Nov2013

NOVEMBER 1, 2013 !

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Cover Photo by: Curley Marshall,CPP!

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NOVEMBER 1, 2013

2014 FOTOFEST Enter Early!

Join PPGH on Facebook You must be an Active Member to join Go here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ 384126708299309

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Members Birthdays

Cynthia Blackburn

Nov. 1st

Charles Foster, M.Photog.Cr.,CPP

Nov. 3rd

David Frazier

Nov. 6th

Carver Civers

Karl Baltz

Nov. 9th

Nov. 13th

Karen Barfield,M.Photog.

Nov. 13th

David Willis

Nov. 19th

David Barron

Nov. 22nd

Sandy Buller

Nov. 24th

Francie Blatazar Stonestreet, CPP

Nov. 25th

Cesar Vargas, CPP

Nov. 30th

The Professional Photographers Guild of Houston 2013 OďŹƒcers and Directors NOVEMBER 1, 2013

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President Greta Jacobs Mee, CPP

Chairman of the Board

Email

Curley Marshall, CPP Email

Vice President Kim Christensen Email Executive Director Tom Hathcock, CPP Email

Secretary Robert Brayton, CPP Email

Membership Director Karen Butts, CPP Email

Teri Whittaker, CPP Treasurer Email

Director at Large Michael Martinez Email

Director at Large Aileen Harding, CPP Email

Director at Large Kevin Falcon Web Master Email

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INSIDE

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Features

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

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November Monthly Meeting

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October Mini Workshop Review

by Aileen Harding, CPP

10-17 Novembers Image Competition 18-20 Market, Book, Shoot

by Marsha Anderson

21-27 30-32

Members Image Gallery Snap Shots

by Cesar Vargus

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New Members by: Karen Butts,CPP

38-39 PPA Tips & Clips The Bull Shark

by PPA Mariah Ashley

4 PAGE! Photo by:Ke!y Wi!is

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NOVEMBER 1, 2013

When things matter, you’ve got one shot.

And there’s no substitute for experience.

When it comes to those once-in-a-lifetime moments—when you’ve got one shot at getting it right—you better make sure the person behind the camera is a pro. A proven professional photographer that is.

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) There’s no greater proof than when the letters “CPP” follow a photographer’s name. They designate a Certified Professional Photographer, someone who is putting in the extra work to stay above the rest. It assures you of this photographer’s professional knowledge and experience, while also declaring that photographer as one who has achieved and maintains a higher standard.

Certified Professional Photographers Give You Consistency. Certified Professional Photographers know how to achieve great results— every time.

Technical Skills. Certified Professional Photographers are more than picture takers.

They are students of art, lighting, posing, fashion and even interior design.

Unique Artistry. Certified Professional Photographers have the skills to create unique, customized works of art—not cookie-cutter pictures. They follow an artistic vision.

It’s your story captured as a collection of art.

Professionalism. When you hire a Certified Professional Photographer, you know you’re getting someone who is willing to go the extra mile to deliver the best possible images.

or just

Learn more at :

/mycpp

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PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA (PPA) PPA is the largest non-profit photographic association in the world.

Created by professional photographers, for professional photographers, PPA is an excellent source for information on what to look for when evaluating photographers. CPPs are proud members of PPA.

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NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Novembers Program is The PPGH Annual Bus Tour

Michael Martinez Studio will our first stop on this years Bus Tour.

2618 Haverhill Houston, Texas 77008 Â Studio # 713.355.5345 From there we will head to three location to be announced at a later date.

Please watch for your email blast for updated notices.

The PPGH annual Bus Tour is always

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PPGH Workshops Continue NOVEMBER 1, 2013 to SELL OUT

Our October Mini-Workshop was such a treat when Cindy Crofford taught us all about “Packaging Your Personality”. Cindy has been in business since 1981. We met at her lovely studio at 12470 Memorial Drive and had the opportunity to enjoy all the gorgeous Wall Art

and products that she had on display. Then we settled into her Camera Room and relaxed while she presented a slideshow that taught us all about branding, packaging and creating an exceptional experience for our clients. She used various high-end businesses as examples, pulling out boxes, bags, tissue paper and cards to show us how the same “look” was used throughout the selling process. We were encouraged to consider the feeling we want to impart to our Clients, and the messages we want them to receive, both consciously and subliminally. Cindy uses Marathon Press for her Marketing material, and shared some of the prod7 PAGE!

ucts they had created for her. She coordinates her color and branding scheme throughout, from her printed marketing pieces to her delivery boxes and tissue paper, all the way to the Thank You cards which she sends following a Client Order.

We had all been asked to bring our own packaging materials and shared those at the end of the program, including resources and feedback on various vendors.

Then Cindy drew names for 4 door prizes!

She had secured 2 copies of Sarah Petty's latest book, a lovely frame and a copy of Farrah's Branniff's new book on photography.

I came away with a renewed appreciation for the importance of making a Client feel special, handling my own products as though they are precious and valuable, (which, of course, they are) and creating a consistent Client Experience. She shared so many great ideas and resources to help make that experience a reality in my own business.

Thank you, Cindy Crofford, for opening your Studio and sharing so much with us. It was truly a lovely evening.

Aileen Harding, CPP Mini-Workshop Action Team

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NOVEMBER 1, 2013

10 Ways to Market Your CPP 1. Display the CPP Certificate Next to Your Images 2. Get the Buzz Going Online 3. Determine How Many Certified Photographers Are in Your Area 4. Contact Your Local Newspaper 5. Prepare a 30-Second CPP Introduction 6. Create a Slogan 7. Play the Numbers Game 8. SEO, SEO, SEO 9. Use an Analogy 10.Tell Your Story

Log on to your PPA web site and learn more about putting these 10 marketing ideas to work for you. http://www.ppa.com You must be a CPP in order to log on to this private web page.

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NOVEMBER 1, 2013

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October Image Contest First Place - Album

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Two Worlds Become One

Leslie Cervantes

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October Image Contest Winners NOVEMBER 1, 2013 Active Members Division First Place

Grandpa’s Old T$ke

Curley Mar"all,CPP

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October Image Contest Winners Active Members Division NOVEMBER 1, 2013 Second Place

Rosie

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Orpha Garcia-Labohm

October Image Contest Winners Active Members Division Third Place Tie

S&lful Jewel

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Karen Bu's,CPP

October Image Contest Winners Active Members Division Third Place Tie

Bird Watching

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Kim Ha(z,CPP

October Image Contest PPGH Merit Image

Emalie

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Karen Bu's,CPP

October Image Contest PPGH Merit Image

Kai

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Kim Ha(z,CPP

October Image Contest PPGH Merit Image

Life’s J&rney

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To)*er at La+

Leslie Cervantes,CPP

Market, Book, Shoot and Sell this Holiday Season “Stuff Your Stocking with the Green that Matters”

By Marsha Anderson Every year, I have a holiday campaign. I start planning and preparing for a prosperous holiday season. But, planning alone won’t bring in the holiday cash. We must put our plan into action and market in a variety of ways if we want to get the clients in the door and the green that matters.

Fourteen Tips on Marketing, Booking, Shooting and Selling this Holiday Season Market 1. Have a specific Goal. Your goal may be to shoot 25 families between November and December.

Write the names down of 25 potential clients and begin marketing 18 PAGE

toward that list. Your list can consist of clients from this past year, your social media list, your email contacts, and more.

2. Have a plan of Action. Make a holiday catalog with your information and some great images in it.

My holiday catalog is an 11 x 17 full color piece with four sides. Put your best family sessions in the catalog, session fees, clothing ideas holiday collections and specialty products.

3. Brand your Look. Order some sample holiday cards from WHCC or Tiny Prints, and have these cards to show your clients. Make some postcards with your local lab to showcase your work. You can do a mail-out or just hand them out everywhere you go. Design some gift cards or gift certificates and include in your marketing. People like to know that they are getting a discount or special. Make sure all of your pieces have a theme that reflects your brand or the look you want to portray.

4. Don’t forget Social Media. Social media is a time consuming and sometimes a pain-but it is necessary. The world thrives on social media. Advertise your holiday campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and your other social platforms. Hosting contests on Facebook is a great idea. You can have a Thanksgiving essay contest, a Black Friday contest and even a charity give-away. Think about it.

5. Utilize your Talents. If you have a website, post your images there and pictures of your items

from your catalog. If you have a blog, blog about your specials and the holidays. Your blog does not have to be about your photography alone. Give people ideas and tips on other things related to the holiday. Your cell phone is a tool also.

A newsletter blast is great. I use Constant Contact.

Book 6. Time to Book. If you are photographing families at your studio, in the park or at your home—know that your time is valuable. I charge a session or booking fee for all clients. They must pre-pay this fee before the session date. If you don’t get a session fee before the shoot, you run the risk of clients cancelling at the last minute—and that is a waste of your good time.

Session fees start at $75.

7. Time to move Forward. After I get the session fee (I take credit cards), I begin preparing the client for the session. I have a consultation (either at my studio or on the phone) and I make sure I am the expert on everything they will need to have a successful and fun shoot.

8. Time to discussBefore Clothing. I talk about what to wear. I even have suggestions on clothing combinations. There is more to life than white shirts and jeans, and red and white. I browse through magazines to get an idea of this year’s holiday fashions and color combinations.

Take some time to do some research on clothing combinations. I become the fashion expert. Be the professional they hire.

9. Time to get Prepared .Know what to Expect. Do your homework. Know how many people will be in the session. Know their ages and the sex of the children. Know what they like, and get to know the personalities of all who will be in the session. When you get to know people before the session, you know what to expect. Some people like to have a great time while others may be more reserved. It sets the tone for the session. Also, you will know what kind of equipment you will need for the shoot.

Shoot 10. Shoot to get the Sale. When photographing a family for the holidays, I have a winning mindset for each family. I know how much I want them to spend, and I know how much I need to average for it to be a prosperous shoot. Shoot the entire family together. Shoot the mom and kids (this is always a winner). Shoot dad and kids. Shoot mom and dad along. Shoot the kids alone. Mix it up and be creative and unique. Don’t overshoot. Just 19 PAGE

shoot with a purpose in mind. Just have fun!

11. Shoot at the right Location.

Let the clients tell you what type of shoot they want. If they want a

studio look, I shoot them at my studio. If they want me to shoot at their homes, I go to their homes (the session fee is more) and if they want location—I choose a location or they can choose. Make sure the client loves the location or you won’t get the results you hope for. People have to love their backgrounds. If I shoot in the studio, I have two standard backdrops. If I go to their homes, I use what they have (stairs, fireplace, backyard, and sofa). On location, I use the landscaping. Be unique!

Sell 12. After the session is over, I give the client a pricing and product catalog to take home. The client can then take a few days to look at what we offer, and have an idea of what to order. I set the presentation and order session (It is not a viewing--not a funeral-lol) Watch your terminology—perception is everything. I give the client three days to choose from to come to the studio for the order and presentation session. It keeps me in control of everything down to the day I will get my money. If you allow the client to choose a day; the client will take forever. And don’t put the images on your site for them to choose from home—that is definitely a losing situation. Stay in control!

13. Give the client a little sample.

Samples are great. Who doesn’t like samples? When I go to Sam’s Club, I get samples, and some samples are so good—I end up buying the product. This is what I do with my photography. After the session, I will choose a nice image and send to their phones or upload to Facebook. This technique becomes two-fold- they can’t wait to to see the others, and they are

showing other people in the meantime—in other words—creating a buzz for your company.

14. Within 7 days, I have them back to my studio for the presentation and order session, and I have that session so organized. I show a slideshow of the session. I also sell the slideshow. I have started offering the slideshow for their IPhone or IPad. But, if they purchase a large amount, I give it as a gift. I use Pro Show Producer. If you do not have a studio, then take your laptop to Starbucks and follow the same procedure. Each client leaves with a gift certificate to give away to another potential client.

Final Tips •

Show portraits, albums and holiday cards. Specialty items are great too like: calendars, coasters and IPhone covers.

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Don't offer too many collections and items--clients get confused and you get stressed.

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I have 4 collections (you may call them packages--I call them collections) and I have an A LA Carte segment, and that is it. The CD is a purchase with a collection. Stop giving your images away on CD. When you give away the CD at a low cost, you diminish your craft and talents.

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Accept credit cards and payment plans—doing this will really boost your sales.

After all final payments have been received; the client gets the order within 7- 10 days after placing it.

The client can pick it up at my studio. Or, I do shipping for a fee.

Shipping starts at $12.00.

Now, you can stuff your stockings with the green that matters.

Happy Holidays!

Members’ Image Gallery

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Eyes for Mama Only

Te$ Wi'aker,CPP

Members’ Image Gallery

Working Man

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Rhonda Floyd

Members’ Image Gallery

Curly and Cute

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Ka*leen Kinser

Members’ Image Gallery

Desolate

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Ka*leen Kinser

Members’ Image Gallery

I want a treat 25 PAGE

Tom Ha*cock,CPP

Members’ Image Gallery

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Moonlight Dance

Francie Baltazar Stonestreet, CPP

Members’ Image Gallery

Jacobs Ladder

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Francie Baltazar Stonestreet, CPP

,e Professional Photographers Guild of H&+on Present 2013 Mini-Work"op Programs

Mark These Dates On Your Calendar Nov....14th “Children…From Consult to Finished Prints” by Buz Marvins, M.Photog,CR. April ..20th, 2014 Mitch Daniels, CR. Title to be announced soon Mini-Program Committee Members: Chairman-Aileen Harding, CPP, Lori Bailey, Vicki Longoria, Vanessa Matthews, Sharon Chandler,CPP, Tom Hathcock,CPP Reserve your seat with

PAYMENT ONLY at the time you make your reservation.

Be sure to register for the opportunity to get inside the heads of some of our most famous and talented members!! From hands on Basic Studio Lighting, to Edgy OCF, to Award Winning Dog Images, to Fine Art Children's Portraiture, to Creating a Client Experience, to Children's Portraiture from Start to Finish and topping it off with an Evening with the Masters...this is going to be an incredible year. These workshops are designed to be an intimate experience where all your questions are answered and you walk away with exciting new tools in your toolbox so be sure to register early because there will be limited seating.

PPGH 2014 Workshops to be announced in the December issue of The Viewfinder

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PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN IN THE STUDIO AND ON LOCATION

Edward “Buz” Marvins

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Buz will speak on lighting and posing, clothing, consultation, and how he works alone on the job.

SnapShots by:Cesar Vargas,CPP

Melanie Hall,CPP

Brazos Valley 2012 Photographer of the Year

VF: What does a photographer need to know before picking up the camera?

MH: A photographer needs to previsualize their image and make a ballpark guess at what setting they should use to achieve an end result with their vision.

VF: What piece of gear is a must in every photo shoot?

MH: For me a camera, lens, and light meter is must have gear for every photo shoot.

VF: Where do you get your inspiration for your images?

MH: I get inspiration for my images everywhere! My clients usually inspire me the most with their personality and clothing selections. However, I also enjoy

watching music videos to get my

VF: Is the image editing soft-

creative mind out of a rut.

ware knowledge as important as

VF: Can you name an admired

your camera gear? Why?

photographer old or new?

MH: Image editing software

MH: This is a hard question be-

knowledge is important, but if you

cause the list is long, but I will

get it right in camera you have a

keep it short: Ansel Adams and

sellable image and really don’t

Henri Cartier-Bresson.

need all the post work, and if you

VF: How have institutions

did you could outsource it.

such as PPA and affiliates has

VF: What new product are

helped you grow in your profes-

you considering to buy or up-

sion?

grade?

MH: Even though I have a

MH: I am considering buying a

bachelor’s degree in photography,

new camera because it has been a

I learned more in a week at Texas

few years and only one of my four

School than a semester in school.

DSLRs are full frame and when I

I would not be where I am without

sent it off for repair I missed it

the education that PPA and their

even though I had backup gear

affiliates offer.

that got the job done. I recently

VF: What do you like to pho-

updated my computer and moni-

tograph the most? Why?

tor.

MH: I enjoy photographing high

VF: What piece of equipment,

school seniors the most because

not gear, you cannot live without

the stress level is low, you can

in a photo shoot?

have fun, and they sit and stay!

MH: If I didn’t have a flash I would have to have a different

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mindset at a photo shoot so it is

student, so it was hard to tell me

MH: Overall I believe that Pho-

hard for me to live without my

anything. When I started, what I

toshop, Lightroom, DSLRs and

Cheetah Auto Light Stands,

did worked great with few clients,

Internet has created a lot of lazy

Flashes, and Pocket Wizards.

but multiple that and the system

photographers that jump in a busi-

business?

failed and it took years to fix it.

ness before knowing their craft.

MH: I wish I knew what I know

VF: Has the new technology

VF: Is video features in your

now when starting my business,

such as Photoshop, Lightroom,

camera an important part of your

more specifically a workflow. Of

DSLRs and Internet created a bet-

purchase? Why?

course, I was a 19 year old college

ter photographer overall?

VF: If you can only take one lens, which one will it be? Why? MH: If I could only take one lens it would be my 70-200 2.8 because it is on my camera most of the time anyways.

VF: What is the most common mistake new photographers make?

MH: I believe that the most common mistake that new photographers make is treating their business as a hobby instead of a means to support their family.

VF: The most critical part of a successful photography business is?

MH: I think organization, vision, customer service, quality product, sales, and consistency is the most critical part of a successful photography business.

VF: What do you wish you knew when you were starting out your

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Cont. Melanie Hall,CPP

MH: Personally, none of my

VF: In your opinion, what is the

because it is a simple image, and

DSLRs have video. I played

piece of knowledge a new photog-

that type of image is requested by

around with it when I rented a

rapher doesn’t have?

most of my bride upon booking.

camera once and the one I got my

MH: I believe that new photogra-

Thus it makes me the green mer-

mom has it. I like telling a story

phers need to celebrate the small

its, and hopefully the PPA ones as

with stills and shooting video is a

and simple wins along the way

well.

whole different mindset.

because learning photography and

VF: Biggest mistake you have

VF: Best piece of advice you’ve

building a successful business is a

ever made about buying gear?

ever heard for your photography

not just a sprint, it is more of a

knowledge?

marathon.

MH: Learn to take photos and

VF: What does a new photogra-

don’t rely on actions to fix them.

pher need to do to respect the pro-

Get them right straight out of the

fession?

camera. Also, don’t buy what you

MH: I think new photographers

don’t need. AKA the black hole of

need to check their numbers and

prop addiction.

make sure they are profiting.

VF: What is next in your

VF: Can you tell us about your

business/profession?

image? Why do you like it?

MH: Next up in my business is a

VF: “Endless Dreams” is one of

plan to make more and work less.

my competition prints. I like it

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MH:The biggest mistake I ever made when buying gear was buying stuff at a workshop because a speaker told me to do it before I really thought how I was going to use it and apply it to my workflow. www.Melonhead-Photo.com Blog: www.Melonhead-Photo.com/blog Other Social Media: www.facebook.com/melonheadphoto

Join a PPGH Committee Today March’s Ima) Contest Call one of the Chairmen and Volunteer Nomina'ng Commi+ee Tom Hathcock, CPP Chair Kim Hartz, CPP Laura Popiel Rhonda Floyd Cindy Crofford, CPP Alvin Gee,M.Photo., CR Iraj Ghavidel,M.Photo., CPP

Ethics Commi+ee Belinda Higgins,M.Photog.,CR, CPP Sunny Arrant,M.Photog.,CR Cindy Crofford, CPP Kim Smith

Audit Commi+ee Vickie Longoria, Chair Cesar Vargas, CPP Sheila Richards

Web Commi+ee Kevin Falcon, Chair Marvin Labohm Tom Hathcock, CPP Image Compe''on Open Vendor Liaison Open Foto Fest 2014 Commi+ee Kim Christensen, Chair Alvin Gee,M.Photo., CR Aileen Harding, CPP Michael Martinez Rhonda Floyd Eric Ernst Cindy Crawford, CPP Vanessa Matthews 33 PAGE

Fir+ Place - Aileen Har-ng, CPP Tom Hathcock, CPP Telephone Commi+ee Teri Whittaker, CPP, Chairman Aileen Harding, CPP Jennifer Heylmun Tabitha Spence Amanda Beard Sharon Chandler, CPP David Barron Tom Hathcock, CPP

Librarian Curley Marshall, CPP, Chair

Mentor Program Francie Baltazar Stonestreet, CPP Chair

PPGH Photographer Orpha Labohm Viewfinder Commi+ee Tom Hathcock, CPP, Editor Kim Christensen, Asst. Editor Nikki Evans, Copy Editor Rhonda Floyd Kevin Falcon Karen Butts, CPP Greta Jacobs Mee, CPP Kelly Willis Vanessa Matthews We need you on a commi-ee - It is your PPGH! Get more involved with the guild and consider joining a committee today. Volunteer, get to know your fellow guild members, and help improve the events offered to you, a member of PPGH. Sign up today get involved with your guild!

Procedures and Controls Teri Whittaker, CPP Chair Kelly Willis Melissa Dobbs ByLaws Commi+ee Alvin Gee, M.Photog., CR. Chair Kelly Willis Tom Hathcock, CPP

Mini-­‐Program Aileen Harding, CPP Chair Lori Bailey Tom Hathcock, CPP Sharon Chandler, CPP Vicki Longoria Vanessa Matthews Membership Committee Karen Butts, CPP Chair Kevin Falcon Tom Hathcock, CPP Kathleen Kinser Vanessa Matthews Darla Guyton

PPGH MEMBERSHIP GROWING We have five new guild members, as of the October PPGH meeting.

John-Mark Stephenson, Kian Atkins, Kathy Scalf and Sharon Babbit are our new Active members and Theodore Baillou is our new Aspiring member. We are so glad that you have joined us. Be sure and check out the Meet our New Members article to find out all about them. Some are so new that they have not had a chance to submit their write-up yet. You will see also a few members who joined the month before. A great big welcome to everyone!

We currently have 100 Active, 8 Aspiring, 9 Associate, 9 Student, 8 Honorary and 33 Lifetime members. Help us spread the word and invite your photography friends to join us. Don't forget that we have business cards at the name badge table that you may pick up to hand out to your friends.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Soon it will be time to turn in your Fellowship Points. Are you keeping track? Have you been doing your part by being involved on a committee, by serving as a committee chair, serving on the board, participating in functions? Your participation is vital to the success of the guild!

PREPARATION: Don't forget to download the PDF to help you or34 PAGE

ganize your points. When you are logged in on our website, click on Members-Only, and then click on the Forms Menu. On this page, click the 2013 Fellowship Tracking Chart link and then print the chart to use as your worksheet.

SUBMISSION: The deadline for submission of your Fellowship points has been extended to November 30, 2013, so the collection period for this year will be from November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013, which is a period of 13 months.

This is due to the fact that we will not be having an awards ceremony at a December Gala. The awards will be presented at our January meeting, Meet the President.

To submit your points, log in on our website, hover your mouse pointer over the Members Only menu, then hover over Fellowship Information, then click on Fellowship Points Submission and proceed.

When you have achieved your Associate Fellowship Degree (first 50 points), you will receive a silver plated medallion on a solid red ribbon. Full Fellowship, phase two, requires an additional 50 points earned, with ten of those points coming from Image Competition. You will receive a gold plated medallion on a red and

By: Karen Butts, Membership Director

black striped ribbon for this achievement. An Honorary Fellowship Degree will be awarded to those individuals whose dedication reaches far beyond the bounds of PPGH. All points will be verified. A great big thank you to all members who donated their time to PPGH in 2013! Our members are the reason we exist.

Mary Norman - Associate Member My interest in photography started about 10 years ago. Vicki Longoria and I showed cats together when we noticed that photographers at the shows seemed to be scarce. So we got this crazy idea that we could provide this service to the breeders that showed in Texas/ Louisiana area. Armed with our knowledge of cats, a DSLR and a set of used lights we set out to become pedigreed cat photographers.

Vicki and I travel to cat shows photographing some of the most beautiful and exotic cats in the world.

I am retired and reside in Pearland, Texas. I love to spend time with my family and am very active with my grandchildren. I volunteer with the Italian Greyhound Rescue and provide a foster home for rescued IGs. I am also an avid birder and enjoy wildlife photography as well.

Largely self-taught, I have attended some classes and workshops in order to gain a better understanding of photography. As an Associate member of PPGH I hope to continue my education in both the business and technical aspects of photography.

Randy Stanford M.Photog., Cr. - Active Like most of us in the profession, I have always been interested in photography. I was using manual cameras and light meters as a child in the 50’s. Not that I knew what I was doing!

I have attended many schools and 35 PAGE

seminars over the last 25 or so years, more than I can remember. I do recall the original PPA school Winona, and of course Texas School, and seminars with many of the older masters in PPA, Monte Zucker, Dan Blair, Frank Chriccio, etc. I have been to the Winona judging school and have served as print committee chair and judged locally, regionally, and at Kerrville.

I hold the Master, Cr. Photographer degrees.

will round out one’s talents and help make the transition to personal style and unique vision.

I first joined PPGH in the early 1990’s, so I have been around the guild for many years. A Donald Jack seminar hosted by Alvin Gee at his studio led to an evening visit to my first guild meeting. Donald Jack was the speaker that night. I was in awe, and loved being in the company of all the talent and camaraderie from the very first visit.

Belinda and I did many, many weddings together, before we decided to stop doing weddings and leave them to the younger photographers!

We do family portraits on location, and specific assignments on location, as well as some special video clips. Belinda does the infants, babies and young children almost exclusively. For seniors on location I often collaborate with her to go on location. I personally do all of the custom retouching for the studio.

Belinda and I have three children and six grandchildren between us.

That takes up a lot of whatever spare time there may be. Belinda and I love being grandparents and she is the “BEST BB EVER” to all the grandbabies!

I think of Yervant and Jerry Ghionis as being two of the very best wedding photographers I greatly admire. There are many others, but being a wedding photographer at heart, these two have always had my admiration.

We are in a wonderful profession.

But having the best camera does not make one a professional. Continous study of art principles as well a photographic techniques

Kian Adkins

Kian (www.elegantportraits.com) started her photography career at Briarwood High School as a yearbook staff photographer. While still in high school, she started working for Marc Nathan Party Pics where she photographed candid and posed pictures at High school dances and proms. She worked for Marc Nathan for 4 years before moving out of town to attend college in Austin, where she work for another photography company Foto Tec in Austin TX.

TAX TIME TIPS

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Meet Your New 2014 Board members At the September 2013 meeting the PPGH members voted in the 2014 Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board.....................................Greta J Mee, CPP President............................................................Kim Christensen Vice-President..........................................Belinda Higgins, M.Photog.,Cr.,CPP Secretary..............................................................Aileen Harding, CPP Treasurer..............................................................Teri WHittaker, CPP Membership Director........................................Karen Butts, CPP Director at Large................................................Kevin Falcon Director at Large................................................Sharon Chandler, CPP Director at Large................................................Sherry Piche, CPP

Congratulation everyone!

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The Bull Shark, The Giraffe, The Thief and The Pink Pony

partner Trish had a great idea for a luxury photo booth which she dubbed "The PhotoLounge." Sure, now every photographer and her mother has added a photo booth to their repertoire, but back when Trish conceptualized the lounge it was very novel. There definitely wasn't anyone in our little Rhode Island backyard who was offering a swanky PhotoLounge.

annoyed than flattered I assure you.

In the spirit of the Danish pink pony artist, Trish made a friendly phone call to the photographer where she awkwardly but politely asked if maybe pretty please the photographer could just give it a different name, because after all, we had come up with the lounge concept first and couldn't she (the thief) see how two Photo Lounge

The pony scenario has hardly been the experience I've had with thieves, especially when it comes to the business of photography. In 1820, Charles Caleb Colton said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." In the words of angry marine biologists everywhere I declare, "That's BULL SHARK!"

Unfortunately, not long after our beloved lounge debuted on our blog for the whole world to see, another local photographer started advertising her own "version" of the photo lounge. Which by the way, was less like a version and more like an exact copy, right down to the name "Photo Lounge".

businesses might cause a little confusion for clients?

A few years back my business

We were more horrified and

After that encounter of the rude

By Professional Photographers of America (PPA) on October 22, 2013 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By: Mariah Ashley A few weeks ago I watched an amusing little video clip about an artist from Denmark. He had just had his latest creation, a giant wooden Pink Pony, stolen from a park near his home the very evening he had installed it. The video was offbeat because instead of violently banging down doors demanding the release of his pony, the Danish artist launched a friendly campaign of retrieval peppered with good humor, understanding and well-wishes toward the pony thief. Even more surprising was the pony thief's openness to returning the giant pony with an apology and explanation, reciprocating the good humor and well-wishes the artist had extended to him. They parted as friends with a renewed faith in humanity.

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The thief's response, and this is a direct quote, was "W.T.F. why should I have to explain myself to you?!" Click. Dial tone.

Ouch.

kind, the fun was just kind of sucked out of the lounge idea for us. We kept lounging for a few seasons, but we never regained the enthusiasm or the momentum that we once had for peddling our lounge. Against the good advice of our accountant, after a while we just stopped offering the lounge altogether even though it often generated another 2K+ for us per wedding. On the eve of our last lounge, in the eleventh hour when I had promised Trish she could throw the imitated lounge into the harbor outside the venue and drive away, I had a vision of... a giraffe.

You know who giraffes have to compete with for the tastiest, most tender-est leaves at the tippity top of the trees? No one, that's who.

Why? Because a long time ago, giraffe's had short necks and were all like, "This is bullshark hanging around sharing the low-hanging leaves with greedy hordes of rude zebras." Stripes are so yesterday anyway. Ever hear of evolution?

Try on a long neck and some square spots for size, oh and throw in a purple tongue while you're at it. Suck on that zebras.

That's right I just compared the photo lounge thief to a ridiculous zebra. Now ask yourself this: What do you often see on a zebras back?

Answer: a hungry lion. It's true, turn on the Discovery channel, you'll see what I mean. The final outcome isn't usually too great for the zebra either.

Hungry lions remind me of those difficult clients you don't want--the clients that are always on your back, trying to get more than they 39 PAGE

deserve or at least have paid for.

You know what you probably won't see on the giraffe's back? That's right, a hungry lion. Why? Because giraffes also evolved some long spindly legs and they can run really fast away from the discount-loving, blood sweat and tears-sucking lions. Suck on that lions.

So instead of throwing the lounge into the drink, I declared we should "Make like a Giraffe and Evolve."

There's absolutely no sense in throwing away a great idea, especially a great money making idea, just because some uninspired lazy zebra tries to rip you off.

There's no need to fight with them about it either because the lions will take care of that for you. The only real solution is to keep changing, to keep thinking, to be inspired, and to keep moving up...up...up... that's where the tastiest leaves are anyway.

Watch the Pink Pony caper here!

About the author: Mariah Ashley is co-owner of Snap! Photography in Rhode Island. She is blonde, loves to bake fruit pies, wears flip flops way past the summer season, should have been born in the 50s, paints and writes when the mood strikes her, is mother to Jacques and Vianne, vacations on Block Island, is vegan, never has proper or stylish outerwear, fears frogs and toads but loves turtles, has really skinny legs, personal Style- Bohemian Chic, wants to own a VW van, grew up on a cranberry farm and is happiest when snorkeling is happiest when sipping a rum punch under a palm tree.

Do not forget Fotofest deadline is soon.

Send your images NOW

YOUR PPGH LOOKING FORWARD 2013 General Meetings and Workshops

November- Lightroom/Photoshop

Nov. 14th PPGH Mini-Workshop “Children-From Consult to Finished Prints”

Monthly meeting 3rd Tuesday of each month

with Buz Marvins, M.Photo,.CR.

Mini-Workshops 4th Thursday of each month

Nov. 19th, PPGH General Meeting

(subject to change)

Fellowship Points due November 30th

The Viewfinder Newsletter deadline date 23th of

December, TBA PPGH Gala

each month.

2014 Workshops Dates to be announced January, An Evening with the Judges February, Senior program March, Karen Butts, CPP Newborns/Children TBA April 20th, 2014- Mitch Daniels, Cr May, Environmental Portraiture June, Belinda Higgins, M.Photo,CPP, Family Portraits July, Carol Andrews,M.Photo.,CR-Mall Crawl August, Open September, Greta Jacobs Mee, Knowing the bottom line October- Marketing

PLAN FOR IT NOW

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IMAGING USA Don’t Miss It! January 12-14, 2014 Phoenix, AZ

Vendor Ad Rates Viewfinder is published 12 times a year.

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Get your photos ready!

The PPGH will be participating in the 2014 Fotofest.

FOTOFEST 2014 BIENNIAL The Fifteenth International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art March 15 - April 27, 2014, Houston, Texas U.S.A. Over 100 museums, art galleries, non-­‐profit art centers and corporate spaces will par9cipate in the FotoFest 2014 Biennial.

In addi9on, there will be accompanying lectures, forums, special tours and a four-­‐color Biennial catalogue.

A liEle info from the FotoFest website: In 1986, FotoFest created the first interna9onal Biennial of Photography and Photo-­‐related Art in the United States. AMer visits to the Rencontres Photographiques d’Arles, the oldest European photography fes9val, and the Mois de la Photo in Paris, FotoFest co-­‐founders Frederick Baldwin, Wendy Watriss, and German gallery owner Petra Benteler founded FotoFest with a mission emphasizing discov-­‐ ery, interna9onalism, social commitment, and global/local perspec9ves. The Biennial has been formed to foster crea9ve energy, new opportuni9es for ar9sts, new audiences for photo-­‐related art and broader visibility for Houston’s cultural resources.

Thirty exhibi9ons of photographic art were curated and commissioned for the first Biennial in Houston, Texas.

FotoFest has presented fourteen consecu9ve Biennials, every two years since that 9me.

The PPGH will be par9cipate and is in the planning stages.

A commiEee is in the planning stages and if you would like to join the commiEee please email Kim Christensen at kchristensen1@me.com or call 713-­‐408-­‐0965. PPGH will not have a theme for their exhibit. So get ready for six weeks of the Biennial to have an es9mated 265,000 visitors at all venues.

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NOTICE THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS GUILD OF HOUSTON HAS A NEW HOME The UNITED WAY BUILDING 50 Waugh Dr., Houston, Tx 77007 Garage Parking WITH Security Guard Hotel Type Meeting Rooms Cross Streets: Between Feagan St., and Raymond St Neighborhoods: Washington Ave., Memorial We will be meeting here until further notice