Education: February 2012 Archives

Working hard, but have little to show for it? PPA's Studio Management Services (SMS) business workshops have helped hundreds of studios, just like yours, gain control of their businesses and become financially stronger and more profitable. And one is coming to Atlanta--with a little something extra--March 12-14!

Our Business Breakthroughs Workshop can help you keep more money and take control. It's all in learning to manage your finances, price right, attract new clients and increase sales average per session to reach the "elusive" next level. The most amazing thing?  This workshop includes a private consultation with an SMS mentor and PPA accountant...meaning you'll walk away with actionable business and marketing goals AND a custom financial plan.

But this Atlanta class also features a special segment you won't get at any other Business Breakthroughs Workshop. Jen Basford of 3 Girls Photography is joining us for a day, meaning you'll be able to glean extra tips on senior sales and marketing specifics!

So, if you specialize in senior portraits (or want to) and have been thinking about gaining control of your studio with a Business Breakthroughs Workshop, this is the class you can't miss. All class sizes are limited, so register now before your spot is gone!

There's an overwhelming amount of work that comes with each job you do, particularly with a wedding. After the hours you spend covering said wedding, it sometimes takes days or multiple hours to finish the post-production. But what if we told you the editing could be done in just six hours?

That's what Prem Mukherjee has found with his ultra-efficient wedding workflow, and he's going to share his proven methods on February 28 at 2:00pm ET ("How to Edit a Wedding in Six Hours").

Find the Right Software
"I spent years learning different software to try to find the most efficient one for each step of the workflow," he explains. "It seems like between Bridge/Photoshop, you can do just about anything that you need...but that doesn't mean that those are the most efficient tools for each step of the process."

Be Consistent & Decisive
Prem adds that the most important things to remember in editing efficiently are consistency and decisiveness. "I do each job using the same process in the same order every time," he says. "Eventually, it becomes second-nature."

Why is this so important? Well, to Prem, one of the biggest time-wasters is indecisiveness. When you come across multiple single images, do you agonize between them, trying to pick the perfect one? "You need to just pick one and move on quickly," he notes. And though he knows there are infinite ways to process and edit an image, you need to "pick a direction and go for it without second-guessing yourself" and trying out multiple ways. Trust those skills you've been cultivating and trust your artistic instinct!

As Prem says, "The client isn't going to know what it COULD have looked like if you edited differently. They will only know what it does look like based on what you show them." And you'll be able to show them those images that much faster.

Tune in February 28 to learn more from Prem, including what software he uses and HOW he uses it (from start to finish) to edit his beautiful wedding images in six hours.

The call for instructors is now open for Super Monday classes to be held on or around Monday, May 14, 2012. February 29 is the deadline to volunteer. We hope you will consider spending a day sharing your knowledge and experience teaching a Super Monday class. Besides the experience and new networks you'll gain from speaking, you will earn two speaking merits toward a PPA degree. Submit your instructor registration form by February 29, 2012.

Where's the best place to shoot? What spot will add that special charm and awe-inspiring atmosphere to your on-location images? Join acclaimed photographer Michael Corsentino online for an in-depth, exciting and inspirational look at shooting wedding, engagement and environmental portraits ("Wedding & Portrait Location Strategies"). You'll learn the location strategies and secrets that have helped make Michael a top pro. This no-holds-barred, pull-back-the-curtain presentation is sure to help take your location shooting to the next level!

Sign up for it now and watch live at 2:00pm Eastern.

Come on down--oh, we mean come on up!--and learn the answer to the age-old question: Should you go up or down in your pricing? Should you throw in the kitchen sink? At 2:00pm ET today, Alisha and Brook Todd will delve into the mysterious world of pricing weddings, engagements and marketing yourself effectively. Learn more here.