Joe Glyda is a commercial photographer with over 45 years specializing in food, product, architecture, and aviation. He worked as a staff photographer at Kraft Foods for 36 years and created mouth-watering images for ads, brochures, recipe booklets, and other print media and the company’s initial website. He was instrumental by introducing digital technology to Kraft back in 1993, which then completely changed the 8×10 film based studio into a full service digital studio by 1995. His leadership in the digital field along with his commercial photography expertise led him to teach at PPA conventions, Texas School, West Coast School, Image Explorations of Canada, Lamar School of Photography, PhotoshopWorld, and Kelby One on-line training. Joe became affiliated with the PPA Digital Imaging Group which helped members learn about digital photography during the industry’s transition. By 1995, this group became the first representation of digital education to PPA.

After taking an early retirement from Kraft in 2009, he continues to photograph food projects. He expanded his commercial products and aviation assignments through his own company, Joe Glyda Photography, Inc., which he started in 1988. He worked as a freelance pre-press retoucher for Connoco-Phillips from 2013-2017. Joe is an energetic photographer with a keen eye and sense of adventure that keeps him on the cusp of creating great images, and he continues as a freelance photographer for a variety of other food companies both domestic and international.

Joe received the Nikon Industrial Photographer of the Year in 1995. He was also awarded The Gold Medallion for excellence from PPA in 1999, and was the co-chair for the photography section of the FIRST book on digital photography in 2001, which set the standards in flexographic printing. Joe earned his PPA Master of Photography in 1988, PPA Photographic Craftsman in 1996, and PPA Master Artist in 2012. Joe has authored two books, “Food Photography, Creating Appetizing Images”, produced by Rutledge Publishing and released on June 9, 2019, and “WWII Aviation Artwork”, which was self published and released on August 20, 2021. Both books are registered with the Library of Congress.

Joe is also a volunteer for the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, which helped restore several vintage aircraft built around 1941. His services also include photographing paratroopers who attend the WWII ADT jump school three times a year.