Recently in Events & Education Category

Pilot Imaging is hosting its second Bringing the Value Back to Photography one day seminar on September 15th in Rockville, Marylyand. Titled "BVB Part II - This Time We Mean Business!", the seminar focuses on building and improving your photography business, and features 5 speakers, an advising panel and a full day of networking and education for just $125.

The line up includes PPA's Chief Financial Officer, Scott Kurkian, who will be presenting his program,"It's Your Money - Keep More of It!" For complete details and online registration, click here.

Education isn't the only thing Imaging USA is known for. We're focused on photography and photographers, and that means a host of other events will be coming your way at Imaging USA. After all, Imaging USA is THE place to...

• Get connected - Mix, mingle and network at the convention-wide parties.
• Improve your photography - Sign up for free consultations with PPA Jurors/Mentors.
• Get in touch with your charitable side - Party with the PPA Charities Celebration.
• Be honored for photographic achievements - Celebrate at the Award & Degree Ceremony and the Grand Imaging Awards.
• Get certified - Take your Certified Professional Photographer exam.
• Meet up with your colleagues - Catch up with ASP events, the PPA District/Affiliate Print Chairs Meeting, PPA Judges Refresher Course, etc.
• Get inspired - Soak up inspiration at the International Photographic Exhibit.

Now, we don't want to "sully" our reputation as the place for world-class business and artistic education, but we think it's only fair that you know there's some partying (and other events) going on. But really, these are all just different forms of inspiration. And inspiring YOU is what we're all about.

Party...we mean, plan...on!

Kubota Image Tools, provider of photographer-empowering creative imaging tools, workflow-saving solutions and educational offerings for photographers of all levels, today announced details of the 20th iteration of its award-winning Digital Photography Bootcamp and launched an entirely new event to precede Bootcamp, called, SummitUp 2010. The two events will run consecutively starting on November 6 through November 13, 2010. Both are specifically designed to help photographers build the necessary skills to drive their business success while improving the technical and creative abilities that ultimately enable them to reach their artistic and professional goals. To meet the varying needs and educational preferences of photographers, the two events offer differing formats. The Bootcamp is an immersive week-long workshop program while SummitUp was designed as an intensive day and a half program featuring six focused sessions from leaders in the photography industry.

Whether you're dipping your toe into Imaging USA for the very first time or you're jumping in full-force like you have for as long as you can remember, you're in for a rewarding experience in 2011. So how can you make it even better?

First-Timers
Wear comfy shoes and plan, plan, plan. Imaging USA can be overwhelming because there's so much to see and do! Make a plan so you don't miss out on classes and events that can be extremely helpful:

• Read the class descriptions (most are online, and even more are coming!), and start scheduling your day. (Plus, there are several pre-convention classes that are perfect for newer photographers.)
• View the current exhibitors at the Imaging EXPO trade show (via the online floor plan) and start mapping the booths you know you want to visit.
• Schedule time to peruse the International Photographic Exhibit for can't-miss inspiration (write it down or you may forget).
• Consider scheduling a free consultation with a PPA Juror/Mentor.

All-the-Timers
Carry on, my friends. You come back to Imaging USA for a cornucopia of reasons, and you know what works for you. But don't forget to test the waters in a new class, even if it doesn't seem like it's "what you do." You never know where you'll find the next great piece of advice to spice up your art or business.

Still, some of the best advice we can give for a rewarding Imaging USA experience is to ask each other! Ask your fellow photographers what they like best about Imaging USA, what they try to never miss, what they try to bring (and take away). Make new friends and talk to other Imaging USA attendees on the OurPPA forum, or on our Imaging USA Facebook page.

We'll see you soon...in the heart of Texas!

Karen Walker of Portage, Mich., has been a professional photographer since 1992. Since then, she has had many chances to experience the importance of learning from other experienced photographers at events like Super Monday

"When I started my business 1992, I was familiar with the basics of running a business...but I had no idea how much I still needed to learn about photography," admits Walker. "If it wasn't for the opportunities to learn from other experienced photographers, I wouldn't be in business today."

In fact, Walker is getting ready to return the favor at this fall's Super Monday event. She'll share her expertise at photo restoration, an award-winning specialty of hers. Her electronic imaging print case of restorations even earned a Gold Photographer of the Year Award at this year's International Photographic Competition!

"I've always liked the idea that I'm helping people preserve their family history," Walker adds as she explains her various specialties. "Whether I'm photographing children, family gatherings or high school seniors, I know that I'm creating something that their children and grandchildren will have to help them know and remember their family members. Being able to restore and preserve a family's historical photos is no different. Photos of past generations help us know where we came from and give us a sense of who we are."

Join Walker at her Super Monday class, "Photo Restoration," October 24th in Portage, Mich., and learn her award-winning restoration techniques to repair old, faded or damaged images. This Adobe Certified Expert will also share her ideas on product design and marketing those restoration services. 

Join internationally-renowned wedding photographer David Ziser for a full evening of high-energy education. Captured by the Light Tour 2010 (www.capturedbythelight2010.com) is filling ballrooms across the country and may be coming to city near you. Only $59 with promo code, when pre-registering. $79 at the door. (Click here to get your PPA promo code.)

You will learn...

• 10 amazing new ways to use "exciting lighting" to create dramatic images!
• 10 of the best lens choices and camera settings to produce strikingly beautiful results!
• 10 fast and easy lighting secrets to make people look their absolute best!
• 10 exciting ways to compose your image before firing the shutter... guaranteeing the perfect shot!
• 10 fantastic tips to advance your digital designs to the next level!
• 10 unique post-production software solutions to save you "tons" of time!
• 10 awesome profit building marketing & sales techniques to add to your bottom line!

Registration begins at 5pm. The seminar will run from 6pm-10:30pm with a 30 minute break and mini-tradeshow.

Cooks know that preheating the oven is essential for getting the best results from baking. But did you know that the same goes for photography education?

Coming in early for Imaging USA's pre-convention classes is the perfect recipe for the best educational and networking results--it makes the entire experience more rewarding. You will have access to more instructors and more in-depth education, for many pre-convention classes last all day (or at least several hours). And that can also lead to tighter connections with your fellow pre-conventioneers.

"Preheat" your Imaging USA experience with the following early-bird specials:

• Speed Shooting with the Pros classes - learn a multitude of tips from one hot photographer after another.
• PPA's Studio Management Services (SMS) workshops - get your business on the path to success with these business, financial and marketing hotshots. (The Business of Wedding Photography, The Business of Portrait Photography & the 3-Day SMS Business Workshop)
• Daylong classes on creating and refining your senior, boudoir or pet photography specialties.
• Corel® Painter™ classes to help beginners and those more advanced take your art to new places.

And that's just a bite-sized sample of the opportunities available in these three extra days of education! Get your creative fire started--choose your pre-convention classes online now.

Your Imaging USA Team

P.S. Be sure to book your hotel room according to the times of your chosen pre-convention classes!

Business tip from Carol Andrews Jensen, M.Photog.Cr., ABI (Imaging USA 2011 Instructor)

Working backwards to a goal? If you stop to think, you'll realize that it works! 

Goals are a huge part of reaching our vision and our dreams, and they are so important in creating business models (and life models) that are attainable and achievable. But as small business owners (and creatives), we have to get out of our set patterns to reinvent, refresh, restore and create. Backwards goal-setting is a tool to help us do that.

One of the questions I am asked frequently is how to create a business and marketing calendar. Surprise! Step one is to start at the end. (This "backward" planning method is often used in educational settings, as well as professional training techniques.)

Start at the End
Let's start with the ultimate end goal and think backwards. As always, write down your achievement/goal and your completion date. BE VERY SPECIFIC.

For example, I will have a Valentine's Day promotion, running February 10-14 and featuring mothers and daughters with fresh roses. My goal is 20 sessions at an average of $1,500.00, and the featured product will be a custom album with 10 retouched images.

John Huegel of Erie, Pa., first began photographing as an amateur to get involved with his children's activities. Whether it was dance, band or sports, he made sure to photograph it. As a matter of fact, Huegel feels that photographing his daughters dancing led to him becoming a professional photographer.

"I chose dance photography to stay involved with my kids' interests--both of my daughters danced for 15 years--and it was very profitable!" Huegel recalls

Huegel was soon asked by the dance studio to be their photographer, pointing him towards his current career in photography. In addition, his work with dance studios opened up other photographic opportunities. As he says, "Dance studios are a great way to tap into the senior market, weddings and other events."

Photographing professionally for the last six years, Huegel has covered some weddings, but he focuses mainly on seniors and the dancers that started it all. "I really enjoy delivering images that exceed my clients' expectations," he comments. "My exacting work in creating collages, posters and individual prints for dancers and seniors makes me feel great."

If you're interested in learning how to photograph dancers--at a profit--you can't miss Huegel's Super Monday class "The Dance of Light: Business & Techniques of Dance Photography" (October 25th in Erie, Pa.).

On October 25, more than 95 of your colleagues across the country will open their studio doors to share their knowledge with you.

There'll be Super Monday classes dedicated to babies and seniors, posing and lighting, retouching and digital workflow, marketing and sales strategies. It's a chance you won't want to miss--a full day of instruction, inspiration and networking brought to you by fellow professional photographers.

The popular Super Monday bonus pack is back! View the sponsors and the goodies here.

Browse our online map to find a course near you, and register by October 11 for only $99.

Learn more about Super Monday here.