Uncovering the Mysteries of Print Competition!

When:

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009
10:00 am-3:00 p.m.

Noon Lunch Break!!!

Where:

Mitchell’s Photography
1325 Miller Road Suite I
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-467-1777

Upstate photographers…it’s our turn for some friendly competition and an opportunity to learn from some of the BEST!

Do your images have what it takes to succeed in Print Competition? Are you willing to find out? Entering prints in competition and listening to judging is arguably one of the best ways to improve your photography.

Lonnie Hoke, Mark Howard, Gregg Martin & Mitchell Richardson will be our facilitator/judges.

Gregg will begin with a presentation on the 12 elements of a merit print. This will be an in-depth overview of what judges are looking for in print competition.

Lonnie, Mitchell and Mark will go “Behind the Curtain” answering the following “everyone wants to know” questions.
• Have you ever wondered why your print didn’t look the same under the competition lights as it did in your studio? How can you know what it will look like?
• Why did my print score higher than theirs and they received a first place?
• I think all the judges are crazy and I’m not going to enter again. (Is this a good statement or bad?)
• How are scores tabulated?
• How can I win photographer of the year?
• What happened to my print? There were no marks on it when I sent it in.
• What is the First Timer Award? How can I get it?

You will also learn more "how to's" on entering print competitions and the differences in State (PPSC), Regional (SEPPA), and International (PPA) competitions. Information will also be given out on what it takes to earn awards and degrees at each level.

We will have a **MOCK** Print Competition. This competition will be conducted just like a real print salon. The images will be displayed one at a time and will be scored by the judges. This competition will be as anonymous as you want it to be, but after an image is scored it will also be critiqued and you will have an opportunity to ask the judges questions about their comments (unlike a real Print Competition), and this will probably blow your cover! Print critique is the best time to learn. Please stick around and listen to all critiques. There just might be something in it for you.

Non members are welcome to submit images for the competition. If you are visiting your first meeting it is free. Regular visitors (i.e. soon to be members) you need to pay a $10 fee--a small price to pay for this level of education and experience!

If you are interested in participating in this Competition, please make note of the following:
• submit at least 2-4 digital, print competition ready, images via a jump drive or CD. • sized 4x5 at 300 dpi. (Do not worry about printing or changing the density for f16 lighting)
• name the file as the name of the image. EX. Pawpaws_passion.jpg
• email me directly if you are going to submit images for the print competition! kwphoto@charter.net

Please let us know as soon as possible (via simplelist) if you plan to attend. The more members participating the greater the learning experience for all.

Meet our Facilitator/Judges
Lonnie Hoke & His wife Yvonne have owned and operated their successful full time studio for 13 years specializing in family, children, high school senior and wedding imagery. Since entering South Carolina print competition in 1997, Lonnie has earned numerous first place awards, 8 Kodak Gallery Awards, 7 Fuji Masterpiece Awards, 3 Best of Show Awards, and is a two time South Carolina Photographer of the Year. Lonnie is also a past president of the Professional Photographers of South Carolina and holds the degrees of Master Photographer - Photographic Craftsmen with the Professional Photographers of America.

Mark Howard has been an active photographer for 14 years and specializes in weddings, families and children. He has received numerous First Place Awards, Kodak Gallery Awards, Fuji Masterpiece Awards and has been named SC Photographer of the Year. Mark holds the SC Fellow degree and the degree of Master Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America. He is also this year’s PPSC Print Salon Chairman.

Gregg Martin has been in the photography industry for over 20 years. He has just earned the sought after 2009 PPA Platinum Photographer of the Year. He also holds the Certified Professional Photographer credential from PPA (Professional Photographers of America) along with the Associate Fellows Degree from PPSC (Professional Photographers of SC). Gregg's images have graced the pages of national publications such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, USA Today, and Forbes. In additional to these accolades, Gregg has photographed over 350 weddings in the past 20 years. He is a fun, energetic, outgoing photographer whose style is a combination of traditional and photojournalism. Gregg also photographs for the University of SC Athletic Department. He is about his 20th football season on the sidelines for Carolina.

Mitchell Richardson has owned and operated Mitchell’s Photography in Greenville, SC for 16 years. The studio specializes in children, family and high school senior photography. Since entering SC print competition Mitchell has earned numerous First Place Awards, Best of Show Awards, 6 Kodak Gallery Awards, 10 Fuji Masterpiece Awards and named SC Photographer of the Year 2 times. He has also received the Bronze and Silver PPA Photographer of the year. Mitchell is a past president of the Professional Photographers of South Carolina and holds the SC Fellow Degree. On the national level, he holds the degrees of Master Photographer - Photographic Craftsmen with the Professional Photographers of America.

2010 Convention - Speaker #2

Hey everyone. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the second of four speakers we have lined up for the 2010 PPSC Convention next February!



Mr. Joe Buissink!

Joe's photography is about capturing the moments, and the essence of the person in those moments. His work redefines wedding photography, and has been described as Fine Art by his most notable celebrity clients. Joe has become a world-renowned teacher in the photographic field. His teachings have taken him on an international platform from Japan and Australia to England, Scotland and Ireland as well as in the United States.

Joe has been a favorite wedding photographer among celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey, Brendan Fraser, Kelsey Grammer, Hillary Swank & Chad Lowe, Christina Applegate, Jenny Garth & Peter Facinelli, and Christina Aguilera.

Joe has been profiled by Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Lifetime Television’s Wedding of a Lifetime, and E!. His work is published regularly in InStyle Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, and People Magazine.

In 2003, Joe was awarded the International Leadership Award in Photography by the International Photographic Council at the United Nations. Also, Kodak hired Joe in 2003 to shoot their International Ad campaign for their Portra Film Line. In 2005, Apple selected Joe to be their spokes person for the Wedding Industry, in the release of their new program Aperture. Joe has received numerous International Grand Awards for his work from the WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International). In February of 2007, American Photo selected Joe as one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World.

Joe's program is "Staying Fresh: Being Successful as a Photographer"

One of the critical components to a successful career as a working photographer is the ability to stay fresh and creative while making a living. Unless you keep the passion for imagemaking flowing, your career simply becomes a way to make a living. This new seminar with master portrait and wedding photographer Joe Buissink opens doors long closed and keeps dreams alive. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to rekindle the love affair you have for photography and refresh your path.

For more information on Joe Buissink and to see some of his work, check out Joe's website.

http://www.joebuissink.com

Joe is sponsored by Canon.

This month's Midlands Meeting is going to be held on Sept 8th at the Village Square Theatre in Lexington (behind Bojangles and Firestone) at 6:30
We will meet at Carolina Wings at 5:30. Bring your camera and portable lighting just like you would for a wedding or outdoor session. We will split up into groups and everyone will photograph
and discuss what they are seeing and why they are shooting this way. We will rotate to different areas and encourage everyone to get creative in how they are shooting.
Email me with any questions lee@kickstandstudio.com

2010 Convention - Speaker #1

Hello everyone! Hope you are all having a great summer! The convention team has been busy the past few months planning the 2010 PPSC Convention and I have some exciting news to share with all of you.

First of all, the convention will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia, SC! I know the beach is fun and all, but the feedback I've received for the past several years is that Columbia is a more convenient location for all members. The beach is a 5+ hour drive for a lot of folks in the Upstate and a large percentage of the membership is right here in the Midlands. In the past, some couldn't commit the entire 4 days and a 10 hour round trip to the beach and they missed out on the convention altogether. A centralized convention makes it easier for some to make a day trip or weekend trip if a partial conflict pops up.

Dates are Friday February 5th through Tuesday February 9th. Please mark your calendars now to avoid conflicts.

Second, I would like to introduce you to our first of four top shelf speakers that we have lined up.

Beth Forester
Beth (CPP, M. Photog. Cr.) operates a portrait studio in the small town of Madison, West Virginia. She has been named West Virginia Photographer of the Year three times and has twice won the title of Mid-East States Photographer of the Year. Along the way to achieving these titles, Beth has earned 10 Kodak Gallery Awards, 4 Fuji Masterpiece Awards, 13 Loan Collection images and the prestigious PPA AN-NE Award for marketing.

Beth's program will be about “Selling” the Senior Client

The 21st century requires a new approach to marketing; especially when you are trying to reach Generation Y. Join Beth as she discusses how to reach out to the senior client through word of mouth marketing and create a “buzz” about your studio. In her program, she will discuss such topics as: the psychology of the teen client, branding your studio, viral networking with Facebook, creating buzz-worthy product lines, and selling the senior portrait experience. Finally, she will discuss how to increase your average sale per senior using various techniques that she uses in her studio every day.




Check out Beth's website to see some of her work. (http://www.foresterphoto.com)

I will be intruducing the rest of the convention speakers in the near future so be sure to check out the blog at http://www.ppofsc.blogspot.com

Beth is sponsored by General Products and PhotoDUDS.
Clark

September Upstate Meeting--Tuesday, Sept 1, 2009

September Meeting

6:00 Dinner
Capital Theatre Cafe

7:00 Head Shot Sessions
Holmes Photography
100 S. Public Square
Laurens, SC 29360
864-871-2140

September's Upstate District Meeting will be held at Holmes Photography in Laurens. Since we all probably need to update our head shots for the new PPSC website, that's what we will do. If you can attend, please bring your camera and a compact flash card. When it is your time to get your head shots made, the rest of us will take turns posing you and shooting onto your card. We will pass your card around as we all shoot. Then, it will be someone else's turn. Hopefully, when you go home, you will have a card full of great images shot by different photographers which you can use for the PPSC website and other places you may need an updated photo of yourself.

If you can make it there a little early, we will meet next door to the studio at 6:00 for a bite at the Capitol Theatre Cafe. Hope you can all come. If you need any further information or directions, call Suellen, 864-871-2140 (business cell) or 864-681-7777 (studio).

Thanks,

Suellen

RSVP to the ListServ to let all know who will be there!!

August Upstate District Meeting
Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Travel and Nature Photography by Chase & Monica Hunter
http://www.monicahunter.com/

Come get inspired…..and take home some helpful hints. Award winning photographers Chase and Monica Hunter Monica will be presenting a slide show on Travel and Nature Photography. They will talk a bit about their work flow from capture to temporary storage in the field. They will share some equipment ideas for working on the road and take questions!

Check out their biographies below!

Please RSVP to the listserv if you plan to attend!!

DINNER:
Tuesday, August 4 @ 5:30 p.m.
Henry's Smoke House
240 Wade Hampton Blvd
864-672-3646

PROGRAM:
Tuesday, August 4 @ 6:30 p.m
Ernest Rawlins Studio
726 Wade Hampton Blvd
864-271-0002

Chase P Hunter
Like many photographers I started taking pictures as a youngster with a Kodak Brownie. My first “real” camera was a dual lens reflex By the time I reached University of Iowa Med School, 35mm was the rage and I jumped in. When I went to Vietnam as a Flight Surgeon I started buying Nikon equipment and have been with them ever since including the latest digital technology.

I returned to Iowa following my discharge from the service to complete a residency in medical and surgical Ophthalmology. It was there that I was able to study under one of the pioneers in ophthalmic photography, Lee Allen. Ophthalmology as a specialty tends to attract those interested in lenses, optics and vision. It has been a natural progression from doing technical ophthalmic work such as retinal imaging, fluorescein angiography and clinical shots of the eyes to more creative imaging. Since that time I have been able to learn from some of he worlds most renowned photographers.

My interests range from weddings and portraiture to nature, travel and sports. I am an employee of Jordan Photography working for Charlie on various projects. As a member of PPSC in State wide competition I was fortunate to be selected as the top newcomer for 2004 and the following year finished in the top ten again. My work has been shown in many shows and galleries, won awards, and hangs in homes and offices from Alaska to Florida.

My approach to capturing an image is to try to see and use the natural light available, catching that special moment. We see more with our hearts than with our eyes, so it helps to be doing what you love.

Monica Bazan Hunter
When I was a young girl in Roswell, New Mexico my Dad introduced me to photography using his Argus 35 mm. I became very interested in capturing images with the camera. It was years later in Atwater, California in the Castle Air force Base darkroom that I learned to make color prints from those slides. In the early times I used a Kodak Brownie and Instamatic. Later I got my own Canon and Olympus 35 mm cameras. My career path took me into Public Relations and Marketing for the health care industry. I needed to take photos of events and people for our publications. My real passion, however, continued to be the beauty of nature and trying to capture it on film.
Chase and I share a love for photography. When we travel we complement each other with our differing perspectives. My other lifelong love is gardening so I tend to enjoy shooting flowers, birds and butterflies in the garden or nature.

I am proud that my photographs have won awards and been purchased by people from around the country for their home or work environment.

The marvels of the universe are all around us and we just have to look, see, appreciate and capture the images. The possibilities are literally endless and I am always seeing new and different ways in my work.

PPSC Upstate July Meeting THANKS!

Thanks to everyone who came out to Holmes Photography in Laurens for the July Upstate Meeting. We had a great crowd of regulars, members and soon to be members! Dinner was great and Suellen’s studio space was welcoming and comfortable for her talk on what she took home form SEPPA this year. Lots of great ideas and good resources. She did a great job!!!

Wise Charlie left us with a final thought about his take on photography---in my words---the more you know the more you know you don’t know! Learning in the business and creative sides of photography never ends!!!

Don’t let another month go by without pursuing your art and the future of your business in a proactive way. Add the first Tuesday of the month to your calendar for the PPSC Upstate Meetings!!

Details on the August Meeting coming soon!

AND please Keep Tiffiney Addis and her husband Scott in your prayers. Their daughter, Sadie Mae, was born July 4th weighing 1lb 8 oz. She is in the NICU at Greenville Memorial. The last report 7/7 at 6:25 p.m. was that Sadie Mae got a good report!

July Upstate District Meeting

Thank you to Suellen Holmes, one of 3 PPSC Upstate District Directors at Large, for planning and hosting our July meeting. Her studio is located on the historic Courthouse Square in Laurens, located on the southwest corner beside the Capital Theatre

Tuesday the July 7th at 7:00 p.m.
Holmes Photography
100 South Public Square
Laurens, SC 29360
864-871-2140 or 864-681-7777

For those of you who can come a little early, we will meet next door at the Capitol Theatre Cafe around 6:00 for a bite to eat.

The topic of the meeting will be a SEPPA Convention Wrap-up. We are going to talk about some of the hottest tips learned from the great speakers at SEPPA, such as Hanson Fong (AMAZING!!!), Rick Avalos, Don Emmerlich and others. Things that make you want to knock yourself out when you hear them (for not doing them sooner)...things that make you wonder WHY you didn't think of them first....things that will make your sales presentations so much easier, etc, etc. There were many "AH-HA" moments in the seminars. We will also have a handout with links to some of the vendors with great new products which were at SEPPA's huge tradeshow.

Hope you can all come and bring a potential new member with you! Please respond to the listserv so Suellen will know how many to expect!

Suellen Holmes
Holmes Photography
864-871-2140

Midlands Meeting Info

Hey Everyone,

Here is some info about our meeting on July 14th.

Branch Carter is going to be coming to town from Augusta.  

Dinner at  5:30 at  Venture’s Sports Bar at 5531 Edmund Highway

The presentation will start @ 7:00.

We will be at Bill Barley's studio:   71 Crystal Springs Drive Lex SC 29073

Please let me know if you can attend, so I can let Branch know!  803.767.8629

Here is a little about the class:

Branch Carter, photographer from the metro Augusta, Georgia area prides himself as a bride’s wedding photographer.  Wedding days for him usually last 10-14 hours.  A lot of time, yes…his choosing to be with his brides that long: definitely!  Come prepared to watch, learn and converse with one of Georgia’s top wedding photographers.  (Branch has been honored with multiple award winning and top scoring bridal portraits, two top scoring wedding albums, top scoring wedding candid images, and a Best of Show in the wedding category in only three years of GPPA print competition.)  Branch will be sharing his ideas and knack for getting the most out of bride.  But, this program ends the minute the bride walks down the aisle.  Much of the presentation will be actually video of Branch working, counseling, laughing and photographing his brides and their grooms before the I-Do’s happen.  Branch will showcase his pre wedding style and ability that has brides buzzing about his character and personality.  Want to see more of what you are in store for…log onto www.branchcarter.com to get a taste of his award winning style.

 

Hope to see you then!

Lee Bradshaw

Upstate District June Meeting

June Upstate District Meeting
Tuesday, June 2, 2009


David Lawrence and ProSelect


DINNER:
Tuesday, June 2 @ 5:30 p.m.
Henry's Smoke House
240 Wade Hampton Blvd
864-672-3646


PROGRAM
Tuesday, June 2 @ 6:30 p.m
Ernest Rawlins Studio
726 Wade Hampton Blvd
864-271-0002

David Lawrence of David Lawrence Photography will present a program on ProSelect (workflow, presentation, & ordering software). David will run through the basic set-up of ProSelect and how to present a show to your clients, make templates for custom panels and more. ProSelect is an amazing sales tool. Don't miss out on how easy ProSelect can make you $$$$. It made a big difference in David's sales and his clients love how easy it is to view their images.

David wants a packed house at Rawlins Portraiture....and don't forget about meeting everyone for dinner...lots of good stuff goes on there too!!

Please RSVP to the listserv if you plan to attend!!

Kristy

Midlands Meeting Info

Hey Everyone,

Heads Up!"
The June 9th Midlands Meeting will be at Patty Hallman's studio in Lugoff.
It will be all about Head Shots.  Bring your own CF card and have your own head shots done that you can take home to use however you'd like... on Facebook, your web site, marketing materials, your husband's or wife's desk, ect.

You know your head shot is outdated, so this is your opportunity to have new ones made--- free of charge and with lots of talented photographers there to make you look fabulous!
And if you don't want headshots of yourself, come watch, learn, and help.  You'll see different photographers style of lighting headshots, get ideas for posing, and have fun.

Patty will have Domino's deliver pizzas at 6pm, so bring $5 and come early to eat pizza, salad and dessert.  We'll start photographing around 6:30pm and will stay as late as needed to make sure everyone who wants headshots gets them done.
Don't forget to bring your own CF card!

Email me with any questions.  lee@kickstandstudio.com

PPSC Coastal District May Meeting

Our next coastal meeting will be on May 26th at Mike Bowden's studio in Summerville. Virgil Bunao of CVI photography will be our guest speaker. He is a phenomenal photographer who specializes in high end weddings. Check out his website and blog at http://www.cviphotography.com . He has a unique style that really stands out in the crowd. He will be doing a live model shoot along with his presentation. We will be meeting for dinner at 6:00 at McAllisters in Summerville. Please call me if you have any questions. You don't want to miss this!


McAllister's is in the Azalea Square Shopping Center

take exit 199-a from I-26
go to the second light and then turn to the right




directions to Distinctive Images Studio

From Columbia
1. Take COLUMBIA(I-26) EAST
2. Exit #199A to US-17A WEST- at Third Traffic Light TURN Left
3. Continue on Berlin G. Myers Pkwy - at second Light TURN Left
4. Continue on US-78 - Look for China Palace Restaurant on Right
5. At first right TURN into Parkway Business Center
6. Arrive at 400 E 5TH NORTH ST, SUMMERVILLE. SUITE D

From Charleston
1. Take COLUMBIA(I-26) WEST- go approx 26 mi
2. Exit #199A to US-17A WEST- at Third Traffic Light TURN Left
3. Continue on Berlin G. Myers Pkwy - at second Light TURN Left
4. Continue on US-78 - Look for China Palace Restaurant on Right
5. At first right TURN into Parkway Business Center
6. Arrive at 400 E 5TH NORTH ST, SUMMERVILLE. SUITE D



Tammy Bevins
830-2940
www.nuvoseniors.com

RECAP--May Upstate Meeting

Thank you David Lawrence of David Lawrence Photography for presenting an informative session on photographing high school seniors. We had a good crowd of 15--new and old members, and 2 first timers!

And our continued appreciation for Mark Massingill of Rawlins Portratitures for hosting the meeting at his studio!

You can easily be wowed by your fellow photographers work--as was the case with David's--but the comment that stuck with me the most was he said all the images he showed in his presentation, his clients actually bought! David enjoys playing with his images like most of us, but he clearly knows his client, shoots consistently in a style that appeals to them and then he sells it to him! It is a simple equation, isn't it!

Please consider getting the most out of your membership and attend all the area meetings you can! These meetings can keep you creative, focused on your work and assist you technically so you can provide consistent, repeatable, professional results to your clients!

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd. David will present a program on ProSelect (workflow, presentation, & ordering software). We will again meet at Rawlins Portraiture, and I might go out on a limb and say we will do Henry's BBQ again---it's just too convenient, but look for a final announcement of time and location specifics soon!

Kristy