VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
TIDEWATER DISTRICT
a complete picture SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Jessica Robertson strives to capture enduring images that will be cherished for a lifetime by each of her clients. She has run her successful business and been a VPPA member for over ten years. Jessica founded her brick and mortar studio in Ashland, Virginia in 2005 and established herself as the premier senior portrait photographer in her community.
WITH JESSICA ROBERTSON (SEE PAGE 2)
2014 OFFICERS GOVERNOR
LT GOVERNOR
TREASURER
SECRETARY
Richard St.Peter, FP
Erin L. Clark, CPP
Tracy McGee, CPP
Bob Harper, CPP
rstpeter@charter.net
images@enephoto.com
tracy@kaiserphoto.com
bob@bobharper
(757) 372-7021
(757) 472-2955
(757) 513-0388
photography.com (757) 325-8300
MARCH 2014 | VOL. 19 #3
VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
A Look Back...
This month’s meeting...
We thank Erin Clark for hosting January’s Tidewater
Where: Anne Companion Photography,
Chapter meeting. We also appreciate Lisa Carter, of
112 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669
Photography by Lisa, and her helpful presentation
When: Monday, March 17th at 7:00PM
about newborn photography.
Guest Speaker: Jessica Robertson (see below). If you are
From the January Meeting
interested in attending the 1/2 day workshop by Jessicafrom 3:00PM - 5:30PM, please register online here or contact Erin Clark at images@enephoto.com or (757) 689-2950.
a complete picture SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY (Continued from cover) With a staff of two full-time, dedicated team members, she photographs over 200 seniors a year with an average sale of $1,200 per senior. The key to their success has been creating consistent, serviceoriented, quality portraiture for a community which not only has a need, but an appreciation for the art. By capturing the Senior demographic, Jessica Robertson Photographic Artistry establishes clients who return for portraits during all stages of their lives including weddings, baby and family portraits. After all, seniors grow up to become brides and grooms who have children and families of their own. Jessica’s presentation is focused on providing an authentic picture of the entire process of creating senior portraits and delivering practical information which you can use to streamline your high school senior business into a successful segment of your overall company. She will share how her team markets to seniors and their families, and fulfills the vision of both the seniors and their parents. You will learn how to create relationships based on trust and reassurance which result in clients that last a lifetime. The studio’s consultation process and communication practices help create satisfied
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VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
clients who not only return for more portraits of
clients purchase a portrait size image. Finally,
their own, they promote the studio to their friends
Jessica will also share how she is able to build
and family. This presentation will also explain
relationships with the best vendors so that her
keys to having a successful senior session
studio can deliver a high-quality finished product to its clients. This is an honest presentation. Jessica is not promoting fluff or gimmicks which will guarantee your success, just sound business practices which have helped her quickly establish deep roots in her community. Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Photography from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jessica
including compositional elements, posing, and
has won numerous awards at the state and
lighting styles for on location and in studio. You
regional level and recently received her AFP.
will learn how this studio does its sales process
Professional Photographers of America twice
and Jessica will highlight products that sell.
honored her as Professional Photographer of
This portion will also include advice on pricing
the Year and accepted a variety of her prints for
and packaging your portraits for a no-pressure
loan collection.
sales environment.
Over 95% of Jessica’s
Seniors
1/2 Day Workshop
with Award Winning Photographer, Jessica Robertson Monday, March 17th from 3:00PM - 5:30PM
At Anne Companion Photography, 112 Kings Way, Hampton 23669 Click here to register online Or contact Erin Clarke at images@enephoto.com or (757) 689-2950 PAGE 3
VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
WAKE THE LIGHT PHOTO WORKSHOPS AND TOURS Dear Fellow VPPA Members, I want to make you aware of some exciting educational opportunities with special incentives coming up in 2014. My Awake The Light Photo Workshops and Tours company will be holding two workshops in Richmond this spring. LIGHTROOM UNLEASHED is an in-depth hands-on Lightroom 5 workshop to be held March 16 - 20. This will be three days of intensive Lightroom instruction designed to significantly improve your skills, increase your understanding of how Lightroom REALLY works, provide some creative tips, and get rid of bad habits (that we ALL have when working in Lightroom). Details here http://awakethelight.com/ lightroom-2014/ BUTTERFLY FLUTTERBY will immerse you in butterfly action at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens on May 27 - 29. This wonderful facility is photographer friendly and provides a wide variety of butterfly species. Personalized attention throughout both days. Details here http://awakethelight.com/butterflyworkshop/ As a long-time member of the VPPA, I’m pleased to offer a special incentive to any VPPA members who take either of these workshops. A portion of your fee will go back to your own District to help fund its programs, and another portion will go to the VPPA to help defray the cost of the convention and other expenses. So you can help your District, help your state, and get some great education in the process. PLUS there is an Early Bird discount if you register for the Lightroom workshop before January 15. All Awake The Light photo workshops are known for the high level of education provided. You will receive group instruction, plus extensive personal attention whether it is in the classroom or in the field. The goal is for you to go home at the end of any of our workshops with much more knowledge, greater skill, more confidence, and expanded creativity than you started with. If you have questions or wish to register, email me at awakethelight@charter.net, or call 757-773-0194. I hope to see you in Richmond! Best regards, Mollie Isaacs
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VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
Revitalizing the Library Hello Team VPPA! My name is Timorah Beales
shipping up front, and the paid return envelope
and I’m the new Librarian. I’m based out of
will be included in the package you receive. This
Yorktown (Tidewater) and joined VPPA at my very
should make it much easier for our members to
first convention in 2013. I very much enjoy reading
request and return items. I would also love to
and learning new things so it is my goal to make
work out a deal with an online forum or library to
the library more accessible to our members. David
get access for our VPPA members. If anybody
Lee Michaels is working with PhotoBiz to have
has any ideas or connections in that area, please
an online checkout system. In addition, when
email me at timorah@timorahbeales.com
checking out any materials, you will pay for return
Notes from the Librarian Each month we will feature a few available titles that the library has. Contact Timorah Beales, the Librarian, to check them out.
Business and Legal Forms for Photographers by Tad Crawford. Published by ASMP, 2010. All types of contracts (portrait, wedding, commercial, gallery consignment, publishing, etc) model releases, copyright registration, trademark application, subcontract agreement, nondisclosure agreement.... this book has it all! Complete with DVD so you can download the forms you need.
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VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
50 Portrait Lighting Techniques for Pictures that sell by John Hart. 1995. Review the basics and then go through some of the exercises to introduce more variety in your work. Learn techniques such as “Clint Eastwood Lighting” and how to photograph the wet look. Complete with detailed diagrams and descriptions. Some corny 80s photos included for your entertainment.
The Art of Pre-Visualization in Modern Digital Photography, DVD by Tony Sweet. Master Photo Workshops. 2009. Join master photographer Tony Sweet on location in Charleston, SC and learn how to take advantage of digital optimization tools and compositional techniques to give your images a unique, one-of-a-kind look. Digital processes include: infrared, mirroring, digital sandwich, multiple exposure, photomerge switch, HDR and black and white conversion.
Celebration of Smiles Day APRIL 5TH
On April 5th, Bob Harper Photography will join with PPA Charities to promote “Celebration of Smiles Day.” This national fundraising effort will benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. Are there others in Tidewater participating? More information to follow later on our Facebook page.
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VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
From the Desk of the Governor BY RICHARD E. ST.PETER
Time does fly. In Nov of 2013 I became the Tidewater District Governor and here it is, the end of the first quarter of the year term. Let’s take a look back and review what has happened. In November our district was visited by Pat Hansen, Mollie Isaacs and Gordon Kreplin for our photographers’ print critique. Many members brought in prints, heard the comments of our panel and apparently paid attention to the suggestions, since prints from the critique did hang at the VPPA convention Feb 2014. Thanks to the judges for their comments and suggestions that aided our district photographers in their print competition submissions. Tidewater members look forward to these invaluable insights in future visits. Our December meeting, was the Holiday Party which was well attended and enjoyed by all. 2014 started out with our January meeting and a presentation from Lisa Carter, making the trip from Blue Ridge District, to spend the day with us and pass along her expertise in photographing newborns. Thanks Lisa.
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VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
And the last event of the first quarter was our VPPA convention in Richmond. Thanks to all the people that made it such a success and Congratulations to all district photographers that hung a Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon or White Ribbon print. I prefer not to name everyone but our district did get a good share of prints hung, including 35 Blues.
At the banquet, these district photographers received the below listed awards: Portrait of a Child
Court of Honor
Erin Clark
Social Event Candid
Best
Earl Dashiell
Open Album
Court of Honor
Cathy Benton
Pictorial
Court of Honor
Gordon Keplin
Creative
Court of Honor
Rebecca Clark
Illustrative
Court of Honor
Pat Hansen
Virginia CPP Award
Tracy McGee
Nancy Justice Award
Gordon Keplin
Kodak Gallery Award
Gordon Keplin
Judges Choice
Anne Companion
SEPPA Award
Bobby and Sandra Thigpen
AFP
Tracy McGee
FP
Jeff Kaiser
2nd Gold Star
Shirley Whitenack
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VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION
Scholarships awarded to Tidewater members: Archie McDearmid
Tracy McGee
CPP Scholarship
Rebecca Clark
Gary “King” Carter
Steve Radcliffe
Memorial
Erin Clark
Polly Frye
Timorah Beales
Alternate
Adelaide Rooney
A final thought on the convention. If you are a VPPA member, paid your dues, registered for the convention, entered print competition, listened to print judging, attended the brunch, attended the seminars; visited the trade show; attended the print critique; were at the awards banquet; socialized in the hospitality suite and in general met with and enjoyed the company and visiting with other photographers, you should have left the convention feeling you got something out of it and begin looking forward to the Summer Seminar September 13th - 15th, and the annual convention in February 2015. Lastly, mark your calendar: Monday, March 17th at 7:00 PM, and come to the District meeting featuring award winning photographer Jessica Robertson from Capital District. More info in this newsletter.
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