Instructors

Suzette Allen

Cr.Photog, CPP, API

The in-demand Adobe® Photoshop® instructor in the photographic industry, Suzette Allen is known for her down-to-earth and easy-to-understand teaching style with an intense focus on efficiency. She has a remarkable talent for simplifying Adobe Photoshop, and consistently gets rave reviews from her students. All of her material is relevant to portrait/wedding/event photographers because she is backed by 25 years as a professional photographer and years of experience as a photo lab’s digital retoucher. Understanding what is truly valuable, applicable and practical for today’s photographer is what makes her classes so popular—and useful!

Suzette has been an international speaker for photographic conventions and an instructor at a dozen of the PPA Affiliate Schools. She is the recipient of many imaging awards and is currently the “Photoshop Expert” on ShootSmarter.com, a resource site dedicated to digital photographers. Her classes, programs and instructional products all reflect the following solid philosophy for working in Adobe Photoshop: Use nondestructive methods that are flexible for creativity but still maintain the vital element of efficiency!

www.SuzetteAllen.com
www.youtube.com/suzetteallen

Classe(s): Photoshop for Team & Sport Images

Gabriel Alonso

M.Photog.Cr.

Offering a vast breadth of experience and photographic skill, Gabriel Alonso is one of today’s premier classic portrait artists. His talent and expertise, combined with his immense insight, exceptional artistic composition and heightened sensitivity to the client’s desires allow him to capture the essence and timeless expression of beautiful moments in images his clients will cherish for generations.

From earning his PPA degrees of Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman, to serving as a Qualified Affiliated International Photographic Juror and as a member of PPA’s Photographic Exhibitions Committee, Gabriel works hard to keep his skills sharp and share his mastery with the photographic industry, too. In fact, he has taught at photographic conventions around the U.S. and for the Mexican Professional Photographers Association.

Gabriel’s exceptional work has been selected for PPA’s prestigious Loan Collection and has been exhibited at the Eastman Kodak display of Disney’s Epcot Center. But more importantly, his images grace the walls of satisfied clients throughout the world.

www.gabrielportraiture.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

Carol Andrews

M.Photog.Cr., ABI

A PPA member since 1986, Carol has served many roles in professional photography. For instance, she has been a PPA Studio Management Services (SMS) Consultant since 2005. And in addition to her membership in the Texas Professional Photographers Association (of which she was on the Board) and leadership in different PPA committees, she was the 2006 Chairman of the PPA Business Initiative Committee. Carol is currently serving as a member of Professional Photographers of America's Board of Directors.

Carol's ability to soulfully connect with her subjects on an individual basis has earned her the reputation for being the "Queen of Hearts," with all she embraces in her photography, consulting, and coaching, as well as her life. Her studio in Texas knows her as one who loves the magic in photographs…and you can see it in her work. Her award-winning photography has been juried and accepted at the world’s largest exhibition of photography, Fotofest, not to mention exhibitions at Epcot, in Germany, and various PPA Loan Collections.

Classe(s): The Business of Portrait Photography The Business of Portrait Photography Day 2

Eric Anundi

A full-time professional photographer since 1995, Eric has great passion for the industry. With 17 state awards in wedding and portrait photography, including five Kodak Gallery awards, and images hanging in Oregon's Court of Honor the past 9 years, it’s easy to see that his expertise matches his passion. Eric is past president of Professional Photographers of Oregon and is currently one of two council members representing PPA for his state. In fact, he holds Oregon's top degree in photography (FP). To continue (and share) his skills, Eric has taught at numerous state seminars and conventions and is active in PPA’s Studio Management Services (SMS) program, SuccessWare and Masterminds.

Eric’s retail studio is in Salem, OR (Eric John Photography), where Shawna, his wife, also works along with their connected women's clothing boutique. Eric and Shawna both attended Oregon State University, married in 1993 and have two boys, Kyle (12) and Kaleb (10).

www.ericjohn.com

Classe(s): High School Seniors: $100,000 in 100 Days

Tom Bagby

M.Photog.Cr.

Tom and Kristen McGill operate a small-town portrait studio in rural Arkansas. Having an upscale business in this type of market is a challenge…but it’s not out of reach. Tom holds both Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from PPA, and Kristen has been a winner in PPA's AN-NE Marketing Awards and was SPI's Marketer of the Year.

www.tombagby.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

Stephen & Jennifer Bebb

Their “official” biography will tell you all about the awards they have won (like being named top 10 in the world for wedding photography), the places they have been (like Brazil, Australia and Winnipeg) and the number of weddings they have photographed (over 500). But that doesn’t tell you who they are. And isn’t who they are way more important than what they have done? So here it is…the Bebbs:

“We’re a lot like you (with kids). We are a couple first, parents second and photographers third. I know that sounds crazy—after all we should probably say that our clients are the most important things in our lives. But our family is. That means we spend all the time we can with our kids. We mountain bike, play lacrosse, go for walks, read with them at night, dream together and have tickle fights. We live every moment we are with them.

“We are goofy, irreverent and sometimes say the wrong thing. But we’re always ready with a smile or laugh, and we see humor in the strangest places. We’re glass-half-full kind of people who find the good in everything. We won’t answer your e-mail at 2:00am, but we will chat as much as you want during the day. Once you are in our life, you are stuck with us. In fact, many of our best friends are people we have photographed and other photographers.”

www.bebbstudios.com

Classe(s): Fusion: A Style Collision

Marcus Bell

Marcus Bell is a Triple Master of Photography (awarded by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, AIPP) and the creative director and principal photographer of Australia’s number-one photography studio, Studio Impressions. Named one of the Top 10 wedding photographers in the world by BBC Television, he is also the author of “Master’s Guide to Wedding Photography,” published by Amherst Media NY in 2006…and still currently on the top ten photography best-seller list.

That list of accomplishments is great, but it doesn’t even scratch the surface. Marcus’ images have been published in more than 30 books (and many magazine covers) in 50 countries, and he has been featured in three photography documentaries. In 2006, he was invited to be a part of both the prestigious Adobe Ambassador team (one of only three in Australia) and as an Epson Ambassador. And in 2009, he joined the Nikon Ambassador team at its inception.

Over the past 10 years Marcus has continuously been awarded the highest accolades in the industry both nationally and internationally…showing his ability to constantly reach new levels year to year and to continue to be at the forefront of his craft. His most recent awards include: 2009 Photograph of the Year (Australian AIPP awards) and 2009 International Wedding Print of the Year (Prix de la Photographie, Paris, France). He is also the first photographer to be crowned the Australian wedding photographer of the year twice (2003 and 2005).

He has conducted seminars and workshops in the USA, Japan, Canada, England, France, Brazil, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand and is recognized around the world as an authority on photography, digital workflow development and master printing techniques.

www.studioimpressions.com.au

Classe(s): Emotion: The Source of Creating Life Clients

Teresa Berg

A graduate of The Elkins Institute of Photography, Teresa is a fine art photographer at heart. After many years of black-and-white landscapes and still lifes, she jumped into portraits in 2003. She successfully combines fine art pet photography and family portraiture at her studio in Dallas, Texas.

www.unleashed2009.wordpress.com

Classe(s): Pet Photography: Sit! Stay! Learn!

Heather Michelle Bjoershol

Heather Michelle Bjoershol was born into the world armed with a paintbrush. She started competing in PPA’s photographic competitions in 2005, which led to her first Loan Collection image (and she’s been consistently showcased in the Loan Collection for the past seven years).

Among thousands of entries, only 135 artists were chosen to represent the world's most talented digital painters in Ballistic Publishing's "Painter" book…and two of Heather’s paintings were chosen in 2005! And in 2006, Corel chose Heather's image, "Little Miss," to use in their magazine ads. In 2007, she was named a Corel Painter Master as the software company chose several of her paintings to use in their advertising for Corel Painter X (her painting, "Blue," was featured on the back of the packaging). Corel Painter XI also features several of Heather's paintings within its gallery. In addition, international company, Maersk Sealand, has used her illustrative abilities in their latest book, “Magic Nights.“ Heather has also been featured in interviews in The Official Corel Painter Magazine, Digital Photo Pro (UK) and AfterCapture.

www.HeatherThePainter.com

Classe(s): Corel Painter Intermediate to Advanced: Impressions of John Singer Sargent

Jeff Bowman

M.Photog., CPP

Jeff Bowman and his wife, Julia, own Commonwealth Photography in Richmond, VA, where they focus their business on high school seniors and children's portraits. (James Cook is Commonwealth Photography’s senior associate.)

As a second-generation photographer shooting for his mother’s business, Jeff started his career in photography at a young age. At 15, he photographed his first wedding, and he continued photographing weddings for the next 20 years. With six years spent as a commercial photographer for a Fortune 500 company, he has a great understanding of both the commercial and portrait worlds.

Jeff earned his PPA Master of Photography degree in 2008 and is the recipient of three consecutive Photographer of the Year awards from PPA, too. He also earned the Virginia Photographer of the Year in 2009. In addition, he has received a number of Kodak Gallery awards and many other state and regional awards. And for the past several years, his work has been included in the PPA Loan Collection as well as the PPA Showcase Book.

A leader in his photographic community, Jeff is always looking for a challenge. His view on business is like a game: "Money is just the way we keep score." Not afraid to take a risk, Jeff refuses to fail and will not quit until he is on top.

www.commonwealthphoto.com

Classe(s): The Diversified Photographer: Gaining Clients Through Event Photography

Julia Bowman

Doug Box

M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API

Doug is an award-winning photographer who has owned very successful studios in Houston, Brenham and Caldwell, Texas. He has taught at seminars and conventions in 47 states in the U.S. plus Canada, Mexico, Scotland, Wales, England, China, Ireland…and on five cruise ships! In addition, he was chosen to teach at the International Wedding Institute and has taught at 18 different PPA Affiliate week-long schools. One of only 20 Kodak Mentors, he is also only one of four people in the history of PPA to earn over 1,000 PPA merits and is an invited member of the prestigious Cameracrafstmen of America, one of only 40 in the world.

Very active in photography associations, Doug is a past president of Texas Professional Photographers Association (TPPA) and is their current executive director. He has served as the American Society of Photographers’ executive director, published the ASP Magazine, been the chairman of the Affiliate Managers Group, been vice chairman of the Portrait Group PPA, served on the Membership, Affiliate and Chapters Committee, been vice chairman of the AN-NE Committee, been an officer in his local guild and is currently on the PPA Board of Directors.

Doug is the owner of Texas Photographic Workshops, an internationally recognized educational facility, where he and his wife, LaVelda, teach all levels of photography and host photographers from around the country. His articles and images have graced the pages of most professional photographic publications. In addition, he is the author of “The Power of Business” marketing systems and has written several books including, “Professional Secrets of Children’s Photography,” “Professional Secrets of Photographing Weddings,” “Natural Light Photography” and “Posing for Portrait Photographers,” published by Amherst Publishing.

His students claim Doug is the cross between a stand-up comedian and a Baptist preacher—one of the most fun and easy-to-learn-from instructor you will ever encounter.

www.DougBox.com

Classe(s): F-stop, Shutter Speed & ISO: Understanding & Using Basic Camera Controls for Creative Photography

Barbara Breitsameter

Barbara creates fine art portraiture for today’s family. She adores dogs and their people and loves to include pets in her family portraiture. She offers dog and family photography, in-studio or on-location. Her patience, warmth and personality make her a natural with her clients. Best known for her dramatic use of lighting and clean contemporary style, her award-winning images have been used in publications, greeting cards and calendars.

Barbara is the owner of poppyblue photography, LLC and operates a store-front studio (2,000 square feet) in Park Ridge, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago, serving the Greater Chicagoland area. She is also an instructor for UNLEASHED, fine art dog photography workshops that are being offered nationwide for professional photographers.

http://bbreitsameter.com/

Classe(s): Pet Photography: Sit! Stay! Learn!

Carl Caylor

M.Photog.Cr., CPP, F-WPPA

"If beauty was only skin-deep, every photograph would reveal the same personality. We create portraits. An artistic expression that goes past the outer layer, beyond first impressions and into the abyss of one is defining essence." - Carl Caylor

Carl has been involved with photography for the last 20 years. He started his photographic career in the darkroom as a custom printer and technician. Today, he is a Certified Professional Photographer and hold PPA’s Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees. He has won numerous national awards for his photography, including 18 PPA Loan Collection images and several Kodak Gallery and Fuji Masterpiece Awards. Carl has also earned numerous Wisconsin state awards, including Photographer of the Year two years in a row. He believes in sharing his experiences at schools and conventions, and he has done so in 38 U.S. states, Mexico, Canada and Korea. His work has been seen in Professional Photographer, Rangefinder, In-Foto, American Photo, Kodak ads, WHCC ads and several photographic education books. Carl continues to passionately study art and photography to ensure you the best.

http://photoimagesbycarl.net

Classe(s): The Senior Experience

Dave & Quin Cheung

Dave and Quin Cheung are the visual artists behind DQ Studios. This husband-and-wife team is internationally awarded for their images and albums, and they are educators in business, lighting and client relationships. Their focus on great imagery and unequalled client relationships has allowed their business to thrive and grow amidst the ever-growing competition. They make their home with their two boys in Canada (Calgary, Alberta).

www.dqstudios.com

Classe(s): Step Ahead: Reinvented Lighting & Workflow Techniques for Tomorrow’s Photographer

Cody Clinton

Cr.Photog

One of TriCoast’s principal photographers, Cody Clinton, was born and raised in Texas on the Gulf Coast. Living in Southern Brazoria County most of his life (with the exception of a few years in Ohio), Cody found his passion for photography at a young age and learned and refined this passion over many years of shooting and self-teaching. While working in various jobs (including medical field training personnel for the largest chemical company in the world), Cody starting photographing friends, co-workers, local sporting events and family events, such as reunions and weddings. His natural talents quickly shone, and Cody graduated in a short period of time from these local events to shooting professional sporting events and other levels of professional photography. With his high natural energy, artistic personal style and uniqueness, as well as his one-of-a-kind personality, Cody soon found his true passion in the art of wedding photography. Here, he uses these key aspects to create special moments for every bride and groom and their family and friends.

www.tricoastphoto.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Bob Coates

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Bob started taking photographs with an SLR he borrowed from a friend back in 1983. After successfully managing other people’s businesses for 14 years, he finally decided to follow the quote, "Do what you love and you will become a success." In March 1994, he got out of the restaurant business and took the leap to become a professional photographer. At the time, he thought he knew something about photography. Now that he’s studied hard for the last 16 years, he realizes how much more there is to learn (and one of his true passions is sharing how to market without spending a lot of dough).

The variety in the industry never ceases to amaze Bob. One day he’ll be shooting jewelry in the studio, the next day he’ll be getting images for a brochure, and yet another day he’ll standing in the middle of the desert, waiting for the light to get "just so." Bob Coates Photography "specializes in not specializing," allowing him to come up with interesting new ways of photographing subjects. People who hire Bob Coates Photography do it not just for the expertise, but also for the experience he brings to the job.

http://bcweddingphoto.com/
http://bcphotography.com/

Classe(s): Get Your Name Out There Without Spending (Much) Money

James Cook

CPP

Bry Cox

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

With his various credentials and experiences, Bry Cox is always pushing himself to do his best…and you can see it in his credentials, involvement and his work. Along with being a Certified Professional Photographer and earning the PPA Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees, he has a bachelor’s degree in business and is on the Fuji Elite Talent Team. For years, he has taught workshops to professional photographers all over the U.S., as well as Canada and China. Bry also has created many tools for photographers, including Adobe Photoshop tools, tutorial DVDs and two self-help books that have had rave reviews.

Bry’s images are in ads for Fuji Film, as the cover of American Photo Magazine and used by Capitol Records, Billboard magazine, TV Guide, Professional Photographer magazine, Studio Photography and Design magazine, American Girl magazine, filmmakers, TV anchors and musicians. He’s even photographed LeAnne Rimes, Natalie Cole, Olivia Newton-John, Ryan Shupe, Donny and Marie Osmond, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Forbes, Mitt Romney and the last three Utah Governors!

http://brycox.com/

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Dennis Craft

M.Photog.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., CPP, API, F-ASP

Currently Chairman of the Photographic Exhibition Committee, Dennis Craft runs a successful portrait studio in the historic town of Marshall, MI. His work includes many photographic areas, but he is best known for his imaginative children's photography. Craft Photography opened in 1979 in a storefront in downtown Marshall. Since 1999, the studio has been outside the city on thirteen acres that serve as a perfect backdrop for their fanciful child portraiture.

A Michigan Top-Ten Photographer twelve times, Dennis enjoys working in a natural light situation (window light and environmental portraits are his specialties). Twelve of his merit prints have been selected into the International Loan Collection, three exhibited at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center, and one was on display in the International Photography Hall of Fame. Craft was named Photographer of the Year in Michigan (1992 & 1996). He’s also earned his PPA Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees and the Fellowship Degree from the American Society of Photographers. In addition, he is a past president of PPA.

Dennis has spoken in many places over the years, including national, state, and regional conventions and numerous local affiliate events. This doesn’t even include all the photography schools he’s taught at, like Winona International School of Photography, West Coast School, MAIPP Professional Photography School, Mid-Atlantic Regional School of Photography, Texas School, and Georgia School! Students from all over the country have enjoyed his unique teaching style and his practical solutions and ideas for developing and improving their own photographic style.

http://craftphotography.com

Classe(s): Judges Workshop Day One Judges Workshop Day Two Judges Workshop Day Three

Jim Cunningham

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Armed with a degree in marketing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Jim has been a photographer since 1976 and has owned his own studio since 1983. He’s received nine Kodak Gallery Awards and four Fuji masterpiece Awards. A speaker at numerous conventions, Jim has also been teaching Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter workshops since 2001. He has been working with digital imaging for 11 years, and he feels that this technology gives the photographer the ability to create what we see in our mind’s eye.

www.painterportraits.com
www.jecunningham.com

Classe(s): Corel Painter Beginner: The Artist Within

Bob Davis

Bob is so proud to be a member of the Canon family and the Canon Explorers of Light, an elite group of 60 of the U.S.’s best EOS photographers (united in their love and passion for photographic excellence), which was created by Canon for the purpose of educating photographers. He is also a proud member of the Apple Aperture Advisory Board.

Not a newcomer to the photographic industry, Bob has been a professional photographer for over 25 years. It was obvious to him at an early age that being a photographer was what he wanted to do with his life! Back in high school, he became the editor of the newspaper. He went on to Columbia College and was named College Photographer of the Year. With this came a full-time job at a daily newspaper in Chicago and then a full-time position for 14 years at the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper.

His cameras have always been like a passport into history, and he’s continually honored when doors open and people invite him to document their lives. While at the paper, he had covered countless amazing events, such as presidential elections, Michael Jordan's entire career with the Chicago Bulls, every religious faith and many tent revivals. He’s traveled around the world to places such as El Salvador, Taiwan, Lithuania, Romania, Moldova and Kenya for human-interest stories. He’s even had the pleasure of riding to South Dakota on a Harley with the Hells Henchmen for the 50th anniversary of Sturgis.

Today, he has the privilege of photographing the most important events in his clients’ lives, and he couldn't be more happy to have this honor. Photography... it's what he’s passionate about.

www.bobanddawndavis.com

Classe(s): Lights, Camera, Capture: Creating the Light You Want Using Small Portable Strobes

Bob Dicaprio

Cr.Photog, CPP

Bob DiCaprio has a varied business background, and he brings that experience to his own business on a daily basis. In fact, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bryant College. After a short time in the food retail business, Bob spent nine years with a national drugstore chain in the advertising, merchandising, purchasing, co-op advertising and management information systems areas. During this time, he began his career as a part-time photographer. After a year as a sales representative for a local color lab, Bob became a full-time professional in 1985.

Now a 32-year veteran of the photography industry, Bob has served as president for the Professional Photographers of Rhode Island and the Professional Photographers Association of New England. He’s earned his PPA Photographic Craftsman degree, is a Certified Professional Photographer and has been a speaker at many photographic conventions and schools.

www.dicaprioeventphotography.com

Classe(s): The How-tos of On-site Printing

Kay Eskridge

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Kay’s approach to professional speaking can be classified as the perfect blend of entertainment, education and inspiration. Her career path and personal experiences provides her with a unique perspective as a professional photographer, and she shares all with a refreshing sense of integrity and honesty.

Kay is a member and past president of the Arizona Professional Photography Association, serves as the SWPPA Representative for Arizona and is a Kodak Approved Speaker. She is a Certified Professional Photographer, has earned the PPA Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees and holds numerous awards, including the Arizona Photographer of the Year, the Kodak Gallery Elite Award, Fuji Masterpiece Awards, the Phoenix Portrait Photographer of the Year and the Arizona Illustrative Photographer of the Year. She has also been honored with PPA’s National Award and both the Arizona Artisan and Apple Awards.

Combining her passion for photography and her love of people, Kay Eskridge’s studio, Images by Kay & Co. has earned a sterling reputation in Phoenix, AZ. She recently built the studio of her dreams from the ground up and has just begun realizing the potential of creating a studio that not only impresses and excites her clients, but also provides her with the creative opportunities to grow as a photographer.

www.celebratesexy.com

Classe(s): Boudoir: Bold & Beautiful

Betsy Finn

Cr.Photog., CPP

Betsy Finn is an award-winning photographic artist whose work has been featured locally and internationally. She graduated from Hope College (Class of 2005) with degrees in Studio Art (Photography) and Business Management; and in 2010, she received her Photographic Craftsman degree from PPA. She has also earned her Certified Professional Photographer designation, and volunteers as a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Area Coordinator. In addition to running her studio, Betsy’s Photography, Betsy enjoys helping photographers in their quest for knowledge.

www.LearnWithBetsy.com
http://betsysphotography.com/

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Beth Forester

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Beth Forester is the owner of a portrait studio in the small town of Madison, WV. Specializing in senior portraiture, Beth is known not only for her award-winning images, but also for her creative marketing strategies and business tactics. Recognized as a leader in the photographic industry, she has earned 13 Loan Collection images, 10 Kodak Gallery Awards as well as the prestigious PPA AN-NE Award for marketing. She has been featured in various magazines, such as Rangefinder, Professional Photographer and WV Executive.

www.foresterphoto.com

Classe(s): Seniors My Way!

Mary “Lou” Freeman

Lou Freeman was born into a loving family in Atlanta, GA. She grew up excelling in many of the creative arts and showed promise in photography and painting. By the age of eight, her talent was recognized and encouraged. As her creativity evolved, she left the Southeast and moved to New York to pursue her photography career. Lou’s passion for the arts has led her all over the globe. She’s traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago, London to Milan and Barcelona, honing her skills.

Lou has a master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia and has studied at the International Center of Photography in New York. Her photographic career spans 25+ years, with a collection of work as diverse as it is strong. Her goal is to consistently produce powerful images that engage the audience. Lou’s expertise, professionalism and lifelong commitment to the arts have kept her name and talent top of mind in the advertising, fashion and fine home interiors/exteriors industries. In fact, she has been awarded two ADDYs and one OBIE for her advertising photography.

Today, she continues to find inspiration in a broad range of corporate clients as well as fashion. For example, she has created concepts and initiated photo shoots for individuals, celebrities, magazine editorials and advertising campaigns. Lou even completed an amazing 13 years of shooting agreements and four consecutive packaging sequences for Hanes Men’s Underwear and Hanes Women and Men’s Classics divisions. Lou has also been a regular featured photographer in such fine fashion magazines as Italian Harpers Bazaar. In all cases, Lou designed a plan, produced, hired and managed crews to create shoots from start to finish. Lou also planned many back-to-back shoots with multiple locations, lodging, catering and model coordination. These shoots have ranged from a studio to remote locations, all of which Lou loves to embrace with the camera. She believes in empowering her team of excellence to achieve almost any dream she can see in her mind’s eye.

www.loufreeman.com

Classe(s): From Fashion to Portraiture: Interacting with the Model

Mike Fulton

Cr.Photog

Born and raised just south of Houston in Brazoria County, Mike Fulton, one of TriCoast’s principal photographers, developed his love for photography by finding his father’s camera as a young teenager. He taught himself and enjoyed photography as a hobby through his high school years. While studying criminal justice and other science fields in college, his passion for the art of photography grew and he made the switch to the professional level shortly thereafter. Starting in the high fashion and glamour field, Mike found his work being published in publications ranging from art magazines to calendars. After a short term in the motion picture industry, he found his true passion in the art of wedding photography. Bringing his love for fashion and glamour styles with him, Mike uses his knowledge and artistic eye to blend these editorial fashion styles with the beauty of the wedding day.

www.TriCoastPhoto.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Brianna Graham

Brianna Graham, the photographer, emerged in 2003. Brianna, the girl with the camera, has been making images since her teen years. For over five years now, she has owned a boutique studio, where she specializes in children and high school senior portraits, custom imagery and high-end products. Her studio is an eclectic mix of everything she loves, and her clients are very drawn to her space. The sole photographer there, she also edits her own images.

Brianna has been featured in a number of periodicals, including Rangefinder magazine. She has also been featured several times on Rangefinder Radio. In March 2010, she gave a platform presentation at the 2010 WPPI convention. In addition, for the past three years, she has been teaching workshops across the country as well as internationally.

She wants to extend her thanks to Miller's Professional Imaging for their continued sponsorship and support.

www.briannagraham.com
www.briannagrahamworkshops.com

Classe(s): Inspiration from Within: Translating Visual Inspiration into a Unique Brand

Joel Grimes

Joel Grimes has been a commercial advertising photographer for twenty-six years. In that time, he has worked for some to the top advertising agencies around the country for clients such as AARP, AT&T, Boston Market, Goldman Sachs, Hewlett Packard, Philip Morris USA, Nikon, Qwest, Red Bull, Visa and Volvo. In 1984, Joel graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Photography. In 1992, Joel produced his first national interest coffee table book entitled “Navajo, Portrait of a Nation.”

Joel currently makes his home between Los Angels, CA, and Tucson, AZ, with his wife, Amy, and two of their four sons.

joelgrimes.com

Classe(s): The Art of Creating

Travis Gugelman

M.Photog., CPP

Travis started Gugelman Photography six years ago. In three years, it became one of the top performing studios in the U.S., as reported by PPA. Travis’s business plan, sales script, employee manuals and marketing plan have each helped create a studio that operates like an organized corporation. This allows Travis to meet his goals and makes his studio work for him. With dedication and hard work, his studio (building and all) is 100 percent debt free.

Along with his business success, Travis has received many awards for his photography, including earning PPA’s Master of Photography degree and gaining his Certified Professional Photographer status. He’s been a PPA Photographer of the Year for several years, including earning the Diamond level of the award, the highest available. He’s also been an Idaho Photographer of the Year and won several other awards, including the Kodak Gallery Award, Fuji Gallery Award and many more.

Travis loves to share all he knows and has learned over the years to help other photographers create powerful images and run strong businesses. He can help photographers set a studio up for success. His own studio in Rexburg, ID, is known for setting the bar high, not only for portraits, but also for outstanding customer loyalty. Even in an economic scare, Gugelman Photography has continued to raise their already high sales average in their studio. How? The studio follows a very precise step-by-step sales approach. Each employee has a well-defined job description and takes responsibility for their tasks, which are all documented. Whether a studio is missing the bar in the sales room, on the phones, or in just keeping up with the business, Travis will motivate and teach them how to make the necessary changes to come out on top.

www.gugelmanphotography.com
www.travisgugelman.com

Classe(s): Higher Sales, Smart Marketing & Effective Business Strategies

Jeff Gump

Jeff Gump, founder and CEO of one of the country’s most successful youth sports photography businesses, is perhaps even better known as a speaker and trainer of photographers across the nation.

At the age of 15, Jeff declared himself a professional as a photographer. Today, Gump’s Sports Photography has shot well over a million young people and is still growing strong with headquarters and staff in both Jacksonville, FL, and Paducah, KY. And as a well-known and sought-after speaker, Jeff has traveled over North America and Canada for the past five years, educating aspiring and veteran photographers.

One of the reasons for his popularity as a speaker is that, in an industry where secrets are typically well-guarded, Jeff holds nothing back. He shows audiences everything, from how to make a winning presentation to how to set up and execute flawlessly on photo day. And perhaps most importantly, he explains how photographers can keep more money in their pockets instead of paying out too much of it on big commissions. Jeff has ways of making “posed action” much more profitable; he shares an impressive array of trade tricks; and he even talks about his resources, such as suppliers and bankers. He also focuses on the importance of customer service. “Service and sales are what make youth sports really fun and really work,” is his way of putting it.

Jeff’s experience, his refined systems and his dedication to growth have given his company a distinct edge over competitors, and his company’s records and reputation continue to grow impressively.

gumpssportsphoto.com
jeffgump.com

Classe(s): Retention! That is the Name of the Game

John Hartman

M.Photog.Cr., EA-ASP

John Hartman is recognized as one of the leading marketing and business experts in professional photography. He has presented hundreds of programs throughout the U.S. and Canada since 1983, including many appearances at Imaging USA. A published author, John has also created several software solutions for photographers, including QuickMats, QuickProofs and SeniorMarketing. His sold-out Marketing Boot Camps in Las Vegas are the longest-running and most successful business seminars in the industry. In 2010, PPA even awarded John the prestigious Charles “Bud” Haynes Award for marketing excellence and his contributions to professional photography.

www.jhartman.com

Classe(s): The Greatest Marketing Secret of All How to Be a Great Speaker

Jennifer Hillenga

M.Photog.Cr.

With a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and Graphic Design, Jen Hillenga began her career in photography in 1997, working for three different portrait studios before opening her own business in Savage, MN, in 2004. By aggressive marketing, she and her partner, Kate Thram, have become one of the leading studios in their area in a very short amount of time. In the last few years, Jen has been able to master her skills not only as a photographer, but also as a digital artist, gaining her national recognition among her peers. She has been named Minnesota Illustrative Photographer of the Year in 2006, Portrait Photographer of the Year in 2007 and Wedding Photographer of the Year in 2008. She was a Kodak Photographer to Watch in 2007 and has earned her PPA Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees.

Jen focuses on the story behind each image and the internal as well as external beauty of each subject by relating to clients with sensitivity and humor. She strives to create imagery that moves the viewer, experimenting with imagination and drawing inspiration from fine art, music, fashion and other photographers. She believes in scheduling time as "artist days" to be creative, making sure that you are photographing for yourself, remembering to be true to your artist and creating images that make you happy. She creates moments of poetic expression that touch your emotions…images that are a feast for the eyes and a journey for the mind.

In fact, Jen will speak to you about seeing the world with new eyes…about shooting what you feel instead of simply what you see. In addition, she believes that in order to build a loyal client base, each moment counts—from the design of your marketing and the first phone call, through the creation of images and the delivery of superior products—each of these moments is an integral piece of success. Jen will show you how to find the miracles in those moments.

www.momentoimages.com

Classe(s): Boudoir: Bold & Beautiful

Eric Hinders

M.Photog.

The day Eric’s brother got a camera was the day Eric knew he wanted to be a photographer. That was his sophomore year in high school, when he also experienced his first photography class…and he hated the darkroom. But he didn’t quit there. Soon after, he discovered Adobe Photoshop, which he loved. Every time an obstacle is thrown his way, he chooses to keep going…and something life-changing and inspiring is always soon to follow.

For example, while waiting for his computer to get repaired, he was inspired by a book in the library about book-making. This turned him into making his own paper and trying new ways to incorporate that into his photography. He took all that passion, started his business and within two months, he had already booked five weddings and was making appointments and photographing senior reps. In addition, he earned his PPA Master of Photography degree at the age of 24, has won several awards for his images, including Photographer of the Year, HOA Best of Show Award, Fuji Masterpiece Award, Kodak Gallery Award and more.

Now, Eric doesn’t have a traditional studio. Instead, he travels to clients’ homes for everything from consultations and sessions to order appointments and delivering prints. The feedback from clients is great. In addition to his own business, Eric also works as a photo-illustrator, which has brought many new ideas and directions into his own business.

www.Artificially-Flavored.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Bev Hollis

Bev Hollis entered the niche market of pet photography in 2006. She turned her full attention to her photography business after leaving a career in veterinary medicine. It is her vast experience with animals, she believes, which allows her to capture the essence of pets in her images. In addition, Bev was honored by her state photography association in 2008 with the Photojournalism Image of the Year.

www.bevhollisphoto.com

Classe(s): Pet Photography: Sit! Stay! Learn!

Jennifer Hudson

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Jennifer is one of the modern generation’s visualists, creating beguiling images that are both artistically stylized and meticulously crafted. She has an uncanny eye for high fashion, finding beauty, understanding the physique and the intricacies of the human body, the manner in which light will play in a scene and upon a subject, the delicate balance and rhythm of composition, and most importantly, how to powerfully portray human emotion.

Founder of one of the premier wedding studios in Fort Worth, Texas (and now residing in Boston with her current studio, Olive Avonlea Couture Photography), Jennifer is a savvy and energetic image-maker and entrepreneur. Achieving her PPA Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees in just three years, along with a host of trophies and awards in every category including 10 Kodak Gallery Awards, 10 Fuji Masterpiece Awards, and three WPPI Grand Awards, she is a celebrated talent and has exhibited work in fine art galleries throughout the country. Her work has been published in many esteemed print and online publications, such as Professional Photographer, Rangefinder, AfterCapture, BWgallerist, The Knot, Grace Ormonde Weddings, etc.

Jennifer is currently an instructor at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University and at the Institute for Digital Media Arts, where she teaches Portraiture and Photographic Illustration. She is an international speaker and lecturer whose programs are sought after year after year by many professional public and private photographic organizations. She has just completed her latest major body of work entitled “Baptism,” a narrative series exploring a young woman’s spiritual re-incarnation, and plans to begin work on her new series entitled “Medic,” a series that will explore the breadth of human relationships during illness and recovery.

Jennifer is a dynamic and emotional illustrator of the human heart. With an innate ability to plumb the antique, her work is soulful, seeking the use of the forgotten or discarded, mechanical in nature, eerie and quiet. With a classical music and orchestral background, she breathes life into her inventions with an air of subtly that only inspired thought and a delicate, intent hand can achieve.

www.jenniferhudsonfineart.com
www.oliveavonlea.com

Classe(s): The Handmade Life: The Art of Reinvention & Handcrafted Product Lines

Bruce & Josh Hudson

Bruce Hudson holds PPA’s Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees and is one of only 40 active members in the prestigious Cameracraftsmen of America organization. In addition, he’s referred to as a “master marketer” who specializes in relationship marketing. It’s hard to believe, but he’s photographed more than a thousand weddings and tens of thousands of family, children and high school senior portraits since 1982. He’s also had some celebrities in front of his lens, including President Bush, future Hall of Fame pitching great Randy Johnson, and radio celebrity Delilah and her family. A sought-after speaker to professional photography organizations, Bruce has lectured on behalf of Fuji Film USA, H&H Color Lab, Mamiya Cameras, Capri Albums, Marathon Press and Excel Frames throughout the United States, New Zealand, Canada and Puerto Rico. Over the years, he has produced and authored over 25 instructional video/DVD programs dealing with portraits, wedding photography and marketing.

As the son of the aforementioned Bruce and the late Sue Hudson, Josh Hudson, who graduated from Washington State University, has a unique perspective in the photography business. Literally growing up in the business has given him a valuable insight. Not a photographer himself, Josh has the ability to be more subjective and not as emotionally tied to photography as an art form. And when it comes to marketing, his mission is clear: Make the phone ring with highly qualified clients who can’t wait to spend top dollar at his family’s studio! As the co-founder of http://www.mystudiomentor.com and publisher of the highly subscribed-to Monthly Mentor Program, Josh now communicates and consults with hundreds of photographers all over the country…and he’s seen as an up-and-coming marketing guru following in his father’s footsteps. With the creative marketing mind of his father, Bruce, and the extraordinary organizational skills of his late mother, Sue, he has the winning combination to help photographers realize their true business potential!

http://www.hudsonportraits.com/

Classe(s): 21 Effective Marketing Strategies for Success in an Economy that Sucks

Bridget Jackson

Bridget is a Certified Public Accountant and manager of PPA’s Studio Management Services. She has worked with small businesses for over 10 years and has assisted numerous photographers in her time here at PPA.

Classe(s): 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day One: Business & Financial Management 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day Three: Marketing & Promotions 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day Two: Sales & Customer Service

Steve Kozak

M. Photog.Cr., CPP

Steve Kozak is an active member of PPA and the Texas Professional Photographers Association. He has earned the Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from PPA, and he is a Certified Professional Photographer. His work has appeared in PPA’s international traveling Loan Collection at the exhibit by Kodak and Walt Disney World that is held at EPCOT in Orlando, FL. Additional professional recognition of his work includes the Masterpiece Award from Fuji Film USA.

Steve is a regular teacher at the prestigious Texas School of Professional Photography, and his motivational and informative programs make him a popular speaker and lecturer on the program circuit.

www.stevekozak.com

Classe(s): The Secrets to Success When Turning Pro The Secrets to Success When Turning Pro Day 2

Kim Larson

Kim believes that one secret to her success is knowledge of websites that help generate business. She once had a Flash-based template website, but—while it was pretty—it didn’t bring any new clients her way. So she ditched the site and built her own HTML-based, search-engine-optimized website, which was a runner-up for PPA’s 2009 AN-NE Marketing Awards. After launching the site, she went from receiving one client inquiry per month to about two or three per week almost instantly. And it was all because the search engines were able to index her site, and she was at the top of the search results. This helped her move from photographing primarily local weddings within an hour of my location to frequently traveling to neighboring states and even New York City. Kim is also known for having a good system that results in booking more “e-mail brides,” the busy middle-class brides who seem only to want to communicate via e-mail.

Kim has spoken to many local groups and at PMA. In addition, she video blogs at Blackstar Rising, sharing the importance of tracking visitors to your website.

www.lifeisartphoto.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Jim Lersch

M.Photog.Cr., API, F-PPO

Jim Lersch has 38 years of experience in all aspects of professional photography, with a strong emphasis in illustrative advertising, fashion (on and off figure) and food photography. Jim's from the Chicago area, where he worked eight years with the two largest commercial photography studios in Chicago. In 1979, he moved to St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI, to help open and establish Johnson-Rauhoff Studios and was the senior staff photographer there until starting his own business in 1992 and moving to Branson, MO.

Very active in the industry, Jim holds PPA’s Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees, is a PPA Approved Photographic Instructor and has served on the board of directors for both the Professional Photographers of Michigan and the Professional Photographers of the Ozarks. In addition, he has earned a total of 10 Kodak Gallery and Fuji Masterpiece awards in print competition.

His distinctive style of photography involves sculpting with light and creating each image carefully, one at a time. Jim has also earned a reputation for cutting-edge digital creations for seniors.

www.lerschphoto.com

Classe(s): Seniors My Way!

Scott Robert Lim

Master photographer and internationally renowned photographer Scott Robert Lim teaches principles from his revolutionary Seven Steps to Mastering the Art of Photography. The 2009 Kodak Award recipient, Scott Robert has had his work published in books and magazines all over the world and has taught and mentored many professional photographers worldwide. He’s a popular international speaker with an exciting and inspirational style.

www.scottrobertphotography.com

Classe(s): Portable Fashion Lighting Made Easy

Michelle Lindsay

Before she turned to photography, Michelle received a BA in Advertising from Boston University and worked as the Director of Marketing for a portrait studio that specialized in families and children. Here, she began to shoot weddings. In 2008, she had 22 weddings on the books. It was a giant slap in the face as she attempted to juggle running what had become a full-time business with her other 9-5 job. In July 2008, she decided to pursue her photography career…and to relocate her business to Washington, D.C.

In December 2008, she had moved to Alexandria, VA, and had eight weddings in the New England region for the 2009 season—zero in Washington, D.C. She networked like crazy and signed up for her first bridal show. Just 15 months later, she had completely relocated her business to the DC market and had practically doubled both her revenue and average wedding sale. She was even selected to receive a 2009 Bride’s Choice Award from Wedding Wire for the area.

In the past year, Michelle has implemented major changes into her business structure, mainly in how she sells to clients. She is 27 years old, lives in one of the most expensive cities in the country and has a 900 square foot condo…and she thought a “studio” was years away. But she realized her studio could be whatever she wanted it to be, and she put a few thousand dollars into renovations, creating a selling space in the living room of her condo. By making significant changes like altering her package structure, selling in person and doing album consults and designs in person vs. via e-mail, she is now guiding clients on what to buy. And she’s seeing better after sales and higher wedding averages.

She hears a lot of colleagues say, “but I can’t,” or “that doesn’t work for my because x, y, z.” The truth is, there is always an excuse for why NOT to do something. For Michelle, it’s more the challenge of figuring out how she CAN do it with whatever limited resources she has. Her own goals are many. For example, she plans to continue working on raising her wedding average with after sales, and she wants to move into her dream studio. But when she does it, she’s going to do it right and with her business’s best interests in mind. So until then, she’ll settle for great sales in her little condo.

www.michellelindsayphotography.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Gregg Martin

CPP

Gregg has been in the photography industry for over 21 years…and has photographed almost everything, from sports to weddings. He is a 2009-2010 PPA Platinum Photographer of the Year, a Certified Professional Photographer and holds the Associate Fellows degree from Professional Photographers of South Carolina. Gregg's images have graced the pages of national publications, such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN: The Magazine, USA Today and Forbes. In addition to these accolades, he has photographed for over 350 weddings and for the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, PGA, LPGA and numerous major collage sports.

www.greggmartinphoto.com

Classe(s): New Ways to Find Old Money in Event Photography

Amber McAdoo

In March 2000, at the age of 19, Amber married her high school sweetheart. She then worked her way through college and graduated from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in December 2004 with a BFA in Photography. In the spring of 2005, she went on a mission trip to Tanna, an Island in the Republic of Vanuatu, and had time to think about what she wanted to do. When she returned home, she started her own studio. Amber just went all-in with no money saved up, no extra job…only a camera and a dream. She was very lucky because family had a building in town that she was able to use at no charge until that first January. She really had no clue how much was involved in running a business (she didn’t even know she was supposed to pay sales tax, and her prices were very, very low). Despite that, though, she was photographing seven days a week. Her business grew very, very fast.

In 2006, she had a full-time employee and was still working her tail off. Amber attended the Make More Money in Photography conference in Phoenix, AZ, where she heard Ann Monteith speak about pricing. So she tried raising her prices, but it seemed that she just got busier. She tried hiring another employee, but she wasn’t making any money to pay herself. On the edge of burnout, she called PPA’s Studio Management Services (SMS), and that changed her life. Still, she tried changing her prices gradually. In 2007, she had three employees, and her prices weren’t where they needed to be, so her cost of sales was 39 percent. One night, her husband, Chancy, asked her to get off the computer and sit with him for five minutes…and she didn’t have the time. So in 2008, she doubled her prices and went back to one full-time employee.

Basically, in one year, she cut her session count in half and made more money! In 2009, she gave up weddings and switched to one part-time employee. In 2009, she brought in $50,000 less than 2008, but her bottom line only showed a $5,000 difference. In June 2009, within a matter of two weeks, Amber and her husband adopted a baby girl, Anna Morie. Now, in 2010, she is in the studio three full days a week and stays at home with Anna the rest of the week. Amber believes it is important to love your life and live it the way you want.

www.mcadoophoto.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Kristen McGill

Kristen and Tom Bagby operate a small-town portrait studio in rural Arkansas. Having an upscale business in this type of market is a challenge…but it’s not out of reach. Tom holds both Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from PPA, and Kristen has been a winner in PPA's AN-NE Marketing Awards and was SPI's Marketer of the Year.

www.tombagby.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

David McKay

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Establishing themselves as true artists, the McKays have pursued their careers with passion and skill. Images that speak "into" people’s lives have transformed the meaning of David and Ally McKay as artists. "To touch people on an emotional and spiritual level through an image we create is an amazing thing…one that we have found to make our work have meaning and purpose," they say.

Specializing in Sepia-Toned Fine Art Wall décor, David and Ally have carved a niche that, combined with the right combination of marketing and sales skills, has propelled their business to an incredible level of success. Averaging consistent sales, the McKays have not only found passion for their work, they have also been financially rewarded for it. They have also earned numerous marketing awards, including three PPA AN-NE Marketing Awards. Their website was also voted one of the top 10 in the U.S. by Shutterbug magazine and the best website in Northern California by the Dottie Association for Web Excellence.

www.mckayphotography.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Ally McKay

M.Photog.

Gary Meek

M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API, EA-ASP, Hon. EA-ASP

Gary and Kathy Meek of Hot Springs, AR, own and operate Gary’s Studio of Photography in Hot Springs. Both received PPA’s Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees and are Certified Professional Photographes. Gary has received his Educational Associate credential from American Society of Photographers (ASP), and they are both Approved Photographic Instructors and on the list of International Judges.

Both are active in state, regional and national associations. Gary has served on the board of directors for PPA (1999-2007), is a past president of Arkansas Professional Photographers Association (APPA), a past president of Professional Photographers of the Ozarks (PPO), and was president of Southwest Professional Photographers Association (SWPPA) for two consecutive years. Kathy is a councilor for PPA, on the board of ASP, a past president of APPA, and a past president of SWPPA. Gary and Kathy have received their Associate Fellowship, Fellowship, and Senior Fellowship degrees from APPA, too. In addition, they have been awarded Life Membership in APPA and SWPPA, and they have both received a Fellow of Photography degree in conjunction with PPO.

In addition to regional awards and having prints in the Loan Collection, Gary and Kathy have both received numerous APPA awards, including Best of Show and Photographer of the Year awards. They are also recipients APPA's Distinguished Service Award and National Award (and Gary received it from SWPPA as well).

www.garymeekphotography.com

Classe(s): Certification Preparation Class Day One Certification Preparation Class Day Two Certification Preparation Class Day Three

Kathryn Meek

M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API

Peter Read Miller

Peter Read Miller has been photographing athletes, events and the sporting life for over 40 years. He is currently a staff photographer for Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since the mid-1970s with more than 100 covers to his credit. Peter’s other editorial clients include the following: Time, Newsweek, Life, People, Money, Playboy, Runner’s World, USA Weekend and The New York Times. His advertising clients include companies like Nike, adidas, FootLocker, Eastman Kodak, ABC Television, Panasonic, Coca-Cola, Visa, The National Football League Properties and Canon Cameras.

In addition to covering eight Olympic games and 34 Super Bowls, Peter has shot 14 NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals, the World Series, the Kentucky Derby, the NCAA Basketball Final Four, Men’s and Women’s World Cup Soccer Finals and the World Championship of Freestyle Wrestling (in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia). He has created portraits of numerous world-famous athletes, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Montana, Magic Johnson, Ivan Ivankov, Renaldo, John Wooden, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Barry Bonds, John Elway, Gabriella Reece, Shaquille O’Neal and Kathy Ireland.

Along with his regular work, Peter is well-known in the teaching realm. He has a yearly sports photography workshop every spring in Denver, CO, and has taught at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and Rich Clarkson’s Sports Photography Workshop. His speaking engagements have included the Los Angeles Chapter of the Advertising Photographers of America, The Wisconsin News Photographers Association, Photoshop World, The Southern Short Course, Photo Plus East and The Sportsshooter Luau. He has also lectured at San Jose State, UCLA, the University of Tennessee, the University of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. Peter also regularly participates in youth photography clinics sponsored by Canon in conjunction with the NFL.

www.peterreadmiller.com

Classe(s): Photography at Sports Illustrated

Ann Monteith

M.Photog.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., CPP, ABI, API, A-ASP

The industry’s leading authority on studio business management, Ann Monteith serves as a consultant to studios throughout the country both privately and under the auspices of major industry suppliers. Her Guerrilla Management Workshops are widely credited with setting some of the country’s most successful studios on the road to profitability. A widely read author, her AnnMonteithMeansBusiness.com blog provides helpful information to studio owners and managers.

A former chairman of the board of the PPA International School of Professional Photography and a past president of PPA, she received the Gerhard Bakker Award for excellence in teaching. Ann also earned the Charles H. Bud Haynes Award for distinguished service to PPA and its members, encouraging business awareness and practices in the field of professional image-making. She was even presented with the 2008 Leadership Award from the International Photographic Council at the United Nations.

She and Jim, her husband, have owned and operated four different studio businesses. Presently, they are directors of Monteith’s Countryhouse Studios in Annville, PA, while also seeing clients at their vacation home/studio in Deep Creek Lake, MD. In 2009, they opened Persnickety Pet Portraits as a “warm-fuzzy” division of Countryhouse Studios.

AnnMonteithMeansBusiness.com
www.monteithportraits.com
persnicketypetportraits.com

Classe(s): The Business of Portrait Photography The Business of Portrait Photography Day 2

Tomas Muñoz

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Tom began his career in photography at the age of seven, working as his father’s assistant. He joined PPA as a senior in high school and was awarded his Master of Photography degree at 21, with his Photographic Craftsman degree following two years later. In 2007 and 2008 Tom was named Photographer of the Year at the Diamond level with four wedding entries admitted into the prestigious Loan Collection. He has continued to place in the Loan Collection, and currently has 19 of his wedding images and albums in this Loan Collection.

Together, the Muñoz Family has been in business for four generations, and they own and operate three successful South Florida studios.

www.munozphotographyonline.com

Classe(s): Raising the Bar: Business & Artistic Strategies for Success

Wendy Newman

CPP

For almost a decade, Wendy Newman has been a professional photographer in Arizona. She holds degrees in graphic design and marketing with a background in professional sales. Wendy has served on the board of the AzPPA for seven years and has just completed her second term as president. She is considered a leader and an educator in the photography industry not only in the state of Arizona, but also nationally, as a PPA Council Member. Ranked in Arizona’s Top 10 Photographers six years in a row, she has earned three Fuji Masterpiece Awards, her Certified Professional Photographer designation and is very close to completing her Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees through PPA. Additionally, Wendy has been recognized with a PPA Affiliate Communications Award for best Affiliate Newsletter and was a finalist in the AN-NE Marketing Awards for Best High School Senior Campaign.

Wendy’s passion is everything related to photography: shooting, creating, learning and now teaching. Her presentation style is open and honest with a desire to share ideas for avoiding mistakes and growing business faster.

www.wendynewmanstudios.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Parker J Pfister

Parker J is a photographer because he has to be—he photographs for his soul. He is just a man who loves the process of photography. His images have been described as fine art, photojournalistic fashion, and avant-garde. In fact, he is one of the most highly regarded photographers in the nation. He is one of only a few photographers selected by Canon to represent their Explorers of Light program, as well as their PrintMasters program.

Parker J's imagery has been awarded many times over, both nationally and internationally. His images and interviews have graced the pages and covers of People, Martha Stewart, OK, In Style, Popular Photography, Professional Photographer, Rangefinder, and many other international magazines and photographic books. His personal imagery has also gained the attention of art collectors around the globe. Today, wedding and documentary photography has his eye. Tomorrow...?

www.parkerjphoto.com.

Classe(s): Standing in the Shallow End of the Pool & Looking Good, Take 2: Unique Products & Sales Techniques

Julia Radlick

CPP

Portrait photographer Julia Radlick specializes in dog, children and family portraits out of her boutique studio in Bend, OR. She is a PPA Gold Level Photographer of the Year with two international Loan Collection Awards. She is also the 2009 Oregon Professional Photographer of the Year and a Kodak Gallery Award winner.

Picking up her first 35mm camera at age 14, Julia put it down after college to pursue a love of broadcast journalism. She spent 11 years traveling the country covering general assignment stories fpr three television networks. After working at KATU-TV, Portland's ABC affiliate, for 6 years as an on-air anchor/reporter, she left television news to pursue photography full time. Her experience with the news industry and her expertise in media relations and public communications have given her the skills and techniques to help other photographers understand and sell to their clients…and get the promotional word out to their communities about their business.

www.jewel-images.com

Classe(s): Powerful Projection Sales: Planning, Presentation, Product & Purpose

Barry Rankin

M.Photog.Cr.

Barry Rankin is a six-time PPA Photographer of the Year, a five-time Michigan Professional Photographer of the Year and a Fellow in the American Society of Photographers. His images have earned him over 130 exhibition merits, including 28 Loan Collection images. His clients also see his talent, and they include the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, University of Michigan, Saginaw Spirit, Great Lakes Loons, Sports Illustrated, and Big Ten Football.

www.dirlastudio.net

Classe(s): Game On: Capturing Action Images for Major Sports

Jamie Reichman

In the span of three years, Jamie and Todd Reichman went from part-time, generalist photography novices to successful wedding photography specialists. They now operate a boutique wedding photography studio in Dunlap, IL. In 2008, they were named a “studio success story” by PPA's Studio Management Services (SMS) after reaching top-performing studio benchmark numbers in their second year in business and every subsequent year since.

www.reichmanphoto.com

Classe(s): Stop Competing on Price

Todd Reichman

In the span of three years, Todd and Jamie Reichman went from part-time, generalist photography novices to successful wedding photography specialists. They now operate a boutique wedding photography studio in Dunlap, IL. In 2008, they were named a “studio success story” by PPA's Studio Management Services (SMS) after reaching top-performing studio benchmark numbers in their second year in business and every subsequent year since.

www.reichmanphoto.com

Classe(s): The Business of Wedding Photography The Business of Wedding Photography Day 2 Stop Competing on Price

Allison Reisz

Growing up with a father who not only photographed for National Geographic, but also was an instructor at the Nikon School, photography is truly in Allison’s blood. She started young, photographing with her father on the streets of Chicago. She even started winning awards for her work when she was 15 years old. At 16, she received a very prestigious internship from the Chicago Daily Herald. There, she was given her own coverage assignments and published three different pieces of work in the newspaper in a span of one month. She also won the grand prize in a photography contest by Van Kampen, called “Portraits of True Wealth,” beating out over 600 entries.

After graduating high school, Allison continued her photography education at the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA. Soon after graduating with her BFA in Photography, she opened her own photography business, Allison Reisz Photography, in Savannah.

Combining her fine art background with traditional wedding photography, Allison found a unique style. In the past four years, her business has grown exponentially. She has photographed weddings throughout the U.S. and some internationally, including the wedding of the Prime Minister of Belize. She prides herself on offering brides a different experience. Using any tool she can, from off-camera lighting to film cameras from decades past, her goal is to create unique and creative imagery.

Allison’s found that the easy part of photography is creating great images; the hard part is the business management of it all. Having a fine art background, she has been completely self-taught on running her business…and PPA has really helped her make this happen. Allison recently turned 25, and her next goal is to enter PPA’s photographic competitions and become more active in the association. She concentrates on something her father drilled into her early on: “Relish excellence and never settle for mediocrity.”

www.allisonreiszphotography.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Mike Ridinger

With a knack for teaching in a way that is easy to understand, Mike is a popular instructor, has been a full-time photographer for over 25 years and has received numerous awards. He is currently president of Professional Photographers of Idaho and is active in the Jackson Baldwin Pay It Forward Foundation. After teaching at Light Pro Expo for several years (and at several state and local affiliate associations), he became a part of After Dark, demonstrating his lighting and posing styles. Mike and his wife, Jessica, who is also the studio manager, recently opened an additional studio called Kidzpiks, which caters to children 12 and under to fill their clients’ need for something better than going to the mall three times a year.

Mike and Jessica currently have two boys, Keaton and Cade, and that will stay that way unless there is divine intervention.

www.ridingerphoto.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Suzy Roberts

The newest addition to the TriCoast family, Suzy Roberts, was born in South Korea but raised in Sin City (Las Vegas, NV). An award-winning and national speaker/instructor, Suzy is not your typical photographer by any means. With her young appearance and attitude, Suzy heads up the high school senior portrait end of TriCoast. Loving to form relationships with her seniors that transcend the typical sterile client-photographer interactions, she considers each senior her new best friend and wants the them to know as much about her as she is dying to find out about them. Firmly believing in celebrating individuality, Suzy strives to capture each senior for who they are, “telling their story” through the lens. As she learns their quirks and interests, she starts to see how they see the world, and that allows her to get the best shot possible. Suzy also captures families, intimate and other high-end portrait sessions under the TriCoast branding while continuing to grow her very popular wedding art through Suzy Min Photography.

www.TriCoastPhotography.com
www.SuzyMin.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Jeff Rodgers

When Allison and Jeff Rodgers opened their photography studio in 2004, they had no idea how their business would explode in a few short years! After leaving the Memphis advertising world as prominent published and awarding-winning art directors, Allison and Jeff put to use their graphic design and photography skills to create Allison Rodgers Photography, which is regarded as one of the most profitable studios in the U.S. Allison and Jeff have managed to increase sales each year since opening their studio due to their unique design skills, marketing techniques and client relationships. With their work being featured on the cover of Professional Photographer magazine, they currently serve as two of PPA’s Studio Management Services (SMS) mentors for studios and as speakers for their webinars on design and marketing. Recently, this designing duo was chosen to shoot the custom photography for two separate episodes of the nationally acclaimed television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Ty Pennington.

Chosen as part of the elite Bellagrafica team, Allison and Jeff also have their own line of custom packaging products for photographers. Their design work has been published in PRINT Magazine, and they have garnered multiple awards in the advertising arena for photography and design, including the prestigious ADDY Award and PPA's AN-NE Marketing Award for Best Individual Marketing Piece.

Jeff and Allison also recently launched a collaborative blog for creatives called lbobi : the Little Blog of Big Ideas (pronounced luh-boh-bee). It is a place where everyone—photographers, designers, musicians, architects, etc.—can collaborate together on what drives them to be creative by sharing inspiring links and information. This is one of the first blogs of its nature in the industry, and it is free to join and free to post. This husband-wife team invites you to take a look and be inspired.

http://allisonrodgers.com
www.lbobi.com

Classe(s): Save Your Business from YOU: The Art of Balancing Business & Life

Allison Rodgers

When Allison and Jeff Rodgers opened their photography studio in 2004, they had no idea how their business would explode in a few short years! After leaving the Memphis advertising world as prominent published and awarding-winning art directors, Allison and Jeff put to use their graphic design and photography skills to create Allison Rodgers Photography, which is regarded as one of the most profitable studios in the U.S. Allison and Jeff have managed to increase sales each year since opening their studio due to their unique design skills, marketing techniques and client relationships. With their work being featured on the cover of Professional Photographer magazine, they currently serve as two of PPA’s Studio Management Services (SMS) mentors for studios and as speakers for their webinars on design and marketing. Recently, this designing duo was chosen to shoot the custom photography for two separate episodes of the nationally acclaimed television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Ty Pennington.

Chosen as part of the elite Bellagrafica team, Allison and Jeff also have their own line of custom packaging products for photographers. Their design work has been published in PRINT Magazine, and they have garnered multiple awards in the advertising arena for photography and design, including the prestigious ADDY Award and PPA's AN-NE Marketing Award for Best Individual Marketing Piece.

Jeff and Allison also recently launched a collaborative blog for creatives called lbobi : the Little Blog of Big Ideas (pronounced luh-boh-bee). It is a place where everyone—photographers, designers, musicians, architects, etc.—can collaborate together on what drives them to be creative by sharing inspiring links and information. This is one of the first blogs of its nature in the industry, and it is free to join and free to post. This husband-wife team invites you to take a look and be inspired.

http://allisonrodgers.com
www.lbobi.com

Classe(s): 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day Three: Marketing & Promotions Save Your Business from YOU: The Art of Balancing Business & Life 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day One: Business & Financial Management 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day Two: Sales & Customer Service

Jennifer Roggi

Cr.Photog, ABI, CBM

Jennifer (Jen) started out in the education field, but she became a talented photographer with her husband, photographer Daniel Roggi. For over 10 years, they have worked together in their home-based wedding and portrait studio. Jen’s true passion is business, and her education in this field has been an important key to success. By creating a well-organized studio that is devoted to customer service and combining creative marketing with strong financial principles, they have become a very successful and profitable company.

An active member of CPPA, PPANE, ASP and PPA, Jen currently works with photographers as a consultant for PPA’s Studio Management Services (SMS). Her goal is to help them gain control of their businesses, so they can achieve financial success while remaining true to their artistic vision.

www.stephencharles.com

Classe(s): The Business of Wedding Photography The Business of Wedding Photography Day 2

Wendy Rouleau

Wendy started photography as a hobby while working in the "real" world…as a chemical engineer in technical sales and marketing. Wanting to do something more worthwhile and to be with her children, she purchased a franchised photography business. After being their top sales franchise for several years, she grew her business into a successful high-end studio in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA.

Wendy was introduced to PPA back in 2003 with her first Imaging USA in Biloxi, MS. She was hooked! Now, she is the recipient of five AN-NE Marketing Awards, winning each time she entered for the last three competitions. From Best Website to Best E-mail Marketing Campaign, Wendy shows her flair for marketing and how to successfully brand a business. Fairly new to the speaking circuit, she will nonetheless obtain her Photographic Craftsman degree while here at Imaging USA.

www.portraitsbywendy.com

Classe(s): Marketing by the Numbers

Thom Rouse

M.Photog.MEI.Cr., CPP

Thom Rouse began his career as a portrait/wedding photographer in 1993. Based near Chicago, he now divides his time between commercial, fine art and commissioned fine art images (with his clients as the central subjects of his pieces). His conceptual fine art images utilize real-world photographs blended and manipulated to create an alternative to real-world perception.

Thom holds PPA’s Master of Photography, Master of Electronic Imaging and Photographic Craftsman degree, along with the Award of Excellence. He has earned three Diamond, three Platinum and one Gold Photographer of the Year Awards from PPA and is a three-time recipient of the Illinois Photographer of the Year, too! Other awards include numerous Kodak Gallery and Fuji Masterpiece Awards, 36 images in the traveling PPA Loan Collections and the ASP Gold Medallion in 2006. Thom's work has been exhibited throughout the United States as well as in Canada, China, Japan, Korea and Italy.

www.thomrouse.com

Classe(s): One Ear to the Ground - One Ear to Your Heart: Creating Your Personal Style

Carrie Sandoval

“My mom says my love of art was obvious by age two,” comments Carrie. “What started out as finger paints, crayons and Playdoh, evolved into oil paints, pencils and then Adobe Photoshop.”

After receiving a BFA in Graphic Design from California State University Fullerton, Carrie went to work as an art director for an advertising agency, a job she truly loved. In July 2000, she made a major career change: she delivered her first healthy baby and became a full-time mother. Within weeks, she bought her first point-and-shoot digital camera, spending countless hours snapping so many pictures because she wanted to absorb and preserve every amazing bit of her child. Becoming a mother was the catalyst that caused her love of photography to blossom. Two years later, after the birth of her twin girls, she decided to get a bit more serious. At the time, consumer-end DSLRs were not available and, after much debate, she replaced her camera with a Nikon D100. As a busy new mother, Carrie was unable to attend classes, so she dove into research in books and on the internet during nap times. Having a fine art degree, she critiqued her own work, practicing until she was pleased with the outcome.

Carrie met Brittany Woodall via an on-line photo sharing forum. Though they lived across the country, they both quickly realized how much they had in common, especially the love of newborn baby forms. They met in person for the first time in May 2005, in San Diego, CA. One year later, they met again to welcome Carrie’s fourth child, Lily Ana. Recording Lily’s first two weeks of life escalated both their passions of photographing newborns even further. In early 2008 at the age of 21, Brittany moved to southern California to team up with Carrie on photo shoots and to work on a gift book they hope to publish. Carrie and Brittany pride themselves in constantly pushing the envelope by finding inspiration within and through each individual baby. With Carrie's unique ideas and Brittany's impeccable attention to detail, they are quite a dynamic pair and have been defined by the children's photography community as trend setters and "THE definitive modern baby photographers."

www.babyasart.com
www.capturedbycarrie.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Matthew Jordan Smith

Clients—from Brides Magazine to Oprah—call on Matthew for his signature style of photography. A regular on America's Next Top Model, Matthew’s love for photography stretches far beyond his commissioned work. He is sponsored by Sony and Microsoft and has given photo classes and workshops all over the world. Currently, Matthew resides in Los Angeles, CA.

www.matthewjordansmith.com

Classe(s): How to Make More Money & Have More Fun in Photography

Don Smith

Photography as a career began for Don with his graduation in 1982 from San Jose State University's photojournalism program. Although he originally focused on sport photography, he had a serious interest in landscape photography that was rekindled with the advent of digital in the mid-90s.

Don sees a real connection between sports and landscape photography. In fact, along with being a contributing photographer with the Getty Photo Agency, he is the team photographer for the San Jose Sharks. He’s also photographed for Focus West/Allsport Photo Agencies, Sports Illustrated, Fleer Trading Cards and the San Jose Stealth Professional Lacrosse team. Not a passive photographer, he believes in pursuing the potential photograph as opposed to hoping the image will materialize if he simply waits long enough.

Currently, he lives in the Monterey Bay area with his wife, Beri, and their two sons, Rob and Aaron.

www.donsmithphotography.com

Classe(s): Photographing Youth Sports with a Stock Photographer’s Mentality

Serena “Star” Sofsky

Serena Star is a 21-year-old fashion and fine art influenced portrait photographer. Her style isn’t always for everyone. She’s known for her bold, brightly colored, edgy imagery and intricate design. She specializes in fashion, beauty, pin-up and boudoir inspired work, but she does everything from children’s portraits to weddings!

Serena upgraded to her first professional camera in 2004 and graduated as valedictorian in her class from Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography in 2008. During college, she was vice president of the Antonelli Chapter of the Student Photographic Society (SPS). She is now currently an active member of PPA, volunteering and entering photographic competitions, and two of her imagers were published in the Loan Collection Book.

She spent several years photographing fashion models and modeling off and on for many spectacular photographers. Working in the field, she learned even more techniques in photography and Adobe Photoshop, gaining experience from a wide variety of styles. She loves making people feel great about themselves and making non-models look and feel beautiful…just as she’s done for established women in the industry. The most rewarding thing to her is shooting everyday people and hearing them say, “Wow, is that really me?”

www.serena-star.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Dave Stock

Dave Stock began his professional career almost 40 years ago as an action sports photographer working for a wide range of commercial and editorial clients. He has shot on assignment for <em>Sports Illustrated, NFL Properties, AT&T and dozens of others, and he was a team photographer for the San Francisco 49ers in the ‘80s. The founder and former CEO of NFL licensee ProLook, Inc., Dave has since focused on applying his lessons learned to the challenge of producing exceptional images within the constraints of a high-volume youth sports photo shoot. His company, TeamDSP, has demonstrated that a total dedication to quality and efficiency can lead to higher profits, sustained growth and customer loyalty.

www.teamdsp.com

Classe(s): More than Just Charts: Recipes for Lighting Success Lessons Learned & Days Saved: The Stories Behind the Images

Richard Sturdevant

M.Photog.

Richard Sturdevant is a leading expert in photographic artistry and creative composites. His award winning work, style, and techniques have earned him high praise in the photographic industry. Richard is known for an impressive track record in print competition - receiving 6 prints with a perfect 100 point score in both state and regional competitions.

Sturdevant’s fluid combination of photography with fine art skills stems from his original artistic roots. Prior to becoming a photographer, Richard made his living as a classic and award-winning artist and also was a national art instructor and a published subject matter expert. Using airbrush and oil, his unique but photorealistic style made for a natural transition to photography. Today his passion for painting comes alive in his creations of photographic art.

As a photographic artist, Richard received the prestigious title of 2010 Southwest Photographer of the Year with SWPPA, 2009 and 2010 Texas Photographer of the Year with TPPA and 2008-2009 Dallas Photographer of the Year with DPPA. He also achieved International Gold and International Platinum Photographer of the Year with PPA in 2007 and 2008. From 2005 to 2009, he received 5 Kodak Gallery Awards as well as 13 Fuji Masterpiece Awards.

Richard owns and operates Sturdevant Studio - a thriving portrait studio in Garland, Texas. He specializes in fine art composites, seniors, families, wedding, and commercial photography. He was featured in Rangefinder magazine August 2006 where his image “Durrel’s Run” was featured on the cover. Richard is a member of PPA, ASP, WPPI, TPPA, DPPA and is PPA Master of Photography.

With over 20 years of experience as a creative artist, Richard brings a unique eye to the world of photographic education. Sharing his knowledge and experience with others in the industry is something that he enjoys. As part of his commitment to helping others learn and succeed, he has launched his own brand of educational materials to photographers, graphic designers, and artists nationwide.

Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary will continue to be Richard’s goal in his personal photographic journey and as a platform for his teachings.

sturdevantstudio.com
sturdavinci.com

Classe(s): In the Pursuit of Creative Perfection: Introducing the Art of Composites to Your Clients

Serge Timacheff

Serge Timacheff is a renowned photographer and author who has a large variety of work on display and collected around the world. He has photographed people, places and events on six continents and is an official photographer for the Summer Olympic Games and for Corbis. In addition, he is the sole official photographer for the International Fencing Federation. Serge teaches workshops and leads seminars on digital photography, and he is the author of several successful books, including "Total Digital Photography," "Digital Sports Photography," "Canon EOS Photo Workshop" and “Digital Photography for Dummies” (6th edition).

www.fencingphotos.com

Classe(s): Taking the “Work” out of “Workflow”: Leveraging Style into a Marketable Asset

David Trust

Since taking over as CEO of PPA, David Trust has helped lead the world’s largest photographic association to its most successful years in its 130-year history. Before PPA, David spent 11 years as a television news reporter and anchor, mostly in hard news and investigative reporting. He then leapt into marketing, eventually heading up corporate marketing for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. David joined PPA as its first Director of Marketing in 1998, taking the helm as CEO in 1999. With what he calls the “best association staff in America,” PPA has since set numerous records for growth, Imaging USA attendance and magazine circulation.

Heidi Uhl

CPP

Heidi Ann Uhl is a bridal fashion and wedding photographer who often shoots on assignment in New York City, San Francisco and abroad. Starting with her first publication at 16 years old, Heidi has had her work featured in numerous magazines, blogs and websites around the world.

Heidi is sought by a discerning clientele for her high-end commercial look and feel. Her work is distinguished by its vogue styling and fashion inspired lighting and post processing techniques.

www.retrospectstudios.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Barbara Vallot

M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Barbie Vallot has owned Southern Exposure Photography in Ponchatoula, LA, since 1991. She is a four-time PPLA (Louisiana) Photographer of the Year, and a five-time PPA Photographer of the Year, (including a Diamond Level in 2009). She had the High Louisiana Print Case at SWPPA and received the PPA Imaging Excellence Award at Imaging USA in Nashville last January. Barbie is a member of the Executive Board of Directors for PPLA and co-chairman of the Louisiana Print Competition and Exhibition Committee.

Barbie will be the first to tell you that her career is a “work in progress,” and that her life is a “delicate balance graced by God.” She believes that “the mistakes you make along the way are equally as important as the triumphs.” (She has had her share of both.) “It is what you take away from these experiences, and how you choose to use them, that make us who we are.” Experience is what Barbie has to offer, as she shares with you some of her favorite and most successful portrait lighting techniques.

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

Neil van Niekerk

Neil van Niekerk, originally from South Africa, is now a full-time professional wedding and portrait photographer in New Jersey. He has photographed weddings and portraits across the United States and internationally, and he is also the author of an acclaimed book on on-camera flash photography.

Neil is well-known for his Tangents blog, described by Rangefinder magazine as, “an unusual and informative website dedicated to digital imaging.”

http://neilvn.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

Tina Marie Vance-Crnic

M.Photog.Cr.

Tina Marie started her photographic career at an early age (13), received an associate degree in Commercial and Industrial Photography and has achieved numerous honors over the past 22 years. Early on, she began teaching professional photographers her gentle techniques of photographing children. In 1993, she attained PPA’s Photographic Craftsman degree, earned for helping others hone their craft in photography. She kept up her continuing education and soon achieved her PPA Master of Photography degree. Tina Marie has judged, lectured and was the keynote speaker for many photographic conventions, and she teaches locally at Rockbrook Camera and Video on a regular basis. She’s served on the board of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska and was its president in 2000.

Over the years, Tina Marie has entered photographic competitions, winning many awards. Among her awards are Top Photographer of the Year in Nebraska twice, many Fuji Masterpiece Awards, numerous PPA Loan Collection prints and a print that was displayed at the Disney Epcot Center.

Despite these photographic awards, Tina Marie is not just a photographer. She is a craftsman of the highest degree. She spent much of her photographic career photographing on film, developing and hand printing. She is an expert of the art of black-and-white printing. At the base of her art is light…the subtle way it speaks and being able to translate that onto the printed surface. From conception to fruition, she holds to the craft, fluidly transitioning from artist to craftsman.

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

Ron Vesely

Ron Vesely is a freelance sport photographer based out of the Chicago area, and he has served as the Chicago White Sox team photographer since 1985. During his 25-year career, he has covered 19 World Series and 11 Super Bowls for clients, including the Chicago White Sox, Major League Baseball, the NFL, SPORT magazine, The Sporting News and Inside Sports magazine. His other publication credits include Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated for Kids, ESPN Magazine, TV Guide, Time, Life and others. Recent publication highlights include the cover of Sports Illustrated (featuring his image of the final pitch from Mark Buehrle’s perfect game) and his celebration image of the New York Yankees’ World Series victory, which was used by Major League Baseball for the cover of their official World Series DVD. In addition, his work has been featured over the years in many baseball- and football-related coffee table books.

http://www.vesphoto.com
http://www.vesphoto.net

Classe(s): Shooting Baseball: From Equipment to the Game

Kibbee Walton

Kibbee Walton owns Artisan Portrait, a retail studio located in the small North Idaho town of Post Falls. The (mostly) one-man studio specializes in high school senior portraits yet maintains a fine reputation for family and children’s portraits as well. Nine years as a photographer for two reputable studios, countless seminars and conventions, and the keen guidance of many mentors led to the purchase of Artisan in 2006. The business has shown substantial growth each year and is on track for its best year yet. Two keys to the success of Artisan’s senior portrait business have been maintaining an active presence on social networks and its senior model referral program.

Kibbee is excited for a fun, inspirational week of sharing strong business and photography principles that can help you in your business today.

www.artisanportrait.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 1

Storey Wilkins

MPA (PPOC)

Storey Wilkins has created a highly successful home-based business recording beautiful, high-end weddings and family portraits in Toronto, Ontario. Many of the top event planners in Toronto regularly refer weddings to Storey because of her special touch in capturing joy with elegance and the high standards of professionalism. Her background includes a master’s degree in Psychology and a nine-year tenure as a management consultant. Storey is also a Master of Photographic Arts from the Professional Photographers of Canada, where she is a qualified judge and a frequent presenter.

Her love of photographing weddings and families is second only to her love of photographing her own daughters (ages 8 and 10).

www.storeywilkins.com

Classe(s): The Heart of a Wedding: How to Showcase the Moment

David Williams

M.Photog. (AIPP), FRPS, ALPE

David Williams has been involved in photography since the age of 16. His father, Colin Williams, was a photographer from 1929 until just before World War II, so David’s education has been long and diverse, from flash-powder to digital. In 1992, he achieved the very rare distinction of Associate and Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (FRPS) on the same day. Through the annual Australian Professional Photography Awards’ system, David has demonstrated excellence in his craft and achieved the level of Master of Photography (M.Photog.) with two gold bars, the equivalent of a triple master. In 2003, he was awarded the Accolade of Lifetime Photographic Excellence (ALPE) from the Wedding Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) based in the U.S.

David’s work includes over 60 awards for excellence in wedding and portrait photography in Australia, New Zealand, Austria, America and England. In addition, he was chosen by Kodak (Australasia) Pty. Ltd. as the Australian “Mentor” for the testing, devising and shooting of the advertising, promotional and comparative photographs for Kodak Professional. He has done likewise for Fujifilm Australia, with their pro-digital cameras, and he continues to work with Epson in promoting the ProGraphics printer series.

As well as lecturing extensively to professional photographers all over Australia and New Zealand, Canada, America and England, he has completed a series of Kodak sponsored lectures to professional photographers in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and India.

David is unashamedly a maker, as well as a finder of photographs. His aim is the creation of precise images with clear messages. Creating different, heart-warming and humorous photographs are his passion and what he is becoming known for. His portrait work, especially of families, explores the relationships within and the minds-eye details that are often forgotten in our later memories. In fact, as a tribute to his late mother, David developed a presentation entitled “Cycles & Echoes” about the importance of family photography. This has gone on to be recognized as one the most important presentations in many years for subjects, families and the photographers themselves.

He has recently relocated from Melbourne, Australia, to Toronto, Canada, where he is spending a “sabbatical” year working with Storey Wilkins Photography.

www.davidanthonywilliams.com
www.davidwilliamsseminars.com

Classe(s): Rediscovering the Family Portrait: Technique & Inspiration

Joyce Wilson

M.Photog.Cr., API, F-ASP

After a long and successful career in Indianapolis, IN, Joyce moved to Santa Barbara, CA, in 1996 and was appointed to the faculty of Brooks Institute. She left this position in 2006 to concentrate on her personal work, but she continues to guest lecture and (as adjunct faculty) teach the popular Beyond Portraiture class during the fall semester at Brooks. Joyce also lectures and teaches creative workshops throughout the United States and abroad in addition to assignment work for select clientele.

Joyce’s images have appeared in advertising by Fuji Film, Prudential Insurance, Mamiya America, Kodak and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She holds PPA’s Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from PPA, is a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the American Society of Photographers and was awarded an Honorary Master of Science from Brooks Institute. In 2003, the International Photographic Council honored her at the United Nations with the distinguished Leadership Award, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from PPA in 2006.

Her fine art images are featured in solo and group exhibitions, and they are in the permanent collection of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and the Sherman Hines Museum in Nova Scotia, Canada.

www.joycewilson.com

Classe(s): A Golden Thread: 50 Years of Impact, Inspiration & Style

Brittany Woodall

Brittany feels like the luckiest girl on earth because she has a job she absolutely loves. This 23-year-old now-San Diego area photographer grew up in suburban Atlanta and used to sneak away with her mom’s cheap film camera at the age of seven. At 14, she bought her own first digital camera (about two megapixels) and started taking pictures of the kids she baby-sat. She grew her love and knowledge by reading books on photography and upgrading her cameras. Once she had a DSLR in her hands (as a junior in high school), there was no holding back. Before she knew it (during her senior year), she was getting calls from people wanting her to photograph their kids. Her business was never really planned—it just happened!

Ironically, Brittany has never taken a photography course…she is completely self-taught. She found her new best friend and business partner—Carrie Sandoval—via an online photography community she joined in high school for artistic inspiration. In fact, it was the birth of Lily, Carrie’s fourth child, that helped create the deep passion both share for photographing newborns today. They photographed her every day, trying different poses and set-ups that no one was doing at the time. Brittany believes that Lily showed them how being creative with newborn photography can pay off. Three years later, one of Lily’s images appeared in an article, “Baby as Art,” in Professional Photographer magazine.That picture not only created the trendy newborn wrapping, but it might have also inspired the type of newborn photography that almost every newborn photographer out there does today.

Over the past two years, Brittany and Carrie have created some of their best work and can’t imagine not working together. Their client base has grown to be about 99 percent newborns, and their clients come ready to make an investment. They photographed over 100 newborns in 2009, and they taught other photographers their first newborn photography workshop. Photographers around the world have been reaching out to them for instruction. Over the past year, Brittany and Carrie have taught 35 photographers who came all over, from Canada to Portugal. And they are actually in the process of publishing an art book.

Today, looking back, Brittany can’t imagine doing anything else. She now lives in Fallbrook, CA, with her whippet Gracie.

www.babyasart.com
www.babiesbybritt.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Julia Woods

M.Photog.Cr.

Julia knows all about working with others. She and her husband Jeff work together to produce a unique perspective that showcases their client’s hearts and minds with contemporary urban imagery. Their photography is an original blend of photojournalism and lifestyle: Jeff's love of fashion and Julia's love of relationships. They have also developed and implemented acclaimed marketing strategies and have conducted private workshops about all aspects of studio management, marketing and creative inspiration.

An official spokesperson for Canon’s Explorers of Light, Julia has been honored for her work by numerous associations (including several PPA Loan Collection images, Kodak Gallery awards, Kodak Gallery Elite awards, Fuji Masterpiece awards and more). She and Jeff have also been featured in several trade magazines and technical books. Their work is even featured in such consumer publications as Grace Ormonde, Martha Stewart Weddings, In Style Weddings, Modern Bride, and Bride. And she knows that it’s your customer service and sales skills that let you continue a career you love.

www.jeffreyandjuliawoods.com
www.portraitlife.com

Classe(s): 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day One: Business & Financial Management

Pete Wright

M.Photog.Cr.

As a fourth-generation artist and a second-generation photographer, Pete Wright was raised in North Carolina in an environment rich in art and photography. His photographs were first published when he was 14 years old…when he accepted his first paying job as a photographer working for a regional newspaper. Years later, in 1997, PW Photography's first studio opened in Greenville, N.C. The following year, the company moved to Richmond, VA. The studio's work has ranged from portraits and weddings to sports and editorials.

During his 23 years of working as a photographer, Pete has earned the distinction of PPA’s Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees. He also received Photographer of The Year honors from PPA (2007- 2010), has been accepted into the PPA Loan Collection, has been featured in several national publications and is fortunate to have lectured around the world about his passion for photography. He loves to teach and inspire others to follow or find their passion in photography…and use that passion to build a successful business!

www.pwphotography.com

Classe(s): Speed Shooting with the Pros: Take 2

Helen Yancy

M.Photog.M.Artist.MEI.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., CPP, API, A-ASP, F-ASP

It seems like photography chose Helen, instead of the other way around. She began to draw and paint early in life (she sold her first oil painting when she was 12!), and she fell in love with photography along the way. She worked for photographers during high school, then served photographers in her freelance business of painting portraits from—and on—their images. She also gained an international reputation as a photographer and as an airbrush artist and retoucher for photography studios.

In fact, no other American artist or photographer has received as many international honors or more professional acclaim than Helen Yancy. She is the first person in the world to earn all four PPA degrees. She is a past president and chairman of the board of PPA and is one of only a few Americans to be honored as a Fellow of the British Institute of Photography, in part because of her leadership in creating ties between PPA and the British Institute. A member of the prestigious Portrait Society of America and the Society of XXV—a group of 25 exceptional photographic artists from around the world—she is also one of fewer than 100 Fellows of the American Society of Photographers. In May 2001, she was even honored at the United Nations with a medallion for leadership, service, artistic and photographic ability by the International Council for Photography, the only organization of its kind recognized by the UN.

But it is the ability to please clients with artful images that provides Helen with her greatest satisfaction. This ability flows from her passion about art, life, family and people. Her oil, watercolor, mixed-media, and photographic portraits hang in hundreds of private homes and in permanent collections and exhibitions. One of her loves is combining such twenty-first century media with “Old Master” style and ability. She was among the first to rock the photography world with the magic of Corel Painter software, and she is a Corel Painter Master.

www.helenyancystudio.com

Classe(s): Judges Workshop Day One Judges Workshop Day Two Judges Workshop Day Three

Andrea & Ryan Zapatka

Andrea (now 25) and Ryan (now 26) started with a small studio (and not much of a clue as to what they were doing) and now—a few years later—they have an extremely successful, continually growing wedding and portrait studio grossing nearly $500,000 a year in sales.

Ryan, who started shooting at 17, began Focused on Forever, their studio, in 1999. He started covering weddings full time in 2003 and shot about 30 weddings that year. Andrea joined Ryan in the business in 2005. Only three months after she assisted at her first wedding as a 2nd shooter, she dove into it full time.

After performing what Andrea now calls mediocre work (especially compared to what she can do now) for the first two years of her career, they were invited to attend PPA’s weeklong affiliate school in Florida. She calls it the turning point of her career. She soaked up so much knowledge and new techniques in just the next year and a half. In fact, she even won a Kodak Gallery Award in her first-ever entry into the Florida Professional Photographers portrait competition in 2009.

During the spring of 2007, their wedding numbers went through the roof. At that point, Ryan and Andrea had a total of four shooters photographing 175 weddings a year. They tweaked their business to focus on the high-end market and doubled, then tripled, their wedding pricing. Now, they have about 75 weddings a year and end up with more money. In 2010, they consistently hit their goal of $5,000+ per photographic wedding average. In addition, Ryan has become one of South Florida’s most respected wedding cinematic film artists, creating stunning HD wedding films.

Andrea and Ryan also recently started to focus on the senior portrait market. They moved into their dream portrait studio—2,000 square feet with a large shooting room, dressing/makeup room, and an HD theater room used for client viewings. In just the first few months, they had 40+ seniors, and they have learned how to increase those average sales, too. They are also planning to expand into maternity/newborn, boudoir, children and family portraits.

While it’s sometimes overwhelming, Ryan and Andrea (and three full-time employees) are geared up for an exciting and “conquering” year…with expected sales to be $500,000 in 2010. They are excited to see how they can grow their business (and better themselves).

www.focusedonforever.com

Classe(s): GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration GenNEXT: Rising Stars Share Ideas & Inspiration, Part 2

Edward Zemba

For over 15 years, Edward Zemba has been identifying the strategies necessary to create a highly successful photography studio. When he started in his father’s business over a decade ago, it was struggling to survive during a severe economic downturn. Today, this same studio is one of the most financially successful of its kind in the United States. According to Scott Kurkian, CFO of PPA, “Edward’s turnaround story is simply amazing and serves as an inspiration to other studio owners.”

Edward accomplished this feat through extraordinary success in marketing and sales, and he shares his formula for success with other photographers throughout the United States and Europe. His photography promotions can be particularly lucrative (a single program can bring in over $120,000). As a recognized industry expert on marketing and sales strategies, he has written for and been featured in multiple national trade publications, such as Lens and Professional Photographer.

His goal is to help photographers grow their businesses in ways that ensure they can concentrate on the style of photography they are passionate about while making a living.

Classe(s): 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day Two: Sales & Customer Service 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day One: Business & Financial Management 3 Day Studio Management Services Business Workshop: Day Three: Marketing & Promotions

David Ziser

M.Photog.Cr.

David Ziser, an internationally-renowned wedding photographer, has shared his knowledge with tens of thousands of photographers in five languages and in 14 countries worldwide. Studio Photography has applauded him, saying, "Award-winning photographer David Ziser is showing the world how to take wedding pictures." And the Dallas Morning News has extolled Ziser as a "wedding photographer extraordinaire."

www.digitalprotalk.com

Classe(s): Captured by the Light: Composing & Lighting for Dramatic Portraits