Delaware President
*** Jim Hill
George Singleton gsingleton@SEPPAonline.com
1st Vice-President
Kevin Jiminez kjiminez@SEPPAonline.com
2nd Vice-President
Mary Fisk-Taylor mfisktaylor@SEPPAonline.com
Secretary-Treasurer
Janet Boschker jboschker@SEPPAonline.com
Salon Exhibition Chair Executive Director
Jessica Vogel jvogel@SEPPAonline.com
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Rick Gibbons ExecutiveDirector@SEPPAonline.com
S out he r n E x p o su re
Souther n Exposure magazine is an online publication of SEPPA and is published monthly. Editor V ictoria Kelly vkelly@SEPPAonline.com 919.818.0726 Ad Sales & Business Manager Rick Gibbons ExecutiveDirector@SEPPAonline.com 336.687.1943
Maryland
Mississippi/Alabama
North Carolina
***Anthony Maril Joe Tessmer
*** Cindy Strickland Jackson Koontz
*** Spencer Smith Jason White
*** Lidia Miller Steve Clark
*** Shauna Denney Gil Brady
*** Rose Mary Cheek Rose Mary Cheek
South Carolina
*** David Junker Patty Hallman
Tennessee
*** Dorma Tabisz Barbara White
Virginia
*** Jim Carpenter Robert Holman
Article & Ad Submissions 5th of every month OnLine Publication 20th to 29th of each month SEPPA 3710 North Main Street High Point, NC 27265 336.687.1943 Acceptance o f a d v e r t i si n g d oe s n ot c a r r y w i th i t en dor se m e n t b y t h e p ub l i sh e r. Opi ni o ns expre sse d b y Sout h e r n Exp osure o r any o f i ts aut h or s d oe s n ot n e c e ssa r i l y refl ect t h e p osi t i on s of t h e Sou theaster n Pro fessi on a l P h ot ogr a p h e r s A ssoc ia t io n . Asso ci ati on f i n a n c i a l i n f or m a t i on avai l a b l e up on re q ue st .
West Virginia
*** Pat Dodd Brent Kepner
*** state president SEPPA representative
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District of Columbia
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“CONGRATULATIONS! WHAT’S NEXT? Christine Walsh-Newton, M. Photog., Cr., CPP
There's a gap in the competition year. It's a time when we all sit back and rest on the laurels from International Photographic Competition [IPC]. We celebrate our successes and secretly wait for more. Between the end of IPC in August and the occurrence of IUSA in January – there's a bit of dead air while we wait for more wonderfulness to occur. So we hold our breath and cross our fingers and hope the wonderful news doesn't stop. I find myself in that position right now, and I bet a lot of you do, too. Even though IPC is over and I know what my results are, there's still more left to experience. The images designated as loan and showcase book images are being designed and sent to print. Just this past week, loan book proofs were sent to the makers. After both books are finalized, they will be printed and available around the same time as IUSA. And then we get to experience that surge of joy and pride as we see our winning images in print. It's pretty exciting and brings back those hot days in August spent in front of the com-
puter screen as we watched the judging and listened to Jury Chair Mark Garber say “LOOOOAAAANNNN!” [And secretly hoped that our images would go loan on Mark's panel so we could hear him say that].
judgings and asking for feedback from their fellow judges with affiliated status. A fellow juror-in-training suggested the brilliant idea of listening to yourself judge in any events that were recorded. I think I'm going to be trying that tactic out, myself.
Anyone who won an industry award during the year will be awaiting news of further honors since all of the Kodak Gallery Award winners are advancing to another level of competition for the Kodak Gallery Elite Award in December that will be announced at IUSA. Sunset LexJet winners will also be involved in an advanced competition and anyone that was fortunate enough to have a loan image this year will also be waiting for news about the Grand Imaging Award nominees, which will also be announced at IUSA.
Photos of PPA Elite and Elite Plus packets were showing in my social media stream last month and just recently I've seen ones of the new PEC 50 bronze bars that are being introduced.
Fall is when the merits for the year are tabulated and degree recipient hopefuls are notified if they have reached the required merits for their degrees. When those letters come, it's more great news and time to pick a sponsor, order a tux or new dress and prepare the press release because this one's big. If that's you, congratulations! [And please try to attend IUSA to have your degree conferred in person – it's a little bit of a bummer to get in in the mail]. The American Society of Photographers [ASP] is currently reviewing applications for its advanced degrees. The Fellowship Applications are finished and judges are in the middle of judging the Educational Associate Degree theses. Earlier this month, the applications for PPA affiliated jurors were due, and those appointments have already been made, as well. Those applicants that did not pass should be scheduling more state-level
In a nutshell, there's a lot of waiting going on. Slowly, but surely, we will eventually be apprised of the outcome of all of the decisions that still hang in the balance. Some of the news will be tough and some of it will be joyous. I'd like to address what we are doing while we are waiting. And simply, I'd like to say... Congratulations! What do you have planned next? This [competition] year is over. What will happen, will happen. GIA award winners have already been decided and the World Cup Team for USA has been finalized. There's nothing that hoping, praying, crossing your fingers or holding your breathe can do to change the results that are already in play. You have done your part. So, while you are waiting for news, I want you to start on THIS year. Because what you are currently interested in and waiting on is from LAST year. Don't sit back and relax and wait for the accolades. Start on this year's projects. Set your goals for image competition and education. Decide
the challenges you will present yourself in order to grow your skill set. Slap the glove down and go for something. Anything. The key to success is to keep working at it. Winning and doing well, while a wonderful and heady thing – is not the end of the road. Success comes from consistent performance. Doing well once is a great thing – but doing well most of the time is a testament to your work ethic. Let's not be “one hit wonders”. By the time IUSA is over and we're back in our homes and studios, it will be mere weeks away from the first PPA District Competition of the year. And I'm afraid that's going to catch a lot of you off guard.
choose from instead of doing a last-minute creation. There's something to be said for pulling a merit image out of nowhere at the last minute and joy-of-joys, sometimes those last-minute bits of magic even go loan. But stop and think bout how much more could be done, how much better of an entry we could have created had we utilized a little bit of time management. If your goals are not image competition related, then begin on those now, or continue to work on them. Deadlines are mere details in the grand scheme of things and your efforts should be continuous, not all lumped up around the deadline date.
It's best to be working on image competition and career goals on a continual Continual improvement is my goal, what's basis. Once your entries are in for a comyours? petition, don't sit back and see how they do, continue to work on your next idea or concept. You never know, you may need it yet this year, or you may be able to put it in your folder of possibilities for a compe- Christine is a portrait photographer tition down the road. and owner of Gallery C in Dover, Ohio. She is a co-author of “The Daily Book of I began working on my 2015/16 images Photography” and authors “Wootness: almost as soon as my IPC entries were The Big Girl and Guy’s Guide to Starting a submitted this past July. It's the only way Photography Business.” I can keep ahead of things. As with most competitors, I have found myself facing a deadline smack in the face without having enough entries for it. Then I'm caught up in that cycle of pulling all-nighters to re-touch images at the last minute, and shamefully – I've even photographed a session the day before the deadline. I don't think I will ever rid myself of the temptation of wanting to change out an image at the last minute, but I'm making sure I at least have other possibilities to
PPA CHARITIES Tina Timmons, President, PPA Charities
“PPA members committed to being a positive change in the lives of others”. That is the mission statement that PPA Charities abides by each year as PPA members help change the lives of countless people in need. Since its’ inception, PPA Charities has donated more than 1 million dollars to various charitable foundations and deserving causes. Whether it has been helping member photographers financially, after natural disasters and crisis, such as hurricane Katrina, providing scholarships to promote education, providing the necessary funding for surgeries for facial deformities, or providing clothing and shelter for orphanages, PPA members continue to make a difference every day through their work with PPA Charities. It’s really an honor to be PPA Charities President. As we continue our support to Operation Smile, we’ve also added other fundraising efforts to the mix, such as Dando Amore. In addition, this year we provided one educational scholarship for each PPA Affiliated School. We start each year with the opening event at IUSA and our annual auction. 2015 marked the first annual Dream Studio Giveaway- literally the most exciting thing I’ve been a part of….. with Michigan’s own Jim Hoover winning over $30,000 worth of studio equipment, software and supplies. Our first ever 5K brought a
health conscious aspect and thousands of shoes have been collected and donated to orphans in need.
made in the amount of $240. This equals the cost to repair a cleft palette of a child through Operation Smile.
We’ve started “The PPA Charities Impact Award” to recognize members’ photographic talent. All you have to do is make a donation during your district and/or at IPC and you are eligible to be honored with this distinction.
In addition, members attending the program were asked to make a donation instead of paying a fee to attend the class. $500 additional was raised with little effort.
The intention of the award is to bring further awareness of the good works that can be done through charitable giving, in addition to encouraging all photographers who continue to strive to increase their abilities through print competition. Impact can be achieved through the emotion of a portrait or wedding, the vast beauty of nature, or the intrigue of an artistic interpretation. Many studios do cooperative marketing with businesses in their area to raise awareness and concentrate efforts with fundraising in mind. There are two times per year that PPA Charities offers specific programs, Celebration of Smiles Day in the spring and Family Portrait Month in the fall. One thing people need to understand is that every dollar counts. If an event raises $100 or $1000 it all adds up. With a group the size of PPA combined proceeds can change the lives of many people. There are many ways individuals can be involved in charitable giving. One local photography group, MMPPA, invited world renowned Photographic Artist Helen Yancy to speak during a monthly meeting. In lieu of a speaking fee, a donation was
At the PPM State level, Nichol Krupp, another charitable minded Professional Photographer, gave a program on how to incorporate these ideas into your business. She shared her personal experiences and how her mission trips have affected her life and business. A collection was taken at the end of the program, $250 was raised. PPM member and photographer, Melonie Walker, came up with a plan to play her senior models and high school rivals against each other to see which school can raise the most funds by a certain date. This project is still in progress. Last year our studio collected over 1200 pairs of shoes, just by asking 6 local businesses and the high school to be a drop off points. Spreading the word with flyers at the grocery store and on social media brought these shoes to those in need. PPA Charities has also started a Speaker Team in an effort to help promote awareness while connecting states in need of program talent. Any PPA speaker can apply and are only asked to offer one complimentary program per year. The group is asked to cover all of the speakers’ expenses, while the speaking fee is waived. The speaker is asked to show a PPA Charities show at the beginning of the program and to take a collection at the end of the program. This
is a win-win for all involved, providing top quality programming while collecting additional amounts to be donated to those in need.
Portrait Month, don’t forget to buy your Dream Studio Giveaway Tickets, and keep us in mind for your end of the year taxable donations.
Our Affiliate Ambassador Program is striving to put a representative in each state and local group. We are setting up a structure and system for incredible communication, expecting that it will help us be amazingly efficient in educating everyone about PPA Charities. These ambassadors will serve as the spokesperson between members of the affiliate and PPA Charities. Let us know if you are interested in becoming your state PPA Charities Ambassador.
One of the most exciting moments every year is watching the faces of those who receive donations from PPA Charities at our celebration event at IUSA.
Diversification has been an ongoing effort with paperwork in place for any individual or group to apply for funds. This process will enable PPA Charities to continue to grow their giving reach. We currently have several new fundraising ideas in the works. Our trustees are very passionate in their efforts to raise funds to donate to anyone in need. With all of this information we hope you will consider including PPA Charities as your giving partner. We encourage you to share your success stories, fundraising ideas, and any other thoughts on our facebook page. Please go to ppach.com to fill out the formstack information to let us know how you are interested in helping. A huge Thank You goes out to all of our Vendor Sponsors, volunteers and donating members. It’s not too late to get involved in Family
This is a wonderful time to see all of your hard work pay off, while also enjoying an evening of fun, fellowship, and fundraising. Please join us at IUSA as we work together for positive change. PPA Charities: the many ways we make people smile!
Tina has been involved in photography since 1983 and joined forces with her husband, Michael Timmons, in 2000, after owning individual studios. Together, they own The Portrait Gallery and Gallery 143 in Michigan.
Up and Coming: Alli Luihn Alli Luihn, HS Senior, Cardinal Gibbons HS Hi, I'm Alli Luihn. I am 17 years old. At my high school, I am taking a course in photography and I have been making photographs for 4 years. I'm really interested in high fashion photography and also portraits. For my Photography Honors Project I needed to follow a theme. The theme I chose was Society. I was sitting in my car at lunch with Paj (pronounced like paige) and asked her thoughts about my project and how she looked at society. She looked at me and told me a story about how she was bullied for being who she was. After being told this I wanted to capture her anger and sorrow in a photo, but also show her strength. Paj is an incredible person inside and out. I really wanted to translate that through my lens and on to a photo. Recently issues of racial inequality have been prevalent on the news and a huge issue in our society. I feel like our society tells you to be yourself, while simultaneously tearing us down for doing just that. I wanted this photo to show, along with Paj's strength, that being yourself doesn't mean you are not equal. Cardinal Gibbons High School is a college preparatory school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. We embrace the mission of Jesus Christ: to form men and women of faith, service, and leadership in church and community.
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