Melinda Hughes

It is surprising how fast the years have gone by, but it’s understandable when I think about how much I have loved being a professional artist and photographer. From 1974-1992, I was focused on traveling all over California, photographing top-rated horse shows at Griffith Park, Rancho Murrieta, the annual Pony Express Trail Tevis Cup Endurance Race and many other exciting venues.

In 1988, I became a member of the Professional Photographers of America and on a local level, the Professional Photographers of the Redwood Empire (now the Professional Photographers of the Wine Country). What a wonderful group of professionals! I took many master classes at photography conventions and photography schools and excelled at all of them. Wedding photography and family portraiture, babies and horses were my subjects of choice.

Along the way, I managed to receive a number of accolades from my peers. Some of my past awards have included the prestigious Diamond Photographer of the Year for 2011 in the international Photographic Competition for PPA. I was Photographer of The Year and won Print of The Year through PPWC in 2006, 2015 and 2017. I was also honored with the Ted Gurney Portrait of The Year Award in 2006 through the Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area. I have also received 54 Merit Awards through PPA National, and in April, 2023, I received my Masters in Photographic Art through the prestigious Professional Photographers of America.

I continue to teach beginning and intermediate Photoshop classes, with both private and group lessons.

My current endeavor is focused on creating beautiful fine art paintings utilizing acrylic paint on canvas. The subject matter can vary from landscapes to animals or anything that I have an interest in, including wildlife art.

I feel blessed to have been able to live my life the way I choose, by being a Master photographer and artist!