After  run-off elections in California, Michigan and Pennsylvania, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) welcomes more leaders into the new council for 2009 - 2012. As a non-profit, member-driven association, PPA's membership ultimately governs the association through such representatives in the PPA Council.

The new additions to PPA Council from these state run-off elections are as follows:

California
Dan Jones - Davis, Calif.
 
Michigan
Tina M. Timmons, M.Photog.Cr. - Vassar, Mich.
 
Pennsylvania
Mary Jane Smith - Huntingdon, Pa.

PPA welcomes our new councilors, and we thank them for their service! To see the full list of PPA Councilors, please view the online Councilor Directory.
 

Dear PPA Member,

A few months ago, I listened to a conversation between my father and one of our graphic designers here at PPA. Dad used his GI Bill after the Korean War to study graphic design; and in over fifty years, he has developed an opinion on what constitutes "clean design" and what just doesn't appeal to an audience. (He's developed a lot of other opinions, but that's for another Vital Signs...)

Despite the half-century gap in formal education between Dad and Mark, the PPA designer, it was interesting to note that their views were the same on how to create compelling pieces that inspire people. Colors, readability, spacing...all of this and more play an important visual role in a marketing campaign's success.

As a photographer, I'm sure you can relate to what makes a "quality image" versus what doesn't appeal to your target market. Similar attention needs to be given to selecting the elements of graphic design that will influence your ability to effectively reach clients. This week's Vital Signs gives you some ideas about such design and the important role it plays in your business...and what you can do right now to step up your own game.

Cheers,

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Florida Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Alert

Recently, the Florida Department of Revenue sent out letters to photographers in the state, requesting information about out-of-state or online purchases of tangible personal property for the last 36 months. Photographers have 30 days from the date of the letter to respond, and PPA is here to help you. (If you have questions, please call Bridget Jackson, PPA Studio Management Services Manager, at 800-339-5451, ext. 277.)

Please remember that some type of response is required--this applies to all photographers.

Here's some information to help clarify:

• If sales tax was not paid on the item when purchased, the tax burden rests on the photographer via use tax (for the last 36 months of purchases).
• If sales tax was paid at the time of the purchase or if use tax was subsequently paid, you are still required to provide proof (for the last 36 months of purchases).

Please keep in mind the following:

• "Everything a photographer sells is taxable," according to Florida law; therefore, sales tax should be collected and remitted on the sitting fee as well as the products.
• Wedding photographers should be collecting sales tax if a product is purchased in conjunction with the coverage charge (and the Florida Department of Revenue considers a DVD of images a product).
• If a wedding payment is for coverage only and an album or other product is subsequently produced, the photographer is not required to collect sales tax on the amount charged for coverage only.

For details on relevant Florida law, visit http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/. The specific Florida Department of Revenue Administrative Code relating to photographers is 12A-1.041.

Remember, PPA is here to help. If you have any questions about this notice or about sales and use tax in Florida, please call Bridget Jackson, PPA Studio Management Services Manager, at 800-339-5451, ext. 277.

Land a cover with your best sport or event image! Action News, the official publication of the Society of Sport and Event Photographers (SEP) is now accepting submissions for its 2009 Cover Contest. The first place winner locks in a FREE one-year membership to SEP, along with a feature article in Action News and the winning image on the cover. Submissions must be received by Tuesday, September 8, 2009. For details visit www.SEPsociety.com.

Congratulations to everyone who entered this year's International Print Competition. The final list of accepted prints is online now. 527 images/albums were accepted into PPA's Loan Collection and an additional 1,696 were accepted into the General Collection.

All accepted prints will be on display at Imaging USA (www.ImagingUSA.org), January 10-12, 2010 in Nashville. In addition, all Loan Collection images, and a selection of General Collection images will be published in the Annual Loan and Showcase books later this year.

Blogging has quickly become a key component in marketing your photography business. Whether you create a blog from a free template or invest in a customized version to match your branding, there are essential rules you need to follow for successful blogging. Learn more about this Webinar and your presenters here.

with Anthony Ronga and Michael Sablone
June 29 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
$19 members / $249 non-members
To register, click here or call 800-786-6277

Over the past week, PPA members in multiple states have received requests for photography services via Find-a-Photographer, which we believe to be scams. At present, we have blocked those e-mail addresses.

While PPA makes every effort to block spammers from the referral service, no system is completely foolproof. Remember to please be diligent in vetting all e-mail requests, use precaution, and follow best practices when responding. For instance, don't share personal information and be very cautious about unusual payment arrangements, such as cash forwarding schemes utilizing cashier's checks or money orders. 

If you have received a request for services via the Find-a-Photographer referral prompt that you believe to be suspicious, please ignore the request and notify PPA's Member Value & Experience team as soon as possible. With your information, we can investigate the e-mail address and notify other members if appropriate.

The FTC provides good information about protecting yourself from the top ten online scams. PPA also distributed the article, "If a Project Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Just Might Be"  earlier this year. In addition, you can join the conversation about the latest scams on the OurPPA Forums, helping you stay informed and share information with other members.

If you have any questions, please contact csc@ppa.com (or call 800-786-6277).

Dear PPA Member,

I love to learn from others. (No, I'm not talking about "borrowing" answers for the last few math assignments during school!) Hearing firsthand accounts of how someone made it big, overcame a mountain in their lives, or experienced a great business success...it's inspiring. Afterwards, I'm all fired up, ready to try something new.

One thing I've learned here at PPA is that many photographers are willing to help others learn from their own successes. It's invaluable, especially now. This shared knowledge can only grow, as each person will use such advice and tips differently, spawning new examples and ideas themselves.

Vital Signs is following this trend today. We've gathered six marketing and business examples from articles about photographers' winning entries in the AN-NE Marketing Awards. Hopefully, you'll come across something that will click and help push your own idea into success.

Cheers,

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with EYE to run exclusive pro-bono advertisements in eight malls across the country promoting PPA and the use of professional photography. The ads will be running in the following malls during the month of July reaching nearly 8.2 million people at a media value of over $57,000 at no cost to PPA!

• Arrowhead Towne Center (AZ)
• Chandler Fashion Center (AZ)
• FlatIron Crossing (CO)
• Freehold Raceway Mall (NJ)
• Oaks, The (CA)
• Queens Center (NY)
• Scottsdale Fashion Square (AZ)
• Westside Pavillion (LA)

These ads will show mall shoppers the benefits of professional photography and will drive them to the Find-a-Photographer feature on the PPA website (www.ppa.com).

PPA members can also take advantage of mall display advertising with EYE (with preferred rates featuring discounts of up to 20% off the standard 4 weeks of advertising), and  they will also have experts coordinating all aspects of finding space, getting approvals, and creating advertising graphics. For details, log in to www.ppa.com.

From June 1 until August 31, PPA members are entitled to a 15% discount on CS4 full-version product from the Adobe online store or $100 off individual upgrades to CS4 as well as $100 off each CS4 licensing product!  This is a time-limited offer, so be sure to act now.  PPA members can log in to the Extreme Deals page on www.ppa.com for more information.