Posts from the ‘Press Release’ Category
Three Final Merits & a Lifelong Dream: I’m Now a PPA Master Photographer
I’m thrilled (and a little stunned) to finally type these words:
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) has awarded me the Master of Photography degree.
This degree represents the highest level of image-making excellence that PPA recognizes, and it was completed by the last three Merits I earned this year for my night-sky images:
Beacon of the Infinite Echoes of Eternity Ethereal Descent
In January 2026, at Imaging USA in Nashville, TN, PPA President Mark Campbell, M.Photog.Hon.M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API will officially present the degree. I’ll be walking across that stage carrying not just a medallion, but nearly two decades of hard work, travel, late nights, and faith in the power of photography.
What the Master of Photography Degree Means
The Master of Photography degree is an achievement of the highest caliber. It means the artist has met the standards of excellence set by PPA, earning Merits through image excellence, advanced education, and service to the profession.
For me, this degree says:
My images have consistently met a national standard of craftsmanship and storytelling. I’ve invested deeply in education, competition, and the community of photographers who push each other to grow. My work in conservation-focused fine art is recognized among a select group of photographers committed to elevating the craft.
It’s an honor to see Luciano alongside other Masters and to know that these images—born under dark skies and in wild places—have carried me there.
The Three Merit Images That Completed the Journey
Each of these black-and-white nightscapes earned a Merit in the 2025 PPA Merit Image Review, and together they completed my requirements for the Master Photographer degree.
⭐ Beacon of the Infinite
A lighthouse in Door County, its beam cutting into the Milky Way like a prayer made of light.
This image captures what I feel during my midnight sessions on the shoreline: the sense that we are tiny, yet deeply connected to something far larger and more mysterious than ourselves.
⭐ Echoes of Eternity
Photographed in Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, where the waterfall roars through the heart of the earth while the Milky Way rises silently above.
The contrast between that tremendous sound and the stillness of the stars made the scene feel timeless—like the land itself was remembering.
⭐ Ethereal Descent
Silky, long-exposure waterfalls pouring through the frame under a canopy of stars.
Water becomes mist, motion becomes sculpture, and the night sky crowns it all. This piece feels like a bridge between earth and sky, gravity and grace.
These three images aren’t just photographs; they are the distilled essence of years of seeking out dark skies, driving thousands of miles with my family, and refusing to let go of a dream—even when I was sore, exhausted, or doubting myself.
A Personal Milestone in a Bigger Story
If you’ve followed my work, you know my heart is in conservation photography—using art to help people fall in love with the wild world so fiercely that they feel compelled to protect it.
Earning the PPA Master of Photography degree doesn’t change that mission; it strengthens it. It tells galleries, collectors, and conservation partners that this work stands on a foundation of professional excellence as well as passion.
To my husband and son, who’ve camped, driven, hiked, and stayed up through many freezing, mosquito-filled nights so I could chase starlight—this degree belongs to you, too.
To my collectors, festival visitors, and fellow photographers—thank you for believing in this path with me.
Who Is PPA?
For those who don’t know, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association in the world. Founded in 1868, PPA now supports over 35,000 professionals with education, resources, and advocacy—always working to bridge the gap between photographers and the people we serve.
I’m proud to be part of that community and even prouder to carry the title Master Photographer within it.
Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me.
The next chapter is already forming under the stars—and I can’t wait to share what comes next.
– Zsuzsanna Luciano
Master Photographer
EquiShui, Where Healing Begins With Horses
For me, the journey began behind the lens.
Standing in the quiet fields of Central Florida with a camera in my hands, I thought I was simply there to photograph horses — their movement, their spirit, their beauty.
“Strength wrapped in stillness.
This rescued stallion carries the story of survival and surrender — the wild heart that chose peace.
In his calm gaze lives the power of every horse who has learned to trust again.”
But as each horse stepped toward me, something unexpected happened.
Their presence softened places inside me I didn’t know were still hurting.
Their calm steadiness touched wounds from a childhood shaped by fear and silence.
And with every shutter click, I felt a piece of my own story lift, breathe, and release.
One photograph at a time, these horses helping me heal.
And as I witnessed them — survivors of their own pasts — learning to trust again, it felt as if our journeys were mirroring each other.
The horses were healing.
And so was I.
Where Healing Begins With Horses
In the quiet fields of Central Florida, a herd of extraordinary horses is rewriting what it means to transform trauma into healing. Their stories begin long before they arrived at Windhorse Stables, where the land opens wide and the energy feels ancient — a place where the horses are not just cared for, but honored.
Many of these horses carry a Native American lineage, known for intuition, sensitivity, and spiritual presence. They are survivors of difficult pasts, each with their own journey, each with a heart still open to connection. Today, they are the soul of a growing sanctuary whose mission is rooted in harmony, energy, balance, and a simple guiding truth.
“Grace in motion, strength in stillness.
This rescue horse runs not from fear but toward freedom — a living symbol of resilience and renewal.
Each stride carries the memory of survival and the promise of peace.”
Horses With a Purpose
Some of the horses arrived thin, wary, or wounded in spirit.
Others carried the unmistakable qualities of wild ancestry —
watchful eyes, powerful bodies, and the ability to read emotion before it’s ever spoken.
But here, everything changed.
At Windhorse Stables, they found safety.
They found space.
And they found trust.
Now these magnificent animals are stepping into new roles as partners in Equine Assisted Learning, through the non-profit EquiShui, helping people reconnect with themselves through presence, grounding, and the simple truth that horses never pretend. They respond to energy, sincerity, intention — and that is why the work is so powerful.
“Where words fall away, understanding begins.
In the quiet light of morning, a rescued horse leans into human touch — a moment of trust reborn.
At the EquiShui Sanctuary, healing flows both ways: from hand to heart, from horse to human.”
The Heart of EquiShui
The nonprofit EquiShui was inspired by the blending of two ancient philosophies:
Equine wisdom Feng Shui, which promotes peace, prosperity, and well-being
Together, they shape a healing approach where the horse becomes a mirror, a guide, and a calming force.
No words needed — just breath, space, and connection.
Through EquiShui, visitors may experience:
Mindfulness sessions among the herd Equine-assisted emotional processing Quiet meditation in the grove Herd-observation and natural communication
Here, horses choose how they participate.
Their emotional wellbeing and consent come first.
Raising Awareness for America’s Wild Horses
Across North America, wild horses face challenges that threaten their survival — shrinking habitats, roundups, and the loss of their natural way of life.
EquiShui is committed to raising awareness for:
The fragile future of wild herds The need for humane, ethical solutions The importance of protecting free-roaming horses
The EquiShui horses’ stories inspire advocacy, empathy, and action.
When we help horses, horses help the people.
The EquiShui motto is:
“Helping horses, helping people… one stride at a time.”
Healing, One Stride at a Time
Healing unfolds in quiet, powerful moments:
A horse lowering its head into a human hand.
Two mares stepping together into the golden light.
A once-fearful stallion lifting his gaze with renewed confidence.
These moments cannot be forced — they rise when hearts align.
This is the magic and mission of EquiShui.
And this is only the beginning.
“Together they walk toward the light — survivors, companions, healers.
These two rescued horses now roam freely at the EquiShui Sanctuary, where every sunrise brings a new beginning.
Their strength reminds us that healing is not just possible — it’s contagious.”
🌿 Support the Horses of EquiShui
Your contribution directly supports:
Feed and hay, Veterinary care, Safe fencing and shelter, Ethical training, Community healing programs, Advocacy for wild horse protection.
Every donation helps these horses continue what they were meant to do:
to heal, to teach, and to inspire.
“Eyes that have seen both freedom and fear — and now, peace.
“Imagine: Where the City Meets the Stars”
Reflections from the 60th Space Coast Art Festival
This past weekend at the 60th Space Coast Art Festival, I experienced one of those moments that fill your heart with gratitude and reaffirm why you create in the first place. My photograph “Imagine” — a Chicago cityscape crowned by the Milky Way — was selected by the jury for final judging, and on Sunday morning, I learned it had received an Award of Merit.
Zsuzsanna Luciano smiles while holding her “Award of Merit” ribbon toward the camera, standing in front of her artwork “Imagine” — a striking photograph of Chicago’s Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) beneath the Milky Way. The reflection of the sky and city buildings shimmers across the glossy surface, symbolizing the harmony between urban light and the star-filled night.
To say I was overjoyed would be an understatement. But beyond the recognition, what truly moved me was the reaction of people who stopped in front of the piece. Many stood in silence. Some whispered “Is that real?” Others smiled and said, “I’ve never seen stars like that.”
And that — right there — is why I created Imagine.
A Dialogue Between Earth and Sky
I have always believed that the night sky speaks a language of connection. Every star, every faint wisp of cosmic light, is a reminder of how small we are and how magnificent the universe is. It humbles us, inspires us, and invites us to look beyond the boundaries of our everyday lives.
Photographing the Milky Way over a city like Chicago is not an easy task — it’s both a technical challenge and a metaphorical one. Cities pulse with energy, noise, and light, while the Milky Way thrives in silence and darkness. To bring them together is to imagine balance — harmony between human creation and the timeless expanse of the cosmos.
That’s what Imagine represents to me: a bridge between the modern world and the eternal sky.
The Vanishing Darkness
Sadly, true darkness is disappearing. Over 80% of people in the world live under light-polluted skies. Many children grow up never seeing the Milky Way at all — never experiencing that quiet awe that has guided dreamers, artists, and explorers since the dawn of time.
Light pollution doesn’t just steal our stars. It disrupts ecosystems, confuses migratory birds, affects nocturnal animals, and even impacts our own circadian rhythms. The glow of artificial light has slowly dimmed one of the oldest forms of human connection — our relationship with the night sky.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With awareness and simple changes — shielding outdoor lights, using warmer tones, turning off unnecessary illumination — we can preserve our right to starlight.
Why I Keep Looking Up
Every time I photograph the night, whether in Yellowstone, the Tetons, or along the shores of Lake Michigan, I feel the same childlike wonder I felt the first time I saw the Milky Way. It’s not just about the photograph — it’s about the experience. Standing in the dark, hearing the whisper of the wind, feeling the rhythm of the earth beneath your feet — it reminds you that you belong to something infinite.
That feeling is what I hope to share through my work. When someone looks at Imagine, I want them to feel that connection — to remember that we are all part of the same universe, stitched together by light that has traveled thousands of years to reach us.
Gratitude and Hope
I am deeply grateful to the Space Coast Art Festival jury for recognizing Imagine with an Award of Merit, and to every person who stopped to look up — both at my photograph and, hopefully, at the real night sky when they went home.
May we continue to protect the beauty of darkness, celebrate the light of the stars, and never stop imagining a world where both can coexist.
✨
— Zsuzsanna Luciano
Zsuzsanna Luciano stands smiling in front of her art display at the 60th Space Coast Art Festival, proudly holding her Award of Merit ribbon. Behind her hangs her large photographic artwork titled “Imagine,” depicting Chicago’s Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) under a stunning Milky Way sky, symbolizing the union of city lights and starlight. Additional night-sky and waterfall photographs are displayed below, all printed on glossy aluminum panels within her booth.
Zsuzsanna Luciano Photographer Named Silver Medalist at International Photographic Competition
Zsuzsanna Luciano of Luciano Photography is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography
Matawan, New Jersey – Zsuzsanna Luciano of Luciano Photography in Matawan, NJ was named a Silver Medalist during Professional Photographers of America’s 2022 International Photographic Competition.
Luciano’s work will be on display at the upcoming Imaging USA, held January 22-24, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Imaging USA is one of the largest annual conventions and expos for professional photographers.
A panel of 36 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from over 5,000 total submitted entries at PPA headquarters in Atlanta. Judged against a standard of excellence, 1,926 images were selected for the Merit Collection and 1,225 (roughly 24 percent) were selected for the esteemed Imaging Excellence Collection—the best of the best. The Imaging Excellence Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated ” Excellence Collection” book by Marathon Press.
The level of the award is determined by how many of those four images receive the highest possible honor—acceptance into the PPA Loan Collection, which is displayed at photographic exhibitions, conventions, and other photography events. Luciano was named a Silver Medalist, meaning that one of their four merited images entered the PPA Loan Collection. In 2022, they were one of only 81 Silver Medalists.
About PPA:
Founded in 1868, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association. It currently helps 30,000 professionals elevate their craft and grow their business with resources, protection, and education, all under PPA’s core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and consumers.
Contact:
Zsuzsanna Luciano
1-732-858-3414
photographyluciano@gmail.com
Zsuzsanna Luciano in Panobook 2015
I sincerely enjoy the process of creating panoramic images with multiple shots that are stitched together with the software from Kolor called Autopano.
The company Kolor not only created superior software Autopano but they also publish a Panobook showcasing Panoramic Photography from around the wonderful world we live in. Each year they have open submissions allowing anyone to submit their best panoramic images. The result: an unequaled pleasure for the eyes and an invitation for an unforgettable tour throughout the world.
My largest image up to date is a panorama of the Great Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary where I was born and raised. The Synagogue is made of 82 photographs and countless hours spent waiting on site as the light conditions kept changing.
This year for Panobook 2015 they selected the Angel Oak – as pictured on top – The Angel Oak I created from 32 individual images and was selected out of 2,800 submissions. In total Panobook only selects 150 images. Being chosen to be part of this very exclusive and inspiring book is a sincere honor.
If you would like to purchase the Panobook 2015 from us – a signed and dedicated copy – please contact us at sales@zsuzsannaluciano.com
PPA Loan Collection 2015
Local Photographer’s Work goes to International Exhibition
Zsuzsanna Luciano of Luciano Photography is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.
Matawan, NJ December 3, 2015— A photograph created by Zsuzsanna Luciano of Luciano Photography in Matawan has recently been accepted into the Loan Collection of Professional Photographers of America’s 2015 International Photographic Competition. Luciano’s work will be on display at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia Jan. 10-12, 2016. This International Photographic Exhibition is held in conjunction with Imaging USA, an annual convention and expo for professional photographers and several photographic associations.
A panel of 43 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from more than 5,000 total submitted entries at Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia. Judged against a standard of excellence, just over 2,100 images were selected for the General Collection and 1,085 (roughly 21 percent) were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection—the best of the best. The Loan Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated “Loan Collection” book and over 200 selected General Collection images will be published in the “Showcase” book by Marathon Press.
Titled “Eternal Serenade” Luciano’s photograph will be in the International Photographic Exhibition alongside other top photographic works from the competition and traveling and special invitational displays. These images constitute one of the world’s largest annual exhibits of professional photography gathered simultaneously under one roof.
About PPA:
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international non-profit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers. Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA has roots that date back to 1869. It assists more than 28,000 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success. See how PPA helps photographers be more at ppa.com.
Contact:
http://www.ZsuzsannaLuciano.com
Luciano Photography 