Meet the APA National Executive Board
©DANA HURSEY
ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 2022
The Board of Directors for American Photographic Artists (APA) is comprised of professional photographers who generously volunteer their time and expertise in order to help other photographers run more productive and successful businesses. In addition to the National Executive Board, each local chapter of APA has its own board members.
February, 2022 Dear Fellow APA members I am thrilled and honored to have been tapped to serve as National President of American Photographic Artists. My term will be a modest one year (ahhh term limits…) but it will be an exciting time for APA. Our Diversity Committee may be one of the most important initiatives in the life of the organization, and I am in awe of the work they have done and continue to do. 2022 will bring some other exciting projects that will add benefit and community to our membership! In the first quarter we hope to launch our APA Community site, where members (AND non-members - in some spaces) can communicate, interact, share, support and inspire each other in a variety of forums, as well as having access to assets to support your business… AND it will be mobile friendly! Soon after that we’ll be launching a top-to-bottom redesign of the APA Website, with greater functionality, cleaner UI, and single sign-on for both the site and Community space. Really what APA is about is supporting its members, and the Advocacy that goes on largely behind the scenes is really the heart and soul of the organization (though the discounts and other “tangible” benefits don’t suck!), and I look forward to playing a small role in supporting the amazing work that each of the volunteers in our regional chapters (as well as National) do, day in and day out, to enrich our members and the organization as a whole. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve, and am so looking forward to working closely with our rock-star National Executive Director, Juliette Wolf-Robin to continue the good work of lifting up all of our talented members and our incredible and creative industry. I look forward to connecting with you this year! Dana Hursey APA National President
board president
Dana Hursey is an award-winning commercial advertising and fine art photographer. With over 30 years of producing major campaigns for companies such as Lowe’s Home Improvements, Disney, Volkswagen, Four Seasons and UnitedHealthcare, Dana is a leader in the commercial photography industry. Dana received his BFA in Photography from Art Center College of Design and is regularly invited back as a guest lecturer and occasionally teaches selected workshops and courses. His numerous awards include both his commercial as well as fine artwork, and he has been featured in several one-man exhibitions both in the U.S. and abroad. Dana has been named one of the 200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide by Lürzer’s Archive Magazine. He also received great acclaim for his 14 Days in Great Britain Documentary Series as well as his visuals in the “Cart for a Cause” cookbook, sponsored by Lexus, featuring 35 of L.A.’s top chefs and their recipes, with 100% of proceeds going to the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels Program.
To me, APA Means Community and Advocacy. APA is the place where I can connect with my colleagues. And the organization, promotes, supports and lobbies on my behalf as a working creative professional. Dana's website
hursey
executive vice president
APA is an opportunity for give and take with likeminded people about something I am passionate about - Photography. RJ’s won a couple of hundred awards (really). Almost all were for his photography. He’s won ICP’s Infinity Award, a Lucie Award, a Clio, a One Show Pencil Award, and several others with equally amusing names. He’s had several magazine articles written about him and his work, including an article in CA Magazine whose cover caused quite the controversy. Subscriptions were cancelled. Letters of support were written. Grandmothers averted their eyes. It was all great fun.
RJ Muna is a photographer. He was born in a place far from where he grew up. He went to college not far from where he now lives, which is fairly close to where he grew up. He’s been taking pictures for many years now, and remembers fondly the era of Film. He gladly shoots digital these days but has spent many hours arguing the merits of pixels versus silver (usually taking the opposite side of whichever view is being presented). “Polaroid” - enough said. Truth is, he really doesn’t care what he makes pictures with, as long as he gets to make pictures. He likes making pictures.
He’s had numerous gallery shows of his fine art work, and while less than a hundred, certainly more than he can count on all of his fingers and toes. His wardrobe of black clothing is extensive, and he’s actually come to prefer cheap white wine with his cheese and crackers. Sometimes, though rarely, RJ will write something in the third person. It makes him feel a little like a Rap star. But he never uses the Royal “We”. That would just be too much. He has, on occasion, used the French “Oui”. Because, of course, you can’t say no to everything. Frankly, if there’s any more you really want to know about RJ, just look at the pictures. It’s all there.
RJ's website
muna
senior vice president Some people can light up any space they walk into. Commercial lifestyle and portrait photographer Inti St. Clair has effortlessly perfected that talent. Put a camera in her hands and the phenomenon continues. Inti has 20+ years of experience in the photography industry honing her bright, happy, and full of true-life moments style, and building her career with an impressively large portfolio of stock imagery, and an enviable client list— Arm & Hammer, Chase, Purina, Kaiser Permanente, Discover, Microsoft and Phillips to name a few.
Inti St. Clair
She is an approachable artist who seeks to create community and share her hard-earned knowledge with other photographers trying to make their way in the industry. She truly believes we will all achieve greater success by lifting each other up. (No more gate-keeping!) In addition to serving as Executive National Vice President of American Photographic Artists (APA), Inti teaches at Rocky Mountain School of Photography, mentors a number of up-and-coming photographers, provides one-on-one coaching sessions, and conducts portfolio reviews to help photographers present themselves in the best way possible so they can get the jobs they dream of. Her award-winning imagery has been recognized by Cannes Lions, International Photo Awards (IPA), Communications Arts, APA, ASMP, PDN and Lürzers Archive.
Being a part of APA means I have a built in community of support when I need it, which as a freelancer is invaluable. It also means I have a way to give back to the industry and support other artists. I truly believe that by lifting each other up we lift the industry up as a whole. Inti's website
st. clair
vice president Ramon C Purcell Problem solving has always been a motivation for Ramon earning him a diverse career in photography; his ability to adapt and create a visual solution for client needs is unsurpassed. Experience is essential and having started his photographic journey in the action sports world for Surfing and Surfing Girl magazines lead to a variety of location assignments wherever there were waves to be surfed. A host of challenges were always present from the weather variables to athlete coordination to present a unique and memorable image. Ramon transitioned into editorial photography freelancing for a variety of news organizations including Newsweek. The importance of time sensitive deadlines were a mainstay of working in the news world as well conveying the entirety of the story. This was a pivotal point on
honoring the editorial narrative via an image, capturing emotion and showing the context of the situation.
APA is community. It's a way to feel connected to other professionals when you're flying solo.
Advertising and commercial photography was his next evolution. Dealing with global advertising campaigns was a match for Ramon. Utilizing the different skills learned over 15 years he has honed the importance of the branded image. Architectural, hospitality, lifestyle photography are weekly assignments that keep Ramon and his team traveling across the United States. Being able to see the global strategy as well as focus on the immediate needs of the project have Ramon taking the reins directing motion campaigns for clients.
Ramon's website
purcell
treasurer Jill Broussard was born in fog and grew up riding bikes and flying kites at Chrissy Field in San Francisco. She was breathing in eucalyptus way before it became a Bath and Body hit fragrance. The fog always smells like fresh eucalyptus when it rolls out with the sun and back in at night. A journalist by schooling, she didn’t pick up a camera until nearly 20. The quiet magic of the darkroom, fumbling in the closet with the metal spools, chemicals wafting, that soft red light, it was too much of a call to ignore. The public relations major went left field and she took up the call to pursue art. Of course the magic of the darkroom gave way to computers eventually, and art led to a career in commercial photography in Dallas, where Jill made the jump to put roots down. Now she spends her time focusing on how to be a more holy and dedicated observer of the human spirit. The most fulfilling part about working as a photographer is getting unscripted access to people’s lives— she has photographed on sailboats, in beehives, and in remote jungle villages as well as people’s homes and their offices and places of leisure. When she’s not wearing the photographer’s many hats, she spends quite a bit of time working with the APA Diversity Committee on ways to create a more equitable future for all photographers– by championing diverse crew and talent, creating standards for respect and equity, and focusing daily on building up the next generation of photographers and creatives. She strives to work with creatives and teams who see the value in a rich collective of people as the best way to create photography.
APA has become family to me— It’s a multifaceted community where I’ve found like-minded photographers navigating the same exciting and unknown landscapes I’ve been in. It’s a place I can grow and give back at the same time.
Jill's website
broussard
secretary Laura Chase de Formigny is a DC-based editorial and commercial food photographer with a passion for capturing the place where food, life, and storytelling combine. With a background in photojournalism and time spent working as a staff photographer at the Annapolis Capital Gazette, it’s no surprise that she’s sought after for her strong editorial eye by regional restaurants, chefs, and clients like The Washington Post, AARP, NPR, Smithsonian Institute, Science Magazine, and the Michelin Guide. When she’s not shooting an assignment or creating food libraries for her restaurant clients, you can find her expanding her commercial portfolio - most recently providing the photography for National Geographic’s Attainable Sustainable.
Over the past few years APA has become a very special part of my life, providing an oasis of friendship and encouragement in an otherwise highly competitive industry. I cherish the friendships I’ve made in APA and continue to make.
Laura Chase has a B.A. in Studio Art (drawing and painting, if you can believe it!) from UNC Chapel Hill. After living and working in places like Charlotte, Chattanooga, Baltimore, and Belgium, she’s happy to call Silver Springs, Maryland home and enjoys spending family time with her husband, adorable son, Henry and baby, Frances! Laura Chase proudly serves on the American Photographic Artists National Executive Board. She is supported by Philly Reps, Found Artists, and Wonderful Machine. In addition, she is an active member of Les Dames d'Escoffier International.
Laura Chase's website
de formigny
apanational.org