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PPA is excited to let you know that the 2012 PPA Western District Photographic Competition judging is coming up (hosted by Professional Photographers of California). And you know what that means...it's time to get your images ready! You can submit your entries online: February 2 - 23, 2012 (online entry closes at 5:00pm EST).

This district competition is a great opportunity for photographers like you to learn and grow since your work is judged by international jurors. Get your images ready and go to www.ppa.com/competitions/western.php to find the forms, rules and entry information for the competition.

Remember that you can now enter either prints or digital files, and image formats are no longer restricted to 16 x 20. Plus, images receiving a score of 80 or above in district competitions (like the one coming up in your area) will automatically earn an exhibition merit when submitted to the 2012 PPA International Photographic Competition. That means you'll be one step (one merit) closer to PPA's Master of Photography degree.

Start or continue your journey today to earn a degree recognized throughout the world. This PPA District Photographic Competition is the first step--get your images ready to submit!

See the full list of PPA District Competition dates and details online.

How do you build great client loyalty? "The most important thing is to honestly and whole-heartedly care," advises Lisa Crayford, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI. "Your clients will know if you do."

Of course, it helps to have a few strategies up your sleeve to go with that caring! So, tune in December 13 to learn some of the tactics that have helped Lisa build up to 1,000 sessions annually (with many, many returning clients)--via her PPA online class, "The Building Blocks of Client Relationships."

It all starts with prospecting for new clients. For example, one thing Lisa has done since Day One of her business is to be at her four local county fairs (all within a half-hour from her studio). She has fair attendees fill out a survey to win a session and 16x20 portrait. On the survey, they fill in their names, addresses, emails and phone number.

But prospecting can be kind of tricky, as Lisa says. "You want to get good, paying clients in your door, not the bottom feeders if you know what I mean!" That's why--to bring the best prospects to the top--she also has those who fill out her survey indicate their level of interest in her studio (1-5, with 5 being the most interested). She even offers them a choice of winning the portrait or the cash equivalent--"that rules out a lot of people," she explains.

Ready for more detailed tips, advice and techniques on prospecting and what really works to build those client relationships (like charity, sales incentives and customer service)? Join Lisa online December 13 and start building!

Considering starting a baby plan at your studio...or are you struggling with the one that you already have? Join Farrah Braniff, Cr.Photog., CPP, next week for an online class on everything you need to know to get a "baby's first year" plan started (or make it even more profitable) at your studio. Over half of Farrah's business is from her own popular baby plan, so tune in to overcome seasonal lulls and keep business flowing into your studio all year long!

Running a photography business is not as easy as it looks. Not by a long shot. You need photographic talent, a mind for business and numbers, the ability to wow clients during their entire experience and more if you really want to succeed. But the thought of what it takes to succeed isn't what draws us here. We come because of a passion for the art, and it's up to us to learn and grows the rest of the skills needed to thrive. Imaging USA is a great place to do this, thanks to instructors like Andrew Jenkins, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, who will be sharing what helped him succeed with his senior clients.

Building Success
Andrew remembers growing up in a town where one photographer photographed everything. "Every time I saw him, he would take my picture and I would give him an envelope with money in it. I figured, hey...this guy must be rich!" Of course, it wasn't quite as easy as collecting envelopes with money in them, but he has thrived in his own way.

"Creating images that I know people cherish and enjoy having in their homes and sharing with their friends is thrilling to me," he says.

He loves working with people like that, which is why he chose to focus on portrait photography. Andrew's  first session was for a high school senior almost 17 years ago, and he has run his own portrait business (Canfield Jenkins House of Photography in St. Johns, Michigan) since he graduated from college with a degree in photography.

Like many, Andrew admits that his biggest challenge is setting himself apart from the competition. While earning awards like the Michigan Photographer of the Year (2005 and 2007) and being named one of the Top Seven Michigan Photographers has helped set him apart, he knows the real key is making sure clients have a great experience.  

"That's why I not only meet their expectations, but also take it a step further," he explains.

Sharing That Success with You
Do you want to surpass expectations like Andrew does? Do you want to keep the high school senior portrait portion of your business thriving like his is? Then come early to Imaging USA for one of his pre-convention classes.

On January 13, he'll share what has helped him succeed in the senior business (from products to sales tips and more) as one of the speakers for the "Ideas & Imagery to Make Senior Profits Soar" pre-convention class. The following day, he'll be one of the speakers for the "Hands-On Photography: Family, Children & Seniors" pre-convention class. This class will be a hands-on shooting demo that will help you understand the simplest ways to light and pose high school seniors in the studio and on location.  

"You'll learn how to give clients a great experience while keeping the shooting as simple as you can so you have more time to connect with them," Jenkins adds about the latter. So register for Imaging USA now to give your senior photography business a boost with his help!

Read more about Andrew Jenkins here. Read more about Imaging USA here. Pre-convention classes are available for additional fees.

ALL IMAGES © ANDREW JENKINS

Have you ever felt like a "small fish in a big pond" after a move? Lindsay Adler experienced that when she moved her business Lindsay Adler Photography to New York City.  But thanks in part to her smart use of social media (and her unique offerings), Adler's portrait and fashion photography business has grown in success.

In fact, Adler's talents led her to author two successful books--"A Linked Photographers' Guide to Online Marketing and Social Media" and "Fashion Flair for Portrait and Wedding Photography." That's quite an achievement, considering that she accomplished it all by age 25. (And she'll be sharing some of the methods that helped her grow at Imaging USA, but more about that later!)

Early Beginnings
"From the very beginning, photography had an important place in my heart," Adler remembers of her introduction to the art by her mother and grandmother--two photographic hobbyists. "Together, we would wander around the family farm taking photos of the changing seasons and the beauty of nature. I knew almost instantly that photography would be my career."

By the time she was in high school, Adler began her first portrait business photographing her fellow students in upstate New York. Since moving to New York City, though, she has found her niche as a fashion photographer.

"I love the creative freedom that being a fashion photographer gives me. People hire me for my vision, and in fashion editorials, there are no rules," she says of her specialty. "No matter what I envision, I can orchestrate a fashion shoot to bring that vision to reality. I am able to take the beautiful thoughts and images in my head, and manifest them into something."

Smart Social Skills
Luckily, her creative approach to photography translated into her business skills, too--helping her face the challenge of moving to New York City and the subsequent high competition. She grew and stays successful by offering unique services to her clients (like moving images and fashion films) and using social media heavily to build and maintain relationships with clients.

"I try to overcome these obstacles by clearly defining my target market, which is often a specific individual or company," Adler explains. "From there I look at the resources available to me--social networking, personal resources and marketing tools--and find ways to get my vision and work in front of those individuals."

If you want to learn how Adler leverages social media to her advantage, don't miss her "Social Networking Essentials for Photographers" Imaging USA class on January 16.

"I'll focus on best practices that will help you reach your target audience and save you time so you can focus on other aspects of your business," she says. "You'll learn the essential tools and platforms for social networking, and how to best leverage these tools by making yourself attractive to your audience."

Plan to attend if you want to strengthen your target audience reach and messaging...no matter where you're located!

Read more about Imaging USA here.
Read more about Lindsay Adler here.

ALL IMAGES © LINDSAY ADLER

 

Robert Faust, M.Photog.M.Artist.MEI.Cr., CPP, API, of Robert Faust Photography, has been a professional photographer for 30 years. While he describes his early interest in photography as immediate, his success didn't happen the same way. It took a lot of hard work to develop his own wedding photography style that clients have come to love. And at Imaging USA's pre-convention, he's going to share some tips that helped him along the way.

Thriving with Weddings
Wedding photography is a competitive field, and Faust has learned that if you want to thrive in today's wedding industry, you can't just copy what others are doing. "You must brand yourself with your own style that is different from the other guy's."

Despite being one of only six photographers in the world who hold all four PPA degrees, Faust says that he still faces challenges from amateur photographers who own a digital camera and are "looking to cash in on the wedding business by claiming to be a professional." But he believes an amateur's images simply can't compare to those created by a true pro.

"Creating dynamic images that use advanced lighting and posing techniques that amateurs can't duplicate is one way to set yourself apart from the competition," he points out.

Although he started a professional business in 2001, Dwon Guvenir, of Oregon Photo Safaris in Portland, OR, has been taking pictures since he was old enough to hold a camera. He even won his first photo competition with a local artists' guild at the age of 16. And he knows his consistent success is partly due to his focus on and skill with composition and lighting--essential for all pro photographers.

"When people ask, 'What type of photographer are you?' I answer that I'm a great photographer," explains Guvenir. "The rules are the same no matter what you shoot. I specialize in putting modern technology into use to create art that follows the traditional rules of composition and lighting."

He'll even share his approach to these artistic elements--and how you can use them to better your own images--in his "Traditional Composition & Lighting" Super Monday class in Portland on October 23.

Why He Teaches It
While Guvenir is an accomplished photographer who has had images accepted into PPA's Loan Collection, teaching other photographers is his biggest passion and accomplishment.

"When you find what you're good at in this world, do it and do it well," he says. "I am a great teacher, as can be seen in my students' work."

Guvenir adds that he feels like a "proud grandparent" when one of his students shows him an image that he wishes he had taken..."especially if they come up with something that follows the rules I teach, but includes something I never would have thought of!"

Why You Should Learn It
Guvenir has succeeded in tough economic times thanks to a broad client base, but he knows that none of it would have been possible without good images. And "without good composition and lighting, you don't have good images," he explains. "These are the most important fundamentals any photographer can have."

That's why he's hosting a Super Monday class on the subject. He wants to help other photographers learn the traditional and essential rules of composition and lighting, and he'll use past PPA Loan Collection photographs to demonstrate those rules.

"It's not rocket science. These are the basics that have been around for hundreds of years,"Guvenir says.

So, plan to attend his upcoming class on October 23, and learn proven rules for creating better images!

Learn more about Guvenir's class and browse more Super Monday classes in more locations at http://www.ppa.com/education-events/sm_new.php. Read more about Dwon Guvenir here.

Super Monday is an educational program sponsored by PPA every spring and fall. These daylong, interactive workshops are conducted in locations around the country, allowing PPA members to earn merits for sharing their craft and enabling all photographers to learn new skills and develop professional networking contacts.

IMAGE © DWON GUVENIR

 

As a professional photographer, you deal with a lot of equipment and software in the course of your work. They can save you time and make your end results better than ever...if you know how to use them efficiently. Take Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for example. Did you know that you can use that one program to post and manage images on social networking sites? To create inspiration boards/collages for blogs? To create slideshows and more?

Yes, Lightroom can be used in a myriad of ways, and Michael Corsentino's upcoming PPA online class is just the place to learn more: "Presenting Your Images with Lightroom" (October 18, 2:00pm ET).

Among the many techniques he'll share is one time-saving tip that remains his absolute favorite: presets. "Lightroom was built from the ground up with a framework of preset options in each of its modules," explains Corsentino. "Once created, presets allow you to automate your repetitive tasks and frequently used properties--all you have to know is how to set them up. So, repeat after me: presets, presets, presets!"

And Corsentino isn't stopping at improving your Lightroom abilities. One attendee will be selected to win a studio makeover prize valued at more than $1,000! So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for his October 18 class now!

If you're serious about photography as a career, you know the importance of being well-rounded. You need business and artistic education to get started the right way, and the peer-to-peer Super Monday classes can be a great resource. You'll even find several courses geared to those just starting in the pro business and taught by photographers who have been there, done that--photographers like Mary Buck, CPP, of Lightscapes Photographic Artwork in Georgia.

Been There, Done That
Buck started her business in 1995 after leaving the corporate world. A longtime photographic hobbyist, Buck says that her passion for photography and desire to have a more flexible schedule were the main factors in her decision to go pro.  

About six years later, she opened her own retail studio. Then, in 2009, she opened a second studio at a local hospital where she photographs newborns--her main photographic niche.

"After a few years of being in business, I realized I couldn't be everything to everyone," Buck says about her decision to specialize. That decision helped her business succeed, and she has specialized in infant photography for nearly 12 years.

Recently, though, Buck has been challenged by the over-saturation of baby photographers in the market. She responded by both narrowing her focus and expanding it. "I have diversified and now also specialize in outdoor family portraits," she explains. "And I have narrowed my niches even further by specializing in black-and-white fine art."

But Buck knows that art alone won't keep your business afloat. That's why she uses her marketing to explain to the public the value of her services over other photographers' offerings. Exceptional customer service is also essential to success. As she says, "Average just isn't good enough anymore!"

Learn What Works
If you're thinking of getting into the photography business--and don't want to be "average" either!--come learn from one who can share what works. Consider attending Buck's "How to Start a Portrait Photography Business" Super Monday class in Duluth, GA on October 24 (or one that is closer to you).

"I wish I had a workshop like mine when I started out!" notes Buck. Her comprehensive course will cover everything from branding, marketing and sales techniques to shooting in natural light, working with studio lights, using flash and simple posing techniques--just the well-rounded education you need to start on the right foot.

"The most important lesson photographers will take from my course is how important it is to develop your own style," adds Buck. "The phrase, 'When all things are equal, price is the determining factor,' could not be truer than in the photography industry."

So, come learn what it takes to be a pro that stands out. Attending Mary Buck's Super Monday class is a good start!

Learn more about Buck's class and browse more Super Monday classes in more locations at http://www.ppa.com/education-events/sm_new.php. Read more about Mary Buck here.

Super Monday is an educational program sponsored by PPA every spring and fall. These daylong, interactive workshops are conducted in locations around the country, allowing PPA members to earn merits for sharing their craft and enabling all photographers to learn new skills and develop professional networking contacts.

ALL IMAGES © MARY BUCK

Greg Phelps of Gregory James Phelps Photography in Brownsville, Texas, has been operating his studio for more than 30 years. During that time, it's safe to say that he's picked up a few tricks on how to keep your photography business profitable and successful...like pricing.

"I find that the word 'profit' is grossly misused and misunderstood," Phelps says. But obtaining profit in his new business was necessary when he made the switch from mechanical engineer to professional photographer.

Changing Careers
It all started when visiting friends who owned a camera shop and photo studio. There, Phelps bought a 35mm camera and a few booklets from Kodak on how to take pictures.

"When I went home that evening, I started reading and became so enthralled that I read and played with the camera throughout the whole night. I knew instantly that this was how I wanted to earn my living," recalls Phelps about his inspiration to change careers. "From then on I spent every dime I could get my hands on buying equipment, getting educated and practicing."

Since establishing his studio in 1975, Phelps has moved from photographing everything to using his mechanical engineering background for architectural photography. In explaining his choice of specialty, he says, "I actually had chosen architecture as my first career choice but was scared away when told you had to be a really good artist. I can't draw worth a plug nickel!"

In addition to architectural photography, Phelps has always been drawn to fine art photography and makes many sales in this area as well. "My focus is creating outstanding pieces of fine art for those with discretionary income who will really enjoy it," he explains.

Pricing for Profit
While specializing has helped keep Phelps' business successful, he knows that none of it would have been possible without the proper pricing of his work. He believes so strongly in the importance of pricing that h''s sharing his hard-earned knowledge--knowledge that has kept him in business for over 30 years--in a Super Monday class!

If you want to learn how to make a real profit, don't miss Phelps' "How to Price Your Photography for Top Dollar (The Right Way)" Super Monday class  on October 24 in Brownsville, Texas.

"If photographers walk away from this class with the knowledge of how much it really costs to open the doors to their studios every day, they will know more than the majority of photographers today," Phelps notes. But he's not stopping there. He'll teach you how to combine fixed costs and the cost of goods sold to learn how many sessions a year must be done to break even...and to make a profit.

Phelps promises that you'll leave with a "no Ouija board formula" for putting a price on your work. So, get ready to make (and keep) more money!

Learn more about Phelps' class and browse more Super Monday classes in more locations at http://www.ppa.com/education-events/sm_new.php. Read more about Greg Phelps here.

Super Monday is an educational program sponsored by PPA every spring and fall. These daylong, interactive workshops are conducted in locations around the country, allowing PPA members to earn merits for sharing their craft and enabling all photographers to learn new skills and develop professional networking contacts.

ALL IMAGES © GREG PHELPS