July 8, 2025-Over and Beyond: Understanding Image Competition

Join award-winning photographer and national speaker Angela Hughes for an inspiring presentation that dives deep into the world of image competition. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just beginning to consider entering your first print competition, this session will challenge, educate, and motivate you to grow as an artist.

Through a candid exploration of the highs and lows of competition—from the thrill of success to the sting of a missed merit—Angela will share hard-earned lessons, behind-the-scenes insights, and personal stories of growth through critique. She’ll break down the do’s and don’ts of preparing your work, explain what judges look for, and unpack the core elements that consistently define competition-quality imagery: impact, technical excellence, storytelling, and originality.

Attendees will walk away with:

A deeper understanding of the judging process and scoring system

Tips on how to select and prepare images that rise to the top

Common mistakes to avoid

Ways to use competition as a tool for personal and professional growth

Real talk about rejection, resilience, and redefining success

Whether you’re chasing a merit, a degree, or just clarity in your creative voice, this program will rekindle your passion and give you the confidence to put your work out there—again and again.

Come for the critique. Stay for the courage. Leave with a new vision.

About Angela Hughes:

Hi! I'm Angela, - chatty, quirky, young at heart. I'm obsessed with travel, new locations, fashion, anything vintage, art and design.
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I graduated high school with no direction and stumbled through my twenties trying different creative outlets. I traveled, explored, and lived in NYC, Sarasota,Fl., and San Diego, Ca.

I was in theater, studied interior design, graphic design, and journalism. I was a bartender, a wedding coordinator, and flea market flip junkie before it became a trend. It wasn't until the birth of my daughter in 2001 and I picked up a camera with an entirely new purpose that I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.

My life began to have purpose and meaning the moment I learned that I was going to be a mother. It is through those eyes that I discovered my passion for photography. It's been a journey with a few bumps and bruises along the way, but everyone of those bumps that came along led me to where I am today.

I have my Master of Photography degree and Photographic Craftsman through Professional Photographers of America and I am a national , regional and state award winning artist. I speak and judge image competition for PPA affiliate organizations throughout the country. Through continuing my education, participating in print competition, and volunteering my time with professional organizations, I continue to stay true to my craft and better my skill. It is these things that fill my soul and drive me to keep creating. .

Angela Hughes, M. Photog, CR. Photog