Okay, so it’s a blog and she’s laughing at me because I can’t think of what to write this morning.  It’s a holiday weekend and maybe I don’t need a topic.  After all a blog is supposed to be a running commentary…so here’s the running thought for the day.

It’s Memorial Day weekend and there have been a couple of guest posts from photographers who are working on projects photographing the men and women who serve in the armed forces.  I profiled Stacy Pearsall yesterday.  She’s  the only woman in US history to receive Combat Photographer of the Year, twice.

This weekend isn’t about the politics of whether or not we should or shouldn’t be in Iraq – this a weekend of solemn respect and pride, with a whole lot of grateful appreciation for those men and women who serve our country every day.   And, since we’re photographers and part of an amazing industry, it’s a time to thank all those photojournalists around the world who help us understand the risk and the effort made by these men and women.

So, to Sheila’s son Brian in the military today, to my Dad who served in WWII, to all my friends who served in Viet Nam, to future brother-in-law Randy who always has on a Marine’s baseball hat, to Stacy Pearsall and to every mother and father who have ever stood behind their military bound sons and daughters, thank you.  It seems like such a trite inadequate way to show appreciation, but I’m sitting here on my deck this morning, along with millions of Americans who will enjoy the day, thanks to what all of you have given your country.

Make it a great weekend.  Don’t waste a minute of time…enjoy your family, your friends and think about what Memorial Day really means.   The real Thanksgiving should be in May, not November!

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!

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!