Sandy (Sam) Puc’
M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI
PPA Member since 1998
Shoots: Portraits
Location: Littleton, CO

• Read her bio.
• Read her Board Spotlight interviews (July 2007, May 2006), featured in Professional Photographer magazine.

Bio

Sandy “Sam” Puc', owner of Sandy Puc' Portrait Design in Littleton, Colorado, is a nationally acclaimed photographer and businesswoman who shares her wisdom with photographers at all stages of their careers by lecturing at seminars, schools, in her yearly nationwide seminar tours, at her in-studio workshops, and through her educational website, Sam’s World University.

Sam is known for her passion, energy, and skilled marketing techniques. She loves to inspire passion and excellence in the photographers she mentors.

Sam is committed to her industry, and she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Photographers of America. Sam also holds the prestigious titles of Print Master and Explorer of Light from Canon USA.

Her images have been displayed in numerous magazines, public and professional buildings, billboards and showcased on television. She also shares her abilities with the media when they are in need of professional expertise and has been featured on television and radio as a portrait photography expert. A frequent contributor to professional journals, Sam’s first book, Children’s Photography, released in the spring of 2008. She also has a comprehensive line of educational materials available to colleagues on her Sam’s World University website.

Sam believes in giving back, both to her immediate community and to her professional colleagues. Since its inception, her company has been committed to community service. Each year Expressions conducts several portrait fundraisers to benefit such organizations as the Denver Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Locks of Love, Operation Smile, The Children’s Hospital, The Food Bank of the Rockies, and The Denver Dumb Friends League. She also provides gift certificates to local schools and organizations to assist them in their fundraising. Sam is a co-founding member of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a non-profit organization that provides portraiture services to families whose babies will never leave the hospital. (www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org)

Her studio, Sandy Puc' Portrait Design, is known for their accomplished photographers, helpful sales consultants, skilled imaging artists, and gracious hospitality.

Visit Sam’s website: www.expressionsphotos.com
Visit Sam’s blog: www.expressionsphotos.blogspot.com
Visit Sam’s online educational resource: www.samsworlduniversity.com

Board Spotlight, July 2007
Do It Right…
By Angela Wijesinghe

Don’t think that your changes are over after switching to digital! According to Sandy (Sam) Puc’, the new trends in the photographic community within the past twelve months may surprise you. “We usually can’t see outside our own studio,” she says. But in Puc’s eyes, there is both a new focus on business and a return to the traditional. And both changes center on the need to “do it right.”

Even though the business end isn’t as much fun (numbers and figures and forecasting, oh my!), more and more photographers are focusing on it. Just consider the number of business seminars and workshops that have been popping up, like the SMS workshops. Almost every one is packed! “People are recognizing that we can’t just be artists,” says Puc’. “So many others can say they are doing what we are doing…we have to differentiate ourselves.” And some of that comes through the business end: the finances and marketing.

Yes, some of the “magic of photography” is gone nowadays. As Puc’ commented, “Clients are not as impressed with our tools…because they can buy them. So we need to find a way to create the magic again.” In a sense, focusing on the business (such as on marketing) can give a sense of that old wonder. Instead of losing the magic, find another way to create it!

Photographers are also recreating the magic by returning to the more traditional side of the craft, the “Old Masters way of doing it right,” according to Puc’. When digital came along, the focus was on shoot it fast and fix it later. But now photographers are working on the setup, the lighting…trying to understand how it works instead of duplicating it later on the computer. “I love that people are trying to create art again,” Puc’ says.

While being on the Board has given Puc’ a broader perspective on the photographic community and she sees the importance of the turn to business and traditional style, her heart tells her that all areas are important. “We can’t take our gift lightly. Our photographs may end up being someone’s only memories. It’s a powerful thing. We need to treat it as such.”

Board Spotlight, May 2006
Her friends call her chaos. Sandy Puc embraces and embodies her nickname. “Great things evolve from chaos,” she laughed. Puc got her first camera when she was 17 and readily admits “I have known nothing else.”

The self-described chameleon says she was “born with courage.” She shaved her head, sported a Mohawk and worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 80’s. Ironically, the thought of being rich and famous frightens her. ”I would rather be with the people I love,” she said.

Her practice of photography is just as emotional. “A picture can change my day,” she said. “I tell my customers I don’t sell paper, I sell what’s in it.” Puc believes her purpose is to understand people through the lens. “It is my job to capture what they feel.” Be it the rejuvenation of spring or the warmth and depth of fall, her photographic senses appreciate the individual feel of all seasons—except summer. “I hate being hot,” she added.

Puc has proudly made her share of mistakes and learned from all of them. “Mistakes are great, all success is based on them,” she explained. When she joined PPA, it was to be educated. It wasn’t until she met and mingled with members did she completely commit. “I decided if the organization was going to move forward, I wanted to be one of the ones giving back,” she said. “Diversity makes PPA strong.”