Board of Directors
Executive Director
Tom Cheswick, Cr.Photog.
Tom is a past president of the Arizona Professional Photographers Association and currently serves as the Executive Director for the AzPPA. He has served as a PPA counselor for three terms and holds the Photographic Craftsman degree from PPA. Tom was presented with the PPA National Award and the Crystal Apple Award for his outstanding service and dedication to the photographic industry. He has earned numerous photography awards including being named twice “Arizona Wedding Photographer of the Year”, receiving two Fuji Masterpiece Awards, a Kodak gallery award, and a Fine Arts Finalist in the Pas de Deux Dance Photo Competition.
Tom mentors other photographers including private one on one sessions to help photographers learn lighting, posing and photo editing. A discounted rate is given to AZPPA members.
He and his wife Francine own a highly successful home-based studio, photographing mostly professional headshots, dance photography and high school seniors. Tom also presents fun and exciting photography programs and workshops. For additional information, please visit http://www.cheswickphoto.com/hands-on-workshops-photography-programs/.
Chairman of the Board
Ellen Duperret, M.Photog., CPP
President
Suzie Barber, M.Photog., CPP
Suzie has been a professional photographer since 2009, and while she has relocated her business three times, Arizona is her home. She is a Master Photographer, a Certified Professional Photographer, and an active member in both the AZPPA and the PPA. While Suzie loves to capture families and high school seniors, athletes are her passion. As a former collegiate gymnast at the United States Naval Academy, she loves to bring her athletic perspective when capturing her athlete clients. She is passionate about people, the creative process, and making amazing images. Finally, Suzie is proud to be a veteran-owned business. Go Navy! You can see more of her work at www.freshphotobysuzie.com.
Vice President
Kris Nagy
Kris has been behind a camera since he was 14 and in sales since he was 10 (he’s always liked closing deals). But photography became serious in 2018 after a 10-day African safari to witness the Great Migration. That trip changed everything. Kris and his wife return in June for their third Safari.
In 2019, he combined his sales and marketing background with his creative skills to launch Kris Nagy Photography.
What started with safari images quickly turned into a side hustle shooting for major construction companies and a Fortune 100 equipment manufacturer in Colorado. That momentum led Kris to retire early from Caterpillar after 22 years and go all-in on commercial photography. Today, he specializes in construction, mining, and industrial imagery along with turnkey retail printing, large-scale wall murals and longterm time lapses.
His largest print to date? A 27’ x 13’ wall mural for a Caterpillar dealer. They simply asked for “yellow earth and texture.” Kris delivered… and then some.
Commercial photography fuels his creative, technical, and sales instincts all at once—which is exactly how he likes it.
Kris and his wife returned to Arizona in 2024 after a ten year stint in Colorado. They previously lived in Arizona from 2012–2014 and are now happily settling into their ninth home in eight states. They are officially done moving! Kris first connected with PPA through the Professional Photographers of Colorado, where he was an active member.
He’s passionate about his dogs, camping, cooking, photography, and helping others. Alongside his business career, he has served as a first responder for 33 years, supporting people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He believes in integrity, service, and being a master of your craft.
Serving as your 2026 Vice President is both an honor and a meaningful way to give back to an organization that’s given so much to him.
Website coming soon:
Secretary / Treasurer
Vanessa Powles
Born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, I joined the Navy after high school and later served 17 years on active duty with the South Dakota National Guard before retiring from the military in 2016. After retirement, I began snow birding and quickly fell in love with Arizona winters-what started as seasonal quickly became something much more. I'm happily married and a proud mom to two adult children, and I now spend my time doing what I love-photography. As a member of AZPPA, I've found a community that inspires me through creativity, connection, and continual learning. I love expressing my creativity through my lens, with a passion for wildlife, people, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Photography is a journey where you never stop learning-and if we're lucky, there's time to explore it all.
Director
Cassandra Bautista
Director
Ken Brown
Director
Kathy deRenzy
Director
Andrew Faulds, M. Photog. M.Wed.Photog.Cr.,CPP
Andrew is an AzPPA past president and own's and operates a portrait studio named Studio 3 Images.
Andrew has won many awards in his career including AzPPA Photographer Of The Year in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022, ASP and CPP awards, and representing Team USA in the 2016 Photographic World cup, and has been Diamond photographer of the year 2x in his career. But, he is most proud of receiving his Master's Degree in Photography where he was honored with having his Dad be his sponsor to put the ribbon around his neck. It was a special moment because his Dad (and Mom) have always support him in photography and this was his way to say thank you.
Photography is about heart, the people and it is all about love. That is why I chose to be a photographer and why I chose to become part of AzPPA. AzPPA has all the qualities I believe make a great photographer and is why I am part of this great organization.
You can view his work at www.studio3images.com
Director
David Fudge
Director
Walter Howard
Director
Nicole Reynolds, CPP
Nicole is a Certified Professional Photographer from the Professional Photographers of America. She is a member of Arizona PPA and Texas PPA.
For the last six years, Nicole has owned Nicole Reynolds Photography, located in Payson, AZ. Nicole specializes in portrait photography, weddings, events, and professional headshots.
Nicole is from the Washington, DC, area and moved to Payson, Arizona, in 1996. Nicole is married to Patrick Reynolds, and between the two of them, they have four children and two grandchildren. Her hobbies include horseback riding and hiking the beautiful trails in her area. She also loves to travel and camp.
Her love of photography began as a child and continued throughout her adulthood. It wasn't until she bought her first DSLR camera and decided it was time to take it up a notch. She took a few college classes, watched many videos, and attended many hands-on workshops to gain skills. Her biggest accomplishment was obtaining her certification as a professional photographer.
You can view her work at www.nicolereynoldsphotography.com
OUR HIERARCHY
The Arizona PPA fiscal year runs from January to December. New officers officially assume their new positions after state convention, which is typically early in the year.
Arizona PPA contracts an executive director whose duties include the everyday matters of the association. The rest of the officers and board of directors are elected by the membership annually.
Executive Director - The Executive Director handles the everyday matters of the association such as maintaining membership files, paying bills, keeping records and distributing information to members.
The AzPPA Executive Council is comprised of the following: President, Vice-President, Treasurer/Secretary, Past President, and directors (number of which is dictated by bylaws). This group is in charge of planning and executing AzPPA events, making policy decisions, approving monetary matters, etc. Each member has specific duties.
The President, Vice-President, Treasurer/Secretary are elected by the membership each year, upon recommendation of a nomination committee appointed by the Chairman of the Board. Traditionally, even though these officers are voted on by the general membership, each one moves up with the President moving to Past President after his or her year in office and a new Secretary being brought on the board.
The role of an AzPPA Board Member is not to be taken lightly. It is an opportunity and a responsibility to represent AzPPA members and to make sure they are informed and involved in events on a state level.
Arizona PPA Members - Just because members are listed last does not diminish their importance! This entire organization revolves around service to the members. Without members, there is no Arizona PPA.
There are two kinds of members in any organization…those who become involved and those who sit on the sidelines. The choice to take advantage of all that Arizona PPA has to offer is left up to each individual. If you want to improve your photography and if you want to become more successful as a professional photographer, you need to be involved!
