 Jim and Deb Chagares have met the standards of excellence set
by the Professional Photographers of America, and have both been awarded
the Master of Photography Degree in recognition of superior photographic
competence, demonstrated through success in photographic competition,
advanced education, and service to the profession.
 Jim and Deb have also been awarded the Photographic Craftsman Degree. This degree
is in recognition of their service to the photographic profession as
orators, authors and mentors.
 Jim has also earned the Master of Electronic Imaging Degree. To
qualify for this degree photographers are required to pass a comprehensive
written examination measuring their technical expertise and submit
images for critical review. The entries must be created electronically
and may consist of computer graphics, electronic still images or other
electronically created, manipulated or enhanced images.
Fellow American Society of Photographers
In 2012, Jim became a Fellow of the American Society of Photographers. The Fellowship is awarded for exemplary photography, artistic philosophy, inspiring career
experiences and notable achievements. A portfolio of 25 images and a thesis is evaluated by a critical panel of five
carefully selected judges. All judges hold the
Master of Photography degree and four hold the Fellowship degree.
In 2007, Jim received the prestigious ASP Gold Medallion Award from the American Society of Photographers for his album entry Messengers to the Creator. His album was also chosen as Album of the Year by Professional Photographers of America. In 2008, Jim was the first to receive the ASP Gold Medallion Award twice for his album entry The Otter Family.
In 2009, Jim & Deb received the ASP Regional Medallion Award for their album entry Great Coastal Brown Bears. Their entry scored 100 at the Mid-America Regional Conference.
Yellowstone: Backcountry Journey scored 100 at the 2010 Mid-Americica Regional Conference and Jim was again awarded the ASP Regional Mediallion.
Canon Par Excellence Award 2010
The intention of the “Canon Par Excellence” Award is to recognize excellence in image making. The criteria
demands that this prestigious award exemplify a specific level of achievement. The Affiliate
Jurors will consider the four sealed entries of those makers as a body of work with variety, impact,
creativity, and technical expertise. Jim received this awarded at the Mid-America Regional Affiliate Competition.
Photographer of the
Year
In 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and again in 2012, Jim won Photographer of the Year at Professional Photographers of Indiana.
In 2003, Jim's image "In the Beginning" scored a 100 at the Professional Photographers of Indiana's annual print competition and was later accepted to the ASP Masters' Traveling Loan Collection.
He is a five time winner of the Professional Photographers of Indiana Platinum Award for Best of Show with the highest scoring image, three of which scored 100.
In 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2011 he received the ASP State Elite Award for the highest scoring image.
He has held the Indiana Digital Imager of the Year title 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
In 2003, Jim won the Photographer of the Year title at the Mid-East States Regional print exhibit in Columbus, Ohio.
He is a three time Photographer of the Year at the Indianapolis Professional Photographers Guild.
Jim has earned the Photographer of the Year award from Professional Photographers of America in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Deb received Photographer of the Year award from Professional Photographers of America in 2007.
Jim & Deb have had several Traveling Loan Collection images and Epcot selections.
Jim is also the recipient of the Imaging Excellence Award from Professional Photographers of America for having received 13 Traveling Loan Collection images. He has also earned 2 Imaging Excellence Bar for 39 Loan Collection images.
Jim has placed in the Top Ten Indiana photographers the past fourteen years.
Jim's image "Majestic" was selected to receive the Foveon Award at the 2001 Mid-East States Regional Convention, then was selected to be a part of the American Society of Photographers' Photographic Hall of Fame. Majestic was then selected to appear on the 2001 Loan Collection Book cover.
In 2006, Deb received the ASP State Elite Award for the highest scoring image as well as the best Black and White and the Illustrative Award.
Jim is the recipient of
numerous
Fuji Masterpiece Awards and Kodak Gallery Awards.
Jim & Deb both have received the Top Ten award at the Professional Photographers of Indiana Convention and also at the Mid-East States Regional Convention.
In 2004, Jim was the recipient of the PPA's highest honor, "The National Award."
Diamond Photographer of the Year 2018
Professional Photographers of America
Earning Diamond Photographer of the Year from Professional Photographer's International Photographic Compstition means that all four of a photographer’s entries into competition earned a spot in the coveted Loan Collection. In 2017, all four of Jim's entries were selected to the 2018 Loan Collection. Jim achieved this goal with 4 albums entries.
Foxy Lady
Misunderstood
Phantom of the North
The Great Salmon Run
| 
