April, 2016
The TAPPA Tribune Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association
Contents President’s Message
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Where the Money Is
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Selling 4 ADVERTISE 6 Let’s Talk Painter
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This Month’s Program
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TAPPA Image Salon - Portrait
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TAPPA Image Salon - Social Function
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TAPPA Image Salon - Commercial
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TAPPA Image Salon - Electronic Imaging
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TAPPA Image Salon - Unclassified
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Upcoming Events
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Print of the Month Rules
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Introducing the new PPA Business Challenge!
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Board of Directors
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On the cover: Image Salon Best of Show by Michael Landes
Visit TAPPA on FaceBook
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Photo: Randy Van Duinen
President’s Message
Greetings all Here in Florida we are well into Spring and often feeling like Summer, while much of the country is just getting their first taste of the possibility of Spring with all it’s new promises. Spring is a great time to clear out all your old studio props and plan for the new season. What were your new Year’s Resolutions? Did you promise yourself that you would be making any changes to your business plan or your artistic goals? Now is the time. Spring has also sprung at TAPPA. We have our first Salon of the year under our belt. Thank you to all who entered, all who worked it and to our 3 judges. The meeting following the Judging went very well and everyone was very appreciative of the constructive comments from the judges. As with all competitions you should always remember that your score was the opinion of those three judges on that particular day. Listen to what the judges say and if it feels right, use it. If you hear something that flies in the face of your own personal aesthetic or artistic plan, you might want to stay true to yourself and you might be willing to adapt to how the judges see things. That is your decision. Be open to learn but also be willing to stand by something you believe in. Some of you are already involved in PPA competitions by entering SEPPA. Next step for is IPC. Those that received the Seal of Approval at SEPPA will still need to remember to enter and pay for IPC in order to get the actual merits. There has been a big disappointment for the board for the past three months it had nothing to do with scores. A disappointment was over how many people RSVP’ed to attend the meeting and then never showed up. When we get an RSVP, we
take you at your word, and order a meal for you. That means that TAPPA has to pay for the meal whether you attend or not. By offering a reduced cost for those who RSVP, we thought that we would be giving members a chance to save some money. We are now losing money on meetings because of this. The board will decide at our April board meeting. That In order to RSVP you will have to pay for your meal at the time you RSVP. if you pay by check it will have to be into TAPPA Treasurer’s before the cutoff date prior to the meeting. If you need to cancel, you can do so by the day before the meeting and have that money held as credit toward the next meeting. Let me know you have read this by telling me that you are aware of the new RSVP procedure. Benjamin Todd, CPP, FED TAPPA Tribune
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Selling
Where the Money Is Here’s where the real money is in this business.
By Chuck Vosburgh, CPP
There’s a saying that the fortune is in the follow up. It’s true. Learn it, believe it, trust it and do it! Here are three scenarios that require prompt follow up:
1 Someone contacts you
2 Someone isn’t ready right now, but says they will be
3 Someone isn’t ready right now and there’s no telling when or if they will be
Someone contacts you Your business is competitive and every day is a race to the prize. Imagine your phone rings and you’re not able to answer it. The clock is ticking... Do you really think that in this day of instant gratification they are going to patiently wait for you? Maybe, but don’t count on it. Eventually they’ll go to the next person. Most people know more than one person who do what you do. The big question is how long before they do? No one knows because every contact is unique with
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different people and different circumstances. Maybe it’s a day or two or maybe it’s five minutes. It’s a race. Tick tick. I’m not going to bore you with numbers, except for this one: If you respond in less than five minutes, your chances of closing increase by over 2,000%. I know what you’re thinking – there’s no way I can do that! You’re right you can’t, not every time, but understanding this is a race should motivate you to try. Even if you don’t have the answer, follow up letting them know you got the message and will get right back to them so they know they’re on your mind. That will stop them from getting with anyone else. Then make sure you follow through. I’ll give you a way to automate this step later in this article.
The prospect isn’t ready right now, but says they will be Imagine you speak with someone who doesn’t need you right now but in your conversation you discover that they will in October. Put it on your schedule to start calling the first of October to set it up. Most salespeople don’t bother to do this and business is lost because of it. Don’t rely on
the customer to remember to call you back. That’s your job.
The prospect isn’t ready right now and there’s no telling when or if they will be This is the kind of follow up that usually doesn’t get done very well and there’s tremendous opportunity for you if you will do it. For these kind of prospects all you need to do is stay in their mind. You can do it by following up with them on a monthly basis. The key to this is to not rely solely on bulk emails, newsletters or anything that’s not personalized to them. Break it up into emails, calls, texts and regular mail and schedule it. It takes constant contact to stay in someone’s mind well enough so that when they need your services, they think only of you.
Here’s how to make it happen It’s a lot of work to follow up and the business goes to whoever does it best. The only way to be successful is to be organized with it. If your to-do list has due dates and reminders available use it. Another option is to put it on your schedule and
block out time to do it. I schedule the time so I’ll be sure to do it. It’s also important to keep notes on your contacts. Every contact management app has a notes field. Get in the habit of using it so you’ll remember what you said and when. You’ll sound like a genius next time you speak. Chances are this is more work than you’re doing now and you’re already busy. Remember, your income will depend in large part on your ability to follow up! If you’ve read this far, you deserve my secret to having the appearance of following up within five minutes to every phone call. I have my good friend and fellow TAPPA Member Gerardo Luna to thank for this... It’s a phone app called Auto SMS. When it’s set up and turned on, if a phone call is missed, a text will be sent in a predetermined number of minutes. Mine says “Got your call, I’ll get back to you shortly”. You can even set it up to do the same with texts. It lets the caller know that you are on top of things and will be following up. Just be sure you follow up. How do you stay on top of follow-ups? Call me at 727.743.1740 or email me at Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com.
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Picture Yourself in Your Next Home Finding the perfect home for you and your family can be time consuming and if you don’t know the latest real estate laws, it can get frustrating. Why do it alone? Or hire a stranger? Hire a team you already know and trust! Chuck and Pat Vosburgh are the Realtors with an eye for finding the house you will love. With more than 20 years of combined experience in the Tampa Bay Real Estate market, we make the process of buying or selling a home easier and a lot more fun. Chuck Vosburgh, Realtor 727.743.1740 cell Chuck@VosburghandVosburgh.com Pat Vosburgh, Realtor 813.220.4898 cell Pat@VosburghandVosburgh.com
125 5th Street South Suite 202B Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
VosburghandVosburgh.com
Each office is independently owned and operated.
Visit us on the web at TAPPA.org
ADVERTISE in the TAPPA Tribune For information and rates, contact Chuck Vosburgh at Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com or call 727.743.1740
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This Month’s Program
Keith R Mills
Let’s Talk Painter
Keith will show the ins and outs of Painter and how to transform your images into works of art . Cloning and freehand painting styles will be demonstrated in and easy and direct manor . Keith will also cover how to create Oils, Watercolors, and pastels from your file step by step.
Keith R Mills Artist, Photographer Keith opened his Studio in 1972 in Spring Lake New Jersey specializing in Wedding and Portraits. As a graduate from Newark School of Fine Art with a major in Illustration and a strong background as an artist, His love for painting has never diminished and has continued to paint through out his career.
Meeting Details Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Social 6:00 Dinner 6:30 Program 7:00 Register online at TAPPA.org Doubletree Hotel 4500 W. Cypress St., Tampa
The adaptation from canvas to camera and film was a natural one. The transition has gone full circle, Now semi-retired and living in Vero Beach he now enjoys painting on a regular basis in his chosen media of watercolor.
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Keith has received many State and National Awards of excellence for his photography, including 2 PPANJ Best in Show, 8 Kodak Gallery Awards and Several Masters Loan Prints at PPA, He holds both the Distinguished Fellow of Photography Degree, Distinguished Fellow of Service Degree and Life Membership in the PPANJ. A Past State President of PPANJ and Central Jersey Chapter in PPANJ. Extensive lecturing and teaching through out the North East at States and Local Regional Levels, A PPA Super Monday Instructor for several Years. Currently teaching the techniques of painter Since Painter 5.5 and Photoshop. Member of Professional Photographers Association of New Jersey. Member of Professional Photographers of America. Member of the Vero Beach Art Club Received MASTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY in 1990 Received PHOTOGRAPHIC CRAFTSMAN in 1994 Received MASTER OF ELECTRONIC IMAGING 2007
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TAPPA Image Salon - Portrait First place: Michael De Martino
Print of the Month - Portrait Second place: Robert Sargent
Print of the Month - Portrait Third place: Robert Sargent
TAPPA Image Salon - Social Function First place: Booray Perry
TAPPA Image Salon - Social Function Second place: Booray Perry
TAPPA Image Salon - Commercial First place: Randy Van Duinen
TAPPA Image Salon - Commercial Second place: Christine Reynolds
TAPPA Image Salon - Commercial Third place: Michael Landes
TAPPA Image Salon - Electronic Imaging First place: Randy Van Duinen
TAPPA Image Salon - Electronic Imaging Second place: Randy Van Duinen
TAPPA Image Salon - Electronic Imaging Third place: Randy Van Duinen
TAPPA Image Salon - Unclassified First place: Michael Landes
TAPPA Image Salon - Unclassified Second place: Amanda Pratt
TAPPA Image Salon - Unclassified Third place: Randy Van Duinen
TAPPA Image Salon
Best of Show Michael Landes
Upcoming Events
Print of the Month Rules - Prints are to be mounted.
Tuesday April 12, 2016
Keith Mills
Tuesday May 10, 2016
Booray Perry
June 12-15, 2016
Florida School Tuesday June 21, 2016
Salon Competition Tuesday July 12, 2016 To Be Announced
More information on all of these events can be found in this newsletter and at TAPPA.org
- Size: 8x10. - Electronic Imaging size can be two 8x10 taped together on the back and spread open for viewing. - Three entries per member each month. - There must be at least three entries in a category for that category to be included in the monthly competition. - All entries MUST have your name and the category you wish to enter on the back of the print. - Prints must be turned in before 6:25 pm. Prints received after 6:25 will not be accepted!
Winners: - Please send your winning files to POM@TAPPA.org for the newsletter as soon as Possible. Deadline for publication is one week after the meeting. - Name your files by your last name-place-category. For example Smith-1st-Portrait.jpg - Any resolution 1000 pixels on the longest side or greater is acceptable. JPEG format is preferrable.
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Introducing the new PPA Business Challenge!
By James Yates
You already have the art of photography down, but is your business where you’d like it to be? If you find yourself wanting to learn how to boost your bottom line, the new PPA Business Challenge is for you! The Business Challenge provides photography business owners with the information and tools they need to develop the foundation for a more profitable business over the course of one year. Not only do they receive the tools required to make changes to their business, but also step-by-step instruction and support from PPA mentors as they implement these changes. We all know that photographers are entrepreneurs, small business owners with a passion for their craft. We also know that many photographers open their studios as artists, more often than not, not having gone to business school, nor carrying a finance background. It is part of PPA’s mission, as a nonprofit, to help our members understand and implement the basic business principles needed to maintain a sustainable studio. The Business Challenge is meant to be a fun, interactive way for PPA members to integrate as much business acumen as they can in one year’s time. There is
work involved, as this “challenge” is meant for photographers who are serious about wanting to take their business to the next level. Participants will have tasks to complete and the opportunity to be active members of accountability groups and peer-to-peer mentoring. “PPA’s business advice is based on years of experience and successful business mentoring,” says Angela Kurkian, Director of Education at PPA. “The new Business Challenge will help our members be more businessconfident. It will help them think and strategize as a savvy business person.” Kurkian began brainstorming the concept of the Business Challenge over two years ago and an earlier form of the program debuted as the “Studio Makeover Challenge” at this year’s Imaging USA in Atlanta. When she started noticing the average photographer needed business help, Kurkian knew it would be a difficult road for many members but she asks everyone keep one question in mind: ‘How does change feel?’ “This is going to be a big change for these artists, and change is difficult. But when you decide to create change, change occurs all around you.” Two small business owners/photographers (Krista
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Newbill, Wes Roberts) were chosen to go through a year-long business boot-camp with some of the best studio owners in the industry as their mentors. Throughout 2015, the two participating studios’ strengths and weaknesses were evaluated, their definitions of success were taken into account, and their top five goals for the year were contemplated. From this, five leading photographers including Mary Fisk-Taylor, M.Photog.Cr.,CPP, ABI, API, Dave Doeppel, CPP, Ashley Brooke, Greg Daniel, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, F-ASP and Kristin Privette, who all run successful studios, called and consulted with the participants all year, coaching them on implementing new steps for their businesses. These steps included setting new sales goals, creating appropriate pricing strategies and outlining a marketing plan, among others. “Your business doesn’t have to look like any one way or one thing,” Kurkian says. “That’s why we wanted to show different examples of how these businesses can maintain their unique identity while still implementing changes that will increase their profits and make them sustainable. The program was a success and we decided the
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next phase for this project would be to expand it to all 29,000 of our members.” PPA’s Business Challenge is free to PPA members (Not a member? Consider joining today!). The Challenge includes tools to understand and develop the foundations of a profitable business with: • A month-by-month, step-by-step support system • Answers to the most vital business questions • A personalized success and business plans • Lists and guidelines to help prioritize • Inspiration and help to stay focused • A framework to avoid getting overwhelmed • Accountability partners with other photographers with the same challenges
The TAPPA Tribune is published monthly for the membership of the Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association. Its purpose is to share knowledge and insight with the photographic industry. The deadline for submission of articles and ad changes is the 15th of the month. Permission is hereby granted to reprint the contents of this newsletter, provided the authors and The TAPPA Tribune are recognized as the source. The ideas and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association; they are solely those of the author.
Editor: Chuck Vosburgh 300 62nd Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com 727.743.1740
Want to join the Challenge? Sign up today at PPA. com/Challenge any time. When you join, you’ll be put into a Challenge Group beginning on the first day of the following month. Then, for the next 12 months, you’ll work on your personalized success path. Not only will you receive the tools required to make changes to your business, but also step-by-step instructions and support as you implement these changes. These smaller sized groups create a community of peers for you to share and mentor with as you go through the same program together. Sign up today to begin your Challenge Group on April 1st and Be More Business Savvy!
Advertising: To advertise in the TAPPA Tribune, please contact the editor for rates and distribution information.
Meetings: TAPPA monthly meetings take place the second Tuesday of the month at: Doubletree Hotel 4500 W. Cypress Street Tampa, FL (one block east of Westshore Blvd). Networking Dinner Meeting
6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm
Register online at TAPPA.org
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Board of Directors
2015 OďŹƒcers President
Benjamin Todd
813 431-2873
Benjamin.Todd@verizon.net
Vice President
Glenn Nielson
Secretary
Karen Barnett
Treasurer
Amanda Pratt
727 308-9200
pratt1ak@gmail.com
Past President
Susan Black
813 230-6472
Susan@Bespics.com
Directors
Booray Perry
813 728-7110
Booray@BoorayPerry.com
Christine Reynolds
813 760-0831
ChristineR@aol.com
Melissa Sewell
813 230-7092
Melissa@DontBlinkllc.com
Chuck Vosburgh
727 743-1740
Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com
813 968-2810
Kevin@NewsomesStudio.com
glenn@picsintheglenn.com
Committees Delegate
Julie Johnson
Membership
Kevin Newsome
Program
Glenn Nielson
Salon
Gerardo Luna
Door Prize
Glenn Nielsen
Scholarship
Carol Hackman Terri Daunic
727 867-9254 813 839-2860
HackmanC@tampabay.rr.com terridaunic@yahoo.com
Audio Visual
CJ Moment
813 244-6716
cj@annointedproductions.com
Newsletter Editor
Chuck Vosburgh
727 743-1740
Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com
Photographers
Booray Perry Christine Reynolds
813 728-7110 813 760-0831
Booray@BoorayPerry.com ChristineR@aol.com
Web Master
Booray Perry
813 728-7110
Booray@BoorayPerry.com
Hospitality
Pat Vosburgh Chuck Vosburgh
813 220-4898 727 743-1740
Pat@VosburghandVosburgh.com Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com
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glenn@picsintheglenn.com 813 410-1712
gerardolunaphotographs@gmail.com glennln@verizon.net