Recently in Charities Category

This year, PPA Charities re-invented "Chicks Who Click," a conference focused on women in photography, turning it into a fundraising event of education, networking and fun. More than 150 registrants, along with vendors, speakers, volunteers and trustees, gathered at the Firesky Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., in late June for this inaugural PPA Charities event. Attendees benefited from outstanding presentations on topics designed to increase their business success and, in the process, helped raise more than $30,000 for PPA Charities.
 
"Part of this success was our good fortune in having such an amazing group of presenters volunteer their services on behalf of PPA Charities," said PPA Charities President Mary Fisk-Taylor. "The Chicks Conference was a real team effort, with volunteers, trustees, speakers, vendors and attendees all helping to make it a huge success."

Learn more about the 2010 event here.

About PPA Charities
PPA Charities is a charitable, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to reaching out and touching the lives of children and families in need. Established in 1997 as the philanthropic arm of Professional Photographers of America, PPA Charities allows imaging professionals to combine their individual efforts to make an impact. (www.ppacharities.com)

Collages.net's CEO Kevin Casey has launched an initiative to collect used cell phones for Cell Phones For Soldiers. Kevin is an Air Force veteran and former B-52 flier and continuously joins efforts to assist the military and military families.

Cell Phones For Soldiers is a non-profit organization "started by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. The phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone - enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad. Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones with prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis."

SAVE $50 ON REGISTRATION
The early registration deadline for Chicks Who Click has been extended to Friday, May 14th--register early and save $50! Click here for registration and complete information.

WE'RE ALSO THROWING IN A FREE WEBINAR--A $39 VALUE!
Start the learning early with an informative and inspirational webinar. All Chicks Who Click registrants are invited to join us on June 7 at 12pm ET for the webinar: Things I Learned from My Mother: Guide to a Successful Photography Business in the Digital Age with Mara Blom Schantz, Cr.Photog. We'll e-mail registrants a special invitation link next week, and you'll save $39.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR:
Things I Learned from My Mother: Guide to a Successful Photography Business in the Digital Age
More and more it seems that personal and meaningful contact is missing from this age of digital. But if you slow down and actually connect with your clients--actually meet and spend time with them--it can translate into both bigger sales and a personal gratification that will make your life more fulfilling.

Mara Blom Schantz, Cr.Photog., knows this for a fact. That's why she's sharing this webinar, based upon the life and business lessons she learned from her wonderful mother, Chloe Beeson Blom, M.Photog.Cr., CPP.

From presentation and customer service to the art of the sale, preserving client relations and being an overall better person, this heartfelt, down-to-earth program will inspire and help you reconnect for success in your business and life.

About Mara Blom Schantz, Cr.Photog.
Mara owns and operates the successful studio, Artistic Impressions by Mara, in Phoenix, Ariz, and specializes in photographing children and families in black and white. She strives to create images that are emotionally evocative and connect with the viewer. In addition to speaking at both PPA and Arizona Professional Photographers Association events, she has taught PPA's Super Monday seminars as well as her own private seminars. Besides photographing and teaching, Mara loves to spend time with her family, practice yoga, surf, run and read. To view Mara's work and read more about her, please visit www.artisticimpressionsbymara.com.

PPA Charities presents: Chicks Who Click
June 24-27, 2010, Scottsdale, Arizona

Ready to bond with the ladies of photography and gain some incredible education (in the lap of luxury) while you're at it? Then get your ticket for Chicks Who Click!

"The truth is that women approach business very differently from men, and Chicks Who Click provides an invaluable resource for networking, learning, sharing, support, and friendship," notes Ann Monteith, former PPA Chairwoman.

Broaden Your Knowledge
With topics on boudoir, seniors, wedding and children's photography, marketing and sales, posing, lighting and Adobe® Photoshop® techniques, the wealth of wisdom keeps coming from experts like:

• Kay Eskridge, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
• Mary Fisk-Taylor, M.Photog.Cr., CPI, ABI, API
• Beth Forester, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
• Jen Hillenga, M.Photog.Cr.
• Julie Klaasmeyer, M.Photog.
• JulieAnne Kost
• Lori Nordstrom, M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Strengthen Your Relationships
Prepare to strengthen ties with the ever-growing number of women in the professional photography field! Plenty of fun activities have been planned to foster relationships, like enjoying luncheon roundtables, a Friday "Girls Night Out," a Saturday Celebration dinner, and plenty of time to relax poolside or at the spa. And it all happens at the Firesky Resort--true luxury.

Take it from Sandy Puc', who has attended every Chick's Who Click since its inception: "I can honestly say that it is by far the single most powerful and enjoyable conference that exists today. When you are given an opportunity to educate, exfoliate and celebrate, you just shouldn't pass it up!"

For registration and complete information visit www.ppacharities.com.

Brought to you this year by PPA Charities, the Chicks Who Click Conference (June 24-27), will allow you to learn from some of the industry's top mentors, connect with other photographers and enjoy some girlfriend time in beautiful Scottsdale, Ariz., at the fabulous Firesky Resort & Spa. Sign up now and learn more at www.PPAcharities.com.

Become an Operation Smile Studio Today. Change the Life of a Child Tomorrow!
Donate by December 15 to be listed on PPA Charities' Roll of Honor

PPA Charities has dramatically expanded its commitment to its charitable partner, Operation Smile, by asking all PPA-member studios to stand together with fellow members to save the smiles of children around the world by becoming an Operation Smile Studio.

For a donation of $240, you can become a 2010 Operation Smile Studio, which proclaims to your clients that you are part of an international commitment by PPA Charities to support the life-changing work of Operation Smile, the highly regarded Norfolk, Virginia-based charity that provides the gift of surgery to precious children suffering from facial deformities.

Your donation of $240 will make it possible for Operation Smile's volunteer medical professionals and support personnel to perform a single surgery that will transform the life of a deserving child born with a facial deformity, such as cleft lip or cleft palate.

Make your $240 donation (or more if you can) by December 15, 2009, and you'll be listed on PPA Charities' Roll of Honor as an Operation Smile Leadership Studio. (If you have already donated $240 or more through Family Portrait Month, you will be listed on the Leadership Roll.)

A message from Bert Behnke, Executive Director of PPA Charities:

Hey PPA Charities friends,

I leave for my mission with Operation Smile on November 3, and I'm putting out a challenge. Let's see how much we can raise between now and while I'm there through November 14. I'll be posting daily updates on PPA Charities Facebook Group, Twitter, and I'll even try some YouTube.

You know it only costs $240 to change a child's life, so let's change some lives! Go to www.ppacharities.com, hit the Donate Now button, and kick in what you can. $240, $24, $48, $96...let's do it in increments of $24 or $240 (and put a note in the message line about why you're kicking in).

I will personally e-mail all of you from Paraguay with some photos while I'm there, and I'll tell all PPA Charities friends how much we raised and who helped. For those of my friends who may try to hide from this appeal, I WILL FIND YOU!

Come on, let's change some lives!

Bert Behnke,
PPA Charities Executive Director

Dear PPA Member,

I believe that when you give from the heart, you get back more than you expect. I hope you've experienced something similar from the last couple of Vital Signs articles about working and marketing with charities. As we've shared some new ways to give, hopefully it has sparked new marketing ideas for your business, too.

This week, we've gathered even more marketing (and giving) ideas. You'll be able to take at look at how some PPA members combine their marketing efforts with local charities for a good payoff--financially as well as emotionally. Whether you make your charity marketing efforts an everyday part of your business or just for certain occasions, I think you'll get back more than you expect.

Have you experienced that, too? After last week's Vital Signs article, I received an e-mail from a PPA member who gives from his heart with his photography, helping military families. I'd love to hear what you do within your own community. Drop me a line at caprigliano@ppa.com.

Cheers,

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

I think that this is probably the most difficult introduction that I've ever written. I have so much to say, yet I can't seem to begin.

So, I'll begin this way. Heroes walk among us every day. Some you'll readily recognize: those in the Armed Forces (or who have served), firefighters, police officers. There are also heroes, however, who make a profound and lasting difference, but do so quietly. These are the invisible heroes, and they are everywhere--especially in the photographic industry.

Bravery comes in many forms. I'm in constant awe of not only those who put themselves in harm's way to protect others, but also those who willingly open their hearts to others, even when the circumstances cause their own hearts to break while they are helping.

In the midst of mourning, a group of heroes emerge to give families lasting images of their children who will never grow older. They are the photographers who volunteer for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. This week's Vital Signs shares information about what they do--and how you can get involved.

These photographers are my heroes.

Cheers,
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

They line the hallways and stairwells of homes, in carefully placed groupings or ramrod single files. Images of children--showing the progression of time, special moments and, often, exuberant joy--are some of the most touching photographs. Whether formal or candid, you can almost hear someone say to these kids, right before the button is pushed: "Smile!"

What if the child couldn't smile?

This week's Vital Signs shares important information about a wonderful opportunity to bring new clients to your studio (or bring existing clients back). Hopefully, it also inspires you to reach out and look at what you can do on a larger scale. Whether you go through Operation Smile and PPA Charities or through your own personal choice of charity or organization, you can use your talent and give your own gift to the world.

The majority of our Vital Signs articles are about making sure that you stay successful in business--and much of the time, they are about staying financially successful. Sometimes, though, it's good to think about success from another point of view. Hopefully, this will inspire you...to inspire others.

Cheers,

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience