A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about turning Akron into a hub for photographic education.  I’m ecstatic to have been given the thumbs up to make an exclusive announcement:  Clay Blackmore, one of the finest wedding and portrait photographers in the country, is bringing his new program to the John S. Knight Center in Akron on October 10, 2010.   

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Copyright Clay Blackmore – All Rights Reserved

Being back in Akron for over a year now, I’m so tired of seeing so much talent in our industry always going to NYC or Chicago, so often missing the Cleveland/Akron area.  Yet, we’re only a short drive from Pittsburgh, Detroit and Columbus, not to mention having two great airports, Cleveland Hopkins and Akron Canton!   So, here’s what we’re going to do, Skip’s Photo Network is launching Skip’s Akron Photo Series.

Following Clay, I’m working on bringing in a different industry icon to the Akron/Cleveland area each month, starting with the King of Lighting, Tony Corbell, here in November.  Then we’ll leave December and January alone, ramping back up in February.  We’re working on bringing to Akron:  Jerry Ghionis, Scott Bourne, Bambi Cantrell, Jasmine Star, Adobe’s Julieanne Kost, Photoshop Hall of Famer Eddie Tapp and Judy Host, just to name a few.   At least once a month, throughout most of the year, we’ll have another great instructor helping you to fine-tune your skill set. 

And here’s a fun aspect, near and dear to my heart – starting with Clay Blackmore, $6 of every registration fee will be donated to Akron Children’s Hospital!  In fact, every program in Skip’s Akron Photo Series will be giving back a percentage of the sales to Children’s. 

If you don’t know about Akron Children’s Hospital, it’s simply an amazing place, having been actively supporting children’s health for 120 years!   They serve half a million patients each year and they are one of only two pediatric hospitals in the country who operate a burn center for children and adults.   Here’s our chance to elevate photography and at the same time help to support a wonderful institution dedicated to helping kids and families.

Circle the date for October 10 and stay tuned for all the program specifics for Clay, as well as the full series, to be officially announced on August 2!