That statement alone has made me change the way I do so many things today. For example, it clearly explains why my golf game doesn’t improve after I go to the driving range – I’m practicing it wrong!

Last year at Summer School, Roberto was one of our highest rated instructors.  Spending time showing how you could practice using typical household items and every day locations, brought home the reality of Roberto’s philosophy on education and practice.  It takes discipline, dedication and passion, three qualities that make up who Roberto is.

Most people don’t realize he was a classical guitarist capable of performing on the concert level. Think about the world’s finest musicians and the hours they practice every day and you’ll understand Roberto’s dedication as a photographic artist. He knows every detail on his camera gear just like he does every note with his guitar.

This year Roberto agreed to do two full day hands-on classes at Skip’s Summer School. As one of seven outstanding instructors this year I couldn’t be more excited about the August program.  In looking through YouTube’s archives I found this promotional piece for his workshop last June. While the end of the video is obviously outdated, pay attention to the first two minutes and the way Roberto has a broom and dustpan stand in for his bride as he practices a new technique.

If you’re looking for more about Roberto and especially his passion for education, pick up his new book, Picture Perfect Practice. It’s a must have for every professional photographer. Roberto will be joining us August 5-8 in Chicago at Skip’s Summer School. Registration is just a click away. See you in Chicago!

The first book of his I had a chance to read was Final Exposure, many years ago.  Lou doesn’t just capture images, he captures souls. The background description of Final Exposure from his website hits on at least two key points that I’ve talked about so often…

Giving himself the provocative task of capturing the candid expressions of death row inmates, Jones has used the power of his camera to present these inmates as real people and not just the dark side of humanity. His book, Final Exposure: Portraits from Death Row chronicles his six-year odyssey documenting these men and women incarcerated in the U.S.

The first key point is the power photographers have to use their camera to capture so much more than just images. In Final Exposure Lou captured personalities, taking us all to a place we will hopefully never be, death row. The second, is the importance of projects with a purpose.

Nicole Wolf wrote in a guest post two years ago:

We all have a responsibility when either educating about or participating in a “personal project”, to let ourselves go.  To create a place that others feel comfortable sharing that part of themselves with another human being.  It’s not an easy thing to open up and reveal the most intimate part of who you are, which is what a personal project should be.

Having a personal project helps keep you focused on why you became a professional photographer in the first place.  Your core business might be miles away from what you love to shoot the most or a topic you want to increase awareness about.  Having a personal project allows you to have a stronger emotional tie to your skill set while still having to “work for a living”.

I ran across this video clip recently from Lou’s new book, Dance. Obviously I love it, otherwise it wouldn’t be featured here today. However, what I love most is how much you can learn about Lou in less than three minutes.

As you watch it pay attention to the way he’s shooting, the number of people involved, the way his lighting is set up. And don’t be thrown off by those little commercial moments where he’s tagged the equipment he’s using. Giving back to his sponsors is another piece of who Lou is and what makes him so great to work with!  It’s all part of the formula that makes him one of the country’s greatest contemporary photographers.

One last thing to notice, the expressions on everyone’s face, not just when the strobes fire, but throughout the video. This is a group of people absolutely working as a team and they’re having fun doing it. I found a great quote that I used last week in reference to Resource Magazine’s new digital magazine,

Visions are made by individuals.Accomplishments are made by team work.

Lou is somebody who should be on your radar! His most recent book, Saint Petersburg Russia is available through the Blurb Bookstore. You’ll find more of his work and an occasional blog on his blogspot site.

I’ve said it dozens of times in the past:  The best part of this industry has nothing to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone’s love for the craft!

At the end of last week I got a call from Vicki Taufer.  After a lot of years of waiting, she and her husband, Jed, got a phone call from the adoption agency.  As a result, they’re probably on their way to Nepal as you read this blog.  It was one of those good news/bad news calls.  We’ve all been friends for a long time and I couldn’t be happier for them, but the challenge became who could hold a candle to Vicki’s experience and presentation, since she’ll miss teaching at Summer School.

I’m ecstatic to announce Sarah Petty will be presenting in Vicki’s time slot on Monday, August 9.   Sarah’s presentation style is incredible and she’ll be talking about children, family and pets.  She might even throw in a few things related to senior photography as well.

Her goal on her About page says it all:  “…to celebrate children at every age, to unveil the spirit of a child…and to help families decorate their worlds with highly personal artwork. Artwork that matters.”

The only thing more impressive than Sarah’s images and approach to developing her market is her passion for photography.  I can promise you you’ll enjoy her style and her ability to be approachable and help you with the challenges of building a strong children and family portrait business.  In fact, through The Joy of Marketing Sarah and her team help photographers all year long to grow their photography business.

Just to get a feel for how great a presenter Sarah is, check out her video from WPPI’s Photographer’s Ignite program a few months ago!

What a program we have with this year’s speakers!  See you in Vegas!

If you can join us at Summer School I guarantee you’ll pick up new ideas and recharge your battery for the last quarter of the year, but if not, then at least put every one of the photographers I’ve profiled over the last two weeks in your network!

I found a lot of videos on YouTube of Yervant.   If a picture is worth a thousand words then a video of one of Yervant’s albums is worth a whole novel!

Yervant is the ultimate storyteller.   He’s an outstanding photographer, but it’s the way he tells the story that’s brought him award after award year after year in WPPI competition.  I’ve watched the video above three times.  The first time I just had fun watching it.  The second I paid attention to his layouts and the way he presented each image, sometimes on a single page, other times in a double page spread.  The last time was just to enjoy the images themselves, his composition, the expressions, the lighting and even the print quality.

Then I had a great time when I found a video of Yervant teaching in Venice in 2006 and while it’s old news, it’s simply fun to watch him in action.  Just watching this video you can pick up on the enthusiasm he brings to every program and workshop he does!   Here’s a fun little sidebar about the video – that’s Bambi Cantrell’s son Cameron and his wife as models for Yervant’s Venice workshop that year.   Yervant also photographed their actual wedding, which is a testimonial all in itself.

At Summer School Yervant will be sharing ideas on capture, composition, manipulation and album design!  If you’re looking for ideas on how to make your wedding work that much more special, don’t miss this program on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM, August 10.

As always, you need to put Yervant in your network! He’s on Facebook!  He’s got a terrific blog!  And, if you’re looking to upgrade your album design software nobody does it better than Yervant!  Last but not least, check out his website for a little more inspiration – this is what a bride who was searching the Internet would see!

Jerry Weiner:  On this “First Tuesday” morning of the week, (Remember, we don’t do Monday’s here, only first and second Tuesday!) meet a good buddy, Jerry Weiner.   I finally met Jerry for the first time at last year’s Summer School, although we had talked a number of times on the phone over the previous months.  I knew him through Bambi Cantrell, but had no idea what a great business head he had!  The fun thing for me is, over the last year, we’ve identified a common bond – our love and respect for the business side of the industry.

Business is a tough thing to talk about when it comes to photographers.  The majority of you see yourselves as artists and treat the topic of business the way most kids look at eating asparagus or spinach.   They know both vegetables are supposed to be good for them, but they’ll fight tooth and nail to get around having to actually eat them.   Or maybe a better analoby is black licorice with a little kid – it’s only going to be eaten when it’s the very last one and it’s got to be coated with something sweet that tastes better!

Well, this year at Summer School, we’re going to “coat the licorice” with something sweeter and easier to swallow. Jerry’s going to be presenting at least five different business concepts in fifteen minute presentations!  We’re going to make it as painless as possible for you to pick up easy to implement ideas on running a better business.   And, because of the format of Summer School, Jerry will be around every day to help answer questions you might have as well. 

What we’re really doing is taking some of the incredible tried and true experiences bouncing around in Jerry’s head and boiling them down into five basic things you’ve got to know.   The best news is that it’s never too late to make a change - improving your business and paying attention to details that can save you money is an ongoing process!

So, let’s get Jerry in your network.  One of my favorite pieces he wrote was a guest post we did here on the blog with “Lessons from Annie Leibowitz” last year.  You’ll also find great ideas on PWD Labs’ blog that Jerry has contributed.  He’s also on Facebook.

Tomorrow I wrap up Profiles with the photographer from down under, the one with just one name (LOL), Yervant!

Kirk Voclain:  It’s funny, years ago I was ready to have Kirk locked up!  LOL – Here’s the scenario.  Hasselblad had a booth at the PPA National Convention, long before it was known as Imaging USA.  They had a theater in the round on the trade show floor and Kirk was doing a presentation.  Every time he spoke we’d lose all the photographers in our booth!  It drove us all nuts. 

But what I missed was his message and he was simply way ahead of his time.  He’s grown to be a remarkable speaker and teacher, but more impressive is the enthusiasm with which he gives back.  At WPPI three years ago he participated in the Champagne Shoot Out, an event involving four photographers in four different corners of the big ballroom all presenting at the same time.  The program ended, three of the four photographers shut down and left, but Kirk continued to teach for another  hour, until security finally asked him to leave.  Kirk’s passion for teaching is virtually unmatched and I’m so proud we were able to get him on the schedule for Summer School.

In his program on August 10 Kirk is going to get you thinking about how to put energy into your senior shoots.  He’ll tie it all together with techniques for lighting and posing as well.  It doesn’t matter what your photographic specialty might be – this is about having fun with your subjects and knowing the results so well that you never have to second guess and wonder if you got the shot.   Remember, you don’t need to lock in an entire high school to build a reputation and create a revenue stream with the senior market.  You just need a handful of kids who love your work!

I interviewed Kirk for a short profile in PDN’s Focus on Portraits, just released and due on line next week.  The secret to his success – just make the session fun for your subjects.  I found two great examples on YouTube of Kirk working with his seniors.  Watch them both and you’ll see how much fun they’re having!  Fun wins out every time for natural smiles and expressions and nobody does it better than Kirk!

You need to have Kirk in your network.  Check out his website at www.kvphoto.com.  And his blog, although he’s not a fanatic about it, has more great videos to watch and also his teaching schedule.  You’ll find Kirk on Facebook too.

Jerry Weiner is in the spotlight tomorrow and while many of you might not know him, he’s got some great business components for this year’s summer school that we’re going to put into 15 minute “doses” – all guaranteed to help you make your business stronger.

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.

Jasmine Star:  I’m not sure I know of another photographer who’s done a better job of marketing herself and listening to their clients better than Jasmine.  She truly has evolved into a marketing machine.  Her focus is on her brides, and I’m not just talking about her camera.  Social media with Facebook and Twitter, her blog with a continuous flow of great content and her presence at various conventions, on line interviews and podcasts  makes her always accessible to her client base.

In just a few short years she’s developed one the most succesful blogs in the wedding industry. And, she’s going to share the key components of her success in her program on August 8.   She’ll talk about ways to build your brand and maximize your exposure.   Your cash flow is limited but there are so many things you can do to create top of mind awareness for your business as a professional photographer.

I found a great interview of Jasmine on David Warner’s LensFlare 35 blog.  Pay attention to her point on her images – her clients are all having fun.  She’s built a foundation of trust with her clients and the interaction with her, as their photographer, is more like that of a friend than a “vendor”.

You need to bring Jasmine into your network.  She’s on Facebook.  She’s on Twitter.  And you really need to follow her blog.  It’s one of the best looking blogs out there, with a very strong journalism look.  It feels like you’re picking up any one of the wedding magazines!

In the spotlight tomorrow on Profiles – Vicki Taufer, a creative marketing genius in children’s photography!

Dane Sanders:   This year Dane will be the kick-off speaker on Sunday night.  Dane is all about helping you set your priorities so you don’t lose your identity in the process of building your business.  Being a professional photographer isn’t just about capturing great images for your clients, it’s about allowing your personality to come through in your business and relationships.  It’s about staying focused on your needs as well as your client’s.

Last summer his message was so strong that my “better half” came over to tell me she was buying Dane’s book, Fast Track Photographer. “Why do you want a copy, there’s one on the book shelf in my office!”  I asked.  She gave me that you-don’t-get-it look and said, “Because I want my own!”   Now, here’s what makes her comment unique – Sheila’s in the health care industry, NOT photography, but found Dane’s message so universal she wanted to read more.

I found two short videos on YouTube I really like to give you a better idea of what Dane is all about.

This second one is from Pictage and there’s a great Pictage Podcast  to listen to as well.

Want to know more about Dane?  Follow him on Twitter.  Friend him on Facebook.  Keep tabs on what he’s doing on his website and especially make it a point to start listening to his AskDane webinars and podcasts.

Tomorrow let’s get the Queen of Wedding Blogs, Jasmine Star, in the spotlight!

Stacy Pearsall:  After last year’s Maui Photo Festival I received call after call from friends telling me, “You have to get Stacy Pearall for next year’s summer school!”  I got so many calls I was starting to feel like the kid who just doesn’t get out much – I didn’t know who Stacy was. 

If I had never watched the video below, just based on her enthusiasm in our first phone conversation would have been enough to bring her on board.   Her story is amazing, getting her start in the Air Force as a photographer at 17.  Today, retired from the military, she’s a freelance photographer and owner of the Charleston Center for Photography.  She’s been on Oprah twice and is the only woman in history to receive Combat Photographer of the Year…TWICE!

You’ll have to decide for yourself, which of Stacy’s life lessons fits your own situation, but for me it’s about her passion for life and respect for the quest for the ultimate image.   She’s simply dedicated to all the ingredients it takes to be a photojournalist.  She did three tours of Iraq and captured thousands of images – think about the degree of understanding she has in terms of photography.  Then, think about her understanding of composition and anticipation, knowing exactly when to click the shutter.

From combat to the studio, where I found these three images – she really is doing it all.

You need to have Stacy in your network.  So follow her on Twitter.  Then put her blog in your favorites!  There’s also a great guest post she did  on Photofocus.com all about the power of personal projects.  And let’s not forget Facebook!

So, we’re just at the half way point of this year’s instructors/speakers for this year’s summer school.  If you’re on the fence and trying to decide, the $239 early bird only runs to the end of the month.  Remember, that includes half price for WPPI next year. If you’re going to WPPI that brings the savings down to at least $150 - (half price off the WPPI 2for1, for example).  Put that together with MGM’s $79 rate, 2for1 dining card at a whole bunch of their restaurants and the $25 dining/entertainment credit and you’ve got the biggest bang for your buck in photographic education. 

And let’s not forget what a kick Summer School has become!  There’s a reason it was the most talked about event of the summer last year.

Next up on Tuesday – good buddy Dane Sanders is in the spotlight and definitely a necessity to your network!  Have a terrific holiday weekend – see you tomorrow with some light thoughts for the weekend!