Commented Frank Stop, director of the department, “I know of no other field where those people involved just seem licensed to print money! People are willing to pay anything for their portraits. Most photographers right now are turning away business. They’re that busy!”

Other highlights around the industry:

• In an effort to better support the professional photographic community, the major camera manufacturers recently announced their high-end pro digital SLR’s will no longer be sold to anyone named Uncle Harry or Uncle Bob. Retailers will require all purchasers of these products to submit a urine specimen for analysis of their photographic skill level prior to purchase.
• The Supreme Court upheld all rulings in favor of photographers owning the rights to all their images and implemented a national ban on photographers giving away their work on disks unless adequately compensated for their work.
• The International Federation of Photo Albums announced black and burgundy as the two strongest colors of albums stating, “People just want their pictures in a black book. They don’t care about their album having a unique look.”
• The American Institute of Brides, the Bridezilla Division, announced their members will discontinue whining and complaining  and pay whatever is considered a fair price for full event coverage.
• Notsu Moronic, inventor of spell check, announced the recall of all spell check software stating, “Thnx 2 Twitter, togs can now publish anything w/out using R software! Accur8 spelling no longer matters.”
• In local news, Ohio photographer, Mattlock Price, who had earlier in the year written a letter blaming the decline in affiliate membership on Skip Cohen’s Akron Photo Series, commented,  “Wow, I guess it’s time we recognized these educational programs are helping photographers build their business and Children’s Hospital as well. Sure wish I had gone to Jasmine Star’s program!”

Along with the announcement putting photography at the very top of the most lucrative businesses in the U.S., the World Troll Council announced membership has dropped so low, they can no longer afford their headquarters within inner earth. Y. Gollum, spokesman for the Council, said in a press conference earlier today, “We apologize for those misguided members who tend to criticize without the facts. They’ve all dropped out of the various forums. All our members have agreed to step out from behind the anonymity of their computer screens and come out in the sunlight! Most of them are moving to the Orlando area, seeking a happier life and looking to be closer to Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pluto, all while singing Put On a Happy Face.”

Really?

What can I say? It’s April Fools and I just couldn’t help myself this morning. Sadly, somewhere on the planet there’s just a little bit of truth in what prompted me to pick a few of the points.  The good news is, I watched 132 people the other night listen to Jasmine Star’s program. We all, included me, picked up some great ideas on how to keep it real and be unique.

Jerry Ghionis and Sandy Puc are on the road in Columbus today with their tour.  David Ziser always has great help on his site. Photoshop World Orlando is going on with great programming. Doug Gordon just announced his annual three day workshop. Eddie Tapp and Judy Host are coming to Akron in two weeks. Creative Live  offers photographers unique workshops, free when they first air and at reasonable prices if you want the download.   

CLIQ is putting together one of the largest education platforms in PMA history in September. Scott Bourne constantly has great information on Photofocus.com and our joint site, GoingPro2011.com is loaded with great marketing and business content and 35 different podcasts, all free. Skip’s Summer School is coming up with what some people are saying is the best faculty ever.  And Joe Farace is out there saving the world, one pixel at a time!

The list goes on and on, loaded with people and companies in our industry offering to help you find the solutions to the challenges, but you’ve got to be the one to take advantage of all the opportunities. The truth is, a few of my points in the post this morning could really be true if everybody in our industry did get more proactive on dealing with the challenges. 

Happy April 1st everybody and in the words of my favorite character from the old NYPD Blue show - “Let’s be careful out there!

Akron Photo Series: I’m making it the first on the list, but it’s only because last week’s programming was pretty remarkable. We got Bambi Cantrell to the Midwest and in her Monday night program and all day Tuesday, she demonstrated first hand what makes her one of the most sought after instructors in the industry! She’s a remarkable teacher.

Her all day hands-on workshop was terrific and a big thanks to Brent and Teri Ann Watkins of Sylvart in Barberton for the use of their studio. Splitting the day into classroom and hands-on shooting everybody walked away with new ideas on technique, learning to see the light and even diversity.

One of the challenges we all face is getting caught up in the day in day out challenges of business. It’s critical that every photographer stay focused on a personal project and Bambi demonstrated she practices what she preaches with images of Icelandic Horses, one of her many fine art projects.

There was even some time to share ideas on marketing, leaving everybody with a good solid battery recharge when they headed home after a full day workshop.

The next program in the series is Jasmine Star on Tuesday night, March 29. Eddie Tapp and Judy Host join us in April, Julieanne Kost in May and Jerry Ghionis in June. And remember, at least 10% of every workshop registration goes to Akron Children’s Hospital. More information is just a click away!

Power of Passion Tour: Sandy Puc and Jerry Ghionis  It’s a 32 city tour and this week this incredible duo is in Atlanta, Raleigh, Nashville and Phoenix. All it takes is a click to register and use code SPT11 for a $79 rate.  The combination of Jerry and Sandy simply makes this a not-to-miss program! Tune in tomorrow for Jerry Ghionis’ part 2 of his Anatomy of a Powerful Image!

Skip’s Summer School:It’s an all star cast this year and with a little help from the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, we’ve got a great room rate, $79/night and we held the price on the full program at $279. Plus, Pulitzer Prize winner Vince LaForet has joined the faculty this year. The new change in hands-on programming adds a much requested dimension to this years classes, giving attendees eight different instructors to choose from on the shooting day. One click and you’ve got all the information on this year’s program.

CLIQ: It used to be the annual PMA show, but this year the new venue is going to be a blow-out. It’s an incredible educational venue with the largest trade show in the industry. Workshops for professional and aspiring pros, retailers and even hobbyists, make this a not-to-miss program. Set up the link to check in once a week. There are new programs and speakers being announced regularly.

PhotoshopWorld Orlando and Las Vegas: Photoshop World Orlando is just around the corner, the end of this month. There’s no question this is the premier educational event for Photoshop. Each year the guest speakers get better and better and Scott Kelby and his crew develop the finest platform in the world!  Orlando is March  and Photoshop World Las Vegas overlaps with CLIQ, making Las Vegas a one-stop shopping destination in the Fall.

GoingPro:The first date for GoingPro Bootcamp that’s been announced is LasVegas in conjunction with CLIQ, September 10-11. But until then, we’re adding new content every day and three times a month new podcasts with new guests. Coming up over the next few weeks, Tamara Lackey and Kevin LaRue from Nik Software. GoingPro is about helping you focus, but not on your subjects! This is about helping you with the challenges of business and marketing! What good is creating the greatest images of your life if nobody knows who you are?

PhotoFocus: Started by good buddy Scott Bourne, the site is an incredible resource of information with guest posts, product reviews, podcasts and information to keep you up to date on the latest products and techniques! Plus, follow Scott on Twitter to really stay up to the minute on what’s going on in the industry!

These programs are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of great resources available. Best of all, they all share a common denominator, they’re all staffed by people who care about helping you grow. Check out the speaker list for all these events and over and over again you’ll find photographers who do their best to answer all your questions all year long – not just when you’re at their programs!

See you in Orlando or Vegas or Columbus or…

WARNING – This is definitely an infomercial!

If you’re anywhere near Akron, Ohio we’ve got a block buster program on Monday night, February 28 with Bambi Cantrell. Bambi does a terrific program and is the winter lead-off speaker for the Akron Photo Series. Over the next few months, following Bambi, we’ve got Jasmine Star, Eddie Tapp and Judy Host, Julieanne Kost and Jerry Ghionis…all coming to the Cleveland/Akron area. 

Click here to register!

Looking for hands-on help in a GREAT all day program?  Bambi will be doing an all day shooting workshop at Sylvart Studios in Barberton, thanks to help from good buddy Brent Watkins. Here’s where you can really get some terrific direct help with ideas on lighting, posing and composition. And, nobody teaches this stuff better than Bambi!

Click here to register!

There are still seats available for Monday night’s program, but only a few for Tuesday. We will not accept more than 20 people for the Tuesday hands-on shoot! And remember, at least 10% of every registration goes to Akron Children’s Hospital. In just two programs last fall we raised $3600 and with Bambi’s help we intend to break the $5000 mark!

See you Monday night and thanks for your support!

All images copyright Bambi Cantrell. All rights reserved.

1) The Hilton Akron/Fairlawn is the new location for all events.  It’s much more accessible, since it’s only a mile or so off route 77, making it a piece of cake to get to, from virtually any direction.

2) Clay Blackmore’s bringing PhotoFusion Revolution to Akron on October 10 from 2:00 – 7:00 pm.  Use discount code SSS2010 and receive a $15 discount! Ten percent of every registration goes to Akron Children’s Hospital.

3) Here are the next two programs for this year:

Wedding and Portrait genius, Doug Gordon on November 9!   This is a not to be missed program – (who am I kidding, they’re all NOT TO BE MISSED!)  Doug is donating a major portion of the proceeds from his educational product sales plus 20% of your ticket price to Akron Children’s Hospital.  He’s out to make this a record-breaker in donations to help the kids at the hospital!

The King of Lighting himself, Tony Corbell, joins us on December 6 and 7.  There will be two different programs.  Join us on December 6 for Tony’s classroom program.   Then, join Tony (limited to just 20 photographers) for some hands-on fine tuning of your skill set, shooting with Tony and his models for some great in depth lighting education all day on December 7.   Registration information, times and program costs will be posted in registration next week.

4. Going into next year and all coming to Akron are:

 Bambi Cantrell: February 28 and March 1

Jasmine Star:  March – date to be confirmed

Eddie Tapp and Judy Host: April 11/12

Julieanne Kost: May 23

Jerry Ghionis: June 13/14

Akron Children’s Hospital: At least 10% of each ticket sold to every program goes to Akron Children’s Hospital!  I got to know Akron Children’s Hospital because Sheila (my wife) works in Admin there.  It’s an amazing place and unlike adult hospitals it’s filled with so much hope, love and appreciation.    I know it sounds pretty hokey, but it really is very different from any hospital I’ve ever been in. 

My favorite example, when describing the hospital, is to talk about the hallway on the way to Administration.  Most hospitals have all the portraits of the executives, both current and past.  Not at Children’s.  They’ve got the portraits of the all the pups in the Doggie Brigade!

Please join us for all of the Akron Photo Series programs.  Here’s your chance to not only improve your skill set and pick up new ideas about marketing, but in a small way you’ll be helping Akron Children’s Hospital!  Plus, aren’t you tired of having to drive or fly to another part of the country to attend great programs?  Isn’t it time somebody brought the talent here?  

Thanks for your support.  See you at the Akron Photo Series!

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!

Well, here we are a year later and while the government would like us to think we’re headed for recovery, it’s sure hard to see.  The challenges for families in the Gulf, unemployment, health care and home foreclosures all being at the forefront of topics in our lives on a daily basis. 

I’m not minimizing the challenges with the economy, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel and I’m seeing it because of photographers who are doing well, but let’s define the word well.   Well means they’re trying new things. It means they’re holding their own and still making a decent enough living to support their family.  Well means they’re exhausted, but in a great zone about how they feel about themselves and the future.  Lastly, it means they still wake up every morning smiling.

If you want a dose of optimism and new ideas check out any program Tony Corbell is doing, talking about his favorite topics, lighting and Nik.  Check out Jim Garner, Scott Bourne, Jerry Ghionis, Yervant, Doug Gordon, David Ziser, Kevin Kubota, Dawn Shields, Jasmine Star, Dane Sanders, Sandy Puc,  Becker, Kirk Voclain, Judy Host and Kay Eskridge, just to name a few.

(Call it a plug and shameless promoting, but most of these industry icons will be teaching at Summer School in a few weeks.  And if you’re not signed up you’re going to miss all of them sharing ideas and new answers to helping you grow your business.)

Kay’s in Phoenix and while traditional business has been slow she’s tested the water on Golden Age Seniors, Pets and Boudoir – all having an impact on her business.  Vicki Taufer, who did the first big pet promotion, at least the one everyone talks about, has added to her reputation.  She’s now considered one of the best known pet photographers in her area of Illinois.

Here’s what I’ve learned from these incredible photographers as the key to beating the media and ignoring the economy, at least enough to keep your business strong:

It all starts with your attitude.  Stay away from self-fulfilling prophecies.  There’s that old statement – If you define a situation as hopeless, then it will be!  You’ve got to stay focused on the importance of your contribution as a professional photographer.

Diversity in your skill set:  Okay, you’re a commercial photographer and you really hate shooting weddings, but do you at least know how to do it right if a client asks?  Or, you’re a wedding photographer and your brides from the last few years are all starting families – they loved your work the first time around.  So, are you going to contact them and do the first portrait of the new baby or sit back and give the work to another photographer? 

Listen to your vendors!  This one is critical, because every photographer I mentioned earlier is working closely with several vendors.  WHCC has a full line of great products Vicki Taufer sells to her clients, right down to custom made holiday cards.  Tony is doing some of the most beautiful work in his life utilizing Nik Software and ProPhoto Lighting.  Kevin Kubota is constantly fine-tuning his Image Tools to give you more creativity.  Judy Host is finding new ways to use Graphic Authority’s templates and turn her images into fine art.  Kirk Voclain is utilizing new programs from H&H Color Lab for his finished packages with the senior market.  Marathon Press, who everybody used to think of as a printing company, offers a full line of marketing initiatives to help you not only define your business better, but develop a stronger target strategy for growth and success.  Pictage is ramping up for another outstanding Partner Con in New Orleans in November.  

Come on – notice a pattern here?  The vendors are all putting their efforts into finding new tools for their clients to help find new business.  They’re investing time and money into ways to help you!  Is it philanthropic?  Of course not – but they know that if they can help you build your business you’re going to need their products and services and everybody wins as the economy within photography at least, starts to improve. 

Utilize your network!  Every single photographer I mentioned is involved in something outside their direct business. They’re blogging, guest blogging, shooting with other photographers, attending other workshops, reading every newsletter and article they can find and they’re never slowing down.  They’re involved in forums like DWF because they believe in working together to find more solutions.

When I ask anybody the question, “How’s business this year?”  Those who say they’re holding their own always finish with the same comment, “But I’ve never worked so hard in my life!”   Nobody said it was easy, but nobody is afraid of hard work either.

I’ve been accused a lot of being overly optimistic.  People have told me I’m too much of a cheerleader.  But here’s the view that I get to see, which you don’t – I’m talking to hundreds of photographers every week.  I have an advantage of a front row seat looking at the big picture.  I’m getting feedback on new ideas, the economy and technology.  I’m seeing guys like Clay Blackmore jumping into fusion technology and creating new products for his clients – it’s not about still images anymore, but about your creativity in telling the story.

If necessity is the mother of invention then all of our survival is based on the necessity to continue to be part of the industry we love so much and find new ways to make it stronger.  The media keeps telling us things are getting worse and from their perspective they are, but we’ve all got the opportunity to make changes and best of all as photographers, to make a difference!

Two great quotes from Zig Ziglar that really bring it all together:

You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.

It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.

PDN’s Virtual Event:  In addition to the trade show component, there are ten outstanding webinars, all free and all running about 30-40 minutes.  The ones I’ve been involved in doing so far have been outstanding.  Suzan Moody on SEO/SEM 101 for Wedding and Portrait Photographers, Judy Host on turning your images into Masterpieces, Laura Novak on branding and identifying your niche and Catherine Hall on relationship building leading into niche marketing.  Each webinar is going to offer a wealth of information and ideas you can implement immediately.

 This year’s full lineup includes (alphabetical order by day) on May 24, Skip Cohen (me), Doug Gordon, Gene Ho, Suzan Moody and Laura Novak interviewed by Dane Sanders. On May 25 you’ll hear Jim Garner, Jeff and Allison Rogers with Lisa Rodwell, Judy Host, Allen Murabayashi and Catherine Hall.

One of the amazing things about our industry is how you can be great friends with somebody and never really know how good they are at presenting a concept.  Yesterday I was involved in working on two of the webinars, Laura Novak and Catherine Hall.  I’ve known both photographers for a long time, but never really knew their presentation style or for that matter their message.

Laura brought in Dane Sanders and presented some outstanding concepts to help you think through how to build your brand, your mission statement and then an overall philosophy to keep it all growing.  Catherine, brought her experience in niche marketing with idea after idea on building your relationship with your clients, which opens the door for developing a strategy for targeting the high-end bride.

Both programs are a kick, but what hit me the hardest was that both have their success deeply rooted in relationship building.  We all talk about its importance.  I’ve written page after page talking about relationships with sponsors, clients and other photographers.  If you think about it, the true definition of Customer Service is just more relationship building.

I found a couple of quotes this morning that definitely hit the concept better than I can…

From Gandhi: A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.

And from the other side of capitalism, Ray Kroc,the founder of MacDonalds:

If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours.

Happy Friday everybody!  Make it a great one!