Working Pro 234 by Pt 78 Pty Ltd

Working Pro The

Issue 234 â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

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Working Pro The

Co n te n t s #234 Cover

A l i s o n L yo n s AAIPP FINALIST - 2014 AIPP PROFESSIONAL ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

w w w. a l i s o n l y o n s p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m / m

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AIPP Membership Contacts Suite G.02, 171 Union Road, Surrey Hills, Victoria 3127 Phone: 03 9888 4111 E-mail: enquiries99@aipp.com.au

Aug u st

2 0 1 5

Ross’s Ramblings - Mutual Respect

Ross Eason APP.L M.Photog., Hon.LM, National President

Update 1: AIPP Reflections Project

Louise Bagger from South Australia describes her positive experiences with the Reflections project.

Update 2: AIPP Reflections Project

Why The Nikon Event Worked For Me

The Nikon Event

AIPP Honour Recipients

Social Media: Who Are You Abusing?

Peta Horsten - Dreaming Of Travel

10 Points For Canon AIPP APPA Success

Landing Pages For Higher Profits

SoloShot2

The Working Pro is the official newsletter of The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP). Editor Peter Eastway G.M Photog., FNZIPP, Hon. FAIPP, Hon. FNZIPP, FAIPP Disclaimer The information provided in The Working Pro and associated publications is made in good faith, but is general in nature. Neither the editor, the publisher or the AIPP accept responsibility for or will be under any liability for any recommendations, representations or information provided herein. The Working Pro presents information, opinions and suggestions for subscribers to evaluate in coming to their own decisions in the light of their own individual circumstances. The information should not be relied upon without readers first obtaining independent advice from their own financial and legal advisers. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are written by Peter Eastway. Publication The newsletter is published 10 times a year – monthly with November/ December and January/February being combined. The Working Pro newsletter is published by Pt 78 Pty Ltd, ABN 75 003 152 136, PO Box 351, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. Phone: (02) 9971 6857; Fax (02) 9971 6641. E-mail eastway@betterphotography.com

Robyn Hills from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast says she should have become involved even earlier! The Nikon Event in Perth has finished up with a lot of happy conventioneers! Peta Horsten explains why she thought this year’s program was so worthwhile. There was a lot happening over in Perth this year, and it wasn’t only education and learning! Each year, the AIPP recognises the achievements and hard work of our most deserving members. Social media doesn’t give people an excuse to be rude or libellous. In fact, it may stick around to haunt you. Western Australian photographer Peta Horsten has a plan to change her wedding and portrait photography business into travel photography – and she’s well on the road. The Working Pro asked Grand Master of Photography Rocco Ancora how to give your entries the best chance of achieving a Silver or even a Gold Award at APPA this year. Peter Myers explains how using your ‘Search For A Pro” proflies with specific landing pages can lead to lower bounce rates and more bookings. Is technology gradually eliminating the need for professional videoand photography services, or is it providing professionals with new tools and new opportunities? Is the SoloShot2 good or evil? out of it too.

Ross’s Ramblings

R o s s E a s o n A P P. L M . P h o t o g . , H o n . L M , N a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t The importance of mutual respect

frustration, can intimidate when that may not

Talking to a member recently, the subject

have been the intention.

of bullying in general came up and I promised I would try to highlight the issue with our

At The Awards

members.

For instance, the photography awards are

incredibly subjective when it comes to the rules,

Instinctively, we think of bullying as

schoolyard antics, but in reality bullying

categories, scoring ranges and comments, both

can happen at any level of any organisation

between judges and about an image.

and may involve misuse of power, repeated

harassment, inappropriate comments,

volunteers can be unfairly treated for simply

embellishing the facts, threat of retribution or

taking on a role. At times they cop the fallout

public disclosure.

from members whose images did not achieve

Each year during the awards process, our

the score that was expected, or comments May Not Be Intentional

passed in good faith are not well received.

Generally, I don’t think people deliberately

set out to bully and in many cases it is simply

invested this year in extended training for our

unintentional.

awards judges, but this is not to imply our

judges are bullies.

At times, frustration can give rise

The last point is one of the reasons we have

to a comment that could be interpreted as bullying, even though the person passing the

Warning Signs

comment may not have meant it as such.

The effects on someone being bullied can

be serious and create long term health issues.

In a membership organisation of peers,

it is inevitable that members will have

The warning signs are:

different opinions about industry standards,

• distress, anxiety, panic attacks or sleep

management and direction. And as peers, we

disturbance;

also compete with each other on a regular basis

• physical illness, for example muscular tension,

for work as well as in the Awards.

• headaches and digestive problems;

This interaction can give rise to verbal or

• loss of self-esteem and feelings of isolation;

written exchanges between members that, in

• deteriorating relationships with colleagues,

family and friends; • depression; • thoughts of self harm.

Within the AIPP and its activities, bullying

may happen when the following behaviour is repeated: • abusive, demeaning, insulting or inappropriate comments, either in person or on social media; • unjustifiable criticism or complaints; • exclusion from events or roles; • misuse of information, including withholding information;

I can’t think of anyone who would set out

• spreading negative or false rumours;

to deliberately cause that level of distress, so

• threatening use of social media to force an

chances are they are not deliberate actions.

opinion; • embellishing or distorting facts;

Be Objective

• badgering.

If in hindsight, you think you may have crossed a line, clarify and apologise. If the

Passionate Artisans

person took no offense, they will soon tell you.

So, who could be a bully?

to overreact to comments passed or received

In reality, just about anyone from a client to a

Equally, we all have to be very cautious not

member, council member or a board member

because, as I said above, the objectivity applies

and usually without realising it.

to those who are making comments as well as

those receiving them.

Not many people intentionally bully,

but within the AIPP it can happen easily and predominantly because we are all such passionate artisans.

So what do we do about it?

ross.eason@aipp.com.au

Be objective. Consider the impact any

0438 722 992

comment or action may have on someone and try and to do so before making it.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

ALL IMAGES © REBECCA CROFT

A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | V I C TO R I A As the new AIPP Victorian Council President, I would like to sincerely thank all the members for the opportunity to serve an industry that I am passionate about. Thank you to the previous council for setting a benchmark in engaging more of our members in participating and enjoying some amazing events last year.

taking both my sister and me. Mum and Dad insisted that we have our own cameras and were encouraged to take as many photographs as we chose to. After high school l studied for 2 1/2 years at a private art college and then went on to complete my Bachelor of Arts (Photography) at RMIT University.

As the new council we intend to capitalise on the momentum and provide more fabulous events and social days including advocacy for our Victorian members to the current National Board. Your new council which consist of Dannii Best (Vice President), Vanessa Macaulay, Joshua Holko and David Simmonds are committed to serving you.

2. If you could have dinner with anyone from history who would it be? LETS MAKE IT A PARTY! Salvador Dali, Hunter S. Thompson, Bill Hicks, Robert Mapplethorpe, Lao Tzu, Nikki Sixx, Andy Warhol, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John Lennon, Ed Norton, Betsey Johnson, Steve Jobs, Rosa Parks, Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, Kurt Cobain, Tony Hsieh, Damon Albarn, Animal (from the Muppets), Leila (my dog) and my Dad.

This is an exciting time for the AIPP with the inclusion of the ACMP and the new APVP (Accredited Professional Video Producers). I urge you to get involved. Look forward to seeing you all at our next Event.

M E M B E R S P OT L I G H T - R E B E C C A C R O F T 1. How did you fall in love with photography? I guess it was an organic process. From the age of 8 years old my parents frequently travelled overseas 6

10th August - ‘What Judges Look For’ by Martin Graham Dunn plus Critique Night 24th August - Bus Tour to Ballarat Biennale 10th September - APPA Critique night 27th October - Video Critique Night, Glow Studios

Council Structure: Most councils have five members, but this can be varied by mutual consent.

3. What single piece of technology makes your life easier? Microwave, I won’t be auditioning for MasterChef this year! 4. Which photographer/s do you admire? Robert Mapplethorpe, Diane Arbus, W. Eugene Smith. 5. What is your dream shoot? 1969 Woodstock (Backstage…all access).

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A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | S O U T H A U S T R A L I A M O N T H LY B R E A K FA S T G AT H E R I N G Here in Adelaide, our State Council provides an opportunity for members to come together for a social chat over a sumptuous breakfast, or for some, just a cup of coffee. Our monthly breakfast catch-up is a staple on the calendar for many as it provides time for a leisurely break from daily routine and keeps our community connected. We welcome all members, accredited, emerging and student, as well as potential members to be introduced to, perhaps, future colleagues. The breakfast gathering is held on the first Tuesday of every month at Alfonso’s Café, Hutt St, Adelaide, from 8 a.m.

THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY SA Vice President, Louise Bagger, spent a couple of hours with a group of students at the Centre for Creative Photography to introduce them to the AIPP. There is no better time to promote our industry body than to have an opportunity to show a little of what we’re all about. Thanks to the new presentation show provided by Head Office, this gave a comprehensive collection

of information from which Louise was able to expand on based on her own knowledge. The timing was also perfect with the lead up to the SA State Awards in July and to encourage student involvement.

P R E - AWA R D S P R I N T F E E D B A C K By the time this article hits the streets, SA will have conducted our annual State Awards. An important part of this process was to help our local members to prepare their prints for SAPPA and State Council hosted an evening where members were invited to bring a selection of their printed images to receive valuable feedback before final submission. A panel of highly regarded Adelaide photographers, including local printing guru David Hobbs from Atkins Photo Lab, provided detailed evaluation of the images provided from printing detail to image presentation.

FUTURE EVENTS 14th August – SAPPA Debrief and Open Forum Q&A (TBC) 1st September – Monthly Breakfast – Alfonso’s Sep/Oct – New Members Introduction Evening (TBC) 7

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A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | AC T COUNCIL NEWS We’re off to a flying start with this year’s new ACT council. So lovely to welcome Lori Cicchini and Lib Ferreira into the midst. The council would also like to welcome our co-opted members Robert Coppa, Kelly Tunney and Dan O’Day. Please congratulate Ben Kopilow who is taking over the reins as ACT president! As it stands at the moment, Doug Hall is currently organising monthly catch ups at local cafes. This is a chance to discuss business, get advice about your day-to-day work or any issues you’re having with photography in general. If you’re madly preparing for APPA, we have a print critique night on 20 August at 6.30 p.m. Any questions you have about your entries must be at the print critique night. Check out the blog and the AIPP ACT Facebook Page.

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We have organised a whole host of exciting events over the next couple of months. For tickets and full details please keep an eye on your inbox and the official AIPP NSW Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/aippnsw © IGNACIO PALACIOUS

A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | N E W S O U T H WA L E S Welcome back to the old/new council and thank you to the record number of members who were nominated to run for council. This is an exciting sign to see so many members wanting to be involved in the state council and although we can’t elect more than five on the team, we value everyone’s input and activity in any area that you can be involved with. Many thanks Morris and Natalia McLennan for hosting “An Evening with Morris Images Sydney”. Morris gave attendees insights into his customer, marketing and photographic skills. He shared his journey from a manager of restaurants to now operating a home based studio that presents as a professional, fullyfledged, bustling business that is Red Square Media - Sydney. We saw his latest timelapse assignment shot between 11p.m. and 4.30 a.m. at Sydney Airport. A most impressive production. David Glazebrook “It was an honour to be asked to be the keynote speaker at the Sydney TAFE graduation evening on behalf of AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) this month. Congratulations to the 180 graduates who were awarded certificates on

completion of their photography courses. The bond between students, graduates and working professionals is so important in any industry and it was clear that the AIPP plays such a fabulous role in this, from continuing the education of photographers at any stage of their careers to creating a wonderful networking opportunity to keep members inspired along the way. A great reminder of the relevance and worth of our Institute!” Anni Payne

NSW EVENTS 12th August - Print Critique night hosted at Kayell 18th August – Inspiration – An Evening With Kylie Lyons at Handprint Photography TBC - Blue Mountains Brunch Club TBC early Sep - Print critique night 16th Sep - social - Off the Grid, Como Hotel 24th Sep – Portrait Photography – Katie Kolenberg, Jeremy Byrnes, Karl and Bec Welsch hosted by Momento Pro

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A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A Well it’s been a huge couple of months here in WA with the end of June seeing the WA Epson Professional Photography Awards completed for another year, leading straight into one of the AIPP¹s biggest yearly drawcards - The AIPP Nikon Event! The State Awards saw a record jump in the number of entries this year – a whopping 33% up on the previous year! It’s a sure sign that the WA AIPP community is excited and on the rise and it was a massive two and a half days of Judging with a huge thanks to our interstate Judges Anna Blackman, Kelly Tunney and Paul Hoelen for making the trip over, and our local guest judges Chris Rowett and Simon Westlake who all worked hard (and late) every night for PPY judging. Congratulations to John Woodhouse APP M.Photog, the new WA Epson Professional Photographer of the Year for 2015, as well as all the category winners. We need to make special mention of our student from CIT, who each worked 70 hours voluntarily throughout the event as print handlers. Your efforts were amazing! 10

After a successful awards presentation night combined with the opening night for the AIPP Nikon Event, the three day Event was underway and motivating the huge number of photographers who were lucky enough to attend. WA photographers James Simmons, Stef King, Jonelle Beveridge and Steve Wise led the way locally with memorable workshops and inspiring presentations. An amazing three days culminated in the Gala Auction Dinner which raised $58,000 for the charity beyondblue, and WA’s Leon Kozyrski was honoured by the AIPP with the designation of Honorary Life Member. Congratulations to all involved! We also welcome the new WA Council for 2015/16: Kirsten Graham (President), Shaireen Van Tuil, Steve Wise, Des Birt and Vic Natoli. The Council is excited about the upcoming year with some big plans afoot.

UPCOMING EVENTS 11th August - Breakfast Meeting 27th October - APPA Wrap Up Sundowner

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A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | TA S M A N I A The 2015 AIPP Tasmanian Epson Awards have been run and won. Congratulations to a growing number of entrants for their participation and to State President Kelly Gerdes and her team of happy helpers for a well organised and smooth running event. On Sunday 12 July 2015 the awards were judged at Zanzo Studios in Hobart, provided by courtesy of Dean Mansbridge, who is never shy of volunteering his time and resources. A fun night of celebrations was held the same evening at the awards dinner at The Westend Pumphouse in Hobart.

C AT E G O R Y A N D AWA R D S W I N N E R S Wedding – Jon Jarvela Landscape – Paul Hoelen Illustrative – Suellen Cook Portrait – Dan Cripps Pet/Animal – Deb Sulzberger Family – Conor Richardson Album – Kathleen Smith

Emerging – Robert Karacic Student – Fiona Davidson Highest Scoring Print – Andrew McConachy Epson Signature Worthy Award – Andrew McConachy Suellen Cook – 2015 AIPP Epson Tasmanian Professional Photographer of the Year An extra special congratulations to first time entrant and new council member Suellen Cook who was the Overall Winner.

SPONSORS A big thank you to all the event’s sponsors for their continuing support: Epson Australia, Bride Tasmania, Wild Island Gallery, Ai Imaging Art Poster, Walch Optics, and Hobart Imaging.

JUDGES A further thank you also to all judges for their time and efforts: William Long, Kelly Tunney, Kevin O’Daly, Dan Cripps, Dean Mansbridge, Steve Lovegrove, and Paul Hoelen. 11

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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE NQ CHAPTER

A R O U N D T H E S TAT E S | Q U E E N S L A N D Greetings from your new Queensland Council. We are very excited to bring a fresh approach to the AIPP QLD. What a year we have lined up for our members! We have some great speakers for our bi-monthly ‘On the Lounge’ presentations, the always exciting ‘Hair of the Dog’ Event, the always informative and very important Print Critiques and of course the Festive Season Christmas party, and a whole lot more. I won’t give too much away, but let’s just say that your diaries will be full! This year we are looking forward to connecting with as many of the Queensland members as possible through information nights, education events and social fun in the sunshine state. We thought we might kick off by letting you know where our specialties lie, so there is somebody specific to contact for your particular genre of photography. Adam Finch (President) – Highly experienced Commercial, Fashion, Wedding Photographer | Suzanne McCorkell (Vice President) – Contemporary Portraits – Family, children, generation | Ryan Schembri – Wedding and Business Guru | Megan Rizzo – Creative Art Portraits – Corporate, Pin Up, Rockabilly, Burlesque, SE QLD contact for Veteran’s Reflections Project | Tristam Evisan – Landscape, Fine Art, Printing genius and damn good listener. Queensland photographers are on fire with the AIPP Veteran’s Reflections Project. A group of Sunshine Coast photographers even made the Channel 9 news! Check it out HERE Council Structure: There was an equal vote for 5th position, so a sixth position was created by mutual consent.

Catherine & Richard Muldoon workshop – Photography as a Vocation. Two Dates: Monday the 28th of September 2015 in Airlie Beach and then Wednesday the 30th of September 2015 in Townsville. In this all day presentation Cath & Rich will share with you much of their hard won knowledge. Rich will talk about the creative influences in his work and suggest ways to get inspired and win your own “War of Art”. He will also describe Vivid’s digital workflow and outline the studio processes which enable him the time and freedom to be creative. Cath will talk about inspiring, educating and qualifying potential clients and creating emotive images they will love. Cath will also focus on the sales techniques which ensure the studio doors stay open. The day will be broken onto four areas of focus: The Creative, The Process, The Client, The Sales.

Our very own AIPP National President, Ross Eason was shooting that day and captured some incredible footage. Watch it here (and make sure you have some tissues). HERE Across South East Queensland alone, there have been 481 registered Veterans, allocated to 49 photographers. My maths is not great, but even I can see that we are in desperate need for more photographers to help out with this very meaningful project. To get involved register at https://aippveterans.com or contact hello@meganrizzophotography.com.au.

UPCOMING EVENTS 17th Aug – Core Skills – From Beginnings to Hero’s in a day 19th Aug – Core Skills – APPA Print Critique Evening #1 9th Sept – Core Skills – APVP Video Critique Evening 10th Sept – OTL – Justin Ealand from Bushturkey Studio 15th Sept – Core Skills – APPA Print Critique Evening #2 24th Sept – Inspiration – On the Lounge - TBA Tell us what you want! We are interested in your thoughts and ideas. If you have a pearler, then we want to know. If you want to host an On the Lounge, or would like to suggest an On The Lounge Speaker or have a presentation you want to share, tell us! Email aippqld@aipp.com.au

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Update 1: AIPP Reflections Project

Louise Bagger from South Australia describes her positive experiences with the Reflections project. Louise Bagger is the South Australian state

would like to get involved when their work

co-ordinator for the AIPP Reflections Project.

allows. I respect that income and family come

Having served for 15 years herself in the Royal

first and so I don’t push the point.

Australian Navy, she says she feels a personal

duty to help, but even putting this aside, she

photographed have since passed away, and two

says it’s the experience of a lifetime.

unfortunately died before I could reach them.

We are doing as much as is humanly possible,

The AIPP needs more photographers to help

“However, two of the veterans I

with the Project, so we asked Louise to explain

but we really need help from anyone who can

why it’s such a worthwhile thing to do.

spare a week or so of their time.”

“The project is bigger than I ever imagined,

Louise says getting involved with the media

but it’s just incredible the people I’m meeting.

has brought a lot more veterans forward.

I photographed a Rat of Tobruk, a gentleman

who went without food for 13 days on the

Adelaide Hills with the two local papers and we

Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, and a

achieved fantastic reach in SA and WA with a

Lancaster bomber pilot who was shot and

feature piece on Today Tonight by journalist Paul

injured over Germany, but managed to get his

Makin.

plane to safety. For me, to give an hour of my life

is no big deal compared to people who were

board are loving it. There’s a deep admiration

prepared to give their lives for their country.

and respect for these people - and the veterans

in turn can’t believe that we are doing this all for

“I’ve spent a lot of hours on this, but it will be

“We had a huge response here in the

“And the photographers who have come on

one of my career highlights.”

nothing. They shake our hands in gratefulness

and I walk away happy every time I do a shoot.”

While all the photographers involved have

been incredibly generous with their time, Louise

made special mention of Tom McNab from

Please spread the word about this project to WWII

Port Lincoln. “Tom has photographed over 50

veterans and photographers. To register a veteran

veterans all over the Eyre Peninsula.

or a photographer for the project please go to:

https://aippveterans.com

“Other photographers have indicated they

15 Veteran John Ritchie photographed by Louise Bagger for the AIPP Reflections Project.

Update 2: AIPP Reflections Project

R o b y n H i l l s f r o m Q u e e n s l a n d ’s S u n s h i n e C o a s t s a y s she should have become involved even earlier! “I like volunteering! I like to make the world a

of them are not interested, others are not

better place and I like to use my skills to give

able to come into the studio for a shoot, so

something back to the profession that has been

I have packed up my gear and gone out to

so good to me over the past thirty years.”

photograph them. Many are quite lonely and

isolated, so I give them a hug.

The AIPP Reflections Project is really getting

photographers to think about their role and

place in society. And with the photography

veteran said I only had a minute to spare when

being extended out to October, now is a great

I turned up (military habits are still to the fore),

time to get involved.

but he was very sweet. He made me a cup of

tea and there were some fresh biscuits from his

“I had seen all the promotions about the

“I also make sure I arrive on time! One

Veterans Project, I just hadn’t done anything

daughter. It’s a huge deal for them and their

about it. I mean, I’m time poor. I work in four

families love it too. And as they have given their

different industries and I’m a volunteer on three

lives for our country, I think we can all do a little

committees, but when Ross Eason gently asked

for them.

why I hadn’t registered, my reply was that I

had been meaning to. Hopefully everyone else

present to the public why we are different -

won’t need a personal call like I did!”

and why they can’t replicate what we do, no

Robyn featured in a video showing the

matter how many apps they have. Everyone

Veterans Project at work (you can see it on

was amazed when I set up the lights and the

Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/134189634).

background - they were very impressed.

“Ross organised my first veteran to come to

my studio. We had the media there, filming the

”This is a fabulous opportunity for us to

“A classic portrait is timeless and shows that

we stand apart as professional photographers.”

shoot and that’s how it started for me. However, it takes time to get things organised and so we

Please spread the word about this project to WWII

all need to get moving.

veterans and photographers. To register a veteran

or a photographer for the project please go to:

“For instance, there are 140 veterans we

know of through the Caloundra RSL. Some

https://aippveterans.com

Veteran Len Seto photographed by Robyn Hills. This photograph is an additional frame that Robyn took on the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought it was nice that Len brought along his original portrait. It is beautiful.â&#x20AC;?

Why The Nikon Event Worked For Me The Nikon Event in Perth has finished up with a lot of happy conventioneers! Peta Horsten explains why s h e t h o u g h t t h i s y e a r ’s p r o g ra m w a s s o w o r t h w h i l e .

The Nikon Event in Perth this year was Peta

deliver what he terms an honest image. He

Horsten’s second, following the Hobart Event a

believes that if you transform an image beyond

couple of years ago. “Not only were there some

enhancement, you should be letting your

inspiring speakers to listen to, it was actually a

viewers know that you’ve made significant

challenge to choose the best ones.

changes to the original capture and I also think

this is really important in the digital era.”

“It was great to listen to some local speakers

that we don’t get to hear very often. Steve Wise

was amazing. He’s such a talented and humble

somewhat methodically to make sure she

guy – I don’t think he knows how good he really

attains a good cross-section of knowledge and

is. He was showing us his approach to imagery,

development from the Event.

how he creates an image and transforms it into

an award print.

that meet particular needs. For instance, I like

to attend something that’s related to the day-

“Listening to all the chatter afterwards, I

Peta approaches her program selection

“I try to attend workshops and seminars

think he left the whole room in awe. It’s not

to-day work I shoot and a seminar that focuses

often you get to see someone work on an

on business development, but I also like to

image from concept to finished product.

attend one or two seminars that are purely

“Brooke Shaden was also incredible. She

inspirational, or that may help me with my own

has such a different approach to photography

passion for travel and landscape photography.”

with her self-portraits and she was encouraging

everyone to tell their own story, to delve into

knowledge she gained, Peta emphasised the

themselves and put it onto paper.

value in networking with other photographers.

“And I loved Joshua Holko. Listening to

However, just as important as the

“It gave me a really great sense of community.

Joshua’s talk about polar photography and

A lot of photographers work on their own, so

his passion for the environment was inspiring.

getting to meet other professionals and mixing

He explained that he’s not just out there to

at the social events is a big part of what makes

make beautiful images, rather he wants to

the Nikon Event so valuable.”

(Above) During Steve Wiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s epic session at the Nikon Event, Steve set himself the challenge of shooting a surprise guest (Brooke Shaden), then editing and producing a large format portrait print â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all in 90 minutes. The print was auctioned off that night at the Gala Dinner. (Bottom from left) The Nikon Night ( Monday) social function. Peta Horsten, Kirsten Graham, Kylie Lyons, Alycia Angel, Sue Lewis, Lisa Ivandich and 19 Steve Wise. Photos by Karl Welsch.

The Nikon Event

There was a lot happening over in Per th this year, and it wasn’t only education and learning! The Nikon AIPP Event included a trade show, seminars, lectures and workshops, a number of evening ‘events’, and of course, the gala dinner and charity auction. Photos by Karl Welsch.

The final keynote of the conference was by Brooke Shaden from the USA.

In the trade show. Tanya Wilson, Rocco Ancora, Felicity Biasi and Jade Wisely 20

On the bus and off to the Welcome Cocktail party!

The trade exhibition always seemed to be busy with lots of toys, err, tools of trade to look at.

The Nikon AIPP Welcome Cocktail Party, Sunday night. Mel Pitt, Darren Van Der Witt, Haley Richardson, Kelly Tunney and friends

Ryan Schembri takes his workshop attendees on location

Main Plenary room set to go with the first speaker of the conference, Richard Bowles (not in picture).

Gala Dinner Charity Auction for beyondblue

Cheers to Vittorio Natoli who purchased the celebrity print auction on the Nikon Night

The event team and volunteers, Kerrianne Jenkins, Alycia Angel, Lauren Island, Kim Harding, Sue Lewis, Michelle Chappell, Jess Leebold and Heidi Litchfield 21

AIPP Honour Recipients

Each year, the AIPP recognises the achievements and hard work of our most deserving members. Paul Curtis

Claude McCarthy Award

threw himself into the task at hand. Paul’s

Written by Greg Hocking

commitment was immense, using both time

Claude McCarthy was one of the founding

and personal resources to complete the job

fathers of the AIPP and the award named in his

which went far above what was expected.

honour recognises outstanding commitment,

work and dedication to the AIPP and the greater

also knows he is someone who leaves no

photographic industry.

stone unturned to see a project through to

completion.

Paul Curtis is a man who needs no

In his usual style, Paul enthusiastically

But then again, anyone who knows Paul

introduction. He is a legend of our industry. Paul

started life as a ship’s photographer, but most

Paul Curtis the Claude McCathy Award for his

of us know Paul from his days as a magazine

outstanding efforts in producing the book, A

publisher and his long contribution as the

History of Professional Photography in Australia.

The AIPP has great pleasure in awarding

organiser of PICA, a job he did for what seemed

to be forever.

Janie Boyd

Honorary Life Member

Over many years, Paul has also been a

fantastic friend and contributor to the AIPP and

Written by Richard Bennett

someone who could always be relied upon to

After successfully building a furniture

get the job done.

upholstery business with her husband Kerry,

Janie Boyd decided in 2003 that it was time to

Back in 2011, the AIPP Board was planning

for the Institute’s 50th birthday celebrations

follow her passion for photography.

and this was to include a written history of the

AIPP and professional photography in Australia.

Contemporary Art - Photography Major with

It became very clear to the organisers that

the University of Tasmania and being added to

there was really only one person in our industry

the Dean’s Roll of Excellence for outstanding

equipped to do such a task and that was Paul

scholastic achievement, Janie’s next goal was

Curtis.

to be accepted into the Australian Institute of

After completing a Bachelor of

(Above Left) Paul Curtis receives the Claude McCarthy Award from Greg Hocking. (Above Right) Richard Bennett presents Janie Boyd with an Honorary Life Membership. (Below Left) Greg Hocking presents Leon Kozyrski with an Honorary Life Membership. (Below Right) Alice Bennett receives an Honorary Fellowship from Ian van der Wolde. Photos by Karl Welsch.

Professional Photography. In Janie’s words, “That

Australian Surf Life Savers. Standing on the

was the pinnacle”!

beach one day, documenting the incredible

skills needed to guard Australia’s beaches and

Janie joined the Institute in 2004 and soon

after became a member of the Tasmanian

be rescue ready at any given moment, she felt

Divisional Council. During the following three

compelled to do more than just photograph

years, her roles included Treasurer, Sponsorship

them. Janie wanted to do her bit!

Coordinator, Event Coordinator and Vice

President.

Medallion with the Bridport Surf Life Saving

Club and since then has added a Silver

In 2007 she was asked by the National

In 2012, Janie completed her Bronze

President to take on the role of National AIPP

Medallion in Advanced First Aid, Aquatic

Travelling Exhibition coordinator. Janie became

Industry Pool Lifeguarding skills, and an IRB

a wonderful addition to the National Board as a

Crew Rescue Certificate.

co-opted member.

Captain with the Bridport Surf Life Saving Club.

During this time Janie achieved her

Earlier this year, Janie was promoted to Patrol

Associateship. Then in 2009, Janie became

National Sponsorship Coordinator. She was

contribution to the AIPP and her community,

always working on sponsorship packages and

the Institute honours her with the distinction of

streamlining systems, with a keen eye for detail.

Honorary Life Member.

In recognition of her outstanding

Janie was elected National Vice President in

2010.

Leon Kozyrski

Honorary Life Member

Janie did many of the unglamorous jobs

on the Board, but some of the most important

Written by Greg Hocking

ones. She was a wonderful cog in the AIPP

Starting his photographic career as a colour

wheel. Always a calming influence. Always

printer in a professional colour laboratory in

smiling. Janie was never the first to give her

London in 1969, Leon Kozyrski was on the road

opinion, but everything she said was worth

to a lifetime in professional photography.

listening to.

And it was never about Janie, rather what

Australia as a photographer and manager

she could do quietly. Always working behind

of a family photographic studio. This soon

the scenes, Janie was a brilliant National Vice

led to a position in 1972 as a photographer

President.

and cinematographer with the Audio Visual

Education Centre in Leederville, WA.

In 2011, Janie began photographing

Leon moved to Geraldton, Western

This position didn’t last long as Leon soon

to an industry which over the last 15 years has

found himself back in the UK as a colour printer,

been in a constant state of flux.

but that didn’t last long either because Leon

set sail back to Australia and his old job at the

Leon Kozyrski for his outstanding contribution

Audio Visual Education Centre in Leederville.

to photographic education in Australia with the

honour of Honorary Life Member of the AIPP.

The year was 1977 and Leon soon found

The AIPP has great pleasure in honouring

himself shooting weddings and portraits on weekends and in 1978, Leon began lecturing in

Alice Gray

photography at Mt Lawley Technical College.

Honorary Fellowship

Written by Ian van der Wolde

These were the days of Brian Barrow and

Mike Allman, two tyrants of the still life studio or

Alice Gray has done and achieved more at her

darkroom, as the case may be.

young age than most achieve in a lifetime.

She has flown through cyclones with her

One a pipe-smoking, ex-fashion

photographer who thought all students

cameras and even presented one of her father’s

were colour blind, and the other a glass-eyed

landscape photographs to the Queen of

perfectionist (but a lovely guy) who could recite

England when he was unable to attend.

every photographic calculation known to man

– backwards.

photographer, she started her photographic

career earlier than most, first helping and then

Then there was Leon, a gentle soul and

The daughter of an iconic Australian

someone who was always approachable and

assisting her father.

knew his stuff when it came to vocational

photographic education.

Bennett) had gained enough experience that

Richard trusted her to help him shoot the

Leon has also been a great supporter of the

At the ripe old age of 15, Alice Gray (formerly

AIPP which he joined in 1977, so long ago the

Sydney to Hobart Yacht race from her own

AIPP was then known as the IAP.

aircraft.

Although Leon may not have been actively

Running her own business Photography by

involved on State Council or similar committees,

Alice, Alice has now photographed countless

he was always heavily involved in the area

weddings and portraits over the years.

of industry liaison and making sure that the

AIPP had a voice in how new courses were

and on one occasion sold photos to grace the

developed for the photographic profession, as

walls of an entire floor of Hobart’s Wrest Point

well as how best to provide ongoing training

Casino.

She has also had many successful exhibitions

Alice is well published, having five books on

employment of an Executive Officer.

her resume, three of which made it to the top

of Tasmania’s best sellers list. Her fifth book was

something the industry had been asking for,

published after her home town Dunalley was

for many years and the new structure relieved

decimated by bush fire, to raise much needed

some of the workload from our state volunteers.

funds for her community. To date, this book has

raised over $25,000.

Institute had around 1200 members and due to

steps put in place by her and her team, we have

Alice was a doer from an early age, joining

She nationalised sponsorship of the Institute,

When Alice started on the Board, the

the APPA events team at 17 and working as

seen membership grow to over 3000.

a team leader for many years. Distance was

never an issue and whilst studying under Doug

husband Tom have become the proud parents

Spowart in Toowoomba, Queensland, she

of two beautiful boys, James and Barclay.

drove herself and four other team members to

However, never one to slow down, these days

Melbourne in her little Pulsar for their first APPA.

you are more likely to see Alice serving wine

or making coffee in their family business, the

Alice became Tasmanian president and then

Since retiring from the Board, Alice and her

went on to join the National Board, becoming

Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed.

the AIPP’s second female and youngest ever

National President. She finished her term on the

venture has won The James Halliday Trophy and

board as chairman in 2012.

a Gold Medal at the 2015 Tasmanian Wine Show.

She has achieved or was part of the team

Again, not to do things by halves, this new

The restaurant was also a finalist in the

that achieved many positive changes to the

Tasmanian Seafood Awards, is consistently in

Institute, such as the Fuji Breakaway Weekends,

every top ten list of ‘things to do in Tassie’ and

the introduction of a Student Bursary, and the

is one of the faces of Tourism Tasmania’s Behind

Celebrating Women in Photography Event for

the Scenery Spring Campaign.

International Women’s Day.

differences she has made to the Institute, Alice

She was also instrumental in the

For her commitment to the AIPP and the

introduction of an accreditation program that

Gray has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship

included a professional checklist, marketing

of the AIPP.

logo and the long requested re-introduction of folio assessment for new members.

Richard Bennett, Greg Hocking and Ian van der Wol-

de comprise the AIPP’s Honours Committee and are

Alice was also part of the team that

restructured the National Office to include the

responsible for administering these awards.

Photographs from Alice Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new venture in life, the Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed

Social Media: Who Are You Abusing?

S o c i a l m e d i a d o e s n’t g i ve p e o p l e a n e xc u s e t o b e r u d e or libellous. In fact, it may stick around to haunt you.

What do you think about someone who posts a

rude or objectionable comment on someone’s

to face in real life.

social media page? Does the comment really

affect the person being accused, or is it more

the comment face to face, don’t write it down

about the person making the accusation?

where it is there for everyone to read - forever!

I’m not talking about disagreement or

These comments would never be made face My suggestion is, if you wouldn’t make

I would also suggest the easiest way to stop

expressing your own point of view, assuming

a rude person is to delete the post, unfriend him

the context is appropriate. We should all feel

or report her as appropriate. Life’s too short. If

the right to disagree and reflect on different

someone is rude and aggresive to you in the

points of view, as long as we conduct ourselves

street, chances are you’d just walk away. We

politely and respectfully.

should do the same online.

I guess I’m suggesting we mind our

Of course, some people use an anonymous

manners!

username or avatar, allowing them to slam

their victim with no hope of redress, but if

For me, abusive comments say more about

the person being rude than the person being

they hide behind a pen name, what have they

slammed. I simply discount the comment

really achieved? It shows the person lacks any

because the accuser hasn’t the education or

strength of character, so on the one hand, why

finesse to more eloquently express his or her

worry?

opinion - and therefore isn’t worth listening to.

people write rude things in our space. Perhaps

Someone posted a comment on my website

On the other hand, it is annoying when

asking why after I had been to such amazing

we need to politely call them out: “Thanks for

places which were already beautiful, I had to

your post, but I think it is rude/inappropriate/

ruin my photographs with unnecessary editing.

not necessary. Does anyone else agree?”

At least that comment had a sense of humour

(or maybe not), whereas I see many derogatory

defence.

comments on other people’s pages that are

snide, unnecessary and downright rude.

to be rude or libellous.

Hopefully your friends will come to your Social media doesn’t give people an excuse

Peta

HORSTEN Accredited Professional Photographer

Peta Horsten’s life seems to revolve around travelling to remote and exotic locations, while shooting families and newborns in between. And while that might not be completely true, there’s no doubting her passion for travel.

“As my husband and I both run our own businesses, it has allowed us to travel extensively, usually

for about six weeks each year, although this year we have 17 weeks of travel planned. So far our travels have taken us to Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali and the USA.”

Later this year (just in case you were going to give Peta a call), she will be visiting Israel, Morocco

and Europe for eight weeks.

“This is what I love to do, so if someone gave me the opportunity to travel, capture images and

earn money, I’d jump at the chance. In fact, that’s my little pipeline dream.”

Peta has family living in China, which she says has allowed her and her husband to get off the

beaten track and visit parts of China that tourists would not normally travel to, sometimes with good reason.

She says, at times, they have spent anywhere from 10 or 20 hours travelling on a bus or a train to

get to destinations within China that see very few visitors from the Western world. (Opposite) An example of Peta’s day to day work using natural light in her home based studio. It also received a Silver Award in the 2015 Epson AIPP WAPPAs. (Following double page) The Art of Papermaking, The Old Town of Lijang, China. A paper store where a traditional paper maker sells his wares.

Peta

HORSTEN Accredited Professional Photographer

Peta

HORSTEN Accredited Professional Photographer

“Without our family living there and

all the judging to develop an understanding

speaking the language fluently, it would make

of what the judges were looking for. I learnt so

these trips a lot more difficult to do.”

much and I was so glad that I went.

“On returning from the APPAs, I decided to

Portrait Studio

take the plunge and enter images into WAPPAs

Peta runs a portrait photography business from

for the first time as a non-accredited member.

a home based studio in Booragoon, Western

Australia, and she shoots both in the studio and

the Illustrative category, as well as four silvers in

out on location, depending on what her clients

the Illustrative and Landscape categories.”

need.

confidence to become an accredited member

“I have always had a love for photography

“ To my surprise, I received a gold award in

Peta says entering WAPPAs gave her the

going back to high school, but I didn’t pick

of the AIPP and to enter APPAs for the first time

up a camera again until I was 23. I began as

in 2013.

a hobbyist and did some courses with the

Australian Centre for Photography in Sydney,

to the judges the previous year because not

back in 2000.

only did she pick up a silver with distinction and

three silver awards, she was also a finalist for the

“When I moved back to Perth in 2003, I

She must have learnt something listening

enrolled in the Central TAFE Certificate IV in

AIPP Australian Professional Travel Photographer

Photo Imaging, whilst I continued to work full-

of the Year.

time as an office manager in the investment banking industry.

Learning From Judging

“I really love entering the awards – not just for

“I also did many courses and workshops

through Team Digital, PRA Imaging, the AIPP,

winning awards, but for the whole process:

Tero Sade and Baby As Art to name a few. In

making your selections, the critique beforehand,

2007, I started my business on a part-time basis,

watching the judging and taking in the

before taking the leap and going full-time in

feedback, not just on my images, but other

2009.

photographers’ images across all categories.

“I think there is a lot to be learnt from sitting

Success At APPA

through all the judging sessions and I have

“I went along to the Canon AIPP APPAs for the

found it invaluable to enter and attend APPAs

first time in 2012. I didn’t pluck up the courage

and WAPPAs each year.

to enter the awards that year, but sat through

“I really enjoy the challenge that the awards

Huangshan Mountain Peaks, Huangshan, China.This is the image that won Peta a Gold Award at the Epson AIPP WAPPAs. Peta has moved out of weddings and now concentrates on portraiture which frees up her calendar so she can travel more. (Below) The Doctor , Cam Kim, Vietnam. (Following double page) Living on the Edge, Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, Alaska. Taken from a helicopter looking down on trekkers as we came in to land on the Mendenhall Glacier.

Peta

HORSTEN Accredited Professional Photographer

Peta

HORSTEN Accredited Professional Photographer

bring, I like that it pushes me to want to do

better and to become a better photographer.

has the D4S, D3S and D810 in her kit.

I only wish that I joined the AIPP earlier and

started entering the Awards sooner!”

also use zoom lenses for photographing young

Peta shoots with Nikon DSLRs and currently “I prefer to shoot with prime lenses, but I

children and for my travel photography. Developing Business

Peta says when she began her business,

45mm TS, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, 70-

she took on any jobs that came her way –

200mm and three SB-900 flashes.

weddings, events (corporate, engagements

and private parties), corporate headshots, and

portraits, but I also use the Elinchrom RX600s

portraits.

lighting kit.

However, in 2013 she made the decision to

“My kit includes a 14-24mm, 24-70mm,

“I mainly shoot natural light for my everyday

“And I recently purchased a lightweight

focus on portraits, as she really loved that part

carbon-fibre Gitzo GT-2542T tripod for my travel

of her business, and she also didn’t want to be

photography.”

locked into wedding bookings too far ahead

as she wanted to be able to indulge her love of

Outsourcing The Printing

travel photography.

At home, Peta uses a MacPro tower with an Eizo

ColorEdge CG241W monitor, along with Adobe

“At this stage, I still have lots to learn and

there are many areas I would like to continue

Camera RAW, Lightroom and Photoshop CC for

developing.

her day-to-day work.

“I am in the middle of rebranding and will

“She uses a Mac Mini for her client

continue to focus on growing my portrait

presentations, along with ProSelect software

business, whilst indulging my passion for travel

and a large LED screen. She also has a MacBook

and the various personal projects that I have

Pro for when she is working away from the

planned.

office or travelling.

“I have dabbled in a little commercial

“For printing, all my work is outsourced to

photography in the past and would love to

Fitzgerald Photo Imaging and Perth Pro Lab, so I

delve more into that in the future. I am also

don’t have a need for an in-house printing setup

working towards my Master of Photography

at the moment.”

with the AIPP and dream to one day regularly

exhibit, sell and have my personal work

dry up while she was travelling for such long

published.”

periods away from home!

And if she did, we wonder if the inks would

Spiritual Pilgrimage III, Langmusi, China. Murmering an unbroken stream of prayers, this Tibetan woman falls to her hands and knees â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like so many before her. Taking one small step at a time before falling to her hands and knees in prayer, she would then lay face down before standing up to clasp her hands in prayer for their three hundredth prostration, through the hilltops surrounding the Langmusi temples.She relentlessly continues this pilgrimage, painfully one small step at a time, from dawn to dusk. Photo by Peta Horsten.

Peta

HORSTEN Accredited Professional Photographer

“We have had some amazing experiences

and done things I never thought I would do, like hiking Huangshan (otherwise known as China’s Yellow Mountains), climbing Tiger Leaping Gorge, and horseback trekking in the snow through the Tibetan mountains and staying in Nomadic tents.

“I can remember having to sit on my

backside going down steps when hiking Huangshan as it was so dangerous and steep in parts, but it was also an incredible experience and well worth the risk.”

And given she earned a Gold Award from

that location at WAPPA, our guess is she won’t be stopping home for long any time soon. Peta Horsten is a portrait and travel photographer, and an Accredited Professional Photographer. You can see more of her work at www.petahorstenphotography.com.au

White Pass Wilderness, Skagway, Alaska

10 Points For Canon AIPP APPA Success

The Working Pro asked Grand Master of Photography Rocco Ancora how to give your entries the best chance of achieving a Silver or even a Gold Award at t h e C a n o n A I P P A P PA s t h i s y e a r. The Canon AIPP Australian Professional

want on your monitor, you need to ensure they

Photography Awards will be held 16-19 October

are correctly translated onto the print.

this year in Melbourne, so now is a good time to

start thinking about your entries.

within your colour managed workflow. You can

download ‘generic’ printer profiles from the

Master print maker and AIPP Grand Master of

This is achieved using a custom print profile

Photography Rocco Ancora suggests 10 points

internet, but often these are not as good as a

to help you create prints that will impress the

custom profile you have made yourself, or had

judges.

made by a service supplier (such as Les Walkling - http://www.leswalkling.com/services/faq-

1. Work In A Colour Managed Environment

services/).

Your computer monitor is the window to

your photography files, so it’s essential that it

between a good print and a great one.

A good printer profile is the difference

displays the tones and colours accurately when editing your entries. Make sure you use a good

3. Check Your Print Under Similar Lighting

quality monitor and that it is correctly profiled

After you have made your print, don’t just

and calibrated. As a minimum, you should be

assume it is correct.

using a colorimeter like the Datacolor Spyder5

to set up your monitor, or where funds allow,

sometimes you’ll only know this by looking at

you might use a top line monitor designed

your print under the same lighting conditions

for professional photography applications, like

as the judges.

those from Eizo. This is the beginning of your

colour management workflow.

sets of 40 watt colour tubes (5000°K, CRI 98)

Further adjustments may be required and

In 2014, the APPA lighting system used two

with each set of lights at 45° from the print.

2. Custom Print Profile

Light intensity is tested with a light meter set at

Once you have the colours and tones that you

ISO 100 from the centre of the print, pointing

Photograph by Dan Cripps M.Photog., Finalist, Portrait Category, 2014 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards

the incident meter towards the judge viewing

5. Paper Choice

position.

The choice of paper depends greatly on your

subject as much as anything, but keep in mind

The exposure reading should be 1/60

second at f2.8. The ambient room lighting

that a high gloss print will pick up reflections

should be one stop less, i.e. 1/30 second at f2.8.

and may make it more difficult for the judge to

appraise.

(We expect this lighting to remain

unchanged in 2015.)

surfaces tend to work better in the judging

If you don’t have this lighting or a viewing

box at your studio (most photographers don’t),

Rocco suggests that satin and matte

environment.

view your print in outdoor shade in the middle of the day.

6. Original Content While it is great to be inspired by the work

4. Are You Communicating Visually?

of others, Rocco cautions against submitting

Photography communicates in two ways. First,

photographs that are too similar to images that

there is the subject matter that communicates

are not your own.

to the viewer.

too similar to other photographs or artworks,

Second, there are compositional and

Every year, entries are disqualified for being

aesthetic devices that communicate – such as

which leads to embarrassment for both the

subject placement, framing, colour and tonality.

photographer and the AIPP.

It is important that both approaches are

communicating the same message.

not allowed. If a judge considers your work to

be too similar to other photographs, your entry

For example, a portrait with a face in shadow

and a bright background may not work as well

will be marked down.

as a well-lit face with a darker background.

own work.

We know the subject is the face, but only in

Whatever you enter should be solely your

the second example are the compositional and

aesthetic devices working in harmony.

7. Print Quality And Spotting

APPA is a professional awards system, so there

Rocco suggests turning your print upside

down to see if the dominant areas of tone and

are high expectations of print quality.

colour match your subject. It may be some

light areas to the side of the subject need to be

an appropriate colour balance and that there

darkened down.

are no sensor spots or marks.

Ensure the print has a good tonal range, has

Photograph by Sheldon Pettit, AAIPP, Finalist, Landscape Category, 2014 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards

Even things that look like they might be

being mindful of colour shifts that may not be

sensor or dust spots should probably be

intended.

removed in post-production, assuming the

specific category rules permit this.

judges.

8. Print Matting

10. Sharpening

Fashions change, but at present a ‘full bleed’

Often prints don’t need as much sharpening

print where the image takes up all of the 40x50

as you think and while the correct amount of

cm mount doesn’t have the same impact as a

sharpening can certainly improve an image,

smaller print with a matte surrounding it.

over-sharpening can kill it.

White mattes are preferred by most entrants

A good vignette will be invisible to the

Don’t over use the clarity slider either and

while strong colours are generally (but not

keep an eye on the white haloes around your

always) marked down.

subject edges – if they are too obvious you will

be marked down.

However, if choosing a white matte, consider

its tone.

assessed on the print, so be prepared to print

If you have a warm matte and a cool tone

paper, the matte can make the print look even

Correct sharpening can only be accurately

more than one to get it exactly right.

cooler than it is – and vice versa.

Similarly, a metallic print under a bright

There is no guarantee your images will be

white matte can struggle because the ‘white’ of

viewed by the judges as a Silver Award or higher,

the metallic print is a dull grey in comparison to

but win or lose, this process of preparing your four

the whites in the matte.

best prints each year builds skills and confidence

for your career as a professional photographer.

Mattes don’t need to be fancy – a simple

matte will let the print do the talking.

It has worked for thousands of members; with

the right attitude, it will work for you too. 9. Vignetting Subtle vignettes can greatly add to a

Rocco Ancora, APP-L, GM. Photog., is an ambassa-

photograph’s presentation, but strong vignettes

dor for Nikon Australia, Epson and Canson. He is an

that are handled awkwardly can lose a lot of

AIPP Board Member and has won the AIPP Austra-

points.

lian Professional Wedding Photographer of the Year

Award four times, plus many overseas awards.

If you are vignetting, keep an eye on the

colours and tonality in the darkened area,

www.roccoancora.com

47 Photograph by Benjamin Liew, M.Photog., Gold Award, Portrait Category, 2014 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards

Landing Pages For Higher Profits

Peter Myers explains how using your ‘Search For A Pro” p ro f l i e s w i t h s p e c i f i c l a n d i n g p a g e s ca n l e a d to lower bounce rates and more bookings. Peter Myers explains that you have just four

need to find what they are looking for - quickly.

seconds to engage someone who visits your

website, so it’s important that whatever web

photographer offering family, wedding and

page they are visiting contains exactly the

baby photography.

information they are looking for.

photographer, a lot of the information on

The problem for many photographers and

If the visitor is a bride looking for a wedding

video producers is that they offer a range of

the home page is unwanted. And if what she

different services. For instance, they might offer

wants isn’t clearly visible, she may bounce

family, wedding and baby photography, all of

away and ‘land’ on another page, possibly your

which are found on their home page – if you

competitor’s, which might answer her questions

know where to look.

more immediately.

If their home page is busy with lots of

information, or it takes too long to load

Make It Easy For Visitors

(because it uses Flash or large photos), the

What our photographer needs to do is create a

visitor will simply press the back button and go

landing page designed specifically for wedding

somewhere else. The visitor ‘bounces’ away from

customers. Rather than seeing links and

your website and you lose a potential customer.

photographs related to a wide range of services,

show a page devoted to weddings.

The home page is often mistakenly used

by image makers as the main ‘landing page’ –

the location where visitors to your website first

If you want her to look at previous weddings

arrive – but you can and should have multiple

you have photographed, does the landing page

landing pages for different purposes.

make this easy for her to do?

Let’s continue our example of a

However, what do you want a visitor to do?

Perhaps you want her to look at your price

Directed Behaviour

list, to read testimonials, to view at a short video

The trick to higher profits is to turn your website

or to send you an email and make an inquiry.

visitors into customers. To do that, your visitors

Does your landing page do this?

49 Photograph by Luisa Dunn, AAIPP, Finalist, Family Category, 2014 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards

Peter Myers explains that this is ‘directed

behaviour’.

genre. For example:

• www.johnsmith.com.au/products

As professional photographers, we should

ensure all our web pages lead our visitors to do

• www.johnsmith.com.au/architecture

what we want them to do.

• www.johnsmith.com.au/headshots

“It has to be obvious to a visitor where they

This approach also makes sense when

need to go next, so you in turn need to decide

advertising your services on the AIPP’s Search

what you want them to do and why.”

for a Professional service on its website.

Separate Landing Pages

Don’t Assume

When we hand out business cards, advertise

When someone searches for, say, an

on other website or include email footers, we

architectural photographer, you can have a

usually use our website home page as the ‘link’.

section on the AIPP website devoted to your

architectural work, plus the link can go back to a

Peter Myers suggests having a range of

different landing pages, depending on the

dedicated landing page on your website.

context of the link or your conversation, will

give you a much better result.

we can’t assume our website visitors know what

to do next.

For instance, if someone is making an inquiry

Finally, Peter Myers emphasised the fact that

about a wedding, the link to your website

would be to a special landing page that focuses

a long time now and that the average visitor is

on weddings. You might already have a ‘title’

much more educated, but much better results

page for the wedding section of your website –

can be achieved if we take it upon ourselves to

so use this page link.

help them navigate around our website.

Or you might create a special page on your

It’s true that the internet has been around for

So, whatever web page they visit, we must

website for people to click on once you’ve sent

hit them on the nose with what they need to

them an email.

do next.

They read the email, click on the link and the

Remember, if you want to keep them on

website page gives them a special offer or more

your website and increase your chances of

directions. In other words, we can help them by

converting them into a customer, you have only

directing their behaviour.

four seconds to get them involved.

A commercial photographer who shoots

products, architecture and head shots might

have three separate landing pages, one for each

That’s why you need different landing pages

for different products and services.

51 Photograph by George Favios, Finalist, Fasion Category, 2014 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards

SoloShot2

Is technology gradually eliminating the need for professional videoand photography services, or is it providing professionals with new tools and new opportunities? Is the SoloShot2 good or evil? Is there a job for photographers in the

in. After an initial two step ‘pairing’ process

future? What about cinematographers and

with the Base, the user puts on the tag (using

videographers?

an armband, for instance) and the Base simply

follows the Tag.

SoloShot2 is an automated camera system

that will follow the action, allowing you to

photograph yourself at work, at play, or even

and you can use as many Bases as you like to

taking photographs!

follow one Tag.

It’s probably more appropriate for

However, at present the system doesn’t

sportspeople who want some still photos or

work indoors. It seems we still need real

videos of themselves in action, but don’t want

photographers for the time being!

to pay a photographer to sit for hours watching

them. Rather, they can invest in a SoloShot2

with the SoloShot2 and, if you use a SoloShot2

and a tripod, and SoloShot2 will watch them

Camera Controller (it docks to the Base to

instead.

enable communication between the camera

and the SoloShot2 system), you can take control

The SoloShot2 system comprises two units.

A wide range of cameras is compatible

The SoloShot2 Base attaches to your tripod

over the camera as well. This includes operating

and your camera attaches to the top of the

the start/stop control and zooming the lens for

SoloShot2. The Base then follows you in action,

a video camera, and taking bursts of still images

rotating a full 360 degrees and tilting up to 90

with a DSLR.

degrees up and 60 degrees down.

shoot video with your DSLR.

The unit is capable of tracking at a rate of

However, at present it won’t allow you to

80 degrees per second and the built-in battery

lasts up to eight hours.

each different camera.

So, how does the Base know where to

point? This is where the SoloShot2 Tag comes

You can pair up to 10 Tags to a single Base

A different camera controller is needed for For more information you can visit their

website at: www.soloshot.com

The SoloShot2 is a rotating base that holds a camera and sits on a tripod, then follows a tag wherever it goes.

Photographs by Rebekah Wilson for the AIPP Reflections Project.

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