Judge Coordinator

Hutch’s life-long love of photography was inspired at an early age by the magic of his father’s camera and darkroom. The advent of more advanced film cameras in the 1980’s and digital photography in the 1990’s further stimulated and broadened his interest.  He primarily shoots for his own pleasure with work ranging across a broad spectrum of genre. He particularly enjoys landscape, action and abstract photography. Hutch is an active  member  of  the  Channel  Islands  Professional Photographers,  Professional  Photographers  of  California, Thousand Oaks Photography Group and serves on the Board of Directors for the Southern California Council of Camera Clubs.

Pete Scifres' main photography interest is landscapes (with a minor in wildlife!) and he has photographed throughout the American southwest. Landscape Astrophotography is a particular specialization. He likes combining his photography efforts with hiking and backpacking. He has conducted workshops and webinars at local photography clubs and at the Thousand Oaks Photography Group he served in a number of roles including president and field trips chair. In addition to publishing books, his work has been seen at local art shows and the Ventura County Fair.

Steven Friedman has had an interest in photography since his college days when he found he could share memories of hikes and backpacking trips into the backcountry. What was originally a way for him to share beautiful landscapes, Steve’s eclectic interest in photography broadened into many genres including landscape photography, astro-landscape photography, wildlife photography, photojournalism and the performing arts. Steve frequently volunteers for the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund and local charitable organizations. Steve is an active member of the Thousand Oaks Photo Group; serves on its Board of Directors and conducts the club’s monthly photo competition. He is also President of the Southern California Council of Camera Clubs, a consortium of 17 camera clubs throughout the Southern California Area, that serves the needs of these local organizations. Steve has received many awards for his photography at Photographic Society of America Exhibitions as well as local juried shows including the Ventura County Fair and past SAMOFund Photo Contests.

Judith Eichenbaum is the daughter of National Park Service ranger and the annual ‘Spirit of the Mountains’ photo contest coordinator Sheila Braden. “I was so thrilled to be involved in the photo contest as I know it was very dear to my mom's heart. We used to talk about it every year”. Having worked for the National Park Service herself and also a keen photographer, Judith is delighted to be involved in the contest and will dedicate an image in memoriam: The Sheila Braden Award.

Sadhana Sharma is a resident of Los Angeles and, as an educator for over three decades, her message is of the importance of building bridges with nature and community. The Santa Monica Mountains inspire her as an artist and photographer, and encourage her to build harmonious bridges with nature. Her photographs are journalistic in style and intertwine the essence of the moment to its back story. They invite viewers to add their own imagination to the inherent beauty of the subject. Sadhana's art and photographs haver been showcased in local exhibits.

Dan Holmes travels the world exploring, discovering, and telling stories with light. He is a top tier landscape and nature photographer, with national and international awards. He teaches photography and leads photo workshops all over the world. Dan is currently Second Vice President of the Professional Photographers of California, past President of the Channel Islands Professional Photographers Association, a Fellowship member of Professional Photographers of California, and is a PPC California Master Photographer. He is a PPC Certified Image Competition judge, and has spoken to and judged for a wide variety of photographic groups, both regional and international.