I might have been dragged into technology kicking and screaming, but welcome to my first blog…and what better first topic than the challenges in the economy?  I promise to keep it light.

Last year, as we prepared for WPPI 2009, the media was driving me nuts with their doom and gloom approach to the news every night.  Obviously, it’s human nature, good news doesn’t sell as well and literally every broadcast was another story about a company going out of business, the housing market dropping some more, massive layoffs around the country…you name it – if the story was bad enough they couldn’t put it on the news quick enough.

I’m not saying the economy isn’t bad or that we shouldn’t be concerned, but there is a certain self-fulfilling prophecy going on.  That’s when I decided to make the comment, “Just because the media says it’s going to be a bad year doesn’t mean it has to be!”

I spend an incredible amount of time talking to photographers all over the country – on the phone, in person, via facebook and email and there are two common themes with those photographers who are holding their own and having an “okay” year or even growing:  diversity and hard work.  In fact, virtually every photographer who’s told me they’re having a good year always follows with, “But I’ve never worked so hard in my life!”

The market is tough and that’s why the idea of Skip’s Summer School started to take shape…most associations have moved their conventions to the first quarter of the year and there’s absolutely no opportunity to charge your battery mid year.  It’s almost as if somebody out there thinks that new ideas in technology, marketing, album creation, SEO/SEM, lighting and capture can only happen January – March!

There are so many people who have played a key role in the Summer School concept and made a contribution in new ideas for the format, the presentations, even the room set up.  It’s going to be an incredible experience and fun – remember “FUN”?   It’s one of the reasons we got into this business in the first place!  And where is it written that you can’t have fun while picking up new ideas on how to run your business, photograph a client or put an album together?

Summer School is going to be a kick and its been designed to give you the most bang for your buck and if you didn’t hear about it already – working together with Jeff Caplan and the DWF crew there’s now a six-month free membership included with your Summer School registration!

I hope to see you all in Vegas in August!