Theresa Hudgens - Member Spotlight

Sep 20

Written By Arkansas Professional Photographers Association

APPA Member Spotlight (Sept 2026)

1.Please introduce yourself and briefly describe what you do.

Hello. I am Theresa K. Hudgens and I am based out of Sallisaw, OK.

I have been married to Jim, my biggest supporter and photo session roadie and light test subject for 31 years.

We have 2 children Hannah, who is a Speech Language Pathologist, and Trey who is a Police Officer.

I am a sports media day, senior and head shot photographer.

2. What inspired you to pursue your current work or creative path?

I have been a photographer since my kids were little. As a stay-at-home mom, I couldn’t afford to pay to have their pictures done, so I started doing them myself. That led to several family sessions and senior sessions and even a few weddings (eeek).

As my kids got older and busier in their activities, I set the business aside and just focused on being their mom and being at their activities and doing action shots of them and their teammates in their sports and band activities.

When my son started wrestling in junior college for a new program, the coach allowed me to sit mat side and take action shots of the wrestlers. The wrestlers and coaches and college loved it and used the images to promote their program.

I wanted to do a “media day” with them, but I wasn’t sure where to start. So, I enrolled in Jaison Sterling’s Media Day Lighting Course, I learned so much and that class gave me the confidence and tools to ask the Coach if I could do a Media Day as practice, and he readily agreed. The day was a success, the kids loved it, the coach loved it and the college loved it. That led the college to reach out and hire me for baseball, softball, cheerleading, cross country, esports and most recently, disc golf media days. They have had me back for each sport the last 3 years. There are so many photographers to choose from, and I am grateful to them for choosing me and allowing me the opportunities to document their programs.

3. What project, achievement, or career moment are you especially proud of?

In April of 2025, I was given the opportunity to rent a small space in downtown Sallisaw and turn it into a studio space. It’s not a huge space, but it’s mine. Looking forward to utilizing more in the coming months.

4. What is one lesson, habit, or piece of advice that has made a meaningful difference in your journey?

NEVER STOP LEARNING.

I guess I have a habit of education. I don’t have a formal education in photography, or anything else. I was “self taught” for many years, and then I started investing in myself with education. Joined APPA, PPOK. Go to seminars, classes, conventions. Last year I took a “beginner photography” class at a local college, some people questioned why I did that?? Because I can learn something at any class I take, no matter the subject matter. Even if it’s a genre of photography I do not shoot.

And a most recent piece of advice

“Quit fixin your mistakes! Just get better!” Tony Corbell

5.How has being part of APPA influenced or supported you?

So many ways. Just the education opportunities and the people I have met who have poured into me. Everyone has been so welcoming and encouraging. Special shout outs to Matthew Sewell, Julie Gayler and Shauna Raduske and Tim Payne. I met them at a Photography Meet up in Little Rock a couple of years ago and they were so welcoming and helpful.

Their mentorship and friendship means a lot to me.

6.What are you currently working on—or looking forward to next?

I have a personal project I am getting ready to start. And I would like to earn my CPP before next summer. (Maybe APPA can have a class on that J)