty which qualified for the Bronze award (BPSA).

Paul Speaker, M.Photog., M.Artist, Cr, CPP, CA-M.Photog., PPSA, BPSA, DFS4C

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