VPPA Northern District Newsletter

VPPA

Northern District Newsletter

Northern District Officers

August 2014

Katie Garlock, Cr. Photog

jeanette@galiephotography.com

Lt. Governor

PPA Monday, August 25 Rust Library, Leesburg 1:00 - 4:00 (see map on page 10)

Governor Jeanette Burkle, FP

Affiliate of the

Katie and Her Bag of Tricks: Photographing Children for Fun and Profit

Kathy Kupka, FP kathykupka@aol.com

Secretary Mike Patch Michael@PropertyOnePhotography.com

Treasurer / Newsletter Editor Jim Sanders, AFP jimlondonsanders@mac.com

An Ohio photographer for over 25 years, Katie Garlock sold her Lima studio ten years ago and moved to Washington DC with her husband on their empty nest adventure.

There she jump started her business with location portraits and now chases small children around the Capitol for a living. Comfortable shoes and a sense of fun is essential.

A Photographic Craftsman, Katie has spoken widely on charitable marketing and starting a business from scratch in the digital age. Last fall, she traveled to Seattle to participate in Photo Week on Creative Live, as part of Kevin Kubota's Photographers Ignite series.

Photographing children is an art form, especially on location, when you don't have a studio full of props at the ready. Katie will show you how she works in all kinds of locations with her rolling bag full of tricks designed to entertain and engage her young clients, wherever they may be.

Come along for the ride.

Katie Garlock

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I saw Beatlemania Magic, a national touring Beatles tribute band, Saturday night at Tarara Winery.

The show started with Ed Sullivan’s recorded voice introducing the Beatles, and the guys walked onto the stage dressed exactly like the Beatles were dressed on his show in February 1964. It immediately brought back a wonderful memory of my whole family sitting in front of our black and white TV set.

I then picked up my cell phone and realized my battery was low. My friend had her cell, and so did everyone else in the audience, and we got some cute “selfies,” but I was mad I didn’t bring my good camera and lenses.

I’m so thankful that I have a job I love making memories for myself and others. The VPPA has helped me do just that by keeping me current with great seminars and conventions.

The Northern District has a great program coming up on Monday, August 25th, with Katie Garlock.

I met Katie years ago at a VPPA convention, and we have remained friends.

She has such great ideas, and is a very positive person. She has a very successful business, and you’ll learn why at her program in Leesburg on August 25th.

I just love these lyrics from the Beatles “In My Life”.

“There are places I remember All my life, though some have changed Some forever not for better Some have gone and some remain All these places had their moments…” (and we are here to capture all these memories with our photography) Hope to see you on Monday the 25th.

Kathy Kupka 4

Registration is online now!

VPPA.org

VPPA Summer Seminar September 13, 14, 15 Renaissance Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center

Portsmouth

From the editor…

Since becoming the newsletter editor (This is where I say YIKES! It’s been over 4 ½ years now), it has been a goal to include content that can be a source of learning and inspiration for all of us. We have had some terrific articles written by Northern District members. This month we have an informative article from Doug Mattice about the benefits of projecting to increase the bottom line. Kathy Kupka is adding some insights inspired by a Beatles song. Be sure to read Jim Carpenter’s inspiring letter that was recently sent to the state membership.

This is our newsletter; and news, articles, experiences, etc., etc. always make great additions as is evident in this month’s issue. So… with your flashes of brilliance, please remember the newsletter!

Expose To The Right “When you give, you always receive; and when opportunity meets experience, great things always happen.”

Jim Carpenter VPPA President

We often hear the phrase, “Get it right in the camera.” Here is a technique for setting exposures that I think is worth giving thought to and trying. The technique is called EXPOSE TO THE RIGHT. It is not for every picture but is good knowledge to have in our “saddlebag”.

Keep in mind though that exposing to the right is for shooting in RAW as it doesn’t work for JPEG shooting.

The technique goes like this. Establish an exposure that gives a histogram that leans as far to the right as possible without going over the edge of the graph. Usually this means the exposure will be “overexposed” at least a little. Now, the question—why expose to the right? One of the reasons is that for portraits it can give cleaner skin tones with less need to brighten in post. Give it try and reply back with your feedback. It would be nice to expand the discussion from our actual experiences.

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This Mistake Is Costing Photographers Thousands of Dollars!

By Doug Mattice As I work with photographers to improve their business, I get to see different workflows and selling systems. One mistake I am constantly coming across is the amount of time photographers spend actually presenting their images to their clients. They spend a lot of time and effort creating the photographs, but take little or no time to present the images properly to assist their clients in making their selections and purchasing decisions.

When I inquire why this is happening, most photographers say they are not “comfortable” selling and don’t want to come across as being “pushy or salesy.” Selling is finding out what people want and helping them to get it. This has to be your role as a professional photographer otherwise you are letting thousands of dollars slide through your fingers!

Selling is a mindset and is essential if you want to have a business that lasts. If you are taking photographs and putting them online hoping that a client will invest heavily in your work, then it is time for YOU to change your mindset!

Try doing this. Spend at least as much time presenting your images to your client as you spent creating them. So if the session lasts 60 minutes then you should be sitting in front of your client presenting the images for at least 60 minutes. If you are spending 2 or 3 hours creating images for your client, you need to edit them down so the client is not overwhelmed with having to look at hundreds of images that causes them to be in the sales room until their first-born graduates high school!

In order to do this correctly you cannot make thumbnails for the client to take home. You can’t post these images online or have paper proofs go out of your studio. You need the client to come back into the studio, in person, and make her decision with your help and expert guidance. The best way to do this is to project the images into a large frame over a sofa.

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Is this extra work and time on your part? Absolutely, however when you figure how much additional money you will make by meeting with the client and projecting the images so they can get a feel for how they will look displayed in their home, then I think you will see it is well worth your time.

If you really want to offer the best service to your client, then you have to believe in yourself and your work and show it in the best possible light. To be successful and different from other photographers in your area, you have to be willing to put in the time and effort to do it right.

That’s the least you can do for your clients, and it will improve your cash flow and bottom line profits too.

Doug Mattice is the founder of Onward to Excellence Coaching. As a Consultive business coach, he helps photographers increase their income and productivity by partnering with them so they learn HOW to grow their business without going broke or crazy in the process.

Doug begins by looking at the overall business model to determine the most lucrative offerings and strategies available that will take the business to the next level. Then, he works directly with the studio owner to clarify what they need to do each day, week and month to create a highly profitable business and amazing lifestyle.

He has a variety of coaching programs that combines business, marketing and money strategies that teach photographers the essential foundations they need to create a six-figure business and beyond. To learn more about his services, visit his website: www.o2ecoaching.com

Doug Mattice will be a presenter at the VPPA Summer Seminar.

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Jim Carpenter recently wrote the following letter for the state membership. In just a few short paragraphs, Jim really shows why we are so fortunate to be a part of this great state organization.

Thanks, Jim, for your service over the years. You are a true inspiration to all who know you.

In the midst of enjoying a memorable summer, it is time to sit back, relax, and take stock of all that we have accomplished in 2014. As we sip on a cool glass of sweet tea, we recognize that in a few short months the year will be coming to a close. When we review our struggles and successes along with our failures, we must acknowledge the importance of the VPPA organization in motivating us toward creating and capturing even more amazing memories.

Membership in a supportive, forward-thinking organization is elemental in enhancing our craft as professional photographers. Capturing memories that encompass artistic and visual as well as storytelling elements is what we strive to achieve. Our artistic eyes and visual possibilities are limitless. Our opportunities are great, but they can be even better if we network and collaborate with other members on ideas and advancements. The year may be half over, but there is still time to step up to the plate and hit a home run to end your year on a successful note.

This month alone, four districts within the VPPA are hosting their monthly meetings and showcasing some of photography’s best and brightest talents. One seminar will present an internationally-known speaker, and our annual convention will present five days of hardcore classroom learning opportunities. The VPPA is hosting some of our profession’s most sought after speakers who will present their ideas and innovative advances in creativity for us to incorporate into our work.

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As members, we freely share our knowledge, equipment, and even personnel when needed. I constantly find myself learning valuable lessons and business pointers from long-time VPPA members as well as discovering creative ideas and tips of the trade from our newest members.

After having been a member of the VPPA for many years, I still find myself continually impressed with how we CAN and DO help each other. Learning together, sharing our ideas and solutions, and teaching through social media outlets such as Facebook enables us all to become better masters of our craft.

In November, I will retire as your VPPA President and then resume service as Chairman of the Board. The VPPA would like to personally thank our outgoing chairman, Kevin Hurley, for his years of service to our organization and wish him well in the future. In my new role, I look forward to working with each member, continuing to serve the board, and expanding our opportunities as professional photographers. To receive the most reward from your membership, please get involved with your district meetings, seek knowledge from other members, recruit members to our ranks, and share what you know. When you give, you always receive; and when opportunity meets experience, great things always happen.

Jim Carpenter VPPA President

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Rust Library

380 Old Waterford Road NW

Leesburg

703-777-0323

Rust Library Rt. 7 to Winchester Old Waterford Road NW

W. Market Street

King Street

Leesburg

Rt. 7 Leesburg Bypass

Rt. 15 South

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