This is my twelfth profile in the series with just three left to go – what a Summer School lineup this is for 2010!  But, remember, if you’re only reading this because you want to find out more about who’s speaking at Summer School then you’re missing the point.  Every one of these photographers should be in your network.   You need to stay in touch with what they’re doing, where they’re speaking and what new products they have available for their clients, as well as other professional photographers.

Vicki Taufer: I’ve followed Vicki’s career for the last seven years and every step of the way I’ve learned something new. Each time I think I’ve seen it all, Vicki adds one more idea to her marketing efforts.  Working together with WHCC, she’s developed a full line of products for her clients, who used to be primarily children and high school seniors.  That was, until she launched Dog Days of Summer and created a reputation for her studio that helped her evolve into one of the best known pet photographers in Illinois!

For a number of years I’ve shown Vicki’s promotional materials at the close of my own marketing workshops and programs.   Her marketing and promotional expertise may well be the very best in our industry, creating more events for Moms to get the kids photographed than Hallmark could ever think of!  She doesn’t just offer wallets, she offers “Art Wallets”.  She doesn’t just offer a large format print, but “V Imagery”.   Everything she offers her clients is beautifully positioned and helps to develop that we’ve-got-to-have-one attitude.

Vicki’s focus at Summer School in August will be on helping you redefine opportunities for photographing children and pets.  It’s not just about diversity, but being creative in all your marketing efforts with programs and products that exceed customer expectations.

Her philosophy is summed up in five minutes in her Photographer’s Ignite video from this past WPPI, but you need to understand what Photographer’s Ignite is – It’s a photographer’s challenge to present an entire concept in just 5 minutes with 20 slides, each changing every 15 seconds.  While Vicki gets wonderfully flustered for a few seconds part way through – nobody cared and it just makes you appreciate her that much more.  Pay close attention to her segment on giving back.

Let’s get Vicki into your network.  Check out her website at VGallery.net.  Next, she’s on Facebook and on Twitter.  And if you’re still looking for a little more, check out the piece I wrote when I interviewed her for PDN’s Focus on Weddings last December starting on page 8.

Tomorrow it’s the King of Enthusiasm himself, Kirk Voclain – you’ve never seen energy in a presentation like Kirk will bring to the stage on Tuesday, August 10.