Background photograph above by speaker Jordan Chan. Inset photograph, at left, by speaker Scott Huffman. Photos at lower right are speakers Gene Ho, Jordan Chan and Scott Huffman.
Fall seminar is ‘glamourous’ bargain PPNC members have been asking for new speakers, less expensive seminar prices and more affordable hotels. So, here it is. The PPNC Fall Seminar. This year’s Fall Seminar features Jordan Chan with senior portrait fashion and glamour; Scott Huffman with boudoir photography and Gene Ho with “Weddings, the Art of the Fisheye.” The hotel rate at the Hampton Inn is only $79 per night and includes a free breakfast. Classes begin on Sunday with Jordan Chan from 1 until 5 p.m. There will be an early Sunday class on boudoir posing and lighting from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Space is limited in this class, so register early to get a spot. Dinner is included in the fee and, after dinner, there will be a “Shootout in the Street,” so bring cameras.
Photograph by Gene Ho Photography. On Monday, Scott Huffman presents “The Boudoir Experience” from 8:30 a.m. until 12 noon. Everyone is on their own for lunch. From 1 until 5 p.m. Gene Ho presents “Weddings
– The Art of the Fisheye.” All of this for only $79 for PPNC members and $99 for non-members. To register, go to www. ppofnc.com/western.php If you’d rather register by
phone, call 1.919.796.4747 and have your credit card ready. The Christmas rush is about to begin. Come join us and pick up some new and exciting techniques for this year.
3
Suggested reading
By FULLER ROYAL, M. Photog. Cr., F. Ph.
W
Four books worth your dime and time
hen not swimming, walking or cycling, one of my favorite things to do during the week we sometimes get to spend at Holden Beach is read books. No, not on a Kindle. I like the real thing in my hands as I sit for hours on end under a well-worn beach umbrella – the world tuned out by the roar of the beautiful North Carolina surf. I usually stock up on books to carry with me; mostly non-fiction. I’m a fast reader and usually finish one in a day. This year, I had four with me, all related to photography. (I read a fifth, discovered at the rental house, about legendary film producer David Brown.) The first book, easily read and very understandable and do-able is “Worth Every Penny” by photographers Sarah Petty and Erin Berbeck. The subtitle of the book: “Build a Business that Thrills Your Customers and Still Charge What You’re Worth.” The book is on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. I ordered my copy from Amazon ($14.97) after seeing a recommendation on line. It’s a great book. You can tell that it was probably written for photographers at first and then adapted to fit other types of small
4
businesses that can follow the “boutique” model. Everything Petty writes potentially fits a photography studio. In this case, boutique is not “a small gift shop.” Instead, it’s a business that is lower-volume, higher priced and offering an experience that is “high touch” and thrilling to the customer. It’s not about competing with discounters. It’s about never offering a discount yourself. It’s all about adding value to what you already offer and building relationships with the 20 percent of your customers who guide your business. It’s about attention to details and to clients. It’s full of real-world ideas and action steps at the end of each chapter. For lack of a better word, it’s similar to what we used to call “carriage trade.” However, “carriage trade” implies wealthy or rich clients. As Petty points out, it’s more about customers who “value” photography, wealthy or not. Even if you don’t plan to overhaul your operation and develop better branding, there are some very good and common sense ideas and approaches to the photography business. The next two books are both by legendary photographer Joe McNally – The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes ($26.59 at Amazon) and Sketching Light: An Illustrated Tour of the Possibili-
ties of Flash ($30.10 at Amazon). McNally is the Houdini of light. As I get older, I am always looking for ways to reduce the size and weight of lighting that I carry on locations. McNally’s two books are designed primarily around the concept of using speedlights for nearly all aspects of photography. Using humorous anecdotes, easyto-understand explanations, beautiful photography and sketches, McNally tells exactly how he created each of the images in his book. Each chapter is short and to the point. The books are sample or projectdriven so the reader can easily try out some of the techniques. You may also be inspired to try out some of his ideas and concepts. The lowly camera flash has come a long way. Kevin Kubotas Lighting Notebook: 101 Lighting Styles and Setups for Digital Photographers works along the same lines as McNally’s. It offers a lot of great ideas, however, many of the ideas require the reader to purchase Kubota’s action sets to see the images carried out the way Kubota explains them. Still, it is full of good ideas and anyone with advanced knowledge of Lightroom and Photoshop can figure out how he achieved many of the results his actions provide.
f/’s stop
By FULLER ROYAL, M. Photog. Cr., F. Ph.
New ideas needed, wanted, solicited Professional photography is undergoing a sea-change. Almost overnight, the business has been radically made over. Thanks to incredible advances in technology – and the affordability of same – there are more people offering their services as photographers than ever before. It used to be that everyone wanted to be a real estate agent. Now, everyone’s a photographer. As a result, photographers we have known for 20 or more years have closed their doors, switched off their lights and cancelled their professional memberships. Unfortunately for PPNC, this new crop of photographers – mostly female – feels like it doesn’t need the benefits of real-life, face-to-face camaraderie or fellowship with other flesh-and-blood photographers. They learn what they need from the Internet and DVDs. Scores of other professional photographers are only too happy to provide them with Lightroom settings, Photoshop actions, digital backgrounds, props, marketing materials ... well, you get the picture. My previous f/’s stops have spurred some discussions about what PPNC can do to increase membership. Much of that discussion has been on PPNC’s Facebook page. PPNC member Kevin Jordan, one of the founders of the incredibly successful After Dark Education program, wrote he would be happy to help create new ideas for PPNC “I think PPNC is different than most state associations,” he wrote. “I know a lot of the older guys and they are willing to change. “If fact, most of them would have fun in a hands-on learning environment,” he wrote. “I don’t think everything has to be thrown out. There are lots of cool things that PPNC has always done that should stay.’ Jordan said the biggest need he sees is to have a valid program new for members who want to be mentored and
“shown hands-on what to do during the convention.” “They are not into just sitting in classes,” he wrote. “They do not want to feel like outsiders because they are new. Vendors also need these guys. The new people are the ones who need the most product.” PPNC member Tom Rains wrote that he would like to see a membership recruitment department with a budget to advertise and promote PPNC “Every time I run into a new photographer, I always give them a business card and encourage them to talk to me about joining PPNC,” he wrote. “Perhaps we could have a trial rate that is really inexpensive so they can come to convention or give them the first year’s convention free.” Rains wrote that whenever he mentions the cost of dues, the enthusiasm usually “drops a notch.” “We have to do something to get these newbies some training,” he wrote. Jordan recalled how PPNC member Sam Gray invited his father Ed Jordan 40-some years ago to join PPNC when he saw his start-up studio in Saint Pauls. “I have seen my dad invite many others over the years.” Jordan wrote. “There has been a trend in the industry to ‘snob’ beginners in fear that they are taking over the world, but the truth is we all began (somewhere), we all needed help and we are all in this industry together.” “When I started After Dark with Dave Junion a few years ago we set out to have a safe place where everyone could feel accepted and work with one another from beginner to advanced,” he wrote. “PPNC needs to be a safe place that has something for everyone, also, which should be easy with the awesome people in this state association “We do indeed have awesome people willing to share,” Rains wrote. “I found that out firsthand at my first convention. I was amazed at how freely information was shared with no fear of the person being a competitor. “I understand that the motivation was to improve the craft and not a concern
over losing your customers,” he wrote. “We need to get training programs and access to our knowledge base because there are a lot of crappy images from new ‘pro’ photographers on Facebook and the public is accepting them (as good).” PPNC member George Joel said that as a beginner he sought the PPNC as a place to learn. “I was really by myself, he wrote. “Because I am an outgoing person, I was able to mingle and meet other without fear. Now I try to give back to others the same way the PPNC has given me. “I never say ‘no’ to an aspiring photographer and I got that mentality from the PPNC,” he wrote. “I have virtually built the competition around me by sharing what I know and encouraging them to attend PPNC events as well as the East Coast School. I love the PPNC and anything that can be done to make it better, I am in.” Jordan said that “PPNC is different than most other states,” adding that he has met photographers in other states who are “grumpy and stand-offish” “All over the country I get the same story from speakers and vendors (that) PPNC has the friendliest members across the board in the country,” he wrote. “I would love to hear people just as excited about attending PPNC as an After Dark event and it is totally possible.” PPNC member Chris Garner said he loves the (proposed) new pricing structure. (See story on back page.) “We have discussed these issues at length internally,” wrote PPNC member Adrian Henson. “We need to hear what the public thinks of us and what they dislike. I ,too, want to keep all the good PPNC has to offer, but want to have the ability to evolve into what can be even greater. “My dream for PPNC is to have our convention big enough that the vendors are excited again about sponsorship because of high numbers and sales at our trade show,” Henson wrote. “With the sufficient sponsorship we can have full
See page 12
5
8
Competition revisted
By ANNELL L. METSKER, CPP, M. Photog. Cr., F. Ph.
The Chef
After a 12-year hiatus from print competition, I entered on a whim this year. My previous entries seem like a world ago – when I was still using film. I was probably one of the last holdouts for going digital. Until I had an itch to paint, I stuck to my Hasselblads and Mamiyas. When the painting bug hit me I headed to the digital world and never looked back. I can remember taking one of my first painting classes with Darrell Chitty and sitting in the “Photoshop Special Ed” section. I needed remedial help just to get files ready. Now, six years, later my business is primarily painting and the magic and passion for my work has returned. My decision to enter PPNC print competition came just two days before the deadline. With the advent of digital entries, I found it easier to bite the bullet and enter again. I liked the fact that there would not be any communication issues in conveying my vision for my final image. I would be able to produce exactly what I wanted from start to finish. I didn’t really have my heart in it at first, but after sending a few files to a friend for critique, I got excited about the possibilities again. Print competition, over the decade that I regularly entered, was always a good learning tool for me. It made me a better artist and improved my “eye.” As I agonized over images, I realized again how much it stretches us to grow, create better images and refine our work. Twenty-four hours after I made that deci-
A Time to Remember
I have become more involved in the artist community, especially in the North Carolina mountains, where I find my creative muse. My repertoire has recently expanded to include free-hand oil paintings and my abilities are truly surprising me. Painting expands my creative freedom and feeds my soul with a passion. It allows me to add impact with light, color and texture and to see more possibilities. One of my most influential mentors, Jay Stock has a fabulous saying: “The more you see, the more you see, the MORE YOU SEE.” I continue to find the truth in his statement!
The Bicycle
sion to enter competition, my prints were on their way through cyber space. I wondered what the judges would think of my new paintings. As the text messages arrived with my scores, I was thrilled to be accepted and recognized for my accomplishments. I never expected two first place awards and a best of show, but I was thrilled to accept them. Thank you, judges. My world is centered on painting and art now. Portrait commissions still top the list, although I have added a fine art painting line as well.
Spirited Beauty
A Certified Professional Photographer’s EXAM will be held in conjunction with the Professional Photographers of North Carolina’s Western Seminar. Date is: Sunday, October 21, 2012, 1:00 PM at the Gastonia Conference Center, 145 South Marietta Street, Gastonia, North Carolina 28052. Remember you must declare your candidacy before you Register to take the Exam. If you have any questions, please call North Carolina CPP Liaison, Rose Mary Cheek @ 828-322-2862
10
Continued on page 12
The Marketing Edge By FULLER ROYAL, M. Photog. Cr., F. Ph.
Facebook marketing tips for you To really take advantage of Facebook in a way that won’t cost you a dime, and to pull in big numbers of views (see the 10,234 in the lower left corner of the top image), create an album of all of your recent sessions. Every so often, place an image that serves as an ad for your studio or that explains a product or service you offer. Make sure that every client is “taggable” and then tag them all. Those 10,234 views for this gallery, right photo, of 65 images from 65 sessions occurred in three days. Go through each image and look at the likes. Most will not be your friends, but they have the potential to be future customers. The total potential reach of these 65 clients was 36,493 of their friends. Take it a step further and create a special offer that each client can post on his or her page, directed to only his or her friends.
Confessions of a photographer By CHRISTINA HOLCOMB I must confess I was not sure what to expect two years ago when I attended my first PPNC seminar. I had just made the jump from photographing as a hobby to photographing for hire. I had a website, business cards, and a small portfolio, but I defiantly didn’t consider myself a “professional” photographer. Worse than that, other than a friend in California, I didn’t even know any professional photographers. The lonely realization that I had no local community to collaborate with, learn from, bounce ideas off of or even recommend others to, is what prompted me to attend my first PPNC seminar. I am so glad I did. Continuing with this theme, I would like to ‘fess up to a few unguarded thoughts that have popped into my head these past two years during PPNC events. Following each confession is also a truth regarding PPNC. Ultimately, all of these truths support the reason why joining PPNC is worthwhile and the reasons why I consider it the single best business decision I have ever made. CONFESSION: “That’s a lot of BLING!” This was honestly my first thought when I met Mr. William Branson. He was a living prism, reflecting light with all kinds of pins and metals. I tried not to gawk too much and I’m sure my small talk inquiry with Mr. Branson about his many awards seemed so awkward. After all, he is only one of the most recognized photographers in the world. Somehow, I went from knowing only one photographer to discussing “bling” with a highly decorated photo champion and Fellow of the American Society of Photography. Yes, at my first PPNC seminar William Branson III taught me what a merit award is. THE TRUTH IS: PPNC is full of talented and notable artists who are masters in photography. They have spent years dedicating their life to studying this art. Their knowledge is deep and wide. PPNC’s expertise is something to brag about. It is reflected in its leaders’ achievements. PPNC members earn a lot of
Summer Note Black and White Beauty “BLING.” CONFESSION: “What am I doing here? Am I really a professional photographer?” Admittedly, after my first PPNC seminar, I was a bit overwhelmed. At first I couldn’t take enough notes and then finally I couldn’t possibly record anything more in my notebook or my brain. It was overload. All I could do was wonder, “Was I meant to do this ... whatever this was?” THE TRUTH IS: If you want to be an EXCELLENT professional photographer, PPNC can help you. Being part of PPNC provides opportunities to learn from and be mentored by the country’s top photographers. Each quarter, PPNC puts together a themed seminar with a top-notch group of speakers. Thus far, I have learned how to photograph everything from NASCAR to models. The annual convention provides an even more comprehensive learning arena, including: a print competition, individual print critiques, vendor presentations and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow photographers. By far, the most impactful learning experience has to be PPNC’s East Coast School. This is an intense week of focused study in an area of your choice.
I am still applying things learned from my experience this past summer. Jamie Hayes and Mary Taylor Fisk’s class was the perfect fit for pushing me forward as a professional photographer. It was here that I discovered what I was meant to do. I am grateful to have been able to attend this course, learn much and develop true friendships with other photographers. I am already signed up for next year. CONFESSION: “I want to do that!” Last year, I heard Adrian Henson speak on print competitions. I had no idea of the intensity and seriousness of this event. His presentation compelled me to volunteer for PPNC’s print committee and sign up for my first-ever print critique. Being involved with the print committee was great training and fun work. I loved handling all of the prints and hearing the judges’ banter. But, I was scared to death to go to my own critique. Even so, the critique was extremely helpful and encouraging. Thanks to this opportunity, I plan on enter at least one of those images in next year’s competition. THE TRUTH IS: Mastering photography takes time. Learn it. Do it. Share it. PPNC is a friendly, sharing community. This is what I most appreciate about this organization. If there is something you want to learn, there is someone will-
See page 12
11
f/’s stop Continued from page 5 membership in the $50 range. Kentucky has already accomplished this and is growing like wildfire.” Rains and new PPNC member Andrew Bowen wrote about concerns over the scheduling of seminars, hoping to move them to a Saturday-Sunday format rather than the Sunday-Monday format. “Scheduling is always a struggle and will inevitable prevent one group or another from attending,” Henson wrote. “Saturdays are notoriously preventative for wedding shooters, Sundays are difficult for the church crowd and Mondays rule out the working bunch. I have often thought that a Saturday-Sunday meeting where the beginner level and hands-on classes were on Saturday and the advanced level and platform classes were on Sunday might be something we should try.” “I would love to see a lounge area maybe where the bays will be this year,” Jordan wrote. “A a place where people know to go hang out, get to know one another, share and be social then be sure there are people there making everyone feel welcome could be open during and after hours. (This) would also be a great place for casual critiques.” “PPNC education is competing with many online ‘free’ opportunities like Creativelive and webinars from Sarah
Petty and cheap short ‘Rocky Star photographer tours,” wrote PPNC member Angela Blankenship. “I’m wondering if more advertising and promoting the community experience of PPNC would help. But also, (I’m) wondering if local competition my be a detractor. Feels like a cut-throat environment out here.” “Could we schedule one guild meeting program and present that same program – same speakers, same program three times – in the East, Central and West,” wrote Rains. “This might help those at each end of the state to hear the same presentation and cut down on travel expenses. We could alternate the sessions so that the first day is taught the second day at a different location and that way, every one could attend one of the two days and hear the same.” PPNC Stephanie Winebarger Turner said that she and several others teach college photography classes. “Weekdays are school days and the cost of bringing a class would be too much for the already stretched school budgets,” she wrote. “Asking the students to pay (at current prices) would not be possible. “I think this would be a huge benefit to the students if it were possible to be around industry leaders and be exposed to a another level of craftmanship and industry leadership.
“Sooner or later some of these students will be entering the industry, Turner wrote. “If they received positive leadership and guidance then it would definitely have a better effect on the industry than them just ‘flying solo’ and being the ones who don’t understand the value placed on service in the industry that we all see every day.” She added that she cannot attend the convention next year because of her job, “so that leads me to weigh the benefits of paying my membership as well.” “I think the idea of having monthly meetings in a few cities in each guild is doable and a great idea,” Henson wrote. “Even if they are quite informal.” He said Virginia is a good role model for this as “their monthly guild meetings that I have been to seem strong.” He said the “formal” guild meetings and convention have to be spectacular. “We have done a good job, especially with conventions here in North Carolina, but other states have had some very lackluster events,” Henson wrote. “If it does not have worthwhile content people will not come.” “I have 23 students in my second-year portrait class,” Turner wrote, adding they will graduate in May with an asso-
Confessions Continued from page 11 ing to teach you. Check out PPNC’s Pro Share classes, library collection, attend East Coast School or simply reach out to others and ask questions. Allow yourself to make mistakes ... plenty of them. Then share what you have learned with others. Finally, no confession would be complete without a humble heart. And with that spirit, I recognize that no matter how much more I learn, I will always remain a student of photography. Thanks PPNC for giving me a place to learn, grow, and share. Editor’s Note: Read more about Christina’s photo adventures by visiting her blog at www.ChristinaHolcombPhotography.com.
12
Chill’lin
See page 17
Life on the ‘barge’
By FULLER ROYAL, M. Photog. Cr., F. Ph. I lovingly call my studio trailer “The Barge.” I spent my summers at Boone’s Neck in Brunswick County on the Intracoastal Waterway and there was nothing more fun than seeing tugs pushing or pulling barges, especially the ones ferrying rocket parts to NASA in Florida in the 1960s. Two years ago, I decided that if I ever made it to the end of my lease, I would never again rent permanent space. For two years, I looked at trailers and tried to figure out what I would need to hold the equipment I used the most. Last January, my lease was up and I gave myself what would essentially be an $800 per month raise – no more rent or utilities or the hundreds of little nickel and dime things that eat away at your profit. The Barge cost me the equivalent of three months rent and utilities. I outfitted the inside myself and had a local welder make the rack components for my favorite backgrounds. Two rolling cases from Lowe’s are my “first out” boxes, to coin a phrase from my rescue squad days. Box One is what I need for the simplest lighting setup – two Photogenics and a 3x4 Larson Softbox. This box is when I will use the existing background of an interior room when there is not enough ambient or window light. Box Two contains my 4x6 Larson Softbox and the Larson reflectors I use for studio style setups. “The Casket” is the big Tamrac rolling bag I have that contains six Photogenic lights and stands for a full-scale studio setup. A smaller Tamrac rolling bag holds my Quantum Turbo flashes and Quantum Turbo batteries that I use for “speedlite” setups. I also have an inexpensive vertical/horizontal dolly from Lowe’s that I strap lights and batteries to for location and beach work. The Barge holds 20 of my favorite backgrounds, light stands, extension cords, reflectors, softboxes, monopoles and a rolling mono stand.
The Barge pulling out of its “dock.”
Matt with our light dolly.
The Barge, filled with backgrounds, lights and stands. The primary rollout boxes rest on the right. Props are on an as-needed basis and are carried in my car. Everything that rides in the Barge stays there, ready for whatever I need. I was also amazed now cool the Barge keeps its payload. I was worried about the flashes being too hot. The Barge is parked in an open area with no shade. On a day when the temperature reaches 95 degrees, the inside of the Barge is about 15 degrees cooler. Of course, I never keep cameras
or lenses on board because it’s too bumpy. I also take my batteries inside for charging. The Barge serves as a traveling billboard. Hey Fuller, you must have been taking pictures Saturday, I saw your trailer at the Smith’s house.” “Hey Fuller, saw your trailer at the arts council building. You must have been photographing kids all
See next page
13
The ‘barge’ Continued from previous page day long.” Sometimes I just hook it up and ride around town, making sure I pass by crowded events. For in-home sessions, I can be fully set up with background and lights in place in about 15 minutes. For larger venues where I am photographing in a studio setting all day, I can be fully set up in 30 minutes – faster if my trusty assistant helps me. On days where we hold Safari or PORTFOLIOS sessions, he does help, pulling backgrounds off the trailer as needed and replacing them. I keep all of my props and extra backgrounds in our shed at home and pull things from there as I need to. I rent space as needed and have access to several spacious facilities. All of this flexibility and extra room allows me to offer Safaris and PORTFOLIOS and our newest offering Inbetweeners. More on that in the next issue.
It only takes about 30 minutes to set up all of the things I need for day full of studio-styled sessions.
PPA print competition Congratulations to PPNC’s members who merited at PPA’s 2012 International Print Competition. We hope we have included everyone. If you are not on the list, email us and we’ll print it next issue. G is for General Collection. L is for Loan Collection. GB means the print will be published in the General Collection book. Brian Allen, GGGL Emily Angle, LG Heather Bjoershol, LLG Angela Blankenship, GGG Janet Boschker, LLGB Elizabeth Burgess, GG Rose Mary Cheek, GGG Richard Cox, GGGB Gregory Georges, G Bill Goode, LGG
Rebekah Gray, LGGB Sam Gray, LLGGGB Eric Greene, GGG Shane Greene, LG Patricia Hansen, GGGGGB Adrian Henson, LLLLGGG Mollie Isaacs, GGG Connie Jarzyna, LGG Debbie Johnson, GGB Gordon Kreplin, LGGG
Ellen LeRoy, GG Thomas McCabe, GG Randy McNeilly, LLG Annelle Metsker, LGGG Beth Niser, GG Fuller Royal, GGG Mona Sadler, LGGGGGGB Ken Tart, LGG Linda Weaver, GG
Wanted Your story. Your photographs. 14
fullerroyal@mac.com
Marilyn Sholin
TriCoast
Richard Sturdevant
Janet Boschker
Lew Everling
It’s never too soon to plan. Next year’s edition of East Coast School features: Don MacGregor presenting “Environmental Famlies.” Marilyn Sholin presents “Painter.” Lew Everling presents “A Little Bit of Everything.” TriCoast presents “Lighting.” Richard Sturdevant presents “Extreme Photography and Photoshop.” And Janet Boschker presents “Photography Fundamentals.” Don MacGregor
One more East Coast School success In a Facebook post, PPNC member George Joel shared the following about East Coast School: “Well I must share this PPNC East Coast School Success Story. “After returning from the PPNC East Coast School and taking Michael and Tina Timmons’ workshop, I started to play a little with Painter 11. “Michael showed us how to quickly make sellable works of art. When I say
quickly, I mean with a click of a mouse button. “So, I experimented with a few recent wedding photos. I posted one of the quick pieces of art on Facebook and the bride loved it. “She came in yesterday and purchased that print. I was a little shocked and amazed at the same time. “See, the bride is a painter herself. Not
a digital painter, but a painter on canvas and other papers. “I am not saying I am a painter, I am just saying that I sold an image that was painted based on the teachings of Michael Timmons from his East Coast School workshop. “Oh. By-the-way, prior to taking the workshop, I had never touched Painter 11.
15
Creating ‘PORTFOLIOS’ By FULLER ROYAL, M, Photog. Cr, F. Ph.
A middle schooler from a PORTFOLIOS session. In the last issue, I talked about the success of our Senior Portrait Safaris. We ended up the season with eight safaris and 57 seniors photographed. It was the most successful promotion we have ever done and I must thank photographer Travis Gugleman for his inspiration at our convention last spring. (By the way, we have two middle schoolaged safaris coming up later this fall. It works at every age.) With the success of the safaris, we wanted to offer the “round-robin” style of photography for all ages, including seniors who did not want a safari. In July, we introduced a concept known as PORTFOLIOS. A $25 session fee, 45 minutes of session, five changes of clothing and special packaging. Every 30 minutes, a new client shows up at our county arts center (where I photograph). They each have their own space to keep their clothes and props. While one is being photographed, the others are changing, just like the safaris. We photograph each client until they have used up their clothing changes. It’s all indoors – no location work.
See page 17
16
An example of a image from our first PORTFOLIOS session with digital work.
Another a image from our first PORTFOLIOS session with digital work.
The author captures just the right look during PORTFOLIOS.
One of the four-image promotional pieces we place on Facebook and on our blog promoting PORTFOLIOS.
PORTFOLIOS Continued from page 16 We have books full of posing ideas to help them decide what they’d like to try. They are encouraged to bring a friend with them to share the session. I love working this way. I like to stay on my feet with no down time while I wait for someone to change clothes. I have found that I am at my most creative in “go, go, go” situations. It is high energy, which I love. It helps keep this 51-year-old feeling a little younger. In our first four PORTFOLIOS, we photographed 23 clients, ages 13 to 28.
A tenth-grader has a proper headshot created during a PORTFOLIOS session.
f/’s stop Continued from page 12 A PORTFOLIOS senior
ciate degrees in photography. “Considering our location in Hickory, the Western Guild would be a great opportunity. They get to go to Imaging USA as volunteers,
this would give them a preview of local opportunities.”
17
New PPNC dues proposed for 2013 It could be one of the biggest overhauls in the history of the Professional Photographers of North Carolina if the PPNC Board of Directors votes to approve the changes to its membership categories and the entire dues structure as proposed by the PPNC Long Range Planning Committee. In the proposal, members would be defined in one of three categories: active, student or retired. Members would no longer be required to hold business or sales tax licenses. PPNC would continue to have honorary and life members. The proposal would make many members happy and could entice photographers to join (and old members to rejoin).
The dues structure would be modified as follows: For $320, a photographer would receive membership, convention and attendance at all three seminars. For those wanting only membership and the convention, the cost would be $225 For membership only with no convention and no guild meetings, the cost would be $99. If a member decides he or she wants to attend the convention after they have already paid the $99, the cost would be $100 per day or $175 for four days. Seminars would be $95 per person per seminar. Each additional member from the
Join fellow professional photographers for local, peer-to-peer education featuring the topics that interest you – posing and lighting, digital retouching and workflow optimization, sales and marketing strategies, and more! Dozens of studios from coast to coast will open their doors on and around October 15, 2012, as they offer their knowledge and expertise to PPA’s Super Monday attendees:
Beach Portrait Photography Course #NC05 With Ellen LeRoy, M.Photog. and Leslie Ann Mills. Register on-site for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: Ellen LeRoy Photography Home Studio, 208 Old Cove Road, Emerald Isle, N.C. 28594 252-725-3262
Location Lighting Course #NC08 With J. Marshall White and Robert Blackwell. Register on-site for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: Creative Portraits, 108 Vandergrift Drive. Jacksonville, N.C. 28540 910-347-9220
Emerald Isle
Photoshop Composites & Painting Course #NC02 With Mona Kay Sadler, M.Photog. and Adrian Henson, M.Photog.MEI, CPP. Register on-site for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: Coastal Pet Portraits, 103 Oak Leaf Bend, New Bern, N.C. 28560 252-745-1055
Greensboro
Complete Workflow in Lightroom: From Import to Sales Course #NC07 With Lori Unruh and Jeff Poole. Register on-site for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: The Shoot Space, 5552 Carolina Beach Road, Unit A, Wilmington, N.C. 28412 910-399-6790
Apex
Intermediate Techniques for Better Photography: How to Drive Your Camera & Flash Course #NC04 With Steven Jamroz and Brian Mullins. Register on-site for $120 (space permitting – contact instructor). Location: Brian Mullins Photography Studio, 108-B North Salem St., Apex, N.C. 27502, 919-414-0869
Durham
Taking the Mystery Out of Lighting Course #NC03 With Ellis Williamson. Register onsite for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: Ellis Williamson Photography, 228 Hickory Glen Lane, Durham, N.C. 27703 919-598-6571
18
Emerald Isle
Beginning Portrait Photography Course #NC06 With Ellen LeRoy, M.Photog. and Leslie Ann Mills. Register on-site for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: Ellen LeRoy Photography Home Studio, 208 Old Cove Road, Emerald Isle, N.C. 28594 252-725-3262
Shooting Like a Pro Course #NC01 With Christopher Goette. Register onsite for $120 (space permitting - contact instructor). Location: GOETTE Studios, 1155 Revolution Mill Road, Studio #11, Greensboro, N.C. 27405 336-847-7628
same studio would receive a 25 percent discount on any of the above fees. First-year new members who have never been a PPNC member before would pay the following dues: membership and convention would be $112.50 while membership, convention and all three seminars would be $160. These dues would only allowed once in a lifetime. Retired and student dues would be $90. Pay-by-the-month would be charged $1 per month as a handling charge. Members of the Long Range Planning Commitee include Victoria Kelly, Craig York, Paul Wingler, Bruce Williamson, Ken Tart, Mona Sadler, Rose Mary Cheek and Cassie Stone.
Jacksonville
New Bern
Wilmington