ens L flare SEPTEMBER 2014
r tte BP PA Online Newsle
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Stephanie Dubsky pg 10
PROGRAM
Marty Grivjack, Cr.Photog., FSA pg 6
BPPA
Board of Directors
President - Donna Williams Vice President - Heidemarie Burke Secretary - Jennifer Gerardi Treasurer - Arnie Berns Director - Billy Dzwonkowski Director - Maria Lyle Director - Ed Vinson
Committee Chairs Membership - Gigi O’Dea Door Prize / Scholarship - Connie Summers Program Chair / Salon - Connie Summers Archivist - Jennifer Gerardi Social Media - Donna Williams FPP State Delegate - Heidemarie Burke House RSVP - Jim Dohms Website / Awards - Ed Vinson Marketing / Photographer - Maria Lyle Social - Pilar Ojeda Ferenus
About Us... The Bay Professional Photographer’s Association provides an opportunity for photographers to come together to exchange ideas and information, and to encourage each other to become better at their craft. The association allows photographers to improve their skills by presenting photographic programs and holding print competitions. The association also provides the benefit of networking with other photographers for business and social interaction. If you are a professional photographer in the Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Englewood and vicinity, you are invited to come and visit our group. We would love to have you as part of this organization. If you are interested in joining or attending a meeting as a guest, please contact: Membership Chair, Gigi O’Dea PHONE: (941)941.747.4150 EMAIL: gigiodea@yahoo.com
In order to run a good organization, we rely on volunteers. These positions are greatly appreciated by all. A lot of our members double up on committees. We would love to have your assistance on any of our committees. You will learn more about BPPA and get to know everyone even more! To volunteer, please contact: President, Donna Williams PHONE: (941)941.358.3423 EMAIL: dwilliams@turnerflorida.com
ON THE COVER Sarasota Photographer Stephanie Dubsky specializes in Family Beach Portraits. This adorable girl’s portrait was made on Anna Maria Island. Stephanie used a Nikon D-800 with a Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, an Alien B strobe with a beauty dish was used as a fill.
From the Editor
Ladies and gentlemen,
Please enjoy our September Newsletter. And WOAH, THE NEWSLETTER IS EARLY. What is up with that you ask. Glad you did, it is early because I am off and getting on a plane and flying out to Chile. Will see you all at the October meeting. SO, IF YOU NEED TO SELL PHOTOGRAPHIC GEAR YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. We are already working on our next issue. If you have any items for sale, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at
BayProfessionalPhotographers@Gmail.com. We are working very hard at stream lining our flow of work. Please add this e-mail address to your address book: BayProfessionalPhotographers@Gmail.com for all correspondence with Maria Lyle. Maria Lyle
Copyright © 2014, Bay Professional Photographers Association, all Rights reserved.This Ntewsletter is produced by Maria Lyle. If you have some information that you want to share with your fellow photographers, please e-mail Maria Lyle. It will be posted on the next Newsletter. Graphic Design: © Martha Thompson of Martha Thompson Art & Design.
Contents APRIL 2014
page 6 page 10
Program: The Philosophy Behind The Business Of Photography Member Spotlight: Stephanie Dubsky
page 14
Last Meeting
page 16
Salon News
6
By Maria Lyle
By Billy Dzwonkowski
page18 page 21
Calendar of Events
10
Last Exposure
Let’s get social
Please share with other professionals
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Visit our Website: www.bayprofessionalphotographers.com And please don’t forget to add BayProfessionalPhotographers@gmail.com to your address book so we will be sure to land in your inbox!
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Click HERE to
RSVP
ting for each mee RSVP DEADLINE TFORIDAY IS NOON MEETING. PRIOR TO THE
Monthly Meeting
2nd Monday of Each Month
Hilton Garden Inn 8270 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243
Don’t want the hassle of RSVPing for each and every Meeting?
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Board Meeting The Board members welcome all members. It is imperative that meetings are not to be interrupted when in session. We appreciate your cooperation. 6:00 PM Social 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Program
Click Here To Join the Permanent RSVP List As a Permanent RSVP Member, you will be added to the attending list on a monthly basis. If you cannot attend you are responsible to RSVP by Friday at Noon before the meeting to avoid having to make a payment for a no show. NO SHOWS are responsible for paying for the meeting and will receive an invoice. PLEASE DO NOT RSVP THE DAY OF THE MEETING
ARTICLE SUBMISSION: ***ALL ARTICLES/IMAGES ARE DUE ON THE 25TH OF THE PRIOR MONTH OF PUBLICATION***
EI: Article submission August 25th
-
Newsletter Publication August 8th
Acceptance of advertising does not carry with it endorsement by the publisher. Opinions expressed by Bay Professional Photographers Association magazine or any of it’s authors does not necessarily reflect the positions of the Bay Professional Photographers Association or any of the Board members. 4
The President’s Message Hello Everyone! The subject I want to touch down on is client retention. The best clients are your existing clients. To keep a steady flow of ongoing work is to keep an existing client base. Even if they don’t have anything with you currently, they can recommend or refer you to a friend or business partner. Client turnover can be a serious problem, but there is a simple solution: Invest in keeping your existing clients. If your clients are happy with the work you have done for them in the past, it is logical that they will consider contacting you in the future. But it isn’t enough to keep them happy. They have to also be impressed. As photographers we have the capability to change the way we photograph our clients. That is an excellent way of keeping your clients coming back for more! As you stay in business over time, you will find that 80% of your work comes from 20% of your clients. So take a broader look at your client base. Decide which clients comprise that 20% and focus on them. Don’t neglect your other clients, of course, but concentrate your efforts on monitoring ideas for your 20%. When you’re communicating with clients via email, instant messages, over the phone or in person, drop the jargon. Leave technicalities out of communications unless the client has specifically requested technical details. Using technical terms alienates the client and can create misunderstandings that result in a breakdown in communication. Dropping the jargon puts you and your client on the same page so you can communicate clearly and effectively. It can really pay to get to know your client. Find
out a bit about them. Sweetening their selfinterest can go a long way. By getting to know your client, you can identify how to best appeal to them personally. For example, if you know their parents will be celebrating an anniversary or if someone in their family is expecting a baby, this may be a great opportunity to contact them and suggest photography session. Since they are your existing client, sweeten the pot with a little incentive. Your thoughtfulness will leave a lasting impression. After the session, get feedback. Your clients will constantly be forming opinions about you during their session. So why not take advantage of those opinions? After they have received their products, follow up with your client by asking them what they thought of their portraits and the service they received. You will get more recommendations by asking than by being silent. Keep selling your products and services. This puts the idea in their head for future photography sessions. And thank them for being a continuing client. A cheerful disposition and politeness is the best additive to your excellent photography and outstanding customer service! Keeping your clients coming back for more is really the best thing you can do for your business. Repeat customers are easy to handle, and they “know the drill”, so to speak. The highest compliment you can ever receive is a repeat client. They are the “bread and butter” of your business. I look forward to seeing all of you at the next meeting on September 8th. Don’t forget to wear your name badge! Thank you, Donna Williams 5
PROGRAM
Connie Summers, Program Ch
A Salon Insider’s
Join FPP Salon insider, digital salon master Lightroom operator and PPA Photographic Craftsman Marty Grivjack for an evening filled with competition tips, techniques, ideas and thought-starters. If you’re befuddled, baffled or just flat out confused with what judges are looking for in that ~45 seconds* they take to view and score an image, this is the program to attend. Marty has been on the FPP Salon committee since 2005. Witnessing the transition from all-print to hybrid print-and-digital submissions, he will explain to you what wins, what does not, what to do and what not to do, what looks great as digital and what should be produced as a print. From sizes and styles to composition and creativity, Marty covers all the bases on how to compose, create and submit your image for competition, whether for your local competition or the annual state salon. Bring your questions and ideas to the meeting. And, back by popular request, we’ll go over a group of images that were submitted…you’ll apply your newly acquired insight as these images are presented and YOU are the judge… you guess the score, see how close you are… then you’ll learn how the judges ruled on it. You will walk away with new skills, inspiring ideas and more confidence to enter your own award-winning image submissions. There are decades of overwhelming scientific evidence proving that you can’t merit if you don’t enter competition. Every image starts out at 100… don’t lose out! (Salon competition image courtesy of Bill Barbosa, www.photodesignsinc.com. *Evaluation time calculated using the time-tested SWAG method.)
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hair
Competition Primer Marty Grivjack, Cr.Photog., FSA
All images Š Marty Grivjack,Cr.Photog., FSA
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All images Š Marty Grivjack,Cr.Photog., FSA
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MEMBERSHIP & dues Please welcome Bill Mills of Memories By Mills
It’s not too late to join BPPA for 2014! Membership dues half price for the rest of the year! 5 reasons why you should become a member… 1). You show your clients that you have a true commitment to running your business in a professional manner by joining a professional organization. 2). Receiving the opportunity for education every month with knowledgeable speakers. 3). Getting to know other professional photographers in a social and educational setting, allowing you to network. 4). Being able grow with your skills by entering Salon competition 3 times/yr. and having your work judged by outside judges. You can also enter print of the month as well as Creative quarterly competitions. 5). PRESTIGE – LEARNING – FRIENDSHIP – FUN For more information on becoming a member, renewing your membership, or to attend one of our meetings as a guest, please contact our Membership Chair: Gigi O’Dea gigiodea@yahoo.com If you are already a member… Don’t forget to wear your name tag CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR: MEMBERSHIP FORM
If you are already a member.... PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAG
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Stephanie Dubsky
T
he Member Spotlight for September is Stephanie Dubsky, of Stephanie Dubsky Photography
LF: When did you start your business?
- I studied photography extensively as a teen and wanted to make a career of LF: Can you start with what sparked your it. However, I decided to follow in the photographic career? footsteps of my parents and became a circus aerialist. I married, had two - I long as I can remember I have been wonderful daughters and my family a photographer. As a child I spent and I built up our own circus, The Royal numerous hours with my super eight Palace Circus, successfully touring movie camera filming birds and little nearly every state in the country for critters along the shores of Phillippi many years. Creek. I was born into a circus family and photographed scenes from all over After 9-11, our show began to the country as we traveled with The struggle and we permanently closed it Ringling Brothers Circus. in 2005. I then took the leap into digital
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When people have a fun experience, they will love their portraits!
photography, freelancing at first, and then officially opening my company in 2006. LF: What do you specialize in? - Family Beach Portraits are my specialty! Florida’s southwest coast is an amazing backdrop! Portraits on the beach are not as simple as they may appear. Besides the family dynamics, which always keep portrait photographers on their toes, there are many other factors involved with creating memorable Family Beach Portraits. First of course, is the light. We start around
an hour before sunset for the “sweet light”. A few clouds can soften the light and ad a more dramatic, colorful look. There are times, especially in the winter, where the sky is clear and the bright sun turns everyone’s skin orange! That’s where my studio light comes in to help fill shadows and balance the color a bit. At sunset the light is changing by the second, and our set ups and camera settings need to continuously change as well. Other challenges include: wind, sand, background people and beach furniture, 11
thunderstorms, posing people on the sand (not everyone is that limber), and the one thing I won’t take chances with, lightning. Business Portraits, Actor’s Headshots and Weddings are also an important part of my business.
camera and computer updates and maintenance and continuous education. Wow! I’m exhausted just typing all of that!
LF: How long have you been a member of BPPA and why would you recommend LF: What equipment do you use for your it to other professionals? beach portraits? - I have been a member of BPPA since I - My setup includes the Nikon D-800 first started, so about eight years. I enjoy with the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, a Gitzo the comradery and also the educational tripod, an Alien Bee strobe with a beauty aspect of the organization. We have dish on a light stand and a battery pack. some great guest speakers, too! It’s a bit to carry, but the quality of the light and the fast recycling time is well LF: What advice would you have for worth it! I also love my Nikkor 70-200 2.8 photographers who are starting out. lens. - Read your manual! Know your gear like LF: What other tasks are involved in the back of your hand so the artistic side maintaining your business? of your photography will flow smoothly and creative images will be made. Do - Well, there’s scheduling, advertising, what you love and love what you do! networking, post production, retouching, archiving, labs, shipping, finances, taxes, website maintenance, festivals, social media, bookkeeping, emails, phone calls, studio maintenance,
Stephanie on location
Longboat Key has beautiful dunes and Stephanie will usually include the five important elements in her beach portraits; sand, vegetation, sky, water and of course, the family!
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This family on Siesta Beach chose tortoise and coral to add a splash of color to the traditional khaki and white.
This portrait was created with the beautiful light just moments before sunset.
All Images Š Stephanie Dubsky
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Last Meeting Thank you Bill Barbosa for an awesome and very informative presentation, our members totally appreciate you. Loved the images, your humor and most of all of the very important tips to run a photography studio. And one very important item, (one of the many), he highly recommends for photographer to get their CPP (Certified Professional Photographer) Certification. It is not to get a few extra letters next to your name, but it will make you a better photographer and set you apart.
THANK YOU TO OUR VENDORS
We always appreciate our vendors who provide us with door prizes. Please support our vendors: Johnson Photo Imaging Pro Camera Cases Pro Photo Imaging Reedy Photo
PHOTOS BY MARIA LYLE PHOTOGRaPHY
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Salon News by Billy Dzwonkowski
PRINT OF THE MONTH: Each member may enter one 8x10 print each month. The winner is determined by ballot with each BPPA member getting one vote. Entering 1 point First Place 2 points CREATIVE QUARTERLY: There is a ‘Theme’ announced for each quarter. Each member may enter up to two 8 x 10 prints per quarter. The winner is picked by the Master Photographer members of BPPA that are in attendance. Prints for Creative Quarterly will be judged in March, July, September and November. Points are awarded as follows: Entering = 1 point First Place = 2 points Second Place = 1 point Themes for the remainder of the year: July: Relaxation September: Work November: Play SALON PRINT COMPETITION: There are three salon competitions during the year. Entering a Case (1-6 prints) 2 points Our next competition will be in OCTOBER. In the meantime, collect your best work and be ready to compete.
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ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES We are a community of professional photographers and we would love to see your ad in our Newsletter. If you are interested, please reach Maria Lyle at 941.362.1957 | BPPA BayProfessionalPhotographers@gmail.com
SIZE
1 MONTH
6 MONTHS
1 YEAR
Business Card
$15.00
$75.00
$135.00
Quarter Page
$30.00
$150.00
$270.00
Half Page
$45.00
$225.00
$405.00
Full Page
$60.00
$300.00
$540.00
3.675” W x 2.375” H 4.25” W x 5.5” H 8.5” W x 5.5” H 8.5” W x 11” H
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Please add these dates to your calendar.
Monday, September 8 (RSVP by Friday, 9/5 by Noon) - Scheduled Program: TBA - Print Of The Month - Creative Quarterly: Theme: “Work” Monday, October 13 (RSVP by Friday, 10/10 by Noon) - BOARD: Review Dues and Fees structure for the upcoming year. - BOARD: Set date and plan for Annual Banquet General Meeting - Scheduled Program: Salon Print Competition Monday, November 10 (RSVP by Friday, 11/7 by Noon) - BOARD: IRS Reporting of 990-N Non Profit Status - BOARD: Review Awards and Certificates for Annual Banquet (get plaques and certificates on order) - Scheduled Program: TBA - Print Of The Month - Creative Quarterly: Theme: “Play” December (TBA) Annual Banquet, First Sunday of the month Board Meeting: None General Meeting: None - Turn Over and Planning Meeting: Scheduled by the upcoming president between Christmas and New Years. All Board Members, New and Old Committee Chairs should attend.
FINANCIAL REPORT BPPA members, please note that all financial documents are available for inspection. Please contact our Treasurer, Arnold Berns, to view these reports. Thank you for your membership in our professional organization.
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DID YOU KNOW............? You can actually subscribe directly from this link: http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=584e90a066b3ff32feac917ce&id=74158fe714 Click on Subscribe and follow the prompts, and before you know it you will be receiving our cool newsletter at a computer near you. NOT ONLY THAT! You can also see previous issues. AND If you have photographer friends you can e-mail them the link and they can subscribe as well. HOW COOL IS THAT!
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Last Exposure
“Feather” By Chuck Neubauer, M. Photog.
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