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Florida Photographer Contents cover image: “On to the Last Gig” 1st Place Men, FOCUS 2015 Tim Kelly
THE FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHER is the official publication of the Florida Professional Photographers, Inc. Permission to reprint contents on this publication is granted to similar publications of the photographic industry, provided that the author and THE FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHER are recognized as the sources. The opinions expressed in any article or column are those of the author and does not necessarily represent the official position of the Florida Professional Photographers, Inc. The Florida Professional Photographers exists solely for the good of its members. The association provides tools and educational opportunities for its members to achieve their business and artistic goals. It is committed to an ongoing exchange of information and experiences between all members in an open and friendly atmosphere.
2015-4
President’s Message
5
FPP, Inc. Board of Directors
6
FPP Section Web Sites
6
FPP Managers
6
PPA Councillors
6
From the Editor
7
New Members
7
Membership Categories & Dues
8
Spring Seminar
9
Where the Magic Happens
10
Florida Photography Workshops
14
Scholarships 15 It Takes a Village!
16
Print Comp: Reap the Benefits
17
FOCUS 2015: Learning
19
FOCUS 2015: Door Prizes
21
FOCUS: Save the Date!
22
Print Comp 2015: Wrapup
23
Join the
Florida Professional Photographers See membership application at FPPonline.org
President’s Message Cindy Strickland, FSA, FED 2016
“We are here to raise the level of photography for the industry and the client.” I heard that phrase over and over again when I first joined FPP. And they meant it! The quality and volume of knowledge being offered by speakers and instructors at the annual convention, Florida Photography Workshops and seminars was almost overwhelming. And it was all focused on each of us improving. While attending my first convention, I felt like information was being poured into me faster than I could retain it. I quickly learned that when I start to feel saturated, I need to just sit back and listen. Don’t try to remember it all, or even understand it all... just listen. One step at a time. I was overwhelmed by the amount of quality information being offered, but that was not a surprise. That’s what conventions and workshops are for, right? What WAS a surprise, was the amount enthusiasm, support, encouragement, and sense of accountability the members offered to each other. Information was available to you from sun up until sun down if you looked for the opportunities. People new to the industry had a fresh look from the client side that we may have forgotten, and new techniques they had created or discovered. Established photographers had knowledge and tricks that can only be learned by experience. I remember sitting in the lobby of a hotel, looking around and seeing no less than 6 groups of people using laptops, fiddling with flashes, critiquing each other’s prints, or just exchanging lighting ideas – an informal collection of great minds inspiring and teaching each other. All of which was available to anyone willing to walk up and engage. It was remarkable. There was a feeling of competition, but the focus was not on sales or number of clients – the focus was on the quality of work produced. Who was using a new lighting technique? Who had a new style that
we hadn’t seen before? And how do we use that information in our own business to raise the level of photography both for the industry and our client? When I am asked about the benefits of being an FPP Member, people generally want a list of tangible things. And while FPP certainly does have those, the benefit that is nearly impossible to explain is the intangible. It’s the community. It’s the support. It’s the accountablity to each other. It’s the desire to collectively raise the level of photography. It’s knowing I can get the answer to any problem – I just have to access those people I have met through the FPP. Someone has had the same problem and has overcome it. I do caution you, however, that this benefit takes a tiny bit of effort on your part. When at an FPP event, walk up to people you don’t know. Ask questions. Be willing to share. Be willing to listen. Once you do that, step back and see how much you really are gaining. Anyone who has been at all engaged with what FPP has to offer will tell you, “My business would not be where it is now without FPP.” Clique alert: “You get what you give.”. There are a lot of places to get information these days, and all of them are valuable and should be utilized. I encourage each of you, however, to also reach for the intangible. Our industry has gone through some rapid growth over the past 10 years, and we’ve had growing pains. But who better to experience it with than others trying to adapt to the change? So get involved! Join the conversation! If not for the sake of the FPP, then purely for what it will do for you! You will be surprised by what is available to you.
FPP, Inc. Board of Directors
FPP Managers
President
Directors
Cindy Strickland, FSA, FED 2016 5750 CR 12 Tallahassee, FL 32312 850-545-3110 info@amomentcaptured.com
Robin Adams, 2016 565 Hickory St. Monticello, FL 32344 850-591-3364 robin@robinadamsphotography.com
Vice President Carol Walker, FDPE,FSA,FED 2015 7925 4th St. North St. Petersburg, FL 33702 727-577-5626 carol@thomasbruce.com Secretary Treasurer
Marty Grivjack, FSA, 2017 17114 123 Terrace N Jupiter, FL 33478 561-744-1777 magriv@aol.com Bill Barbosa, FSA,FED, 2017 725 North A1A, #E 102 Jupiter, FL 33477 561-242-2455 info@billbarbosaphotography.com
Marti Newkirk, 2016 8633 Plantation Ridge Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33809 863-808-8261 marti.newkirk@gmail.com
Convention Mgr. Debbie Alcorn 727-481-9329 debbie@reedyphoto.com FL Photography Workshops Dir. Marybeth Jackson 954-426-2562 marybeth@marybethphoto.com Competition Mgr. Robin Adams 850-591-3364 robin@robinadamsphotography. com
Meggan Harper, FED 2018 136 N. Orchard, Suite 4 Ormond beach, FL 32174 386-673-4277 meggan@megganharper.com
Past Presidents Martin Gudz, FSA,FED 2014 6174 SW CR 360 Madison, FL 32340 850-973-6373 martingudz@yahoo.com Jackson W. Koontz, III, FSA, FED 2018 PO Box 6878 Ocala, FL 34478 352-369-4257 actionjacksonpro@gmail.com
FPP Section Web Sites Bay – BPPA,
www.bppafl.com
Destin - NWSFPP
www.P3Guild.com
Ft. Myers – SWFPPA,
www.ppswf.com
Jacksonville – JPPG,
www.jppg.org
Lakeland – PPGMF,
www.ppgmf.com
Miami – PPGF,
www.ppgf.com
Ocala – OMCPPA,
www.omcppa.com
Orlando – PPSCF,
www.theppscf.com
Palm Beach – PPGPB,
www.prophotoguild.com
Tallahassee – TPPG,
www.tppg.wordpress.com
Tampa – TAPPA,
www.tappa.org
PPA Councillors Kira Derryberry 850-583-1644 Gary Hughes 321-279-0077 Kevin Newsome 813-968-2810 Sandra Pearce 863-763-8684 Booray Perry 813-728-7110 Robin Phillips 863-682-6958 Randy Van Duinen 727-577-5172 Kim Warmolts 727-934-4456
from the Editor The 2015 holiday season is upon us and I am hoping that everyone is busy with family portraits, holiday cards and such. Have you started making your 2016 plans yet? If not, be sure to add “Florida Photography Workshops� to your list. Director Marybeth Jackson has put together an amazing list of instructors for the new year and you know you want to be part of it. Now, let me take just a few moments to wish everyone in the FPP a beautiful holiday season and a prosperous start to 2016! ~Victoria
New Members (since January, 2015) Lydia Bell Tallahassee Professional Charlotte Fristoe Tallahassee Professional Pete Wright Bradenton Professional Peter Arnold Edgewater Professional Russell Gunthorpe Rockledge Member Veronica McNamara Lutz Professional Coleen Cannon Ft. Myers Associate John Hilton Orlando Member Carlton Moment Seffner Professional Tony Masso Juno Beach Professional Michael De Martino Parrish Professional Randolfo Munoz, III Ft. Lauderdale Professional Claire Machler Orlando Professional Christi Pennington Niceville Professional Maria Arismendi Casselberry Member Richard Fleming Orange Park Professional Steve McCarthy N. Ft. Myers Professional Lisa Renee Ludlum Palm City Professional
Executive Director Kaye Newsome, FSA,FED 13804 Lake Village Place Tampa, FL 33618 813-760-1933 fpp1933@gmail.com
FLORIDA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS, INC. 13804 Lake Village Place Tampa, FL 33618 www.fpponline.org 813-760-1933
FLORIDA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS, INC. 13804 Lake Village Place, Tampa, FL 33618 www.fpponline.org 813-760-1933
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES & DUES (check one)
All Membership Dues include the 2016 FOCUS Registration Fee!
All members are of Legal Age and are entitled to all the Benefits of the FPP. Certain Benefits and Privileges are restricted based on Type of Membership. Florida residency required for Professional, Associate, Student, and Member categories. Benefits include: Attend Activities and Service (fees may apply as determined by the Board); Service on Committees; Participation in Photographic Competition; Ability to earn Degrees; & Web site ‘Member Directory’ Listing Privileges may include: Voting rights; Holding office; FPP Logo use; Participation in Photographic Competition, Photographic Awards, Scholarships; & Web Site ‘Photographer Search’ Listing
q $210
Sales Tax
PROFESSIONAL – Operates/Employed by a legally established photography business in Florida. Certificate Number. Entitled to all FPP benefits and privileges.
Required to submit
q $195
ASSOCIATE – Employed by a FPP Professional or Life member. Entitled to all FPP benefits; Privileges limited to Voting rights, Holding office, Competition, Photographic Awards, & Scholarships.
q $210
MEMBER – Individuals who do not yet meet the requirements for any of the other categories. Entitled to all FPP benefits; Privileges limited to Competition, Photographic Awards, & Scholarships.
q $135
STUDENT – Currently enrolled full or part-time in an accredited degree/certification program at a post- secondary school. Does not include continuing education courses or non-degree seeking students. Proof of enrollment required. Entitled to all FPP benefits; Privileges limited to Competition, Photographic Awards, & Scholarships.
q $155
SERVICE – Individual that offers education, services and/or sales to professional photographers. Entitled to all FPP benefits; Privileges limited to FPP Logo use. .
q $195
NON-RESIDENT – Employed outside of Florida.
petition, Degrees & Scholarships.
Entitled to all FPP benefits; Privileges limited to FPP Logo use, ComFPP Bylaws; Article III - Membership
LAST NAME TELEPHONE FIRST NAME MI BUSINESS or SCHOOL NAME
FAX
MAILING ADDRESS
CITY/STATE/ZIP
WEBSITE
SALES TAX # (Required for Professional members)
PPA #, if applicable
CHECK SPECIALTIES
q Aerial q Advertising q Animals q Arts q AV q B&W q Commercial q Children q Digital q Equine q Events q Environmental q Family q Glamour q High School Seniors q Industrial q Lab q Maternity q Nature q Photoshop q Portrait q Restoration q Sales q Service Specialist q Schools q Stock q Sports q Video q Wedding q NILMDTS
Where the Magic Happens Gina Barca, Guest Columnist Great things never come from comfort zones. My journey as a photographer has been a winding road of self-discovery. After nearly five years of self-teaching with minimal resources I realized that if I ever wanted to truly grow as a photographer I needed more than YouTube videos and stalking photography blogs. I was terrified to enter a group of photographers and have to face what I didn’t know or understand. I was intimidated and afraid but I took that first step by joining my local guild. To my surprise I found so much more than a source of education. I found best friends, I found new colleagues, I found my family. Joining the guild was the best thing I ever did for my career. It was the catalyst for a renewed energy and passion for education that has ever since been insatiable. Within my first year as a guild member I experienced extreme growth. The support I received through PPA and at the local level inspired my interest in FPP. I decided that I would attend as many seminars and conventions as possible to truly explore what PPA and FPP had to offer. I began by attending my first Imaging USA in January. Which literally changed my career. I returned from Nashville with many answered questions and a list of new goals. Next was the FPP Spring Seminar in February, which I attended and was provided information on FPP and the upcoming events. I decided that day to become an FPP member. From there I attended my first Florida School in June and onto Focus in August. I have found that after every educational experience I not only take away a new skill or level of understanding but also new relationships that continue to grow and support me both personally and professionally. Some may argue that with online resources for education who needs an organization like FPP? I can honestly say that NOTHING beats the benefits of live demonstration. These events promote interaction with the instructors and fellow photographers and building relationships that strengthen my skills and confidence. Something I could never accomplish from behind my computer. At Focus this year, I was adorned with the infamous “New Member” ribbon which at first felt like being put in the spotlight as the new kid in town. But instead of feeling awkward about it I quickly realized that this right of passage served a purpose. By giving new members an incentive to interact with VIP members (acquiring signatures on their ribbon for a prize) we were forced out of our comfort zone. I found the experience to be a wonderful way to strike a conversation with existing members, many of whom I truly respect and admire. The best way to not feel like an outsider is to be an insider. That is easier said than done. However, the new member activities gave me permission to be the awkward new kid and let everyone know that I
may need a little shove to get in there. I found that simply saying hello to the person sitting next to me at every program helped me come out of my shell and put other new members at ease. I thought chances are, they may also feel awkward or alone. That is the thing about convention, you never know who you may connect with, they just may be your future best friend or mentor. My advice to new members is don’t just attend events, get involved. At my first Florida School, I volunteered to be on a committee, wherever I could. I ended up on the raffle committee. It was a great way as a new member to meet many fellow members. At Focus I attended the new member reception and hung out in the lounge during judging which was an awesome experience. I really enjoyed the game we played and the meet and greet activity. I also enjoyed the general business meeting. Witnessing the ins and outs of the FPP board and participate in discussions that directly effect our members. Through joining FPP and truly putting myself out there I have opened the door for amazing opportunities and am truly discovering my full potential as a professional photographer. I am so grateful I stepped out of my comfort zone and into the greater photographic community. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my guild, FPP and PPA. The only regret I have is that I didn’t do it six years sooner. Step outside your comfort zone. That is where the magic truly happens!
Stay up to date with all the news:
FPPonline.org
Marybeth Jackson, M. Photog., Cr., CPP, FDPE, FSA, FED Florida School of Photography, Director
In case you weren’t in attendance at this year’s General Business meeting at FOCUS; the Florida School has a new name and new logo! After 25 years; we felt it was time to turn in our old name and logo and put on a new face and re-brand! It may take us all a little time to get used to our new name, but our mission statement still remains the same. We offer hands-on photographic education, at a state of the art facility with instructors from all over the United States. Not to mention--you can network with other professionals that have the same passion as you do and you can also make life long friendships along the way! We still have our workshops on the beautiful Daytona State College campus, June 12-15, 2016. And we can’t go without expressing our sincere gratitude to Dan Bifirie, the DSC Chairman of the Photography Department for all his support over the past 25 years. We would also like to offer a very special thank you to Dave Miller. Dave handles and all the behind the scenes planning for us throughout the year. We wouldn’t have tables, chairs or even air conditioning without the assistance of the organized Dave! Our format is the same; you sign up for one workshop by one instructor. For two or four days in June; you’ll be treated to an intense learning opportunity being taught by one of the industry’s most knowledgeable photographers. Four Day Workshops…… Alicia Alvarez “Bellies and Babies” Jim Cunningham “The Artist Within Using Painter” Kira Derryberry “Build and Manage Your Website” Michael Mowbray “Shoot to Thrill-Off Camera Flash Techniques” Jim Schmelzer “Lighting and Hybrid Photography” Two Day Workshops…. Jane Conner “Portrait Retouching - Beyond the Basics” Marty Grivjack “Lightroom and Photoshop Essentials” There is a lot more detailed information on our course content on our website. Check us out at www.fpponline.org. By attending one of the workshops; we know that you will leave being inspired with improved photographic skills! LEAVE INSPIRED!
Scholarships Betty McDonald, Cr., FDAE, FSA, FED Mentors and Silent Auction, FOCUS
There is scholarship money available for attending the 2016 Florida Photography Workshops (anywhere from $100 to $300). Most of the scholarships are presented at the FPP Annual Convention Awards Banquet and are earned by working on committees at the Workshops, the Convention, and the Seminars. News Flash!! We also have two $500 FPP/PPA Scholarships that are available for new members only. If you’ve only been a member for less than three years and your dues are current, you’re eligible! What do I do next, you might ask?? The Scholarship Application is located on our website at www.fppoline.org Go to the drop down menu Florida School (I know, I know, it’s still listed as Florida School). Next, go to the Instructor’s page and there’s a PDF scholarship application located on that page. Please fill out the form and email (or snail mail) your application directly to the FPP Florida Photography Workshops Manager at marybeth@marybethphoto.com. Application Deadline is February 12, 2016. If selected, you will be notified directly by the Workshops Director (Marybeth Jackson) on or around March 1st, 2016. In order to be eligible for a scholarship, your dues must be current at the time you submit your application AND when workshops are in session. You are only eligible if you have NOT received a Scholarship to the FPP Florida Photography Workshops in the last two years! If you have any questions; please contact Marybeth Jackson directly by Email, Facebook message and she can be reached at (954) 426-2562! Good Luck!
It Takes A Village! Gregory Daniel, M. Photog., Cr. CPP, F-ASP, FDPE, FSA
Take it from someone who has been in this wonderful business for thirty-seven years, it takes a village! As I look back on my career I see the fingerprints of giving, caring individuals poring knowledge, support, friendship and fellowship into my toolbox of knowledge. Where did these giving people come from you ask, they were part of a family or fraternity where just becoming a member branded and showered me with non-tangible benefits that would pave the way to success. Human to Human Learning – There is nothing really new today that can be a substitute for face-toface learning. Knowledge delivery tools have been around forever in one form or another such as books, film, TV, radio, cassette tape, video and now digital. The constant has been the mentor, teacher, peer and community. Family – Caring about one another’s success. Being there for each other when darkness appears and fear shadows clarity. Helping one another find solutions to situations others have experienced and overcome. Mentorship – This has been a place where open access to very successful individuals live. They are there and ready to take hold of your hand and guide you through difficult waters. This world of learning, family and mentorship is the embodied spirit of our affiliate network. It is a related world where just becoming a member brings the wave of benefits that are most certainly one of the biggest ingredients to my success. At the core of our affiliate network is Professional Photographers of America (PPA). PPA provides some of the most important and necessary benefits for operating a photography business today. Florida Professional Photographers (FPP) is our state affiliate in the family that brings the village into focus. FPP weaves and knits our community through local guilds where we can not only meet monthly but also share daily as a healthy family takes care of each other. I am asked regularly to share my advise with our local high school and college where I graduated. The most important piece of advice for their next steps toward success is to become part of our family. I
Greg and his wife Lesa Daniel are internationally recognized for their artistry. Though he is one of the most awarded photographers in the United States, Greg has the utmost privilege of living out his passion every day alongside Lesa in operating their portrait photography galleries in both Indialantic and Titusville Florida. He has achieved both the title of Master of Photography and The American Society of Photographers Fellowship. In addition, Greg is was one of the youngest members to be inducted into the prestigious Cameracraftsmen of America in 1991, proud founding member of the International Society of Portrait Artists (ISPA) and on the Board of Directors for Professional Photographers of America.
Print Comp: Reap the Benefits Linda Long, Guest Columnist As a new photographer, the idea of having my photography judged made me break out in a cold sweat and contemplate the extreme likelihood of seeing a rerun of my lunch. Who in the world would WANT to be judged?? The concept of being judged on any level causes anxiety, fear and insecurity. So… why would anyone ever enter print competition?? The simplest answer is that it makes you a better photographer. The larger answer is that it inspires you, challenges you, provides you mentors, and gives you invaluable feedback on the quality of your work. The first step in understanding print competition is examining the judges. When I think of someone passing judgement, I can’t help but think of mean girls in high school who are quick to pass judgement if you wear the wrong shoes or the wrong haircut. Print competition judges are not in those chairs to tear down your work, to ridicule you or to deem who is an acceptable photographer and who is not. Good judges are trained to be your biggest cheerleader and to use that chair to not only reward exceptional work, but also to teach and inspire through thoughtful, constructive critique. Judges, or really anyone wearing medals from FPP and PPA, are there to help you. You should always feel like you can ask someone for a critique, or ask them if they can explain a print’s score to you. Whether it’s your image or another image you saw in competition, asking those questions will only help to further your education and understanding of competition. Some of the greatest lessons for me have come during the print critique portion of FOCUS! Once you accept that the judges are there for a positive reason, then you have to look inward to let go of your own defensive negativity. Judges can only score what they are presented. There is no way they can know you captured that image when you had less than a minute with the couple alone and your background is the alley behind the reception hall. Just like a certain Disney princess, let it go. Yes, we all have challenges that make some images much harder to create than others, but when you let go of the defensiveness and really hear the comments from the judges, you will be given the greatest gift any photographer can be given—honest critique. Critique should always be kind and constructive and its value is beyond comprehension. You may spend thousands to attend a rock star’s seminar and then go home and struggle to replicate what you learned in class. What seemed easy for them will completely elude you once at home. Compare that to a panel of Master Photographers who carefully evaluate your image and give you feedback on YOUR work and how to make it better. Once you open your mind and accept critique, your work will very quickly and dramatically improve. The cost of entering competition when you consider the amount of feedback you receive makes it hands down the most affordable and applicable photographic education out there. As you accept critique and learn from it, your client work will evolve and improve, but you may also become empowered to create images specifically for competition. When you follow print competition,
you will see so many images that inspire you and make you want to push your own creative boundaries. Whether that means asking a client to do something in their session that is “just for you”, taking your gear on vacation to capture incredible landscapes, or even getting models specifically for a concept shoot, print competition gives you a reason to challenge yourself and create images that you might never have considered before. Most photographers came into this industry because photography was their hobby and they enjoyed the creative process. It’s easy to lose that as you become a professional and your focus moves to satisfying a client and producing paying work. Print competition makes photography into your hobby again by giving you a reason to be creative. You will hear many photographers refer to it as a “game” for this very reason. Whether you have competed for years or it’s your very first time, go and create images that are just for competition and you will find that it fuels your creativity for your client sessions, it satisfies your inner artist and it gives you images that reflect your personal style. It gives you images that you are incredibly proud to call your own. Once you embrace and enjoy competition, you will likely start getting some merits. You may even win some awards. Then, you can start using print competition to your advantage. When you are recognized for the quality of your work, your clients and general community will start to give you more respect. Showing off award winning images is a great way to get your clients to view you as an artist, gain more of their trust and it’s an additional reason they value (and will pay more) for your work. Clients often get more excited than I do when an image merits! They will brag for me, they will celebrate with me and they become ever more loyal because of that respect. It brings things full circle—you start scared to enter competition and you question spending the money to enter. Having your work judged and really listening to the feedback will make you a better photographer. Exposing your mind to the high quality of work we see each year at FOCUS will likely inspire you and push you to create your own art. That art in turn will start getting merits and awards, which gets you more clients and helps you charge more money. So, in the long run, print competition can often become an educational tool that pays for itself with the res ult it has on your clients! Yes, it will be nerve racking when you first enter. I still get some butterflies when my images are being judged. In the grand scheme, what is a little case of nerves when there is so much you can gain from competition? Take a deep breath, or a shot at the bar, and bite the bullet—enter competition. Really, you have a lot more to lose by NOT entering than you ever have by entering!
FOCUS 2015: Learning! Mary Kent, Guest Columnist
It’s been 2 years since I joined FPP. I am a value shopper, so free attendance to the Focus yearly Convention included with membership clinched the deal. The goal is to become a better professional… The Holy Grail of our photographic society. This year’s convention featured top-notch speakers sharing their knowledge. Ana Brandt – The Brand Ana Brandt specializes in maternity, newborns, and lifestyle. She reminisced about growing up as an adopted child, not knowing her birth mother, and how she instinctively gravitated towards photographing mothers and newborns. Family bond has become an important guiding light. But at Focus, she shared her business acumen. She emphasized the importance of marketing to… 1) Let the world know who you are 2) Show what you’re doing 3) Broadcast what you’re capable of She is a social media maven and emphasized the importance of posting on social platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. She encourages voyeurism in her clients by providing behind the scenes looks at the photographer at work. Monica Royal - Focus on Macro Monica Royal’s modus operandi differs completely from Ana’s. Monica offered an introduction to her macro photography, where she works completely alone in her home, and in nature, capturing details of nature and objects that are normally not visible or obvious to the most casual observer. She spends hours composing and perfecting her visual world, finding the shapes, lines, textures and colors that complete her art. And she has found ways to market her art, making it a viable business. She lives by Thoreau’s anthem: The question is not what you look at, but what you see. Because of her unique vision, Monica has targeted the Healthcare Industry. Her images grace areas with artwork that has more appeal than your normal hospital or laboratory sightings. She shared tech secrets about depth of field, and Fibonacci’s Golden Mean/Rule, with tricks in Lightroom on how to easily display the different options. I put this tip to use immediately. Then she dished out dope on where to look for clients. Jim Cunningham - From Imagescapesbackgrounds.com to Corel Guru
Next, digital background guru Jim Cunningham climbed on the stage. Jim owns imagescapesbackgrounds.com. I consider myself a pretty good compositor. So when he took the baton, I wanted him to get to the nitty gritty. It didn’t take long. His first trick on how to select a background and how to refine an image that included some hair and a tulle skirt blew me away. In Photoshop, he proceeded to give pointers on how to slim down a face and body, lickety split. He also provided valuable pointers on drop shadows when compositing a person into a landscape. It blew me away. Then he gave a little intro into Corel Painter and how to transform your photographs by adding highlights and shadows, by using adjustment layers. By the time he finished, after wiping my drool, I was screaming, “Sign me up, baby! I want to take your class.” He will be teaching at the Florida Photography Workshops. The Hughes Fioretti Classic Headshot Everyone who has a web site needs a headshot, all companies need them to keep track of employees, and a headshot business model can open doors and provide steady income. Presenter Gary Hughes takes a no-nonsense approach to his headshot business. Gary doled out marketing ideas, like offering headshots for convention goers at industry events. He suggested simple organizational index cards, to enter the person’s name, place in line number and hometown (as conversation starters). He showed how to pose men and women. His headshots have gotten him striking images that have made the loaner collection, by asking his clients to bring unique articles of clothing for that “Let it all loose last image.” Gregory Daniel - In Pursuit of the Perfect Balance Portrait Artist Greg Daniels and wife Lesa strike a perfect balance in their portrait studio partnership. Greg has refined the art of posing by visualizing dots that dissect different joints in the body for posing purposes. This allows graceful wrist or elbow bends or leveling choices in your portrait. All in pursuit of the perfect balance. Lesa on her end, makes sure the perfect portrait can be accomplished by coordinating with client: Size of print, colors, asking where the portrait will hang and making sure the wall art will look finely handcrafted. Their team blends the painting talents of daughter Kyla Renee who performs digital painting to give the art its fine art finish, and daughter Ashley Brooke, whose social media skills keep the family business in the public eye. Nice teamwork. Judging Judge Jane Conner Ziser’s fine art perspective added much to the discussions. Image Competition at Focus doles out a dose of humility. Judge, jury and executioner, experts make you sweat and scrutinize everyone’s work. So you thought yours was better? Well, you missed that little defect that was charming when prepping the photograph. I merited, Yay!!! Art or Business? This 2015 Focus delivered a punch. It renewed our commitment to excellence, and emphasized the known axiom that a keen business sense beats out the almighty artistic. Darn….
FOCUS 2015: Door Prizes! Keely Deuschle, FSA
Thank You FOCUS Door Prize Sponsors! What incredible door prizes we had at FOCUS this year thanks to the generosity of our amazing sponsors! A huge thank you to:
Animoto Burrell Imaging Canon Dale Laboratories Florida Professional Photographers H&H Color Lab LensFly MuseumBond Picsera Reedy Photoprocess ShootProof Sticky Albums SweetLight Systems Tim Kelly White House Custom Colour
I would also like to personally thank those who served on the Door Prize Committee for all of their help and for making the door prize giveaways so much fun! Patricia Lowe, Booray Perry, Rebecca Monzon, Ken Moran, and Shelley Gill, thank you!
FOCUS 2015 Debbie Alcorn, FSA, FED, PP, CM Convention Manager, FOCUS
Putting FOCUS together reminds me of preparing Thanksgiving dinner; it takes three days to cook it and 20 minutes to eat it! Working all year on getting the convention put together is really a labor of love and then BAM in three days we are on our way home! It really makes me look forward to doing it all over again. Speaking of doing it all over again, now is the time to let me know who and/or what you want to see. Contact me at Debbie@reedyphoto.com or 727-481-9329. I would love to hear from everyone. I want to take this time to thank everyone who made FOCUS 2015 happen: My two lieutenants: Darla Sharp and Bruce Wilson Jr. did such a phenomenal job! Thank you so much, the Chair people you contacted stepped up and everything went so smoothly. You are all great. Program designer Bridget Robertson, thank you for putting up with the many changes I threw at you. President Jackson and the entire Board for all the input and suggestions and of course our Executive Director Kaye Newsome for keeping us all in line. It truly does “take a village” and we have the best! The best way to get the most out of your convention is to get involved, work on a committee. You will make new friends and colleagues like you’ve never known. It is a very rewarding experience and a lot of fun to do. A giant thank you goes to all our Speakers and Judges, thank you for sharing your time, knowledge and friendship. Thank you to all our sponsors and vendors whose financial help lets the FPP put on one heck of a show. I personally had a great time at FOCUS and truly hope you did too. Tell your friends what a great time you had and invite them to join us for future events. How about that new Hotel! The Florida Hotel and Conference Center really made us all feel at home. We will be there again next year so Save The Dates, September 10,11 and 12, 2016. I really want to see you there! Thank you, Debbie
Print Competition 2015 Robin Adams, Competition Manager
The FPP 2015 Print Competition was a great success with an increase in number of entries, a higher percentage or merits over 2014, and a new Print Critique that was well attended. To see all of the merited images, follow this link: http://www.areyouinfocus.com/image-competition/ merited-images The Print Competition Committee had all sorts of new challenges this year being in a new hotel, but the team pulled together without a hiccup and made it all run seamlessly. Having The Lounge, Print Critique and print judging all on the first floor was wonderful for us and I think the members loved it too! Thank you, as always, to Carol Walker and her guest presenters in The Lounge. The team there did a fantastic job on Saturday educating the members and kept the fun going. The education gained in The Lounge is truly worth the time, I hope you could stop in for a bit. A big thank you to our 2015 judges and moderators! FPP can’t do this without such great panels and I certainly appreciate how much time they all spent talking with members in the Print Display area. The long hours they spent judging and chatting with everyone is priceless. JUDGES: Al Audleman William Branson, III Edward Booth Jane Conner-ziser Bruce Evenson Betty Huth Kevin Jiminez Tim Kelly Shelly Kraemer Sandra Pearce-McAuley Christine Reynolds Carmen Schettino MODERATORS: Gregory Daniel Michael Landes And now, to the stats and the awards. This year we had 470 entries (up from 391 last year). There were
69 physical entries and 401 digital entries. Feedback from the new fee structure for per print rather than per case was positive overall. Members were more encouraged to enter just a few prints for a whole lot less money, and as a result participation was up! The entries in each category: Digital Art: 23 Restoration: 3 Electronic Manipulation: 27 Albums (multi maker): 0 Albums (single maker): 1 Advertising Illustration: 20 Architectural: 14 Industrial: 5 Photojournalism: 16 Abstract: 8 Landscape: 46 Illustrative Open: 61 Wild Animals: 24 Portrait Child: 53 Environmental: 17 Portrait Group: 29 Portrait Man: 30 Portrait Pet: 11 Portrait Woman: 56 Social Event Portraiture: 12 Social Event Open: 14 Total merits awarded: 173 Merit Percentage 37% Digital Image Merit Percentage: 35% (141 of 401 entries) Print Image Merit Percentage: 32% (32 of 69 entries) Print Scoring: 100: 0 90-99: 5 85-89: 25 80-84: 143 AWARDS ELECTRONIC IMAGING Electronic Art Digital Restoration Distinguished Award: War Time Wedding, Julie Johnson Distinguished Award: Soldier, Julie Johnson First Place: First Grade, Julie Johnson Digital Art Distinguished Award: Marissa, Cindy Strickland
Distinguished Award: Classic Beauty, Valerie Hoffman First Place: Tuscan Wonderland, Catherine Nocera ELECTRONIC MANIPULATION Digital Illustrative Art: Distinguished Award: Guardian Angel, Randy Van Duinen Distinguished Award: Life Is a Canvas, Catherine Nocera First Place: Henry the 8th, Randy Van Duinen Best of Show - Electronic Imaging: Henry the 8th, Randy Van Duinen PHOTOGRAPHIC OPEN COMMERCIAL Advertising Illustration Distinguished Award: Serving the Streets, John Jernigan Distinguished Award: Biometric Brain Mapping, John Jernigan First Place: CR Knee Component Series, John Jernigan Architectural Distinguished Award: Antinori Winery, Randy Van Duinen Distinguished Award: To the Point, Debra Lynn Libby First Place: Florida Polytechnic, Randy Van Duinen Industrial Distinguished Award: Between the Lines, Heidemarie Burke First Place: Standing Still, Randy Van Duinen Photojournalism Distinguished Award: Big Fire, Big Water, Bill Cadzow Distinguished Award: Determination, William Dzwonkowski First Place: Gone In 10 Seconds, Pete Wright Best of Show – Commercial: Gone In 10 Seconds, Pete Wright ILLUSTRATIVE Abstract Distinguished Award: Kaleidoscope, Betty Huth Distinguished Award: Golden Spiral, AJ Abellera First Place: Buick Bullets, Michael Landes Landscape Distinguished Award: Bringing Home the Sheep, Catherine Nocera Distinguished Award: Misty Morning, Manny Cruz First Place: Morning Fog over Tuscany, Ran Van Duinen Wild Animals Distinguished Award: Brahmin Moth, Julie Johnson Distinguished Award: Speeding at Low Altitude, Steven Blanding First Place: Follow My Eyes, Steven Blandin
Open Distinguished Award: Silver Phantom, Pete Wright Distinguished Award: Natures Concentric Circles, John Jernigan First Place: Broken, William Dzwonkowski
Best of Show – Illustrative: Morning Fog Over Tuscany, Ran Van Duinen SOCIAL EVENT Social Event Formal Portraiture Distinguished Award: One Step at A Time, Randolfo Munoz, III Distinguished Award: A Secret Haven, Joe Capasso First Place: The Grand Entrance, Joe Capasso Social Event Open Distinguished Award: Built Ford Tough, William Dzwonkowski First Place: Opening Act, Steven Saccio Best of Show - Social Event: Opening Act, Steven Saccio PORTRAIT Portrait of a Man Distinguished Award: Rockin It Old School, Tim Kelly Distinguished Award: A New Soul Man, Tim Kelly First Place: On To the Last Gig, Tim Kelly
Portrait of a Woman Distinguished Award: The Pink Gown, Tim Kelly Distinguished Award: Lauren, AJ Abellara First Place: Back Stage, Gregory Daniel Portrait of a Child Distinguished Award: Winters’ Wonder, Gigi O’Day Distinguished Award: Day Dreamer, Gregory Daniel First Place: Youthful Elegance, Gregory Daniel Portrait of a Group Distinguished Award: Just Another Super Dad, Tim Kelly Distinguished Award: Beach Shack, Gregory Daniel First Place: End of Day, Gregory Daniel
Environmental Portrait Distinguished Award: Fast & Loud, Pete Wright Distinguished Award: Lady of the Lake, Susan Torregrossa First Place: Morning Breeze, Gregory Daniel Portrait of a Pet Distinguished Award: Equestrian Embrace, Gregory Daniel Distinguished Award: One in Every Family, Linda Long
First Place: Scrappy Puppy, Carol Walker Best of Show – Portrait: Back Stage, Gregory Daniel SPECIAL AWARDS: Section
#Entries
Section Awards:
Avg. Score
Third: BPPA 29 Second: TPPG 29 First: PPSCF 64
79.41 79.72 79.89
CPP Award: Morning Fog Over Tuscany, Randy Van Dunien ASP Award: Morning Fog Over Tuscany, Randy Van Dunien Lexjet Sunset Award / Best Print & Presentation: Gone In 10 Seconds, Pete Wright Kodak Gallery Award: Back Stage, Gregory Daniel
Top 10 Photographers 10 AJ Abellara 9 Sheila Hartley 8 William Dzwonkowski 7 Tim Kelly 6 Linda Long 5 Steven Blandin 4 Gregory Daniel 3 Randy Van Duinen 2 Pete Wright
Photographer of the Year: John Jernigan Artist of the Year: Randy Van Duinen Robert Becker Memorial Award for Creative Photography: Back Stage, Gregory Daniel
FPP Board of Directors
First Place Winners - Print Comp FOCUS 2015
Best of Show Winners
Degree Recipients - FOCUS2015
Artist of the Year - Randy Van Duinen
CPP Award - Randy Van Duinen ASP Award - Randy Van Duinen
the Becker Award - Gregory Daniel - “Back Stage”
Ed Robinson Award - Carol Walker
Memorial Service Award - Cindy Strickland
Kodak Gallery Award - Gregory Daniel
LexJet Award - Pete Wright
Life Member - Bruce Wilson, Jr.
Past Presidents Award - Bruce Wilson, Jr.
John Jernigan - Photographer of the Year Randy Van Duinen - Artist of the Year
Photographer of the Year - John Jernigan
President’s Award - Cindy Strickland
Presidential Recognition for Jackson Koontz, III by Carol Walker
Richard Fowler Award - Valerie Hoffman
SEPPA Award - Robin Adams
Theresa Saylor Scholarship - Donna Campiz
Top 10 Photographers - FOCUS 2015
PPA National Award - Victoria Kelly