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
*** Jackson Koontz Kaye Newsome
*** Spencer Smith Jason White
*** Lidia Miller Steve Clark
*** Shauna Denney Gil Brady
*** Rose Mary Cheek Rose Mary Cheek
South Carolina
*** David Junker Gregg Martin
Tennessee
*** Dorma Tabisz Barbara White
Virginia
*** Jim Carpenter Robert Holman
Article & Ad Submissions 5th of every month OnLine Publication 20th 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
Delaware
Mississippi/Alabama
District of Columbia
North Carolina
www.ppsgw.org
www.ppofnc.com
Florida
South Carolina
www.fpponline.org
www.ppofsc.com
Georgia
Tennessee
www.gppa.com
www.tnppa.com
Maryland
Virginia
www.delawarephotographers.com
www.marylandppa.com
SEPPA is a regional affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America and hosts an annual District Image Judging. To learn more about PPA, click HERE.
www.ppma.net
www.vppa.org
West Virginia www.ppwv.org
“I HAD TO” Christine Walsh-Newton, M. Photog., Cr., CPP *MWAC = Mom with a camera, M. Photog. = Master Photographer I am impressed by befores and afters. If someone is trying to convince me of the results and effectiveness of their methods or system, I want proof. Just like the diet and exercise infomercials, it’s all just blah blah blah until I see the before and after photos. This photograph was taken in 2007, a year before I joined the PPA. The subject is my youngest son, Dave, shortly after he received his first official police officer job. He came to the studio in his new uniform to create an image to celebrate the occasion. I was a part-time newspaper and wedding photographer who only knew enough about photography to properly expose for ambient light.
I knew I needed help. Enter PPA, stage left. To make a long story short, I joined the PPA and became actively involved in PPAbased education, joined my state affiliate and pretty much never looked back. In 2009 I became a Certified Professional Photographer, in 2012, a Photographic Craftsman and in 2013, a Master Photographer. I began competing in image competition in 2009 and entered my first IPC in 2010. Now, that little list of titles may not sound like much, but to those of us that have earned those various certificates and degrees, it represents a heck of a lot of work. Months of study, many classes, speaking engagements and flat out hours of minion labor all tallied up over time to complete all the requirements. At the end of each of these individual journeys, I was a better photographer, a better member, a better person. As I continued to compete in image competition, my level of knowledge grew, which helped me refine my skills behind the camera. And then it was 2015. As I packed for IUSA 2015, my son’s community was hit with tragedy. Two elderly residents, a married couple, were robbed, abducted and murdered. A double homicide. And as I headed for Nashville, a nationwide manhunt was underway for the people that had committed the crimes. I was scattered at IUSA 2015. I constantly
checked my messages and the national news in between classes and events. The murderers were fleeing from Ohio, robbing gas stations as they traveled south, leaving a trail of fear where they went. I constantly checked in with my son to see how he was doing. I knew that this investigation was very different from anything he’d ever had to do before. My mind constantly replayed the news channel video of the crime scene and grisly thoughts kept me from sleep. I was worried. Very worried. I knew he was seeing things that no mother ever wants her son to see. And for the first time, I was having difficulty with my son’s chosen profession. When I returned from IUSA, with a couple of new lighting concepts I wanted to explore (thank you, Tim Kelly), I began to plan out an image of therapy for me and my “mama angst.” And this is the result: Same subject, same studio, same equipment, same photographer. What isn’t the same is the level of competence exhibited – and that is a direct result of the education and guidance I have received through my PPA membership, education and image competition participation. Creating this image served a personal need for me – it was the first time I created an image from within – when my heart was breaking – and each time I look at it, my heart still floods with emotion. And pride. Because it was this image, this experience – that made me feel that I’d finally become an artist.
If it hadn’t been for the classes, the shooting safaris, the webinars, the Super 1 Days, the conventions, the plethora of mentors and instructors that I’ve been privileged to learn from over these last 7 years, I would have never been able to create this image or excel photographically to the degree I have. I have seen the difference. I am the difference. Thank you, PPA.
“I Had To” was chosen for the IPC 2015 Loan collection and was awarded the 2015 PPA Northeast District Kodak Gallery Award and Ohio’s J. Anthony Bill trophy for Outstanding Portrait. It will advance to the 2015 Kodak Gallery Elite competition this fall.
Christine is a portrait photographer and owner of Gallery C in Dover, Ohio. She is a co-author of “The Daily Book of Photography” and authors “Wootness: The Big Girl and Guy’s Guide to Starting a Photography Business.”
“From the phone call to the wall” Ring, ring, ring. It's a great day at York's Studio.
Karen York, Cr. Photog., F.Ph
“This is Karen; how may I help you today?” When we have inquiries over the Internet, I send a message and encourage them to call us at the studio so we can answer all their questions. Our goal is to find out what our potential clients are looking for and to help them achieve that. Most of the time they really don't have a clue what they are looking for, they just know they need and want something. It is our duty to find out and ask the questions that they don't know to ask. The most common questions are, “what are your prices” or “can I just get a CD?” We ask what type of session they are planning family, beach, children, engagement, bridal, or wedding. There are different collections that fit each of these categories. We always want our clients to know the average cost of these collections. We are print artists who operate a wall portrait studio. Too many times we hear that people get a CD and never do anything with the images. We believe that with all the effort that goes into our art pieces that they deserve to be enjoyed without having to start up a computer, iPad or phone.
We are very particular about the art of printing, such as paper and canvas quality, along with the preservation of inks and sprays. Today, everyone wants to get the best possible customer service. It is very difficult to just do all the communicating over the Internet or through texting. We have always believed that if we could talk and meet personally with clients we could see exactly what they want and gain rapport. We encourage them to come visit us at our studio for a fortyfive minute to an hour chat. We sit down, get to know each other, ask questions, show examples and see what they like and dislike. We are the ones initiating the deeper conversation to learn more about them and their portrait needs. We are designers and it is our responsibly to help create a masterpiece and collect all the details to pull it all together. When all the little pieces are formulated into a plan, on the portrait day all concentration is on composition and great expressions, and of course - having a great time. The magic can truly happen when you don’t have to worry about anything! First, we ask if there is a special reason for the session. Is there a certain time frame for the session? Where would they like the session to be created - at the studio or at a specific location? Is there a theme or certain style to the session? What colors should they wear? Not everyone can pull off the same colors - this is where knowing color palettes for certain skin and hair color works best. What season of clothes? What style clothing works best? Do they want particular props or furniture in their session? Do they have a vintage car, farm equipment, special place in their yard, or something that has special meaning to them? There are so many things that go into creating a wonderful heirloom portrait. Second, is there a specific place you are wanting to display your portrait, or grouping of portraits? Does it need to be vertical or horizontal to fit your space? This is very important before you begin the portrait session. If the space is a two story fireplace, a
horizontal portrait is not going to fit properly. So we must plan the session accordingly. After the initial planning in the studio, we offer to set up a time to come to their home or office to see the places they are thinking of displaying the portrait. We measure and photograph all the potential areas in their home or office. This helps with knowing colors schemes, style of furniture, colors of wood, and most of all - the correct size with framing that will fit into those areas. We want to be sure that the portrait is not too big or too small. We place the images and the measurements of the rooms into Time Exposure’s ProSelect for ordering. After the session, in about ten days, we have the clients come to our studio to see and place their order. We will project about 50 images, depending on the type of session. We will show a slideshow and then start the edit process of picking favorites, starting with the wall portrait or gallery collection first. ProSelect has an easy process to keep images organized in three categories; favorites, maybe, and hide. Once this process is completed, we can then show these images on the wall in their home with the room view mode. Having the measurements of a couch or fireplace plugged into the program allows us to show how a portrait will fit in a specific area in a room. Several framing companies that we work with have sample frame sets to download to use in this software. This makes it so there is no guess work to figuring out the right sizes. We try to keep faces at least three to five inches so the viewer can easily look up and enjoy the expression without having to get up and walk closer to the portrait. One of the best features about this software is that when an image is ordered you add it to the shopping cart. This cart keeps a running total including the sales tax of what images, sizes and finishes are ordered. Plus, notes can be made for specific retouching instructions. When we have orders placed in the studio everything goes smoothly. Once an initial order is placed, we will then put images online for seven days for other family members to order. There is a prepaid retainer of $250.00 that goes toward the online order. ProSelect is used for our album and card designs. We can show clients an example of what it will look like before it is printed. Great for add on sales of their the favorite images. We do not want our portraits left to chance. From the initial phone call to the wall, we are there helping our clients all the way through the project. Planning is the key to success, from the phone call, consultation, home or office visit, planning a theme or
location, picking clothing color and style, choosing the portrait, framing and matting selection, retouching and color enhancement, printing a quality image and to actually delivering the portrait. We are there to help our clients the whole way on their journey to owning their own masterpiece.
Karen and Craig York own York’s Photography Studio with two locations in North Carolina--one in Whitsett and another studio in the coastal area of North Carolina in Columbia. In addition to being a photographer, Karen is an instructor for Photoshop, ProSelect and retouch/restoration. Got questions? Write Karen at khyork68@gmail.com
“Building an Editorial Calendar” Victoria Kelly, Cr. Photog., CPP, F.Ph. A few months ago I wrote an article about the importance of an editorial calendar and why you should use one. Since that time I’ve received several emails asking for some tips on how to create one from the beginning. As fourth quarter is just around the coner and with it the holiday selling season I’m going to share with you my editorial calendar for September with my version of tips to get you started. I have a new website and blog via Photobiz and I wanted to do a soft launch to get it out in the webosphere. I have the following in my social media arsenal: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram. I decided that I would focus on three: my blog, Facebook and Twitter. In my research I know that Tuesdays are the days that most people read emails…so I decided that I would use Tuesdays to make a weekly post on my blog. (And if I decide to do more than one per week, that’s okay, too.) Facebook updates would occur mostly on a random schedule (because I’m there ev-
eryday anyway) and Twitter posts would come on Wednesdays. I also made the arbitrary decision to publish a white paper to LinkedIn weekly. Now that I knew what my schedule would be my next decision would be the hardest: deciding what content to include. I made a list of every topic I could think of that could be relevant to my audience: (keep in mind that the audience across all my social media is different) Business portraits, holiday cards, graduation cards, gift certificates, family portraits, senior pics, meetups, teaching…you get the idea. Since fourth quarter is my busiest time of year I knew I wanted to concentrate on what would bring me business during the last three months of the year—family portraits, holiday cards and gift certificates. Here’s what my blog post calendar for September looks like:
September 1: October portrait event, session fees discounted 50% September 8: We’re still doing senior pictures for Class of 2016 September 15: Wrap up a memory: holiday cards and gift certificates September 22: Are you a member of any meetups? September 29: October portrait event, family portraits You’ll notice that on the second and fourth weeks of the month I included secondary topics---senior pictures and meetups. I wanted the first week of September and the last week of September to be entirely on the October portrait event coming up.
My Facebook feed, as I mentioned earlier, was more random. I’m on Facebook every day and I post mainly what comes to mind…I’m not really concentrating on keeping to a set schedule primarily because most of my studio regulars either aren’t on Facebook or pay very little attention to it. My Twitter feed looked like this: (okay, it “sort of” looked like this…) September 2: September 9: September 16: September 23: September 30:
October portrait event Gift certificates Travel Senior pics Meetups
My LinkedIn calendar looks like this: September 1: September 8: September 15: September 22: September 29:
Find the right photographer Business portraits Value of pictures Teaching: my business class New Year’s Resolutions
To be completely honest here—I haven’t started my LinkedIn white papers yet, preferring to start those in October so that I will have a dual presence on both the blog and LinkedIn. You’ll also notice that the posts scheduled on LinkedIn mention nothing about the October portrait event or holiday cards. Those posts are concentrating on abstract concepts like finding the right photographer, the importance of business portraits and so on. I have also started a phone campaign to my regular studio clients and those I haven’t seen in the last two years, mentioning the new website, the new blog and family portraits. Now, the big question: Is it working? It’s too soon to tell yet but I can honestly say that my phone is ringing and email inquiries are coming in. I will update you with some specifics in December!
Find us on Facebook: SEPPAonline