PPA Taps Photographer Angela Kurkian as New CEO to Navigate AI Era

ATLANTA, GA – May 04, 2026 – The Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the industry’s largest and most historic trade association, has ushered in a new era of leadership, appointing veteran photographer Angela Kurkian as its Chief Executive Officer. The move signals a strategic focus on adapting to a rapidly evolving creative landscape, particularly with the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Kurkian succeeds David Trust, who is retiring after a transformative 28-year tenure with the organization.

This leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for the 35,000-member nonprofit. Kurkian, who has been with the PPA team for over a decade, steps up from her previous roles as Director of Education and Deputy CEO. Her appointment is seen as a commitment to the organization's core mission: supporting the working photographer.

A Photographer's Vision for the Future

Angela Kurkian is not just an executive; she is a photographer who has lived the profession she now serves. She began her career in 1994, founding Essenza Studio, which specialized in portrait and wedding photography. Having joined PPA as a member that same year, her experience provides her with a ground-level perspective on the needs and challenges facing today's creative professionals.

Her deep integration into PPA's operational and strategic fabric began in 2012 when she was appointed Director of Education. In that capacity, she was the architect of the association's modern educational framework and was instrumental in the recent launch of PhotoVision, a comprehensive subscription-based streaming platform. This platform, which boasts over 5,000 educational resources, was developed alongside Trust and stands as a key part of PPA's strategy to engage and educate a new generation of visual storytellers.

Kurkian’s agenda for PPA is progressive and directly confronts the industry's most pressing issues. She plans to increase focus on professional standards through certification programming and enhance the visibility of PPA's expert-led educational resources. Most critically, as AI continues to permeate creative fields, she intends to place a greater emphasis on member support for business and career development, ensuring photographers have the tools to thrive in what she calls the "intelligence age."

"PPA has an incredible legacy, having played a pivotal role in the journeys of many professional photographers for more than 150 years," Kurkian stated. "We were founded to provide photographers with resources and creative protection, which they have come to expect. I want our members to take advantage of the rich community-building available for them to learn, share, and grow... I am honored and energized as we move into a new era for PPA, PhotoVision, and the critical importance of photography and video storytelling to the human element."

The End of a Transformative Era

Kurkian's appointment follows the retirement of David Trust, whose 27 years as CEO represent the longest leadership tenure in PPA's 156-year history. Trust joined the organization in 1998 as its first Director of Marketing and was named CEO just over a year later. His leadership is credited with steering PPA through a period of unprecedented growth, transforming it into a modern, forward-thinking institution.

Under Trust's guidance, membership more than tripled to over 35,000 photographers worldwide. He was a fierce advocate for photographers' rights, co-founding the Copyright Alliance in 2000 and regularly testifying before Congress. His relentless lobbying was pivotal in the passage of the CASE Act, which established a small claims tribunal within the U.S. Copyright Office, giving independent creators a viable path to defend their work. He also led the evolution of Imaging USA into the premier national convention and trade show for the industry.

Trust praised his successor's qualifications and vision. "Angela is a natural leader and educator, not to mention an amazing photographer," he said. "Her skills and leadership abilities will enable PPA to not only continue to flourish, but also take the organization to new heights. While it's hard to say goodbye after so many years with PPA, I am excited to watch through Angela's lens as a new generation of photographers from around the world embrace PPA and PhotoVision."

Confronting the AI Revolution and Industry Headwinds

The leadership transition is set against a backdrop of profound technological disruption. The rise of generative AI presents a dual-edged sword for photographers. While AI tools can streamline workflows and unlock new creative avenues, the unauthorized scraping of copyrighted images to train AI models poses a significant threat to photographers' livelihoods.

PPA has been at the forefront of this battle, submitting formal comments to the U.S. Copyright Office to object to the unethical use of creators' work. The organization advocates for a balanced approach, encouraging ethical AI development while providing its members with the education and legal resources needed to protect their intellectual property. Kurkian's commitment to bolstering business support and advocacy directly aligns with the need to help members navigate this complex new reality.

Beyond technology, photographers continue to face challenges like market saturation and the need for adaptable business models. PPA's extensive resources, from legal contract templates to PhotoVision's business courses, are designed to address these issues. By elevating a leader with direct experience running a photography business, the association reinforces its commitment to providing practical, real-world support.

As the world's largest nonprofit photography association, PPA's position is unique. While organizations like the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and American Photographic Artists (APA) also provide valuable advocacy and resources, PPA's sheer scale, comprehensive benefits—including up to $15,000 in equipment insurance—and its constant advocacy presence in Washington D.C. set it apart. The appointment of Kurkian, an insider with a creator's perspective, is poised to further strengthen this member-centric approach, ensuring the organization's offerings remain deeply relevant to the photographers it serves.