Peaceful Paradise

27 Saturday Dec 2025

Posted by in Around the World, Trips

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A quiet day on the beach. The sound of the ocean waves. The warm breeze in your hair. A good book in your hands. A cold drink on the table beside you. And a calmness in your soul as the beach feeds a deep-seeded need inside you for this place and this moment. There is nothing better. Beautiful Mayakoba near Playa del Carmen, Mexico, provides all this and more. ❣️

International Society of Animal Photographers 2025

22 Monday Dec 2025

Posted by in Uncategorized

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The International Society of Animal Photographers hosted their second image competition in 2025. Five of my images received “Meritorious Image” status, and one of them finished in the Top 10 in the Wildlife-Illustrative category! 😲

These are “Spa Day”, “Redheads Have the Most Fun!”, “Carnival King”, “Family Bonding”, and “Pretty Mischievous”.

What a Year!

18 Thursday Dec 2025

Posted by in Leadership, Publications

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This is my November/December President’s Message published in “The Photographer” magazine.

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What a year! Time flies when you are having fun! And when you are busy making yourself better! I truly hope you are better now than you were at the beginning of the year … better in whatever way you set out to be.

We have been through quite a ride. I have enjoyed writing to you this year, and I hope you came along with me and accepted all (or at least some of) the challenges I presented. I hope you achieved your personal and professional goals, and I hope you have congratulated yourself on a job well done. I challenged myself this year and accomplished my goals, too.

I am honored to have served as President of TPPA, and I hope I have made this organization better than it was when I joined the board. I have been privileged to serve with wonderful people who have only the best in mind for the future of the organization, and I feel confident we are in good hands going forward.

  • Thank you to the 2025 TPPA Board for your support and all the work you put in to make this year remarkable.
  • Thank you to Steve Kozak for keeping TPPA running smoothly and planning the details of our events.
  • Thank you to Don Dickson for an amazing 50th Texas School!
  • Good luck to Cris Duncan as he leads Texas School into the future. The 2026 instructor line-up is terrific! (Mark your calendars for registration on January 3 at 11 p.m.!)
  • Thank you to Bill Hedrick for creating this beautiful magazine year after year.
  • Thank you to my husband, Josh, for always being my rock and biggest supporter.

One final thought: What challenges will you set for yourself next year?

Take the Challenge: Challenge Yourself

I cannot wait to see what you accomplish! Share with me at Shawna.Hinkel@gmail.com.

Shawna Hinkel, M.Photog., CPP
TPPA President