Imaging USA 2013 Was A Huge Success!

This past week, Kirsten and I were in Atlanta for the annual Imaging USA Conference. The event is sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). As you can tell from many of the posts, I am a huge believer in professional organizations and what they do for their members.

Just what do they do? Imaging USA is all about education. Every day was packed with classes on a variety of subjects. From portraiture and weddings, business and studio management, to keeping life balanced and prioritized between work and family, Imaging USA offers something for everyone. Photographers from all over the US attend, as well as photographers from other countries across the globe. PPA truly is an organization with International scope!

However, it's not all about work. Saturday evening opened Imaging USA with the PPA Charities Celebration Event. This "opening night party" brought people together for a common cause - supporting PPA Charities and their work with charitable partner Operation Smile. The evening featured a silent auction with photographers bidding on great items donated by generous vendors and sponsors. There were also giveaways and other ways for people to help out.

I'm especially proud of this evening and its success because as one of the co-chairs of the event, I had a personal investment. It takes a lot of hard work and cooperation from a great group of people to make an event like this happen. You can see that we had an amazing crew to make sure the evening ran smoothly!

Of course, there's a huge trade show with aisles and aisles of vendors. There's probably as much education available in the trade show as there is in the actual programming itself. Being able to actually see new products in person helps us make decisions about what we will offer in the studio. They look so much different in your hand than they do on a website! It's also great to be able to speak directly with the vendors and ask all the questions pertaining to their products.

Tuesday morning, I had the honor of participating in a panel on "The Power of Charitable Marketing". We spoke about how doing good for others in our own businesses makes things a win-win for everyone. (Watch for the "Celebration of Smiles Day" promotion coming in April!) It was a humbling experience to share the platform with so many talented individuals.

The fellowship and networking at events such as Imaging USA is incredible. I have always teased about it being my annual "family reunion" with photographer friends from across the country. Every year we meet new friends as well. It's a chance to connect an actual person to the Facebook name and picture you see daily. Photographers are such a warm group of people and we truly enjoy spending the time together.

Granted, it wasn't as much of a pleasure to return home to the sub-zero temps, but Imaging USA sends us back to the studio with a renewed sense of energy and some great ideas. 2013 is going to be a great year!

- David

ImagingUSA - One of My Favorites Times of the Year

It's January and that means it's time for ImagingUSA - One of My Favorites Times of the Year.

In just a few hours I'll be leavin' on a mid-day plane to Georgia. Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and this year, host to ImagingUSA.

Just what is ImagingUSA? According the the website it is "the largest annual convention and expo organized by pro photographers, for pro photographers! Thousands attend from around the world for a level of learning and networking you just can't find elsewhere."

I love it! This year's IUSA is on track to break all attendance records as over 10,000 photographers descend on "the home of the Braves" to learn new techniques and ideas, brush up on their marketing and network with their colleagues from across the country on a level that can not be attained by sitting at your computer in a Facebook group. For me, it's my opportunity to pick up some new ideas for the studio, stay involved with my associations and catch up with my friends and colleagues from across the world. Yes, it's a lot like a big family reunion!

The classes are outstanding. Unlike other conventions where you have to register and pay separately for your actual educational events, ImagingUSA has an all-inclusive registration that gives you access to a number of options each day. While there are also special pre-convention classes that do carry an additional fee, the daily programming is included in your registration.

This year I also have the honor of sitting on a panel discussing "The Power of Charitable Marketing". We will talk about how doing something good for others can give you greater recognition in your community and benefit your clients, a third party charity and your studio. If you're attending ImagingUSA, I do hope you'll join us on Tuesday morning at 8am.

And then there's the trade show. Acres of toys that make photographers oooohh and aaaaahh like little kids at Christmas. Vendors from across the world are set up to show you their latest and greatest. Need gear? It's there. Backgrounds, props, sets and accessories? Oh yeah, those are there too. Want to meet your lab's personnel face-to-face, or actually see all the different products you've been looking at online? They're there as well.

But don't think it's just all about the stuff. A trip through the trade show is an educational event in itself. Many vendors have classes in the trade show area as well. This gives them an opportunity to talk about how they use a specific product of go in-depth about how that particular vendor helps their business be more successful. (And being more successful is why we are there!)

There will be awards ceremonies honoring the accomplishments of the best from this past year. If there's one thing that ImagingUSA does well, it's put on a ceremony that's short, sweet and classy. No long dinner banquets with endless speeches . . . this is an Academy Awards styled affair that you will be proud to take part in.

Oh, and there are some parties as well. Good food, something to drink and time to unwind are necessary as well!

You will get new ideas, put new spins on old ideas and return to your studio with so much going through your head, you won't even know where to begin.

That's what makes ImagingUSA one of my favorite times of the year.

If you'll be in Atlanta, keep an eye open for me . . . I'll be . . . well . . . in all of these places!

- David Grupa

PPA Charities Commemorative T-Shirts Available!

It's no secret that the Limited Edition PPA Charities t-shirts sold at ImagingUSA go quickly and have become a popular collectible item. 

So . . . if you missed your opportunity to get the 2012 New Orleans version, here's your opportunity to support PPA Charities and Operation Smile. 

Sizes available run from Small to XXL in both traditional crew neck and women's v-neck cuts.

The gray logo appears on the crew neck shirts, while the pink logo adorns the v-neck version.  

These shirts are 100% cotton and are superb quality. Price is just $20 each (add $5 per order for shipping.)

Make your check payable to PPA Charities and mail to:
David Grupa
PPA Charities
1994 Duluth St
Maplewood MN 55109-3415
651.748.8779 

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

 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Odds are you're as geared in to Social Media as the rest of the photographic community. You love your Facebook status, sharing photos online and tweeting your status to your loyal followers.

Since it's #FollowFriday (in Twitterspeak), why not give your favorite people some extra love by following them on Twitter? Add us to your Twitter feed and stay updated on all things new and exciting in the industry. You may even learn a few new tips and tricks to make your workflow (and life) go more smoothly!
Camp David Photo
Facebook www.Facebook.com/CampDavidPhoto 
Twitter @DavidGrupa

Kirsten Holscher - First Things First
Facebook www.Facebook.com/FirstThingsFirstCoach 
Twitter @FTF_Coach

NPC Lab (Northwest Professional Color)
Facebook www.Facebook.com/NPCLab 
Twitter @NPCLab

Professional Photographers of America 
Facebook www.Facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=2265674235 
Twitter@OurPPA

ImagingUSA 
Facebook www.facebook.com/ImagingUSA 
Twitter @ImagingUSA 

Northern Light Professional Photographers Assn 
Facebook www.Facebook.com/NorthernLightPPA 
Twitter@NorthernLightPP

All the links below are clickable . . . so take a minute to follow and like!

- David

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:

Revisiting ImagingUSA - Part 3

Of course, the culmination of ImagingUSA is the Award and Degree Ceremony on Tuesday evening. Here, photographers from across the globe are honored for their achievements in an Academy Award-style presentation.

It is at this ceremony where photographers receive the coveted Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degree ribbons, earned for excellence in photography and sharing of knowledge through teaching and mentoring, respectively.

Earning a degree is a proud moment in the life of every professional photographer.

After the ceremony, we party . . . because it's all over until next year!

- David Grupa

Revisiting ImagingUSA - Part 2

One of the most awesome parts of ImagingUSA is the massive trade show. Vendors from all over with some of the latest and greatest products display here!

In addition to being one of the largest photographic toy stores in the world, it's a great place to learn. There are speakers giving mini-programs in many of the booths throughout the day, while other vendors give live demonstrations of the latest camera hardware, imaging software and creative accessories. A simple walk through the massive trade show floor can take hours to complete because there's so much to see!

If you take your time and keep an open ear, you can often chat with other photographers at the booths of their favorite vendors. This is an excellent time to ask questions and find out how others are utilizing some of the new and existing product lines.

All of this combines for yet another solid reason to plan for next year's ImagingUSA. In the meantime, check out your regional, state and local associations to keep your appetite for new information well-fed!

- David Grupa

Revisiting ImagingUSA - Part 1

ImagingUSA was an incredible experience. The 2011 Event in San Antonio broke records for attendees and also featured the largest Trade Show in IUSA history!

During the course of IUSA we took the opportunity to chat with some friends and check out a number of things. Take a peek at the videos over the coming days and relive some of the fun from ImagingUSA 2011!

ImagingUSA is the place to be!

You've heard all about it. You've probably even considered giving it a shot, but for whatever reason, you're sitting home reading this on your computer screen while we're down here in San Antonio, host city for ImagingUSA 2011.

PPA (www.ppa.com) members from all over the world are gathered here this weekend to take part in what is the largest, longest running photographic exhibition under one roof. There are opportunities for education in both classroom and tradeshow settings, a huge trade show of vendors featuring photographic products of all types and of course, fellowship and fun. Three of the Camp David crew are down here this week learning new tips and tricks to bring back to our own studios.

You can see what you're missing at www.ImagingUSA.org

Professional associations are well worth your membership investment because of the educational and networking opportunities they bring. PPA is no different; this the oldest and largest photographic association in the world, serving photographers since 1869. It's member-owned, so your dues money goes into providing benefits for YOU, the member.

Want more info on PPA, or state and local organizations? Drop a note here and we'll get you pointed in the right direction!

Stay tuned for more fun from ImagingUSA and some of the phenomenal people here . . . you'll love what's coming in the near future!

Gotta run . . . early class tomorrow!

- David Grupa

Make a Year-End Donation to PPA Charities

With the end of the calendar year and Imaging USA just around the corner, PPA Charities is preparing their annual donation to Operation Smile. The check will be presented on Saturday, January 15th as a part of PPA Charities' Celebration Event, kicking off Imaging USA 2011.

We still need your help. We are only 66 smiles short of matching last year's amount; it cost just $240 to save a smile and change the life of a child forever. 


As many of you are aware, I serve on the PPA Charities Board of Trustees. Both Dave Johnson and I have had our heads shaved to raise money for this very worthwhile cause. We, as photographic artists, have been given an incredible gift. We are fortunate enough to make a living doing something we truly enjoy. It's time to pay it forward.

As an Operation Smile studio, your clients will know that not only are they enjoying your creative artistry, but they are also working with a caring and compassionate business person. If you could donate $5 from every session you photographed, it would only take 48 sessions to change the life of a child. At $10 a session, it would only take 24 sessions! (How many sessions do you do? How much per session can you set aside for this worthwhile cause?)


Please click the link below to make your donation to PPA Charities and have it count toward our total for 2010 (and toward your 2010 tax deductions!)

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR DONATION

Thanks for your help!

- David Grupa