Results tagged “PPA” from PPA Today

As a photographer, the one thing you probably love more than (or at least as much as) creating a beautiful photograph is the gear you use to capture it. We don't just mean your prized camera, but also the lenses, the lights, the tripods and even the laptop and other computer gear you use to produce the finished product!

Recognizing your love of gear and the role it can play in helping you stay ahead of the competition, PPA has offered members the ability to access free and affordable equipment coverage. We want to make sure that we're helping you protect not only the equipment you love, but your livelihood as well. Read more here.

PPA is pleased to announce a new benefit for members: an ongoing series of free, member-exclusive webinars designed to provide members with inspiration and tips on photographic art, technique, and workflow.

The first series, "From Capture to Client, presented by Adobe, will begin on September 21, with the webinar "The Art of Facial Retouching. Canon's "Exploring" webinar series begins on October 5, with "Photographing Children. Both series were designed to help photographers gather ideas and solid advice for growing their creativity and business.

EXPLORING... This monthly series features Canon "Explorers of Light" sharing their imagery, techniques, and insights. October 5 / 12-1pm ET Photographing Children with Michele Celentano, Cr.Photog. November 2 / 12-1pm ET New Ways of Working and Seeing to Win Clients with Ken Sklute, M.Photog.Cr. November 30 / 12-1pm ET FONG Shui: Harmony with the Art of Posing and Lighting with Hanson Fong, M.Photog.Cr.

FROM CAPTURE TO CLIENT This four-part series, sponsored by Adobe, offers tips and tricks for each step of your digital imaging workflow, from dynamic raw processing to flawless retouching. September 21 / 12-1pm ET The Art of Facial Retouching with Jane Conner-Ziser, Cr.Photog., API October 19 / 12-1pm ET Streamlined Post-Processing with Lightroom with Nathan Holritz November 16 / 12-1pm ET Dynamic Camera Raw Processing with Katrin Eismann December 14 / 12-1pm ET Shaping Master Prints Using Photoshop CS4 with Greg Gibson

Graham Wilson's Vision Photography was almost out of business in 2003. Thanks to a revamped incentive program and a few years of help from PPA's Studio Management Services (SMS), they grossed $1.1 million in 2008.

Just two years after Todd and Jamie Reichman posted a 12-month loss, they were able to pay salaries to themselves and their employee and finance a $33,000 studio renovation...solely with their 2008 net profits.

If those aren't success stories, what are? Be inspired by these stories in May's Professional Photographer. And don't miss the "Ask the Experts" column, where the SMS team answers questions about specialty marketing, payroll services, and generating more cash flow for your business.

JOIN AN UPCOMING WORKSHOP
This year, we're taking our SMS Workshops on the road, as well as hosting them at PPA headquarters in Atlanta. Space is limited so register today! Contact us at sms@ppa.com, or call 888-851-0405 to register and learn more.

Now more than ever, professional photographers need affordable and innovative ways to promote their businesses and reach new customers. One of the most sought-after promotional methods for portrait and wedding photographers is mall advertising, yet it is not always easy to secure space at a reasonable rate. Today, Professional Photographers of America (PPA), in conjunction with Marathon Press and EYE, announced a new national advertising program that makes mall advertising easy and affordable for photographers.

Through an exclusive arrangement with EYE, one of the nation's leading providers of mall display advertising, PPA has secured preferred advertising rates in over 250 malls for member photographers. These preferred rates provide PPA members discounts of up to 20% off the standard 4-week advertising rate.

We have received reports that PPA members are being contacted by sales representatives from MatchMaker Marketing, a UK-based Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firm, promising to place studio Web sites on the first page of Google searches. MatchMaker Marketing is attempting to close sales by indicating that they are affiliated with PPA or are extending this service as a PPA member benefit.

Please know that PPA has not arranged a member benefit with this or any other firm offering SEO services. We believe that this firm has obtained photographer contact information via the Find-A-Photographer search engine, and we are currently taking action against them.

For your information, we have listed the phone numbers from which MatchMaker Marketing has called members. Please note that they may also use other numbers:

• 016 123 91001
• 016 123 91010
• 718 374 6942
  

If you receive a phone call from MatchMaker Marketing (or anyone trying to sell you SEO services claiming they are affiliated with PPA), we encourage you to document any details about the caller; promptly end the conversation; and report the call to PPA by contacting us at csc@ppa.com or 800-786-6277.

Take a look at the smiles that are created when you participate in Family Portrait Month. By participating in this charity event, you help PPA Charities raise funds for Operation Smile, allowing them to continue their work with children around the world.

Since 1982, more than 115,000 children and young adults have been treated by thousands of volunteers worldwide and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally. For as little as $240 Operation Smile can change a child's life by giving the gift of a surgery. Revenue in excess of surgical costs is invested into our sustainability programs, empowering our partner countries to treat more children on their own and making your investment go even farther. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child's life forever.

For More information, or to participate, visit www.PPACharities.com.

Slideshow prepared by Angie Weedon for PPA Charities.