There are still a few details to work out, but in keeping with my promise of a February 1 announcement, here’s what’s in place so far…  

Dates: August 5 – 8, 2012. Plan to arrive Sunday afternoon. The mini-trade show starts at 4:00 pm, the first presentation at 7:30 pm with Summer School ending Wednesday at noon.

Format: Let’s talk about more hands-on shooting first.  We’re going beyond the two hours of shooting with each photographer we incorporated last year and give everybody two full days and then some. Every attendee will have their choice of two of seven different outstanding photographers. In addition, there will be a two day film-making workshop in which participants will work on the skill set they need to create a marketing video for their own promotions and website.

Hands-0n Faculty: This year’s faculty is top shelf for hands-on shooting. Imagine being able to spend a full day with photographers like Clay Blackmore, Michele Celentano, Tony Corbell, Jerry Ghionis, Kevin Kubota, Bobbi Lane or Roberto Valenzuela. 

Film-making and Storytelling:It’s a special addition to Summer School with Ross Hockrow and Jeff Medford, along with a ton of video gear from the MAC Group. They’ll be teaching an intense film-making program for the full two days. Some of you may have met Ross and Jeff on their Get In Motion tour last year. They’re outstanding instructors and the founders Cinestories.  Attendees will not only be learning the techniques of video storytelling, but learn how to create their own personal promotional video. 

Class Size: Classes will NOT exceed twenty people. There will be no exceptions. This includes the video workshop as well. We will not allow more than twenty people in any hands-on program! This guarantees everyone a more intense experience and the ability to learn from the very best.

Marketing and Business:  It’s at the top of everyone’s list and we’ll kick off Summer School on Sunday night with my new program on marketing and business with special guest, Melissa Ghionis.   If you’ve never heard Melissa present, a key part of her background is the lost art of customer service. 

Catherine Hall will join us for a special key note program on Monday night. As co-host for TWIT Photo she’s taken branding and marketing to a completely new level. She’ll provide attendees with great ideas on how to expand their reach in their own communities.

Website Review: Many conferences offer portfolio review, but the minute you register for Summer School, we’re going to review your website and give you some solid suggestions on your galleries and your ”About” section. These are two of the most important elements on every photographer’s site. It’s the equivalent of a portfolio review, but done ahead of time, before you get to Summer School. This will give you a chance to identify more of what you need to grow your skill set prior to working with your instructors.

Sponsors and Mini-trade show: There will be some incredible products and services offered by this year’s vendors, including the sell-off off all the lighting and video gear used in the various workshops. It’s a terrific opportunity for you to pick up the additional gear you need at dramatically reduced costs. The first trade show session will start right out of the blocks on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. 

Location: We’re headed to Chicago this year! Chicago is one of the easiest and least expensive cities to fly in and out of in the country. Decent airfares make it an economical mecca for reasonable travel costs.  We’ll be at the Doubletree Hilton in Oakbrook, Illinois, just ten miles from the airport.  It’s a great property and we’re pretty much going to “own” the hotel, making the experience even better.

Everything else on this year’s educational event along with some additional surprises will be announced on February 9 when registration goes live! What a kick this year’s Summer School is going to be!

This morning I found three videos I was missing. Pulitzer Prize winner Vincent LaForet, our closing speaker on Wednesday morning, August 3 was the first. It’s brought to you thanks toCreativeLive, the leader in online education and a must for you to stay on top of. 

The second, and also part of CreativeLive’s arsenal of terrific educational material features Tamara Lackey having some fun putting together props on a tight budget. Her point is perfect – you don’t need to spend a lot to build props to put your studio together. In this video she takes on the $250 challenge – that’s all she’s got in the budget as Creative Live puts Tamara to the test.

Finally, I found a great piece good buddy Scott Bourne did on using AnimotoPro in your selling efforts. You need to listen to this video – this is about developing your selling skills and in less than three minutes Scott hits the basics that so many photographers miss!

And just in case you’re still on the fence about joining us at Summer School, especially if you’re in the Las Vegas area, here’s the rest of the series.  From the stunning creativity of commercial photographer, Bobbi Lane, to the last video demonstrating the unstoppable humor of Jerry Ghionis, this collection makes an amazing point: These are photographers with unmatched passion for the craft, who are willing to share their techniques, help you to recharge your battery and grow your skill set and business!

Note: While our room block at the Mirage is sold out, Treasure Island, right next door has rooms at a great rate as well as lots of other hotels in the area.

Hope to see you in Las Vegas. 

So, I love Bobbi’s work, but I love her diversity even more. There’s nothing she can’t shoot.  Galleries on her website cover a wide range of images, each with outstanding appeal to her target audience, the commercial world, including ad agencies, design houses, coporate clients etc. You be the judge. Every image here has multiple applications.

Notice a common theme? Bobbi knows her lighting!  I also found this terrific clip from Sekonic, which will give you a great idea of what Bobbi is like in action. I consider her proof that hyper-active kids grow up and get jobs!

Join Bobbi and fourteen other great instructors at Summer School, July 31 – August 3. It’s going to be a kick and a great way for you to pick up new ideas to incorporate in your business to help increase revenue, strengthen your marketing skills and build your network. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget recharge your battery and have some fun!

“Fun” is not a dirty word when you’re buried in new concepts for your business over 2 1/2 days, fifteen different instructors and building new relationships in an industry you love!  See you in Vegas!

So, have some fun thinking about all these links…

Tony Corbell is the educational manager over at Nik, but he and I worked at Hasselblad together.  But we met when he was working with Dean Collins, which led to working at Brooks Institute and co-ordinating with just about everyone in the industry.

Kayce Baker over at Fujifilm and I link back to her days in retail at Samy’s in LA, but most recently  Scott Bourne and I just used one of her amazing images in our new book GoingPro. 

Image by Kayce Baker – All Rights Reserved

Scott Bourne and I go back at least 15 years when he sent me images at Hasselblad taken with the then new Hasselblad X-pan.  I sent them over to Studio Photography (no longer in business) and they ran a profile story on Scott and his images, which led to a monster project in the middle east.

My good buddy Bob Rose and I go back to his Ilford days, but the fun really started when I needed a dive buddy for a trip to Bonaire.  Then came working together on all sorts of projects, including Bob writing for Rangefinder Magazine.  He’s a writer, (Google him and you’ll find things he’s written all over the industry!) a photographer and the ultimate tech-weenie!  The computer I’m working on right now wouldn’t be working if it wasn’t for Bob’s help!   During all these years life has just been one amazing adventure.

Kenny Kim came to a program we were doing on the road in Cleveland five years ago.  Also speaking were Mike Colon and Jeff Jochum, which was a Pictage sponsored series.  Then Kenny seemed to show up at every program.  He recently published a new book and took some great images at the last Skip’s Summer School.  Then, two days ago I was talking to Tracy Moore, a photographer from Montana.  She’s assisting Kenny at an upcoming wedding in Chicago in the next week or so.

Vern McClish, now at Hallmark, was at Polaroid for many years, although we really didn’t work together until I left and joined Hasselblad.  Polaroid at the time made a back for Hasselblads.   We’ve worked together on and off for years on various projects related to Hallmark Institute, but the most fun is that we actually went to high school together!  For years he’s been suggesting I get to know lighting expert, Bobbi Lane, who recently just co-anchored the Lighting Lab at Skip’s Summer School.  Now throw in good buddy, Rich Parker from The MAC Group, who brought in all the Profoto lighting gear.  Rich and I go back to before his MAC Group days when I tried to talk him into leaving the west coast and moving to NJ to work for Hasselblad.

The other day I did a blog and talked about Ansel Adams…well, John Sexton, Chris Ranier and Rod Dresser were all assistants of Ansel at one time or another.  They all went on to become incredible photographers in their own right.

Okay, the list could go on and on, but here’s the point – no heavy thoughts – just pay attention to the incredible roots of everybody you meet in photography.  The longer you’re in the industry the more you’ll realize we’re all addicted to it! Nobody ever really leaves.

The speakers we’ve chosen are the very best.  Tony Corbell’s idea of the Lighting Lab, together with Bobbi Lane, gives us a completely new level of educational support for lighting.  We’ll be set up classroom style and we’ll have wifi for up to 500 people to be on line at the same time – giving everyone an opportunity to keep in touch with their business while they’re gone.  There are no lines to wait in, every body has a seat at a table and there are no decisions to make about which speaker you want to hear most – they’re just going to present one after another with plenty of time in between presentations.

And best of all, I’ve got the finest collection of sponsors/exhibitors of any program like this out there – oops – guess what – there is no program like this out there!  Here’s an opportunity to get to know key vendors who you need to have in your network.   It’s all about diversity, networking and fine-tuning your skill set starting Sunday night and heading home on Wednesday afternoon.  It’s meant to be high-impact and to recharge your battery.

So because of the “challenges” we had with registration over the last couple of weeks while I was held hostage by my gall bladder – I’m simply going to extend the early bird special of $239 right up to August 1st.  Remember this includes 50% off registration for WPPI 2011 as well, making Summer School the most affordable, best bang for your buck educational opportunity in professional photography.   

If you haven’t made the commitment to join us – it’s time you thought it through.  MGM has a great rate and the only thing hotter than the heat of Vegas last summer was all of us and the faculty of Skip’s Summer School.

It’s going to be an amazing program with some incredible speakers and even a few surprises yet to be announced.  Registration is just a click away at Skip’s Summer School.

See you in Vegas and don’t believe that old line about what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  You’re going to have so much happen during Summer School, you won’t be able to get home fast enough to start looking at your business differently.

Bobbi Lane:  If Tony Corbell is constantly referred to as the King of Lighting, then Bobbi Lane has to be the Queen.  With 25 years of technical experience she brings a wealth of support to this year’s Skip’s Summer School.   Remember, this is a whole new addition to the program, giving you the ability to get personalized help with lighting questions in the Lighting Lab.

But there’s something you need to know about Bobbi – her work is outstanding, but even more impressive is her love for the craft, her enthusiasm.  Bobbi’s “been there, done it” and looking to do more of it.  She’s creative, enthusiastic and an incredible instructor.  Best of all, she brings real world experience to teaching.  Her specialty is on location portrait work for commercial and advertising accounts – that means she’s got to get the images she needs under virtually every lighting situation.

You need Bobbi in your network, so check out her website.  Then, friend her on facebook.  And if you’re on Twitter, following her is just a click away.  If you need more help in lighting you might want to keep track of her teaching schedule and her workshops!

You tube is a kick – I found this Sekonic video of Bobbi in action!

 Cliff Mautner is in the spotlight tomorrow!  What a line-up we’ve got for this year’s Summer School!

So, if you were on the fence and trying to decide whether or not to attend this summer, as if 15 great speakers, incredible networking, great programming and an amazing value weren’t enough, now there’s a savings of close to $150 for the 2 for 1 member pricing to WPPI2011 and even more if you’re not a member! (Note: if you’ve already registered for Skip’s Summer School, you will also be receiving the 50% off pricing for WPPI next year!)

Plus, here are a few great reasons to join us!

Everyone is GUARANTEED a seat at every program and there are no long lines to wait in!

Classroom style seating, so you’ve not only got a seat, but a “desk” to work at!

FREE WiFi so you can keep in touch with your business, office and home while you’re away

Need help with lighting? Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane will be in the lighting lab both Monday and Tuesday to help you understand how to develop a quality look to your portraits.

2 for 1 dining card good at several of MGM’s most popular restaurants plus a one time $25 dining/entertainment credit (see MGM site for details)

An outstanding group of vendors with quality time to talk to each one!

Last year’s Summer School program was an incredible event and we’re out to make this year even better!  Here’s an opportunity for you to recharge your battery and come home with new ideas to help create new revenue, new techniques and find stronger ways to make your work stand out from your competitors!

…and we’ve even got a couple of fun surprises we’re not ready to share yet!  Register before July 1st and take advantage of the $239 early bird pricing!

Looking forward to seeing you in Las Vegas – hope you can join us!

It’s a star-studded cast, in order of apperance, Dane Sanders, Scott Bourne, Jerry Weiner, Joe Buissink, Vicki Taufer, Jasmine Star, Kevin Kubota, Stacy Pearsall, Jonathan Canlas, Kirk Voclain, Yervant, Cliff Mautner and Kay Eskridge. And, there are a few fun surprises planned over the 2 1/2 day program! 

The theme for next summer is diversity.   You still need  to focus on your primary specialty, but in a tough economy you want to be able to take on every job that walks through your front door.   So, we’re going to talk a lot about weddings with a great collection of instructors specializing in children and family, pets, boudoir, high school senior and golden senior, marketing, business, social media, and lighting!   And, we’re going to have fun doing it! 

Remember “fun”?  It’s that too often forgotten word in business today.  Well, we’re going to work hard and play hard and thanks to MGM’s summer package, at $79 a night, it’s not going to break the bank for a great room in one of Las Vegas’ nicest hotels.  Plus, there will be a 2 for 1 dining and entertainment card similar to last year along with a one time entertainment and dining credit per room (details are on the MGM site).

Best of all, we’re going to own the entire third floor of the Conference Center, which is approximately 80,000 sqaure feet – that means everyone has a seat in all the programs.  They’ll all be set up classroom style, meaning, you’re sitting at a table, not in a chair like a theater.  It’s easier to listen, take notes and there will also be free wifi, so you can stay in touch with business while your away.

The Lighting Lab is this year’s newest edition, run by the very best – Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane.  We’ll have at least two sets with plenty of lights and they’ll be there all day Monday and Tuesday.  We’ll have a few models, backdrops and the very best Profoto has to offer in professional lighting.  The Lab will be open from 9-12:00 and 2:00 – 5:00 on both days, giving attendees a chance to ask their questions of the very best in a completely unstructured environment.

The sponsors this year are the very best in our industry, but we’ve intentionally limited the number of companies participating.  We don’t want you buried in decision-making, but we do want you to have a good feel of the support that’s out there to help you grow your business.  In alphabetical order…

Albums Inc, Asukabook, Azura Albums, B&H Photo Video, Big Folio, Fujifilm, DWF, GhostRighters, GoingPro, GraphiStudio, H&H Color Lab , Jill-e Designs, Kubota Image Tools, Marathon Press, Marketing Essentials International, The MAC Group, Midwest Photo Exchange, Nik Software, onOne Software, Photodex, PhotoOne Software, PhotoFocus, Pictage, PWDlabs, Simply Canvas, SmugMug, Triple Scoop and WHCC.

Last but not least – thanks to the support of the sponsors and the photographic community, we’re working hard to keep the cost to attend within everyone’s budget.  The cost for this year’s program is the same as last year at $279 per attendee and there’s even an early bird special of $199 until April 1st.  It then goes up to $249 for May and June.

Think about your experience in past summers.  Summer School is a great way to recharge your battery before the fall season kicks in.   Plus, for those of us who were a little less focused than others when we were kids and had to go to summer school – we never had an opportunity to learn this much or have this much fun! 

I’m looking forward to seeing you in Vegas!