VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION - VOLUME 1 - #1
VPPA QUARTERLY
“BLOWN FUSE”
2016 International PPA Loan Collection
Christina Novak, CPP
Welcome
to the VPPA Quarterly’s first online Newsletter. My name is Erin - I am the 2nd Vice-President for 2017’s Board of Directors and the editor of this Quarterly wsletter. I’m a proud member of Tidewater district (“TIDEWATERRRR!!!”) and have been a member of VPPA since the 2011 Convention, just months after moving to Virginia.
I’m thrilled about this online newsletter that we intend to publish online each quarter - proudly featuring members of VPPA and what’s the latest going on within VPPA and our affiliates! Make sure to read through it all - discover some interesting facts about a member from each of our four districts and also about one of our Board members, get pumped up about our upcoming 2017 ROCKSTAR Convention in Roanoke that is coming up super quick (Get Your Rock Star costume ready!) and hear about all the new and exciting rules about PRINT COMPETITION! Let us know what you think of this new online newsletter - we welcome suggestions and would love extra help with it! We hope your year has gone well - and for those of you in the throes of Holiday rush, that you are able to keep up with it
“Alaska Dawn” - International Merit by Don Aittama, M.Photog., AF, CPP
Volume 1, #1
VPPA QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
table of contents: page 4-5: Board of Directors - Membership Benefits page 6-7: Featured Board Member page 8-9: NEW PRINT COMP RULES! page 10-11: Blue Ridge Member Spotlight page 12-13: Northern Member Spotlight page 14-15: Tidewater Member Spotlight page 16-17: Capital Member Spotlight page 18-19: 2017 Convention - REGISTRATION OPEN NOW! page 20-21: Sponsor Thank You & How to BECOME a VPPA MEMBER
Cheers and see you in Roanoke for our 2017 Convention, If not sooner! Erin L. Clark, M.Photog., AFP, CPP
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever. It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” ~Aaron Siskind
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Photo by Jeannie Hobbs, FP
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MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: IN THE VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION http://www.vppa.org/membership-benefits
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tracy McGee, Chairman of the Board email: tracy@kaiserphoto.com Jeff Kaiser, President email: jeff@kaiserphoto.com David Lee Michaels, 1st Vice President, Social Media & Web Manager and PPA Councilor email: David@davidleemichaels.com
Erin Clark, 2nd Vice President email: images@enephoto.com Don Aittama, Executive Treasurer & PPA Councilor email: aittamava@aol.com Anthony Rumley, Executive Secretary & PPA Councilor email: anthony@anthonyrumley.com Bob Harper, Recording Secretary email: bob@bobharperphotography.com Jamie Hayes, Print Salon Chairman & PPA Councilor email: jamie@hayesandfisk.com Robert Holman, SEPPA Rep email: rholman@hpsi.hrcoxmail.com Andrew Clark, Northern District Governor Anne Companion, Tidewater District Governor Debbie Fisk, Capital District Governor Robert Hedge, Blue Ridge District Governor
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DISTRICTS Because the state of Virginia is a large geographic territory, the VPPA is subdivided into 4 smaller districts which are Blue Ridge, Capital, Northern and Tidewater. Each of these functions independently of the others, having its own programs, newsletters and social gatherings. By attending your district’s functions, not only will you keep up with the current image making practices but you will also get to know the other member photographers in your local area. CODE OF ETHICS The VPPA stringently supports Code of Ethics. Upon acceptance as a member, you are sent a copy to keep as a permanent reminder. You will be asked to sign again each year when you pay your dues. The VPPA has a standing Ethics Committee with one member from each District. This committee reviews and enforces the Code and is empowered to handle complaints brought either by another photographer or by a consumer against a member. The committee attempts to resolve each problem amicably, however serious violations can result in expulsion. CONTINUING EDUCATION As a VPPA member you will be exposed to the latest advances in the field through monthly district meetings, the Fall seminar and the Annual Convention. Nationally acclaimed speakers present programs that can improve your existing skills and teach you new techniques. Your annual dues covers all the VPPA sponsored gatherings with no separate registration fees. The Convention is held in a centrally located site. Other meetings take place in various locations around the state and cover a wide variety of topics. SCHOLARSHIPS As a Professional or Life member, you are eligible for scholarships that allow individuals to study at a PPA affiliated school which are found in many near-by states. The Association provides thousands of dollars a year to encourage individual growth in all areas of the business. SUPPORT The VPPA fosters a spirit of cooperation among all members of the association. You will meet generous photographers who share their experiences, their solutions to problems and occasionally even their equipment. Our members pledge to assist and encourage their fellow professionals, so there is always someone for you to call for advice or assistance. TRADE SHOW Allied with the Annual Convention, the yearly trade show brings together manufacturers, distributors, labs and other services related to professional photography. You can see all the latest products and innovations and talk to the representatives who serve this area. ANNUAL PRINT JUDGING Submitting your best images to a panel of nationally qualified judges allows you to see how your work compares to that of other professionals in the state. At the Seminar and sometimes on the District level, you may get your prints critiqued and learn ways to improve your images before entering print competition. DEGREE PROGRAM As a member, you can earn credentials that identify you as an outstanding professional, worthy of recognition by your colleagues. WEBSITE As a Professional member you are listed on the internet so that potential clients can find you. At www.vppa.org you can see illustrations of prize winning photographs. Dates, details and registration forms for upcoming seminars and events are posted. In our “Members Only” section you wil find the entire membership list, the VPPA handbook and you may also participate the Forum for questions and discussion. YOUR REPRESENTATIVES As a member of the VPPA, your interests are represented by the Board of Directors, the governing body of the organization. Professional, Retired and Life members vote for representatives on both a state and district level. Your District Governor is your closest link to the Board and the best person to relay any ideas you may have, but any member of the Board would be eager to hear your constructive ideas. MEMBERSHIP IN SEPPA In Virginia your dues also pay for membership in the Southeastern Professional Photographers’Association which is made up of all the Southeastern states. SEPPA also distributes a monthly e-magazine, “Southern Exposure”, detailing events in all of the member states. AFFILIATION WITH PPA Virginia as a state and also each district within the state maintain an alliance with the national organization known as PPA (Professional Photographers of America). We have four Councilors who represent us at the national meetings. They are the liaison between the state and the national associations. From them we obtain information, and through them we express our ideas and concerns. ASSOCIATION WITH SCHOOLS Virginia has a long association with two acclaimed schools for continuing education. The East Coast School meets annually in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. MARS (the Mid-Atlantic Regional School) holds classes in N.J. There are also many other PPA affiliated schools in the area. Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Texas and Triangle in PA offer various courses for enlightenment and inspiration. LOGO Displaying the emblem of the VPPA alerts consumers to your dedication to excellence.
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Get Ready! 2017 Competition is Coming!! 2017 DISTRICT Judging Dates: February 24-25, 2017 - SEPPA Registration DEADLINE: February 16, 2017 VPPA State Competition DEADLINE: February 15, 2017
By Jamie Hayes,M. Photog. Cr., CPP, API, ABI, XXV VPPA Print Salon Chairman Let me be the first to tell you that VPPA is moving forward in a positive, big and exciting way!!
We are matching the IPC and District Electronic Image Judging rules and procedures. There are a lot of great new rules to share with you and I will help you every step of the way toward achieving success in entering 2017’s competition. Unfortunately, with the decline of physical prints entered and more importantly the cost of pipe and drape in our overall convention budget, VPPA WILL ONLY OFFER ELECTRONIC IMAGE JUDGING GOING FOREWORD. We have two state-of-the-art NEC-IPC monitors just like the ones used at all District and IPC judging, so there will be no difference in our judging styles or procedures or quality as compared to nationals.
PPA’s IPC NEW RULES FOR 2017 Here are some of the changes coming to the 2017 Competitions: All panels convened to determine merit will operate with a five member judging panel. This will increase efficiency in the judging. In 2016, a six-juror panel was seated and the lowest score was dropped, therefore five scores were used in determining score. This change is an alignment of the amount of scores required to determine a final score, to be congruent with the number of jurors on the panel. The lowest score will no longer be dropped.
When a judge associates an entry with an entrant, the judge is required to disqualify themselves from scoring an entry. When this scenario happens, the Jury Chair will enter a score for that entry. In the case of two jurors needing to disqualify themselves, the entry will be skipped until a panel with five jurors can be convened to score the entry. To further bring consistency between the District Competitions and the IPC, scores will be used to determine merit at both events. A majority of members surveyed stated that they would like the two scoring systems to be the same.
A majority of the judges will be IPC affiliate approved judges on our panel with the rest consist- The PPA Loan Collection will be determined in a difing of judges who have taken the judging class ferent manner as well. and judges in training. This will help with consisIMAGES SCORING IN THE “DESERVING OF tency of scores, results and critiques. A MERIT” CATEGORY (80-84) WILL NOT BE WE WILL ALWAYS BE FOR THE MAKER, REVIEWED FOR THE LOAN COLLECTION. THEIR IMAGE AND THE MERIT! 8
ENTRIES THAT RECEIVE A SCORE OF 80-84 AT A DISTRICT JUDGING HAVE THE CHOICE TO SEND THOSE SEAL OF APPROVAL ENTRIES ON TO IPC FOR A MERIT TOWARDS THEIR DEGREE, OR TO BREAK THE SEAL TO CHANCE A HIGHER SCORE AT IPC.
Entries scoring 85-94 at the District or IPC will be reevaluated for the Loan collection at the IPC event. ENTRIES SCORING 95-100 WILL BE
Ne w VP PA & I P C Ru le s
utilize a minimum of two panels during their judging events. This will allow each district to continue to grow and accommodate those members who are looking to earn their Seals of Approval prior to the IPC. Once again, PPA is looking forward to further encourage its members to take advantage of these incredible educational opportunities. Look for 2017 District Rules and Schedules on www.PPA.com/Competitions.
AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPTED INTO THE LOAN COLLECTION.
THE MOST EXCITING RULE IS THAT YOU MAY ENTER AS FEW OR AS MANY IMAGES AS YOU WOULD LIKE WITH JUST A SIMPLE $15 PER IMAGE FEE, NO MINIMUM.
Entries in this scoring range from the District events will still need to be submitted to the IPC to be included in the Loan collection and to receive the merits associated with those entries.
This will make it easier to enter. You can even order a critique for any image you want feedback on. Simply check the box beside the image when you enter.
Critiques ordered in conjunction with the IPC will be produced off site from the IPC judging and critiques ordered from both events will be available within four weeks of the competition.
Now entering image competition is easier than ever and you more changes to win!
Previously, entries scoring 78-79 were reviewed again for merit. The review mechanism of “insand-outs” will no longer be utilized. The introduction of the majority challenge effectively activates this review on each entry.
* All images will be entered electronically, no prints or print awards.
Entries into the Artist Competition will now be required to have guide images within the entry. AND In the Photographic Open category, an entrant will now be required to have made all elements in the entry. Entries involving elements from other artists may be entered into the Artist Competition. Beginning in 2018, all District competitions will
New VPPA Rules
* Enter as many images as you wants at $15 each, you can even order a critique! NO MINIMUM. * New Awards & Categories, even Top 10 Virginia Photographer. * 5 judge panel with all scores counting all the time. * Majority Challenge, replaces ins and outs. 9
Editor note: Your District Governor will select a member to highlight every quarter - The reasons for selecting are up the Governor - it could be because they won many awards recently, or maybe it’s because they are a long time member - or maybe it’s because they have really shined as a volunteer for VPPA - because without our members volunteering, VPPA would not be able to exist!
See More of Jen’s Portraits at JOLLY JEN PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.jollyjenphotography.com
BLUE RIDGE DISTRICT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Jen Chaconas Your Name + titles: Jen Chaconas (passed the CPP exam, actively working on images submission)
District: Blue Ridge District How long have you been a professional photographer? Studio opened June 6, 2013 What type of photography do you primarily shoot? portrait photography
annually, to practicing new techniques based on what I read, to just being better than I was yesterday. I am my only competition! What advice do you have for someone just getting into photography? • Learn lighting FIRST! Some natural light is good, but understand how to use OCF. • Get paid for what you are worth and PRINT, PRINT, PRINT the images for your clients. Printing allows you to control the quality they receive and they will cherish your images for a lifetime. • Never stop learning.... (this is the teacher/trainer in me)
Jen’s Tagline:
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What equipment do you use? LOVE my Canon 5DMarkIII but super curious about the IV coming out What is your proudest achievements? • Teacher- recognized as teacher of the year 2000 • Pharmaceutical Sales- ranked nationally #3 in 2001 and #5 in 2005 , regional sales trainer, national sales trainer, district territory manager Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your photography? • I love learning new things and trying to get better every single day. If you could only see the amount of learning I attempt to accomplish from reading Professional Photographer magazine, to online learning, to attending numerous seminars and conventions
“Life
is
,
Short
Capture the Now!”
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NORTHERN DISTRICT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Christina Novak “Free To Be Me” - 2016 International Loan Merit
,
CPP, CPP Liaison
I have been a professional photographer for 7 years.
Thus began my metamorphosis from MWAC to Professional Photographer. My greatest inspiration comes from my family. I am a wife to a retired Navy Sailor and mother to 5 children, two of whom have special needs. While my work must take a second seat to the demands of my family, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was 2010, when my work and my mindset took a more intentional turn toward being professional. Sandy Puc’, a photographer in Littleton Colorado ran a challenge, in a quest to help 1,000 photographers become CPP’s through her “Certify with Sandy” campaign. I had no idea that any such thing existed, but I knew that would be my first professional goal. This would require passing a 100 question exam and submitting a portfolio of 15 images for judging. I purchased some of the sug-
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came home from Imaging bit by the competition bug. Pete had encouraged me to get involved with local and/or state organizations and find local photographers to network with, so when I returned home, I began to research what might be available.
In Christina’s Own words:
I began my creative journey into photography many years ago in high school, but it was the birth of my youngest son, 9 years ago, that motivated me to really pursue learning more about it.
Ever the encourager, Pete challenged me (or blackmailed me, but that’s for another story) to pull some of my images up on the iPad, I was carrying (that he knew I had my work on) and have a mentor help me cull through some of it for potential entries. I accepted the blackmail, er.. challenge, and
“What Happened to Me at School Today” - 2016 International Loan Merit
Within a few weeks I became connected with Barbi Barnum & VPPA. I entered my first state print competition. gested resources and began studying. However, studying on my own turned out to be a bit more than I bargained for. Which is why, it was a no-brainer when one day in the summer of 2012, I saw an ad on Facebook for Georgia School and noticed they were offering a class in studying for the CPP with Al Audleman (which I HIGHLY recommend).
I took the CPP exam at the end of GS and passed the first time! It was during class, that Al suggested a group on Facebook called “CPP Image Review” as a resource for the image submission portion. Through this CPP group, I met a great group of dedicated volunteer photographers who were helping CPP candidates to muddle through the image submission process. I submitted my CPP Image Portfolio
the first time, I was able to after passing the exam, and became Certified in November of 2012. It was a professional and personal goal that gave me the self-confidence.
I needed to move forward as a professional and shed the MWAC label. While attending my second Imaging USA conference in 2014, I was perusing the IPC Print Exhibit with fellow photographer and friend, Pete Rezac, who had been instrumental in helping me to pass the image submission portion of certification. He was waiting for his turn to spend some time with an IPC mentor, and asked me if I had considered entering Print Competition. I told him that I didn’t think I was ready for anything like that. Fresh off of seeing all of the amazing work hanging in the print exhibit, it felt quite a bit intimidating.
With that, I was hooked, and after learning that
print competition was the road to earning my Master of Photography degree through PPA, a new goal was found. That first year entering IPC, with much help & mentoring from Pete, Michelle Parsley & others, I earned Gold Medalist Photographer of the Year for 2014. This year, I have
completed all of the requirements and am applying for my Master of Photography degree with PPA and hope to be walking across the stage in San Antonio to receive my ribbon. I am a portrait photographer and my favorite subjects to capture are children. “Trapped in His Own Mind” 2014 International General Merit
I am primarily a Nikon shooter, but if somebody stuck a Canon in my hand, I’d be just as happy with that.
But what I am most proud of is being a mother and wife to people with special needs and helping them to become everything they can be.
My proudest professional achievements are earning my CPP and completing the requirements for M. Photog. Personally, singing at the Lincoln Center in NYC was a huge moment. See More of Christina’s Portraits at AMAZINGLY GRACEFUL PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.amazinglygracefulphotography.com
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TIDEWATER DISTRICT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Your Name + titles:
Jeannie Hobbs
Jeannie Hobbs, FP & Member of PPA since 1993
District: Tidewater! TIDE-WAT-ER!!!!
How long have you been a professional photographer?
See More of Jeannie’s Portraits at HOBBS STUDIO http://www.hobbsstudio.net
I started photographing in 1989.
Tell us your story:
started working for the family business in 1988, just after graduating high school. In the beginning I was the darkroom manager, office assistant, wedding assistant, coffee maker and general entertainment. The studio was only a few years old, Bruce and Dolores (Dad & Mom) still had day jobs and I split my time between the studio and ODU. Within a few years, the three of us were inseparable. The beautiful thing is that even though Dad was the team leader, the main man, Mom and I brought our strengths to the team. Mom is the one that handles the bills, the money, the taxes. She is the one that kept the lights on. I learned everyday. That was my job. I am a product of my environment. I took over the high school senior sessions in 1991 and it is still a favorite category of mine. Today my week is filled with photographing families, children and seniors. We decided to stop photographing weddings after Dad had his first stroke in 2004.
What type of photography do you primarily shoot? Families, Children, Seniors and Corporate
Have you always been a photographer?
Yes. I got my first camera when I was five. All manual.
What equipment do you use? I’m a Canon girl.
What is your proudest achievements? 1 - Working everyday in a career that doesn’t feel like work. 2 - Being a wife and a mom... trying to balance and being present.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your photography?
I’m a wife (husband’s name is Darren,) and a mom (Colin is 9, Liza is 7.) Everyone knows that being a wife and a mom is practically a full time job in itself, but it is work worth doing and I love it. I take great care to be present at their activities, and I’m so blessed to have the flexibility to do so. I like wine and the people with which I drink it. I have always been a bit of a crafter, though it is hard to find the time, but I still make Christmas ornaments every year for my core group of friends from college. I’m not the photographer that can be found with a camera when I’m not working, unless we are traveling.
What advice do you have for someone just getting into photography? Find a mentor. And take a business and/or marketing class. Everyone thinks that being a photographer is being behind the camera. That is true about 20% of the time. The other 80% of the time is invoicing, marketing, retouching, selling, and taking out the recycling.
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CAPITAL DISTRICT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Tish Underwood Name and titles: Tish Underwood (no titles or degrees YET!)
How long a professional photographer? 6 years, since 2010 Tish’s Story: My interest in photography came from being raised in a military family where pictures were taken frequently. I distinctly remember the Kodak Brownie camera with the pop-in flash bulbs that my parents used to capture pictures of my siblings and me for many years. I have that Brownie camera now and I’m the safe-keeper of many of our family photos. The first camera I owned was a Polaroid that was such fun to use for pictures of friends and family throughout my high school years. I think my next camera was a Kodak Instamatic with the drop in 126 film cartridges. I used that camera for a long time. I started my 37-year federal government career during my senior year of high school in Northern VA. Creativity isn’t something that’s encouraged in a government career, but I continued to find my creative outlet in photography. As my career matured, I was given many opportunities to travel throughout the United States, to Panama, and to Europe. A camera went with me every time! At that time, I used either a Canon AE-1 Program or an Olympus point-and-shoot. I shot LOTS of rolls of film on every trip for work or on vacations with my husband. Definitely no award-winning photos were captured, but many wonderful memories are cataloged in all of the prints from those rolls of film. Fast forward to late 2003, when my husband gave me my first digital camera as a birthday gift. It was an Olympus 4-megapixel camera with a great zoom lens that allowed me such photographic freedom. The ability to see what I was capturing with an immediate opportunity for “do overs” was fantastic. My trusty film cameras went into a bag in the closet...I was hooked on digital! I knew that when I retired from my government career, my husband and I would be traveling. Within 6 months of retirement, I bought my first digital SLR camera, a Pentax 20D I think it was, complete with a couple of kit lenses. But I knew very little about “real” photographic techniques and nothing about good post-processing. I looked around and found an “Intro to Digital Photography” & “Intro to Photoshop” classes at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond. So many doors opened to me with those classes.
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I got back in touch with the f-stop and shutter speeds that I dabbled with when I used my Canon AE-1, I discovered shooting in RAW, and I learned Photoshop! I also began to have my images professionally printed and framed and to enter them in monthly art gallery shows in Petersburg and Richmond.
“Past Her Prime” - 2016 International Loan Merit
My desire to learn more was insatiable, so I took every intermediate and advanced class that the Visual Arts Center had to offer. At the same time, I met other photographers with whom to share the joy of making photos. One of those photography friends is Phyllis Isemann. She and I loved taking classes to improve our skill, so I started looking for other educational resources. I found something called PPA Super Monday and we signed up for one in late 2009. We attended another PPA Super Monday in spring 2010 and then another one in fall 2010. It was during the Fall 2010, Super Monday class that the instructor planted the seed that led to Phyllis and I going into business. We also joined PPA in late 2010 and attended our first Imaging USA in San Antonio in January 2011. The PPA education opportunities kicked our skill level up several notches and helped us learn about the business of photography. We shot several weddings during 2011-2013 and picked up many high school senior clients during 2011-2015. We enjoyed what we were doing for the families we had as clients, but we weren’t as financially successful. Marketing to get new clients was hard. I certainly didn’t learn marketing skills during my 37-year government career! As we tried to figure out what to do to make our business work, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Lots of tests, scans, and a bone marrow biopsy determined that I was stage 4. While not immediately life-threatening, I needed to undergo at least 6 months of chemotherapy treatment. It was during those months of treatment and not feeling very well, I realized that I still loved photography; but I did not love the business of photography. I thankfully received the “all clear” at the end of my chemo treatments.
“Crossing Over” - 2016 International General Merit
photo assistant), make me happy. Life is good! Have you always been a photographer? I would say so. I can’t draw or paint, so I found my “art” with photography. What equipment do you use? I currently shoot with a full-frame Nikon D750 DSLR with an assortment of lenses.
“Majestic Creation” - 2016 International General Merit
I let Phyllis know that I wanted out of the business so that my husband and I could resume our travels, while we were healthy enough to do so. We finished our photography business commitments in 2014 and 2015, and then closed the studio at the end of 2015. So I retired from business, but not from photography! I have become more active with VPPA serving as the Secretary for Capital District; I finally entered my first print competition in 2016 with pretty good results; AND, my husband and I resumed our travels in the US where we’re seeing the beautiful landscapes our country has to offer. I still do occasional portrait sessions for close friends and family; but, my photography time is consumed with landscape and nature shoots. I’m still thirsty for knowledge, so workshops through PPA, VPPA, and other sources are still high on my list. Photography journeys, with my loving husband of 32 years by my side (a.k.a. my lovely
What is your proudest achievement? I’m not sure. I’ve accomplished several things for which I’m proud such as: my government career that started as a GS-2, clerk-steno trainee, but concluded as a GS-14 Division chief through my hard work; and, being happily married for 32 years to my husband, Jerry. I hope that I’ve been a good daughter, sister, wife, and friend. Photographically, I’m pretty proud of the results of my first print competition in 2016...3 of 4 entries merited with 1 of them also going Loan. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your photography? No, I think I’ve covered most of it! What advice do you have for someone just getting into photography?
Education, education, education!!! Learn to be a skilled photographer, not just following the current fad or trend. And if you’re thinking of going into business as a photographer, educate yourself on business and marketing and get LOTS of advice and mentoring from trusted professionals to help make it work.
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REGISTER ONLINE NOW! http://www.vppa.org/rockstar
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We want say THANK YOU to a few of our
SPONSORS without them we wouldn’t have our annual convention or seminar Richmond Pro Lab has supported us in anything we’ve asked of them - and we can’t thank them enough! if you don’t use them yet, please think about trying them out and THANK them for all that they do for VPPA! www.richmondprolab.com
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON BECOMING A MEMBER OF VPPA?
Whether you are a PRO or Enthusiast, we have a membership classification that will fit your needs! (ATTENDING OUR 2017 CONVENTION FOR FREE IS JUST ONE OF THE GREAT BENEFITS OF VPPA!)
contact any of the Board of Directors http://www.vppa.org/board-of-directors for how to join! YOU CAN EVEN CONTACT ANY OF OUR VPPA MEMBERS & ATTEND A DISTRICT MEETINGS TO GIVE US A TRY!
White House has been fantastic to work with they are the proud sponsors of RUSS HARRINGTON! Thank you WHCC! www.whcc.com 20
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Featured VPPA Board Member:
Learn about one of your your current Board of Directors for Virginia Professional Photographers Associa-
DON AITTAMA
M.Photog., CPP, FP VPPA Executive Treasurer
Don retired last year, after working for over 32 years as an accountant. The first 10 years were spent working in public accounting as a CPA. During that time, he did a lot of audit work which included several non-profit organizations. He has been a professional photographer since 2005, and is a member of Northern District. Five years ago, while he was serving as governor for the Northern District, he attended several of the VPPA board meetings. During a couple of those meetings, there was some discussion on having someone to assist Polly Frye, (VPPA’s “Queen Mother” and long time Exectutive Treasurer & Past President, who is dearly missed). She was having medical problems and needed help with her duties. Don began helping Polly, and very quickly took over most of the treasurer’s duties. Don likes working in the position, because his experience as an accountant, as well as his experience as a professional photographer that makes him uniquely qualified to help VPPA. He sees his role as looking after the assets of the Association so that future members, long after we are gone, will also be able to experience the same benefits that we experience today. A LITTLE MORE ABOUT DON: Don’s first camera was a $20 - 35mm Sears rangefinder camera that he bought in 1966. It had no light meter and was completely manual. All settings for aperture and shutter speed had to be manually set. He learned photography with this camera and quickly learned how to get good exposures without using a light meter.
“The Patient Hunter” - 201? International
“Fading Into Oblivion” - 201? International
Something many members may not know about Don is that he has a music degree and is an accomplished flute and piccolo player! He likes to play classical music and is involved in a couple of semi-professional groups in the area.
He is a Nikon shooter and since retiring last year from being an accountant, he has more or less retired from doing wedding photography after photographing over 100 weddings over 10 years. He looks forward to working with fine art photography as well as being a mentor for other photographers. His proudest achievement was completing the requirements for his PPA Master of Photography Degree. Don’s advice to anyone new to photography:
“Don’t try to learn it all at once. it will only frustrate you. focus on learning one piece at a time anD you will finD in time that your work will slowly get better anD better.”
Don took a lot of pictures with this camera during my junior high school and high school years. After starting a career as an accountant in 1983, he set aside his camera and with the exception of occasional family pictures, rarely took it out. In 2001, Don received a digital camera for Christmas and became interested in photography again. This led to a strong interest in pursuing professional photography as a second career and he started photographing weddings in 2004. He joined the PPA in 2005 and the VPPA in 2008. Don’s accomplishments, so far, include completing the CPP Exam in 2010, PPA IPC Silver Medalist in 2011 and 2015, PPA IPC Gold Medalist in 2016 and the PPA Master of Photography degree in 2016. Over the past 5 years, he has accumulated six IPC loan collection images. He also completed the PPA Judging School and is currently a juror-in-training. He has judged the West Virginia Print Competition in 2016 and given print critiques for Maryland and the VPPA Northern District. Don is married to Julie who many of you have met at our VPPA Convention and/or Summber Seminar. She occasionally works with Don on his photography assignments. They have two daughters and two grandsons. 6
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