About Us!

Meet the Founders of Photo Enthusiast Network

David McKay, M. Photog. Cr

David is a co-founder of McKay Photography Academy, McKay Photography Inc., and Photo Enthusiast Network. He has been a professional photographer for over 30 years starting his first photography studio at the age of 17.

David has received some of the highest photographic awards in the world including the prestigious Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsmen and Certified Professional Photographer degrees from Professional Photographers of America- the LEADING professional photography organization in the world. 

He has had several images awarded from PPA including “Loan Collection” images that are considered to be the best of the best in the professional photography industry. Recently, David was one of only 60 in the world to receive a Gold medal from Professional Photographers of America for his achievements in image competition. 

Having taught on some of the largest stages in the industry, to thousands of people, both professional photographers, and amateurs alike, he has a passion for photography and teaching. He believes just being a great photographer does not make you a great teacher and that the ingredients of both emotion and skill must be shared and taught.

David shares his love and enthusiasm wherever he goes and many of you can attest to this. You may also know David from his #1 International Best Selling photography book series, “Photography Demystified”.  Each of his 4 books in the series have shot to #1. 

Ally McKay, M. Photog. Cr

Ally is a co-founder of McKay Photography Academy, McKay Photography Inc., and Photo Enthusiast Network.  She has also been a professional photographer for over 30 years starting her career at the age of 17.  Ally graduated with honors and at the very top of her class from Glen Fishback school of photography in 1988, one of the top photography schools in the nation up until Mr. Fishback’s passing in the ’90s.

Ally received her Master of Photography from Professional Photographers of America a year ahead of David which of course David was proud of, but forced him to acknowledge she was a Master first!

Ally’s images have been awarded at the highest levels including “Loan Collection” images from PPA and the very prestigious Kodak Gallery award. Ally feels most at home with a camera in hand and in nature. Her gentle spirit and demeanor make her a perfect patient instructor and many women find they connect with her because of this.

Toby Gelston, Photorec.tv

Toby is the founder of Photorec.tv and the incredibly popular, Photorec Toby YouTube channel along with being a founder of Photo Enthusiast Network.   Currently, with over 300,000 subscribers, Toby is known throughout the world as a leading photography educator. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to recognize him on the streets of most countries we visit!

His channel is one of the top photography YouTube sites in the entire world and his incredible knowledge of gear has made him a huge asset to the team. Do you shoot Sony? No problem, How about Canon or Nikon? No problem. Have a question on the latest lens? No problem. Toby spends his days when not traveling with MPA learning and reviewing all of the latest gear and creating awesome educational content for his channel and Photo Enthusiast Network.

Toby is a phenomenal photographer and loves shooting as much as teaching. Especially the stars on a clear night!

Steve Scurich

Steve Scurich is the owner of Steve Scurich Photography and is a graduate of McKay Photography’s Pro Academy. He is a co-founder of Photo Enthusiast Network

Steve is an award-winning photographer and has photographed several multi-million dollar real estate sessions including many celebrity homes. As a child growing up in Santa Cruz, CA, Steve loved art.  He could draw pretty well, took up photography during his high school years, and was told by many teachers he had an artistic gift.  Steve appreciated the compliments, but it was a calling he largely ignored as he pursued a career in business. 

After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the Pacific, Steve spent nearly two successful decades in the corporate world, before starting his own photography company in 2013. 

Getting started, he used to say, “I’m a corporate guy who had a desire to become a professional photographer.”  However, this was not actually the case.  Truth is, he had always been an artist and spent years trying to fit into a mold that just didn’t quite work.  Today, he can really appreciate the marriage between his artistic expression and years of training in the business world. Steve is an excellent communicator and educator. Plus he is just an all around nice guy! His photography career has taken off and with good reason.

Steve recently also was awarded a Gold Medal from Professional Photographers of America for his Image Competition work. He was one of only 60 in the world to achieve this and he did it in only his third year of competing which is a remarkable task! 

Steve is currently taking a bit of a reduced role in PEN as he focuses on his Real Estate Photography. However, he continues to be a regular contributor to the PEN content.

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