Meet Professional Photographers of Nebraska Board of Directors! They are the brains behind-the-scenes of every PPN event; from conferences to workshops. This volunteer board is dedicated to helping new and established professional photographers achieve their goals through strategic planning of educational events, mentorship, and networking. If you are interested in distinguishing yourself as a future board member or just want to volunteer your service, contact any board member. They are here for YOU! And, do you have an item for a board of director’s meeting agenda? The board meets quarterly as well as communicate through group emails on a regular basis.

Images Courtesy of Jim Bunger

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PRESIDENT

JOSEPH GIITTER - M.Photog., Cr., CPP

Joseph (Joe) Giitter is not your ordinary photographer.  His career started as a nuclear engineer for Westinghouse and eventually led to his appointment to the Senior Executive Service of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where he was responsible for the licensing of the 100 operating reactors in the United States.  Joe taught at the Washington (DC) School of Photography on night and on weekends and took family and senior portraits in his spare time.  In August 2018, Joe decided it was time to make photography his full time career.  He moved to Omaha and opened up a studio in an old furniture factory in the Millwork Commons District of downtown Omaha.  He is currently serving on the board of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska and the Omaha Downtown Improvement District.    

While he continues to shoot family portraits in his studio, his work has recently expanded to corporate photography.  Mr. Giitter, is recognized by the Professional Photographers of America as a Master Photographer and Craftsman, and has been a Certified Professional Photographer since 2011.  He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Photography at Bellevue University and was previously an instructor at the Washington School of Photography.

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VICE PRESIDENT

SUSANNA POEFFEL - M. Photog., M. Wedding Photog., CPP

Susanna started her photographer career in 2005 as a wedding photographer. Now almost 20 years later, she is still doing what she loves and has grown her hobby into a thriving business in Columbus, NE. While she still enjoys capturing weddings, she now also provides photography services for seniors, families, newborns, sports teams and local commercial businesses. She has earned her Masters of Photography, Masters of Wedding Photographyand is a Certified Professional Photographer. She was also named Wedding Photographer of the Year for 2019, 2020 and 2021. She joined the PPofN Board of Directors in 2019, as she has a passion for educating and encouraging other photographers. Susanna is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have 3 children.

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TREASURER 

CORY LOOMIS

Cory owns a small town business owner located in Bloomfield, Nebraska. He was brought up with strong work ethics and workmanship. Following ten years active duty in the US Navy submarine community, Cory attended the University of Guam where he graduated with a degree in Computer Science along with a minor in Arts with a focus in photography. Upon relocating back to his hometown with his wife and two kids, he launched his photography business where he specialized in seniors and families.

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SECRETARY / MEMBERSHIP

TONYA OTTEMANN

I started my photography journey in 2004 when my passion for creating images for friends and family turned into a career. I quickly grew my business from a part time basement studio into a commercial location and continue to enjoy building relationships with my clients. I focus most of my business on newborn and family portraits but enjoy changing it up with a few volume sports contracts, seniors and wedding photography. I am a member of Professional Photographers of America and have enjoyed being a part of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska association. I have been married to my husband Chad for over 20 years. I help him run a custom bakery business that takes up most of our free time. I love being able to support him as he grows the business. We have three active boys that keep us busy and we are excited to add a daughter-in-law this fall. 

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DIRECTOR/TRADESHOW 

JAY DAVIS

I am a full time architectural, product, food and drone photographer based in Papillion,

Nebraska. I started my career in the mid-seventies working part time in a commercial

photography studio. I then went work full time in a portrait and wedding studio learning the art

of the portrait. I landed in Nebraska after serving in the US Air Force, worked for several

studios in central-Nebraska, took a few career detours and returned to photography in 2006

doing strictly commercial photography.

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DIRECTOR/ WORKSHOPS & MERCH

JENNY GEGG, CPP, A.F.Ph.

I've been a professional photographer for 21 years after graduated with my B.S. in Commercial and Portrait Photography from Central Missouri State. (Go Mules!) My studio, jenny gegg photography, is located in Lincoln where I've lived the last 20 years. Currently, I specialize in weddings and portraits, but love a good commercial job when it comes my way. I'm also one of the current Certified Professional Photographer Liaisons for Nebraska. I'm married with 3 cats, 4 chickens, 3 rabbits and 2 kids. I enjoy helping other photographers become better photographers.

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DIRECTOR/ COMMUNICATIONS

BOBBI JO BEAVER, CPP

Bobbi Jo is a Certified Professional Photographer with an English Degree. This would be a great spot for the shrug emoji. She may not have taken the traditional path to get here, but has been a recorder of stories both written and photographed for as long as she can remember. She started with a darkroom at fifteen years old and then worked for her small town photographer for a number of years after that. She has lived in six different states and countries and has returned to photography with every move. She was named FotoChaos Photographer of the Year in 2012, has been featured internationally and earned her CPP in 2020. She is passionate about pens that write well, quality bug repellent and great photography. She is a wife to one, mother to two, amateur gardener, and an animal wrangler with a studio on an acreage in Papillion, NE.

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PAST PRESIDENT

JIM BUNGER - A.F.Ph.

jim.bunger@kearneymedia.net

Jim went to college for digital video production in 2007 in Arizona. After returning home to Kearney, he started his video production company in 2009 and after transitioning into DSLR’s for video work, he added photography to his studio in 2012. Jim specializes in Commercial work and off the wall projects and enjoys challenging himself to learn techniques in lighting and post production then breaking traditional rules that create unique works of art. He is a father to three great children, Marissa, Corey and Marrae.

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PAST PRESIDENT LIAISON 

COREY ROURKE