Gary Meek, along with his wife Kathy, opened their studio in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1977.
Gary has been teaching Certification Preparation Classes for over twenty-five years. His educational degree is in math and physics and is one of only eleven members of Professional Photographers of America that has earned over 1000 Merits.

Gary has received his Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman degree and is a Certified Professional Photographer. Gary has received his Educational Associate and Honorary Educational Associate from American Society of Photographers (ASP). He is an Approved Photographic Instructors (API). Gary has received his Associate Fellowship, Fellowship and Senior Fellowship Degrees from Arkansas Professional Photographers Association and has received a Fellow of Photography degree in conjunction with Professional Photographers of the Ozarks. Gary has been awarded Life Membership in Arkansas Professional Photographers Association, Southwestern Professional Photographers Association and is a Life Member of Professional Photographers of America and American Society of Photographers. Gary is an International Photographic Judge. Gary has received the Tom McDonald Award (formally the Gerhard Bakker Award). The Tom McDonald Award is presented by PPA to an individual, school, company or organization that best epitomizes outstanding service through education in the field of photography and visual communications.

Gary is active in State, Regional and National Associations. Gary served on the Board of Directors of Professional Photographers of America 1999-2007, is a Past President of Arkansas Professional Photographers Association, a Past President of Professional Photographers of the Ozarks and was President of Southwestern Professional Photographers Association, for two consecutive years. Gary is also a Councilor for Professional Photographers of America.

Gary has received numerous awards from the state of Arkansas. Gary has received numerous print awards in all categories. He has received the Best of Show and been named Photographer of the Year many times. He has received the Arkansas Distinguished Service Award and The National Award from Arkansas Professional Photographers Association and Southwestern Professional Photographers Association. He has had the highest print case total score in Southwestern Professional Photographers Association and has won several regional awards in addition to these.

Gary has been consistent in having images accepted internationally for display at Professional Photographers of America’s International Conventions. Gary has had numerous images go into the international and ASP loan collection, now called the Image Excellence and as a result has earned the Image Excellence Award from Professional Photographers of America Association.