Here’s what I love about Doug’s approach. This is about simplicity. While many of you consider posing an area you just don’t want to get into, think about it as a stepping stone to developing your own poses. This isn’t about the old argument of posing versus photojournalism. This is about meeting the mindset of your client. Sooner or later every photographer is going to have a situation where your client wants a certain look in their images. Are you going to know how to direct them to create the most stunning and flattering images you can?

Looking for more great tips on photography from Doug? Check out his blog and his workshop schedule.

But you’ve got to register to get in the door!

So, if you’re on Twitter, talk about the expo, but remember to include the following, so they can track your tweets and get you into the drawing: #pdnvts http://bit.ly/bMsLSf   and if you’re not a tweeter – get yourself registered.  It’s going to be a great event.

I’ve told one of my favorite Don Blair stories before, but the short version is that I once found Don, he was then in his 70’s, in the back of the room at a presentation by Nick Vedros years ago.  Don, who literally wrote the book on portrait lighting and posing, was furiously taking notes on how Nick handled the lighting on a commercial shoot.  He was amazed by what he was learning!

Then, there’s Monte Zucker, who called me one night in the early 90’s.  He’d just been to a presentation on the future of “electronic imaging”. He was blown away by how he believed it would change the face of photography and wrote an email to every executive in the photographic industry.

Monte and Don, may only be with us in spirit today, but they set an amazing example and NEVER stopped learning.  As successful as they both were, they attended every possible workshop they could and never stopped discovering new techniques for creating the ultimate image.

But education is only half the reason to attend these local programs.  This is all about networking!   Every program offers you an opportunity to meet and talk with other photographers in your area.  Other photographers, in this bizarre economy, can become allies instead of  just more competitors.    Everyone is in the same boat and dealing with similar challenges.

From Aesop to George Washington, a dozen people are credited with the expression, “United we stand, divided we fall!”  Well, it might seem melodramatic, but that’s what attending workshops, monthly guild meetings, national conventions etc. all means – it gives you a stronger reference point and framework to find more aggressive ideas in your marketing efforts, while picking up the added benefit of sharpening your skills.

Here are some programs either already in place or about to launch:

Now you didn’t think I was going to put Skip’s Summer School up last did you?  There are people who have told me this year’s line-up is even stronger than last year’s.  Personally, I’m pretty proud of the caliber of instructors for both years, but this year is definitely more diverse.  We’ve jam packed two and a half days with a dozen different topics, great information, terrific presentations and all at a great price thanks to dedicated sponsors and the MGM Grand. (The early bird $249 price is only out there for one more month.)  Here’s an opportunity to recharge your battery in August, before the craziness of the last quarter of the year.  You’ll get new ideas. from 15 different speakers, that you can implement quickly and still have an impact on your bottom line revenue before the year is over.

Two Shots of PhotoShop with Jack Davis and Jane Conner-ziser.  Here are two of the best photoshop instructors in the country, hitting the road.  With fourteen cities on the tour, this program is about solutions to the challenges of creative technique and work-flow.

Doug Gordon Workshops - How are you going to get a more professional feel to your bridal images if you don’t know how to blend in the look of high-fashion with great lighting and posing?  In this year’s new workshops, Doug is pulling out all the stops.  From larger workshops to smaller programs with just 25 photographers, Doug has put together an outstanding experience for building your skill set.

PDN’s Wedding and Virtual Trade Show:  It’s coming up in May and it’s going to be a kick and it’s FREE…but you can’t be online and attend if you’re not registered.  Registration takes only a few seconds and it’s just one click away.

Escalate Live:  The brain child of Dane Sanders, it’s coming up in May in Newport Beach, CA.  It’s two intense days in May with eight different speakers. 

Creative Live:  Free online education thanks to Chase Jarvis.  And if you miss a program there’s always an opportunity to go back and purchase the download at a reasonable cost.

Schrader Workshops:He may be a new face on the scene, but feedback on his previous workshops has been really good.  A lot of Greg Schrader’s focus is about networking.  For example, his Fireside chat series is just $20 and give you a chance to network with other photographers and that includes food and beverage!  Then, if you’re looking for a more intense workshop, check out his programs coming up in Chicago and Mackinac Island, MI.

Here’s the thing about education – you can’t be the best you can be if you’re not constantly taking advantage of the opportunities around you.  As I hear about more programs, I’ll do my best to get you the link and more information, but you’re the only one who can put aside the time and make it a point to be there.

This is about feeding the passion you have for photography and Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul said it best:

“One of the things that may get in the way of people being lifelong learners is that they’re not in touch with their passion. If you’re passionate about what it is you do, then you’re going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it.”  

“Don’t wait until your ship comes in.  Swim out to it!”

Yes, I’ve finally reached a new point in blogging wisdom and I’m quoting fortune cookies, but as trite as the fortune was, think about it for a second.

Everyone is chasing at least one dream and most of us have several.  Unfortunately, we have some dreams we simply accept will take longer to achieve than others and we become complacent in our pursuit.  Well, what would happen if we were more aggressive in chasing down some of those dreams?

Yesterday I was one of a few thousand people to share with you the launch of the educational revolution in photography thanks to Chase Jarvis, with creativeLIVE.   The concept is incredible, but now think of as it relates to most photographer’s dreams, to become a better photographer; to increase revenue for your business or to increase your client base and brand awareness.  It’s a stretch, but now tie it back to the wisdom of the fortune cookie!

Yesterday Chase Jarvis brought the ship in a whole lot closer to shore and made it easier for you to get there, but you still have to be the one to make the effort.  At the same time I was telling you about creativeLIVE, Scott Bourne and I launched our first episode of GoingPro on iTunes and next month we’ll be talking about branding.  GhostRighters.com also launched this week.  Sandy Puc is on the road with her tour and Mitche Graf and Ken Sklute kick off Right Brain Left Brain in a few weeks.  Dane Sanders launches Escalate Live and Julieanne Kost has joined the team, PDN’s Virtual Wedding Trade Show and webinars are May 24/25 and last but certainly not least, Skip’s Summer School is headed for an incredible program in August.

Everywhere you look there are programs in place to give you the opportunities to bring your ”ship” in earlier than you might have anticipated.   But you’ve got to be the one to take action.

Anderson Cooper is quoted as saying, “I just found it interesting to talk to adults I admired, and to discover that the path they took was never all that clearly defined. It was comforting to me when I figured out that you don’t have to know what you want to do with your life; you just have to take a few steps in one direction, and other opportunities will open up.”

And let’s wrap up with Thomas Edison: Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

The article will be out in June, but what I really thought about after hanging up the phone was what makes a great photographer?   We already know how clients define satisfaction and being happy with their photographer, but what about from the industry side?  How do we as photographers, manufacturers, advertisers and vendors define a great photographer?

1) Enthusiasm and Passion:  It has to be virtually unmatched.  Spend five minutes talking to Kirk and you know he sets the standard.

2) Willingness to Share: There can be no secrets.  Think about the best workshops/programs you’ve attended.  The speakers all shared their “secrets” – all presenting ideas that have worked to elevate their work and business.  The old expression of secrets to success are never held back and openly given to you for your own application and use.

3) A Thorough Understanding of Photography:   When Kirk picks up his camera there’s no hesitation in knowing the results.  It’s all thanks to his foundation in film.  And for those of you that think film is a four letter word, right up there with the “F-bomb” you’re missing the point. 

Kirk gets the shot the first time and his images look great, right out  the can!  He’s not spending hours cleaning up his images.  He even talked about teaching and taping up the back of the cameras, so his students can’t “chimp”.  Once their panic subsides, they’re able to pay attention to their subjects and focus on the expressions not the exposures.

4) Confidence:  I was blown away by the fact that Kirk only takes six images in each outfit.  SIX!  Not a couple hundred variations of the same smile – but six images in 3-4 wardrobe changes, with a presentation of 18-30 final images!   And every image is different – not a series of slight variations on a quest for the ultimate smile.   He knows he’s got the shot the minute he clicks the shutter and in those moments when he knows he missed it, because of a blink or maybe his exposure was off, he’ll re-shoot it.  

5) The Ability to Communicate:  In one 15 minute call I got everything I needed to write my assignment, because there wasn’t one second of hesitation with any of the questions I asked. 

So, go back to thinking about your favorite presentations and the photographers who you love to listen to.  They were passionate. They were confident.  They understood photography and the topic they were presenting and they could communicate.  Most important of all they were willing to share what they’ve learned to help you.  No secret ingredients – just a bunch of great people who believe in giving back.

I’ve often said I’m the luckiest guy in the photo industry.  I’ve worked with some amazing photographers and have an incredible network of talented friends and consider Kirk one of them.  He’s teaching this summer at Skip’s Summer School along with fourteen other industry leaders who all share the same passion.  (Sorry, couldn’t avoid the plug!)

Jim Collins, business author and theorist said it best:

The kind of commitment I find among the best performers across virtually every field is a single-minded passion for what they do, an unwavering desire for excellence in the way they think and the way they work. Genuine confidence is what launches you out of bed in the morning, and through your day with a spring in your step.

With the exception of some problems with speakers in rooms that were too small, the convention has been pretty amazing.   In terms of excitement, new exhibitors and products, the trade show has been packed.    I was personally involved in the  launch of a whole series of new projects you’ll hear more about in the weeks ahead:

First, there’s a great virtual wedding show is coming in May from PDN, the same company that brings you  PhotoPlus Expo each year in New York.   Plus, Focus On Portraits is coming in June both in print and online – it’s a supplement to Photo District News and should be outstanding.  Focus on Weddings was my first project for them a few months ago and I couldn’t be more excited about working with the same team on a second publication.

Second, www.GhostRighters.comlaunched this week at the show and you’ll be hearing a lot about this in the weeks ahead.  The official launch is the end of this month, but we’d be crazy not to share the excitement with everyone, while here at WPPI.  Think about how many times you’ve needed help with your written communications, marketing plans and website.  GhostRighters is a resource for photographers to finally get help with their brochures, blogs, copy on their website and press releases and that’s only the beginning.  From helping to create a more powerful message in print to cleaning up the challenges of your website, GhostRighters tag line says it all, “Give your image a voice!”

And here’s the best part of the GhostRighters concept for me personally – the three people who have founded the company are Shauna Harris, Matt Gartz and yours truly.  Shauna and I worked together for years at WPPI, until we both left to pursue other ventures last year.  And Matt, is an outstanding web designer with incredible versitility in technology as well as graphic design.  Taking it all one step further, the three of us have an amazing network and resources to help you through those challenges that will make a difference in your presentation to the public.  Bookmark www.GhostRighters.com and keep your eye on the site as we countdown the days to the official launch!

Last but not least, stay focused on www.mei500.com and www.photofocus.com.  Within the next few weeks you’ll be hearing about an exciting project Scott Bourne and I are doing together in education, bringing a new level of support for the emerging professional.   We’re down to the 48 hour countdown for the site to go live, so stay tuned!

But with all the projects and announcements, nothing compares to the fun of finally meeting a photographer I’ve followed on Facebook for a while, Ryan Christiensen.    We need to get Dane Sanders or the Bui Brothers to come up with a name for this and maybe there is one already – but there’s no way to describe the fun of meeting somebody you’ve “spoken” with in Social Media when you finally get to shake hands and put a face with the name.  Ryan and I talked a lot last year when he started a WPPI ‘09 fan page.  So, somebody come up with what to call it when you meet somebody you’ve respected a lot from cyberspace and find yourself standing in the same spot on planet earth, shaking their hand!   (Ryan, thanks for stopping me in the hallway!)

Okay, it’s day two of WPPI and time to get moving!