BIO:
Ian McVea is an Irish-born, Texas-based photojournalist, editorial photographer, and photography educator. Growing up in Ireland, India, South Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Algeria, he developed a fascination for the world and people around him, and learned to channel that into photography.
After graduation from UT Arlington School of Business, Ian joined the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 1989 as a staff photographer, later becoming a senior staff photographer and photo editor before leaving the paper during layoffs in 2012.
During that time he photographed everything from building fires to celebrities, city council members to presidents, pee wee football to national championships, along with countless Friday night football games, ribbon-cuttings, and restaurant reviews. Ian covered the Oklahoma City bombing, the Shuttle Columbia disaster, and hurricanes Katrina and Rita for international wire services.
While on staff at the Star-Telegram, Ian was invited to teach a junior level photojournalism class as an adjunct professor at TCU’s Schieffer School of Journalism, a stint that gave him the bug to teach. On leaving the paper, Ian began teaching high school Commercial Photography and Adobe Photoshop certification classes in the Arlington ISD. He retired from the high school classroom in May but is continuing to teach workshops with UT Arlington and the Association of Texas Photography Instructors.
Ian’s images have been published by Time, Newsweek, Life, NY Times Magazine, USA Today, and Sports Illustrated, among others. Much of his work is archived at Getty Images. Several mages have been part of recent exhibits at Texas galleries and art museums, and have received honors from the Dallas Press Club, National Headliners, Houston Press Club, The Texas APME, the Texas Photographic Society, the Fort Worth Professional Photographers Association, and the Society for Newspaper Design. He is a frequent judge for local, state, and national photography competitions.
Ian is an Associate in the Royal Photographic Society, an active member of the Texas Photographic Society, the American Society of Media Photographers, Fort Worth Professional Photographers Association, the Association of Texas Photography Instructors, and a retired member of the National Press Photographers Association.
These days he shoots some editorial work, but happiest shooting black-&-white film with medium- and large-format cameras. Most of his commercial work is shot with Canon DSLRs - he’s not ready for mirrorless yet.
Ian has two married daughters and a lovely fiancée all of whom share his passion for photography. His three grandkids know him best with a camera covering one eye.
Where to see more of Ian’s work.
Instagram, Threads, and Foto: @cloakndaguerre
Website: Ian McVea Photography
ianmcveaphotography.com
Portals
Dennis Fritsche
July 22, 2025
Portal: a door or entrance, especially a grand or imposing one.
I find this definition to be very limited. My working definition is a passage from one place or time to another. This can be literal, such as windows and doors. Or metaphoric, such as a cemetery. Or fanciful, such as transporting to other dimensions.
We will explore various interpretations of portals.
About Dennis Fritsche
I currently serve as the Webmaster and President for the Dallas Camera Club and Education Director in conjunction with Plano Photography Club where I am Training Chairman,
I am an engineer by education and filled engineering and management positions at Texas Instruments for 32 years until I retired in 2009. I first started photographing in the early 70’s - I was not serious and was not very good. In 2001 when I started contemplating retirement, I decided to find a hobby. Digital photography was just starting, and I combined my long-ago interest in photography with my knowledge of electronics and computers. It proved to be a pretty good match. I applied myself and kept learning and improving my skills.
I joined the Plano Photography Club in 2006 where I have served as Program Chairman, President, and now Training Chairman. Plano stopped having monthly print competitions, so I looked around for a club that valued printing and joined the Dallas Camera Club in 2009. I have made many dear friends in both clubs and value the comradeship, field trips, programs, and sharing my knowledge and experience.
I gravitate toward landscape photography. I like the beauty and variety in the natural world. And most importantly rocks and trees mostly stay in one place and don’t talk back. I dabble in many other photographic genres such as abstracts, conceptual works, close up, still life, wildlife, and birds. I’ll have to work on my patience to improve in wildlife and birds.
I have made many trips to the southwest and west. Some with one of the clubs, some for workshops and some on my own. My favorite field trip is the one I just did. I prefer driving to flying. I have my million + airline miles and don’t enjoy it anymore. Driving gives me the chance to see things I wouldn’t see from the air and allows time for the mind to wander as the miles go by.
Three things keep me really enthused about photography. Teaching and learning keep me sharp and challenged. I am in a print study group with a few outstanding photographers who push me to improve to keep up. Finally, I enter several outside competitions that give me feedback and give me encouragement. People tell me I do too much. I think it feels just about right.
