Southern Exposure November 2010

NOVEMBER 2010

ONLINE PUBLICATION ONLINE PUBLICATION OF SEPPA OF SEPPA

OCTOBER 2010

2011 Convention Speakers Revealed Shooting Stadium Cover Art: Chariot Races “The Calm Before the Storm”

by Brian Idocks

Kevin Newsome

Chairman of the Board

kevin@newsomesstudio.com

Mary Alice Ross

President

maryaliceross@gmail.com

Doug Peninger

1st Vice-President

ncdoug01@triadbiz.rr.com

Joe Tessmer

District of Columbia

***Cherilyn Nocera Terri Crownover

Florida

George Singleton

2nd Vice-President

george.singleton6@verizon.net

Secretary/Treasurer

***LaRita Hulsey Sally Jackson

Georgia

Anthony Rumley anthony@anthonyrumley.com

Randy McNeilly

Print Exhibition Chair

***Don Engler Peggy Parkinson

Delaware

***Vanessa Ard David Corry

Maryland

randy@mcneillyphotography.com

Thomas McCollum

Executive Director

***Darrell Ivy Gil Brady

Mississippi/Alabama

seppa@bellsouth.net

Southern Exposure Southern Exposure magazine is an online publication of SEPPA and is published monthly.

Editor Doug Peninger NCDOUG01@triadbiz.rr.com 336-883-7104 Ad Sales & Business Manager Thomas McCollum seppa@bellsouth.net 888-272-3711 Article & Ad Submission 5th of each month On-Line Publication 1st of each month

***Sherry Whitt Janet Boschker

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

**Wilber Jeffcoat Jimmy Wood ***Kendall Mathes Jan Wilson Robert Holman

Virginia ***state president representative

SEPPA

2712 Marcia Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30044 888-272-3711 www.4seppa.com

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Acceptance of advertising does not carry with it endorsement by the publisher. Opinions expressed by Southern Exposure or any of its authors does not neccesarily reflect the positions of the Southeastern Professional Photographers Association.

Additional information of state events within the SEPPA District can be found using the state links below. Please view their websites by clicking on the web address and you will be re-directed.

Delaware www.delawarephotographers.com

District of Columbia www.ppsgw.org

Florida

Mississippi/Alabama www.ppma.net

North Carolina www.ppofnc.com

South Carolina www.ppofsc.com

www.fpponline.org

Georgia

Tennessee

www.gppa.com

www.tnppa.com

Maryland

Virginia

www.marylandppa.com

www.vppa.org

SEPPA is a regional affiliate of Professional Photographers of America and hosts an annual District Image Judging.

To learn more about PPA, click the logo below.

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Tick, Tick, Tick Do you hear that?

It’s louder than it has ever been.

Wait, there it is again!

Friends, the holiday season is approaching quicker than any of us dare to admit.

The countdown... Thanksgiving, Hannakuh, Christmas and the New Year is well under way.

Just yesterday, I told a client it was October 28.

I could feel a deep lump in my throat as I realized what that meant. It was only 8 weeks to Christmas. EIGHT WEEKS!!!

I have promised myself to not have a panic attack and live in “5th Gear” from now until then.

It’s important to breathe, have a plan, execute the plan and make the most of it.

In the November issue of Southern Exposure, you will learn more than you can imagine. The tips and techniques presented will lead you to be a better photographer, business person and citizen.

So, with all that in mind, open up the attics and storage closets. It’s time to “Deck the Halls” and “Ring in the Cheer.” Take some time and enjoy the view of the loved ones around you.

Carpe Diem

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It’s not too early to start making your hotel reservation for the 2011 SEPPA Convention.

The host hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn. Room rate is $125 per night.

The hotel is a simple crosswalk away from the Classic Convention Center.

Their direct number is 706-353-6800. http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=AHNDTGI

thePages southern exposure november 2010

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Kevin Newsome

12

Joyce Wilson

14

Cheri MacCallum

16

SEPPA Convention

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Suzette Allen

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1 9 10 20 26 34 38

White House Custom Color PhotoFlex CCI Lab

Master Class

Painting a Landscape Shooting Stadium Cropping Tricks

Rick Gibbons

Folks: Pam Long

Janel Pahl

The Gift: Epilogue

Jamie Hayes

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Mary Fisk-Taylor

Light Modifiers

To Frame or Not to Frame

Attend

Millers ProPhoto

Webinars

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Showcase

Academy Productions

Victoria Kelly

Christmas Cards

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Shop

Learn

11 17 21 27 30 35

2011 SEPPA Convention SEPPA Chariot Races Imaging USA SEPPA Hotel Reservations Maryland North Carolina (PPNC)

“The Artists”

by Stephanie Garr 5

Victoria Kelly

My calendar says it’s the first week of November, and, like you, I’m experiencing the crescendo of holiday madness.

I figure by now I’ve heard “The Twelve Days of Christmas” a bazillion times and I’m watching the clock until my studio closes for its long winter’s nap.

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This month we’re talking about holiday cards--I’m assuming you offer them to your clients and if you aren’t, you should be!

I’ve designed special holiday collections for my clients that include just a few loose prints with the emphasis on the card itself. I even have a special frame that I offer (think of those holiday ornaments that have the year on them) for displaying the front of one of the cards. I sell my clients on the idea that their cards should be part of their seasonal decor and many tell me that seeing some of their old cards around their home brings back happy memories of holidays past.

Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty...pay attention, please, because I’m going to lay some pretty radical thinking on you.

Here’s radical thought number 1: It is not a sin to sell your holiday cards at cost. Before you flip to the next page thinking that I’ve lost my mind, hear me out--90% of my clients are mailing their cards to people in my local area. ALL of our cards go out with my “VK” logo on the back...so that means that someone who LIKES my work (my client) is sending out an image that I created AND they are putting the stamp on it. I ask you, what’s not to like? Last year my clients ordered approximately 4,000 cards--and that’s 4,000 little advertising pieces with my work that cost me nothing to send. Radical thought number 2: I don’t charge my clients for “design time” to create the card. As you well know if you follow my articles regularly, I’m all for efficiency when it comes to creating things for my clients. Each year I purchase the entire set of holiday designs from Charmaine Check at www.checkartstudio.com and get them ready by putting my logo on the back on each card. Her designs are just beautiful--classy, elegant and in a variety of formats, both flat and folded with a tri-fold or two that will satisfy even my most discerning client. They’re extremely easy to customize if I need to and I know my holiday season will be a little less stressful with Charmaine’s designs at hand.

By now I’ve trained my regular clients to start thinking about their holiday session in October...many of them call me in September to get on the calendar and want to know when they can see the new cards. (Charmaine usually unveils her new collection in early September.) I even have a few clients who call with the “tell us what to wear, where to be and when to pick up our cards” and that’s pretty wonderful, too.

My lab of choice for printing the cards is WHCC and I must tell you they totally ROCK the holiday season! Their turnaround is beautifully fast, the colors are perfect and the linen cardstock that I choose is definitely eye-catching. Yes, I almost always use the linen cardstock. Why? Because most holiday cards aren’t. Occasionally I’ll choose the pearl cardstock if the image warrants it, but not very often.

So...if you’re wanting to keep your five gold rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and that rascally partridge in the pear tree, kick it up a notch when you’re thinking about those holiday cards. You can smile to yourself and tell Santa how good you’ve been this year.

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The SEPPA Board of Governors, at the annual meeting in Franklin, TN, approved the all new SEPPA Degree Program.

The Southeastern Photographic Fellowship is now a reality!

You can earn your new SPF Degree in two categories.

The orange ribbon will be with a concentration in print credits.

The purple ribbon be with a concentration in service to the organzation.

Both options will be complemented with education and or service credits.

You may also, achieve both ribbons separately for a purple and orange ribbon.

SEPPA will post the Credit Chart and submission forms at a later date.

Be sure to check back. All events, beginning April 1, 2010 will be eligible to submit for credit.

Major news networks and magazines all have editorial features.

SEPPA is lucky to have our very own Kevin Newsome.

Kevin is featured each month as he gives us his latest rant. Some things may hit home, some may be surprisingly poignant. When it’s all said and done, it’s just Kevin’s opinion and he thought he should share it.

We, at Southern Exposure, hope you will enjoy this month’s installment of “A Few Moments With...”. This month, WEBINARS. (Click on the title, WEBINARS, and you will be linked to the video.)

How much time do you spend learning about photography? Think about it.

Tuesday, March 29 8:30 am - 5:00 pm limited to 40 registered students

Master Class Beyond Portraiture

Are you searching for inspiration and new direction?

If so this is a day you will not want to miss. Joyce will share photographic and art techniques to add to your repertoire, and help build your reputation as an artist.

Demonstrations and assignments with the emphasis on creativity and concept will stretch your imagination and help you develop unique images and products for clients…competition prints that rock…and portfolio collections for gallery shows.

Joyce has maintained a philosophy throughout her career of “One for Thee – One for Me”. This philosophy served her well as she was able to satisfy her client’s needs and continue to experiment and grow as a creative artist. Joyce’s enthusiasm and passion for art and her ability to teach and guide students is legendary.

You will be introduced to a variety of processes: pastel fusion and oil painting on digital images…creating digital negatives for Cyanotype, Van Dyke and Polymer Photogravure…collage and acrylic transfers…hand made albums and accordion booklets, and Photoshop techniques to elevate your work to another level. Not your ordinary workshop, this day of discovery will take you on a path Beyond Portraiture into the elusive realm of fine art and new visions.

Assignments to continue after the workshop day, marketing information and hand-outs will enable each student to continue experimenting and challenging themselves on their personal journey.

JOYCE WILSON Joyce Wilson is an artist who consistently produces images with creativity and imagination, and continues to surprise and delight her many followers. After a long and successful career based in Indianapolis, Joyce moved to Santa Barbara in 1996 and served on the faculty at Brooks Institute. She left this position in 2006 to concentrate on her personal work, but has recently returned as adjunct faculty to teach the popular Beyond Portraiture class.

Joyce has lectured and taught at photographic conferences throughout the world for the past 40 years. She is a M.Photog.Cr. and Fellow of the American Society of Photographers and was awarded an honorary Master of Science from Brooks Institute. In 2003, the International Photographic Council honored her at the United Nations with the distinguished Leadership Award, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Photographers of America in 2006.

Joyce’s work is featured in solo and group exhibitions, and is part of the permanent collection at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, and the Sherman Hines Museum in Nova Scotia. Recent exhibitions include the Rossignol Cultural Centre, Nova Scotia, Canada, Larson Art Gallery, Columbia College, MO, Ami Gallery, Indianapolis, IN, Samy’s Camera Gallery, Santa Barbara, and the Faulkner West Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA.

REGISTRATION This is a separate registration in addition to the normal SEPPA Convention registration.

All registrations must be completed by February 15, 2011.

Required: PPA Master of Photography Degree Call Tom McCollum, SEPPA Executive Director and provide the information listed below.

Checks and Credit Cards accepted.

Call SEPPA at 888-272-3711

Tuition: $89.00 per student in advance.

Name____________________________________________ email_____________________________________________ website___________________________________________ PPA Number_______________________________________

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Cheri MacCallum We are presenting the next painting project over several months. There are several steps and we want you to be able to spend as much time as necessary to learn the techniques. Be sure to read upcoming issues to see the completion of this project.

While you know I dearly love the macro florals I also like to take a step back and take in the “bigger” picture with landscapes! I really got more interested in landscapes with my first trip to Yellowstone. You can’t help but be in awe of the grand scale of that place and doing justice to these incredible scenes is a difficult thing to do, but I love learning more about landscape photography along the way.The image I will paint here is from a recent camping trip to beautiful Cades Cove, TN. We went out on bikes early one morning and rode to Sparks Lane where this image was taken. This is just one of many wonderful views in the park. Not long after we rode off we got drenched by a rain storm. No sacrifice, no reward…right! It was hard to settle on one image for this project, but finally the peaceful feeling I get from this scene won out.

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I’m starting with a processed, retouched image where I have already done levels and curves adjustments (image_01).

In Corel Painter, I open the image and the very first thing I do is go to file/clone (image_ 02). The reasons for this are very important. First, I don’t want to paint on the original image so I create a second image, a clone, of the original retouched image. Second, later in the painting if I have really messed things up, I can clone back to the retouched image. Since Painter doesn’t have a history like Photoshop does, this kind of serves as our history to go back to. Third, in the first part of the painting, I will be cloning color and density to create our “under painting”. In a traditional painted piece, many artists will start with an under painting where they first only paint blocks of color and density. The details slowly get built up through out the rest of the process until the desired amount of detail has been reached.

After I clone the image, I’m going to go to file/save as and re-name it “paint” (images 03 and 04). Just a note…Be sure you save the file in the correct folder. Painter has a sneaky habit of going to the last folder you saved to, and might not be the one you are in now. I have two images open, the “retouched” image and the “paint” image. Next is very important, I go to file/clone source and make sure the check mark is next to the “retouched” image (image_05).

image 03

image 01

image 02

image 04

Be sure to see the December issue for the next installment of Painting a Landscape. image 05 15

sunday, March 27 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Bambi Cantrell vs. John Woodward This is the live program you have always wanted to see!

Two master photographers photographing live, in front of an audience.

A panel of judges. A host. A secret prop.

Only one can reign supreme as the best.

You get a front row seat to this exciting event. This will be like nothing you have ever seen at a photographic convention.

Bambi Cantrell and John Woodward will go head to head in battle as they show you all the knowledge they have.

You will be inspired, You will be captivated by the energy.

You’ve just got to be there!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!!!

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Saturday Evening In the Courtyatrd

Show Your State Pride!!

Each state is onvited to participate in the 2011 Chariot Races.

Custom create your own state chariot .

Get a red wagon and fix it up!

The creation is completely up to your team.

Each state team will consist of a rider and 4 Puller-Pushers!

Contact Tom McCollum, SEPPA Executive Director and Register now! It’s complimentary!

State__________________________________________ Team Rider___________________________________ Four Member Push Team_____________________ ________________________________________________

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The new CS5 is a big plus for photographers, AND for those who hate change! One thing I love is that it looks so much like CS4 and nothing major has been relocated!

PLUS, there’s a LOT of great bells and whistles that have been added to make life so much easier and more creative! I’m super excited to start this series of Smarticles about all the big benefits coming your way! If you are on the fence, jump over now!

You will love it!

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The first and easiest changes to embrace and enjoy are the Crop & Straighten Tools! Straightening and Perspective cropping was never easier!

Let’s start with the Ruler tool and it’s new Straighten button!

We used to have to straighten the file, and then manually crop to straighten. But now, just choose the ruler tool (which is STILL under the eyedropper! (yay!) and drag your segment along a line that should be either vertical or horizontal.

(See Photo 02)

photo 02

Then look at the option bar for the ruler tool and you will see a new button! The Straighten button. Click it and Voila!

(See Photo 03) I love it when it is that easy! It just trims off all the unusable parts for us!

photo 03

photo 04

Next, we have two new Crop Tool Features! When you drag your crop, you will now have an option to show Rule of Thirds or Grid! It doesn’t show up until you draw the crop, but as soon as you do, the option bar changes to let you select your choice from the dropdown. Here I used Rule of Thirds to perfectly center with no eyeballing!

It’s great for composing with power points too! (see Photo 04)

Perspective has been there a while but few knew where it was hidden or how to use it! Now, you can choose Grid from the dropdown on the crop tool, and you will have a handy grid overlay on your image. All that is needed is to pull the corners in to match the angle of your buildings or subject and hit Enter….so easy and visible! This is the view from our Dorm’s Patio at West Coast School last week in San Diego! What a beautiful campus and incredible weather all week! The school is held on the amazing USD campus on the hill overlooking San Diego, but the campus itself is spectavcular! Here is another image of the building next to the dorms taken at 5:30 am with a bit of HDR added (which I will cover very soon!)

I used the perspective crop on it too, but I’m thinking I liked the drama of the tilt better……hmmmm….

What do you think?

Rick Gibbons

When Pam Long was a child, just like most of us, she waited anxiously during recess as team captains chose the players on the school sports teams. She was rarely drafted in the first round so her confidence in her athletic abilities was not very high… “please, just don’t let me be the last one chosen…”

In fact, her ability was better than most; her confidence just needed a boost. Now Pam’s children are standing in line waiting to be chosen, but she has instilled in her children the confidence she lacked in grade school. Recognizing that all kids need that self-esteem, she and a partner established ABC Jamboree. The original plan was for her partner to bring the programming to the table, Pam to contribute the business savvy. Their partnership lasted only a few months, but Pam’s drive to make ABC Jamboree a successful company has lasted nearly two decades. She has built her business while working with child care centers, Parks and Recreation Departments, churches and before & after school programs, focusing on oneyear-old to ten-year-old kids, giving the center the option to vpay for their services and include it in tuition, or let parents sign up and pay individually. ABC Jamboree is in about eight schools locally with more showing interest every day.

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Making playtime and exercise fun is the priority, using age specific activities to teach them that movement is FUN! “If children, at a young age, are introduced to movement, dance, gymnastics and sports and given the tools and the knowhow, there is less chance of a sedentary lifestyle.” The little ones have a great time “reaching for the stars” or “picking up snow.” Two or three songs get the group dances going with an extensive list of equipment, but nothing compared to the cost of maintaining a studio. “Children work with many types of equipment including tumbling mats, balance beams, mini trampolines, hula hoops, parachutes, target games, relay games, rhythm sticks, obstacle courses, bean bags, bowling, track, jump ropes, broom ball and much more. Children learn how to warm up and cool down before and after exercising, how to work as a group - teamwork and cooperation skills, how to have fun with fitness, how to be confident with their own creativity and imagination.”

About now, you are wondering when it occurred to Pam that this particular “foot in the door” could lead to partnering with the centers for photography? That’s in the future when she has more staff to maintain the family-work balance. She hopes to eventually expand to after school programs with older children in community schools. She recently hired another instructor who is great with kids, so the future looks bright.

Her constant challenge is to excel at anything she does, never be just mediocre. A great role model for her kids…all her kids.

After resigning a job with Marriott in 1992 to put fulltime energy into ABC Jamboree, Pam was teaching 30 classes a week until taking time off in 2003 to have her first child. It is becoming increasingly difficult for her to juggle the schools, her studio and her family. Her duties as secretary of the Maryland affiliate also keep her busy. Pam says, “Though it’s a challenge balancing family and two businesses, I have found that with good time management, a positive attitude and a helpful husband, it can be done. But now that my youngest just started kindergarten, some of my evening hours and weekend hours will translate into a moment or two of relaxing time or “me” time as people often refer to it. I used to be an avid runner, ran several marathons. I love hitting the trails or the road, listening to some good music or motivation cds and clearing everything out of my mind. But like many people, I put myself last when there is a time crunch and I’ve definitely had a time crunch these past several years.”

to contact Rick Gibbons with a nominee for features in your area rickg@triadbiz.rr.com or call 336-883-7104

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Editors Note: November brings us the final installment of Janel Pahl’s thesis: “The Ultimate Gift.” This completes a year-long journey. Janel Pahl has graciously given permission to the editor to reproduce her thesis and images for Southern Exposure Magazine. It has been an honor to produce this beautiful opus along with the images, which inspire us all.

To read the thesis from the beginning, download PDF’s of previous magazine issues.

We are proud to present the epilogue.

“I think we need to plant that bulb over here in the sunlight, instead of in the shade” Janel said gently to her daughter Casey. With a pinched up face, Casey finally agreed. “We’ll make a little nest in the ground for your bulb. Grandma Ruth taught me how to plant bulbs and now I’m passing it on to you Casey. I am sure she is watching us from heaven right now and she is very pleased. With lots of sunlight and water this will turn into a beautiful flower in a few months.” Casey pondered this a minute then replied “Sunlight makes flowers pretty just like sunlight makes your photographs pretty.”

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It was at that point (around 3:00 a.m.) that I decided to go with my heart and do what I loved best. Photographing women; mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters. I realized that this project was not just about what I had done in the past, but what I am capable of doing today. All of the experience of the past creates in me what I am today. Many of the images are from my past, but also many are new photographs that have not been shown before. I believe in the integrity of an image and I have tried to have that theme pass through all of the photographs. Lighting plays such an important role in my work, but the light projected from within each subject has been my goal. This “project” has opened up a whole new style within me. It has given me permission to follow my heart, to project the female and her relationships with tenderness, beauty, style, love and honesty.

I was so fortunate to be loved as a child by my parents, especially my mother. Her love, beauty and tenderness have influenced my photography and me to this day. When I first started putting images together for this project, I found myself with about 50 prints to choose from. I started showing them to all different sorts of people, not just photographers. There were several artists, business people and good friends. I asked them to choose their favorite 25 images. A pattern seemed to be appearing that I wasn’t aware of until a photographer friend of mine pointed it out. He had pulled out images that were all feminine, My thought was “don’t we need to round this out a bit and include Dads, families and boys? His reply was “Why? Your feminine images are the strongest”. His words started my brain moving that day and well into the night. I had been trying so hard to make sure I had a well-balanced portfolio of images, that I was compromising many of the photographs.

You may contact Janel Pahl at janelpahl@aol.com or visit her website at www.janelpahl.com

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CONVENTION HOTEL RESERVATIONS It’s not too early to start making your hotel reservation for the 2011 SEPPA Convention.

The host hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn. Room rate is $125 per night.

The hotel is a simple crosswalk away from the Classic Convention Center.

Their direct number is 706-353-6800. http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=AHNDTGI

This month we explore the use of light modifiers in speckled, splotchy sun light. What happens when you must create a photograph in less than ideal lighting conditions?

photo 1

photo 2

Photo 1 was created with only the speckled sunlight through trees, notice the splotchy light on the subject’s face and the sharp edge transition from highlight to shadow. If we correct this image for the highlights the shadows will be blocked up and if we correct for the shadows we will over expose the highlights. Either way, to fix the lighting in this image we are looking at a lot of Photoshop time.

Photo 2 is the result of adding a strobe with a small soft box metered at one stop under the sun “filling in the shadows” although this does add light to the eyes and does lighten the shadows we still have over exposed highlights on the clothing and we still have a spottiness to the light on the face.

Photo 3 was created with a translucent panel placed between the sun and the subject. ( setup photo 1.) I opened the aperture to compensate for the loss of light created by the translucent panel resulting in an increase in exposure to the background and foreground flowers. Notice how light on the subject is now very even and diffused, shadows are now spread over a greater area of the face giving the illusion of brightening them as well as flattening out the planes of the face.

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photo 3

Photo 4 is the result of using a translucent diffusion panel between the sun and the subject and adding the strobe at exactly the same strength as the now diffused sun light (setup photo 2.) Notice how smooth, diffused and even the light on the face appears. This is very similar to the same quality of light you would expect to see in open shade with this strobe. Notice how bright the eyes are and also notice that you still keep some of the roundness to the face.

photo 4

photo 5

Photo 5 utilizes the translucent panel but this time we have used a 10 inch silver reflector just under the face to bounce some of the raw sunlight back into the face but because of the size of the reflector only the face received illumination (setup photo 3.) This type of fashion lighting will yield a bit more edgy look to the face and eyes because of the direction of the light for directly underneath the face.

Photo 6 was created exactly the same as photo 5 only using a gold reflector instead of silver. The overall golden tone of

this type of light is great for blondes.

photo 6

Camera: Canon 1DS Mark III Lens: Canon 35-350 L Series 3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens set at 140mm and 210mm Exposure: Photo 1: 1/200 sec @ f/6.3, Photo 2: 1/250 sec @ f/6.3, Photo 3: 1/100 sec @ f/6.3, Photo 4: 1/125 sec @f/6.3, Photo 5: 1/85 sec @ f/7.1, Photo6 1/85 sec @ f/7.1 All images 320 ISO RAW File Capture and jpeg (for viewing purposes only) Light Meter: Sekonic L-358 Light Modifiers: 17x17 Larson Soff Box, Creative Light Diffusion disc 95cm, 10 inch gold and silver reflector ( this was a registration gift from WPPI many years ago, photographers never throw anything away!)

Strobes: Profoto Acute 600B in 17x17 soff Box

Hayes & Fisk: The Art of Photography 804-740-9307 www.hayesandfisk.com jamie@hayesandfisk.com

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#1. Fear of framing prints:

For some reason photographers tend to be scared to death of putting a frame around a portrait. Not sure why but this was the number one reason. My answer and solution to this dilemma is initially, get over it! However, I do understand being afraid of something new and different. Plus the time constraints and space that this new product line could potentially take up in your studio is overwhelming.

The answer is now easier than ever. Most labs and/or frame companies offer very easy to use and reasonable services that allow you to choose frames from your ordering software. This way your portraits arrive printed, framed and most of the time boxed and ready for delivery. No framing or storage required!

Great news and as long as you are including the price of the frame and faming service in your cost of sales then you will find that this will become a very lucrative profit center in your very own studio.

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#2. Bad experience with a frame company: Okay I get it. You went to a trade show or lecture and bought into a frame company and their products was inferior, the delivery time was too long, etc. I understand this problem.

As business owners we have all had this happen. It stinks but it is just the nature of doing business.

Be open-minded to other companies. Ask to speak to the owner or manager and explain to them the problems that you have experienced in the past, and what you expect from your frame company in the future. Let them know up front that your expectations need to be met or you will not do business with them. Get out on the forums; ask your mentors or other business owners for referrals. Do your homework and trust that you will find the right company for you.

#3 Have a relationship with a local framer:

Great, I am a big believer in working and using locally owned businesses. I love this problem, because it is not a problem.

Unless!! Unless you are working with a local framer and paying too much which quite often is the case. Local frame companies are not as competitive with their pricing and tend to over charge or oversell their frames.

Make sure that you speak and work directly with the owner.

Show them the type of pricing that other companies and/or labs are offering and make sure that they can match it or at least be close. There is no reason for you to pay consumer prices to a local framer when you can get wholesale prices elsewhere.

In closing, I want to mention one of the best reasons to offer framing in your studio. You should know that it could be a great moneymaker. In our portrait studio we sell enough frames over the course of a year to cover 65% of our general expenses. That is great news for our bottom line.

But, my favorite reason to sell frames is that I am proud to deliver a finished product to my client. I don’t like sending them home with an unframed or unfinished portrait! What are they going to do with it? It is going to go home and sit naked/frameless on a chair or the floor in their house or they are going to give their money to someone else for a frame. My clients can go home with a portrait ready to hang or better yet we will stop by and hang it for them! So, the answer is to FRAME!

Mary Fisk Taylor mary@hayesandfisk.com 1-804-740-9307 Twitter @maryfisktaylor facebook - maryfisktaylor

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Brian C. Idocks Brian is a Wedding Photographer based in Tampa Bay and has quickly become one of the most sought after Wedding Artists in his area. He has photographed weddings for over 20 years. Brian’s unique style of print finishing along with his romantic approach to photographing weddings have set him apart. He speaks to guilds throughout the state as well as teaches classes on a variety of topics at his in home studio. Brian strives to promote the profession of photography and has a website dedicated to sharing knowledge with other professionals. Brian was named a 2009 Professional Photographers of America (PPA) International Photographer of the Year. He was included in the FPP “Top Ten Florida Photographers” for 2008 and 2009.

The Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association awarded “Photographer of the Year” to Brian for 2007, 2008 and 2009. He also received “Bay Professional Photographers Photographer of the Year” for 2008 and 2009. In 2007 he received his PPA Certification. He gave a Super Monday for PPA in 2008 and lectured at Fall Seminar 2009 for FPP. Brian is a member of TAPPA, BPPA, PPGMF, FPP and PPA. He serves as delegate for PPGMF, is an officer on the board of directors for BPPA and is a wedding advisor for TAPPA.

“Calm Before the Storm�

Note: Images chosen for the cover of Southern Exposure are first place, distinguished or other award winners from the annual affiliated judging.