Jim and Deb Chagares have met the standards of excellence set by the Professional Photographers of America, and have both been awarded the Master of Photography Degree in recognition of superior photographic competence, demonstrated through success in photographic competition, advanced education, and service to the profession.

Jim and Deb have also been awarded the Photographic Craftsman Degree. This degree is in recognition of their service to the photographic profession as orators, authors and mentors.

Jim has also earned the Master of Electronic Imaging Degree. To qualify for this degree photographers are required to pass a comprehensive written examination measuring their technical expertise and submit images for critical review. The entries must be created electronically and may consist of computer graphics, electronic still images or other electronically created, manipulated or enhanced images.

Certified Professional Photographer

All PPA Certified Photographers must:

The PPA Certified designation is granted by the Professional Photographers of America, the world's oldest and largest association of professional photographers and image makers, with more than 14,000 members in 64 nations.

A Certified photographer has the skills and abilities to create much more than a picture - they can tell the story of who you are or even who you might like to be. Whether photographing families or factories, babies or brides, each PPA Certified photographer has dedicated his or her life to creating superior images. This ensures that whenever you enter a studio that displays the PPA Certified emblem, you will be dealing with a photographer who meets a high standard of technical skill, creativity and business practices.

In 2007, Jim received the prestigious ASP Gold Medallion Award from the American Society of Photographers for his album entry "Messengers to the Creator." His album was also chosen as Album of the Year by Professional Photographers of America.

Photographer of the Year
In 2007 and again in 2008, Jim won Photographer of the Year at Professional Photographers of Indiana.

He has held the Indiana Digital Imager of the Year title 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

In 2003, Jim won the Photographer of the Year title at the Mid-East States Regional print exhibit in Columbus, Ohio.

He is a three time Photographer of the Year at the Indianapolis Professional Photographers Guild.

Jim earned a gold level Electronic Imager of the Year and silver level Photographer of the Year award from Professional Photographers of America in 2006 and platinum in 2007 and 2008.

Deb received a bronze level Photographer of the Year award from Professional Photographers of America in 2007.

Jim & Deb have had several Traveling Loan Collection images and Epcot selections.

Jim is also the recipient of the Imaging Excellence Award from Professional Photographers of America for having received 13 Traveling Loan Collection images.

Jim has placed in the Top Ten Indiana photographers the past ten years.

Jim's image "Majestic" was selected to receive the Foveon Award at the 2001 Mid-East States Regional Convention, then was selected to be a part of the American Society of Photographers' Photographic Hall of Fame. Majestic was then selected to appear on the 2001 Loan Collection Book cover.

In 2003, Jim's image "In the Beginning" scored a 100 at the Professional Photographers of Indiana's annual print competition and was later accepted to the ASP Masters' Traveling Loan Collection.

He is a four time winner of the Professional Photographers of Indiana Platinum Award for the highest scoring image.

In 2004, 2005 and 2008 he received the ASP State Elite Award for the highest scoring image.

In 2006, Deb received the ASP State Elite Award for the highest scoring image as well as the best Black and White and the Illustrative Award.

Jim is the recipient of numerous Fuji Masterpiece Awards and Kodak Gallery Awards.

Jim & Deb both have received the Top Ten award at the Professional Photographers of Indiana Convention and also at the Mid-East States Regional Convention.

In 2004, Jim was the recipient of the PPA's highest honor, "The National Award."

Both Jim & Deb are nationally approved photographic exhibition judges for the Professional Photographers of America.

copyright 1996 - 2008 Chagares Photography