No Matter Who You Choose, Just Vote.

The day to cast your vote is finally here.

We've endured the constant focus of politics on television, radio and in our mailboxes. Some of it has been upbeat, encouraging people to vote their side for the good things that will happen. Others target a particular candidate or issue for you to vote against. Rather than say "Vote for X" they tell you to "Vote against Z". (In my house, we've gotten to the point where we turn down the sound when commercials come on. We've made up our own silly versions versions of ads which are far more entertaining than the real thing . . . )

All this mudslinging isn't new. There was an interesting spot on this past week's "60 Minutes" featuring a history / political science professor discussing campaigns of the past all the way back to Thomas Jefferson / John Adams era and how dirty they became. Suffice it to say that what we're hearing today is rather mild compared to the rhetoric of their days.

Either way, I hate it. I want to go back to being friends with my Facebook friends who've been spewing "their side" for the past months. I want the misinformation that we see on TV to just be done.
So . . . after months and months of campaigns, the day has come where we have to "put our money where our mouth is." The facts aren't difficult to find, but they're not in television commercials and campaign flyers. If you haven't done so already, do a little homework before you go to the polls. It will be worth your investment of time.

Most of all, please make sure and get out and cast your ballot. I was floored a few years ago to hear that a friend who had very political leanings in their area was not even registered to vote, even though they had lived in that town for over 15 years!! You can register at the polls in most places and it only takes a few minutes.

You DO make a difference.

Let your voice be heard.

Just vote.

A Camp David Minute; PPA's Studio Management Services Get You On Track!

We are already over a month into 2011; during the past 4 weeks many of the conversations I've had with photographers revolve around getting their business started on the right foot. Marketing, pricing, selecting a business model and setting up the accounting and bookkeeping systems for a business are things from which many photographers shy away. Being the creative type, we don't always gravitate toward the numbers and often end up running the business based on the current balance in the checkbook.

One of the great things about being a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is that your membership dollars are hard at work for YOU, the member photographer! Taking advantage of the Studio Management Services (SMS) program will put you in touch with the right people who will be able to guide you through the steps to operating a successful and profitable studio.

New Hampshire photographer Jeff Dachowski is a mentor for the SMS program and we chatted briefly during Imaging USA.

To learn more about PPA's Studio Management Services, visit the website.

www.PPA.com/studio-management-services

A Camp David Minute; Put The Power Of Numbers Behind Your Business!

Most of us are very similar in our studio operation, running sole-proprietor operations and doing much of the work ourselves. What if you could have the power of an entire organization behind you to offer educational opportunities from the best in the business? What if that same organization offered the ability to measure the quality of your work against other photographers across the globe?

Add to that discounts from major industry vendors, and representation in Washington DC covering areas such as Copyright and Health Care, along with an award-winning industry publication and you have the oldest, strongest member-owned photography association in the world. I caught up with the CEO of the Professional Photographers of America, David Trust, at Imaging USA.

Personally, I've been a PPA member for over 30 years and consider it the best investment I have ever made in my photographic career. Because of the people I've met and the friends and contacts I have made, I have taken my business to a new level.

Learn more about membership at PPA.com!

www.PPA.com/joinPPA

A Camp David Minute; Become a Certified Professional Photographer

Why Become a Certified Professional Photographer?

Your clients bring their taxes to a Certified Public Accountant and trust their automotive repairs to an ASE Certified Mechanic. Doctors, dentists and attorneys all passed certification exams before they could practice.

In this flood of new photographers, it is Certification that can set you apart from your competition!

Studies show that more consumers understand the term "certified" than any other designation. With it comes a degree of trust that not only leads a consumer to believe that the final product will be high-quality, but is an assurance of competency that will distinguish you from others not holding this important credential.

Using the Certified Professional Photographer logo on your business cards, website and marketing materials boldly identifies you as a photographer who has met the requirements for Certification and upholds the Standards of Conduct.

I chatted with the Professional Photographer Certification Commission's Heather Smith during Imaging USA. Watch our interview here:

Becoming a Certified Professional Photographer require you to complete 3 steps:

• Declaration of Candidacy
• Certification Exam
• Image Submission Review

The Declaration of Candidacy is your first step towards becoming a Certified Professional Photographer. Once you've declared your candidacy, you will have three years to successfully complete the two additional requirements: Image Submission Review and the Certification Exam.

The Certification Exam and Image Submission Review may be completed in any order — one may submit images for review before taking the written exam. If you do not complete all requirements during the three year period, your candidacy will end. You must re-apply, pay the appropriate fee, and re-start the process.

All Certified Professional Photographers must adhere to the Standards of Conduct for Certification, as outlined on the PPCC Website.

Certification Exams and Image Submission Reviews are scheduled periodically throughout the year at a variety of locations. Check the PPCC Website for dates and times.

www.CertifiedPhotographer.com

 

A Camp David Minute with Beth Forester of photoDuds!

Last week during ImagingUSA in San Antonio, I had a minute to catch up with Beth Forester of photoDuds.

If you're not familiar with the product, photoDuds is a great way to take your sales to another level by creating products that your clients will love. From collages to greeting cards, photoDuds offers you some awesome options!

Best of all, even if you missed ImagingUSA you can still take advantage of a 20% discount on all photoDuds products if you order by January 31, 2011! www.photoduds.com 

Check out my interview with Beth right here: