Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Workshop?

Recently I have been asked by several people about doing workshops. If you would like to study with me in a workshop setting, please contact me!

Possible subjects:
Portraits/lighting
Digital black-and-white (I used to teach darkroom at UAH Continuing Ed - good b/w is important to me, and I know several approaches digitally)
Composition

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Photo Competition Judge

Monday evening I was the judge for the January photo competition of the Huntsville Photographic Society. Up till 2 years ago, the judge was allowed to mull over his choices by himself, after everyone saw the entire submissions. However, now they have the judge do it 'live' and want to *hear* what is said. Well, I talk to myself a lot, and people in the back couldn't hear me, so I said how it *used to be* and apparently with enough humor that everyone laughed and then I was louder.

There are a lot of people who want to learn and are sponges when told things that will help. Then there are those who only want to be told they did good and make excuses for why they brought what they did, because they didn't have time to work on it. Fortunately, most of the people who wanted to know why I did or didn't choose something were the type who want to learn. Mostly I was able to discuss how it didn't fit the subject of the competition as well as others. (There were a couple of extremely stunning photos which I didn't think fit in the subject.) Some photos could benefit by cropping, to emphasize what the subject is supposed to be.

Apparently I gave more feedback than most judges. Some people remembered a program I gave on portraiture a couple of years ago; some people would like a workshop... Perhaps I will be able to oblige.

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Imaging USA/annual convention

I spent most of last week in Nashville for the annual convention of the Professional Photographers of America. Classes started at 7am Sunday; 4 per day if we wanted, plus a trade show with lots and lots of vendors and opportunities. On the one hand, it was exhausting. On the other hand, it was great. I learned more how I would like to shape my business this year (now I have to get busy and *DO* it!). I made new friends (Hey Tammy from AR and Kim from LA).

We stayed in the Gaylord Opryland hotel where the convention was held so I didn't have to go outside much into the cold; I was prepared for it the couple of times we went out!

Since I am a Certified Professional Photographer, I attended the meeting about Certification to learn what was coming, and to meet newly certified folks. Five people got to have their comments video'taped' about why Certification is important. I was one of those five! I told about the following occurrence:

2 or 3 years ago there was a photographer in Madison and Marshall counties who left her wedding couples high and dry without any photos after the wedding; she tried hard to just disappear. Channel 19 news interviewed me as a 'reputable photographer' - in business for a number of years, having all of the required licenses and sales tax accounts, and by the way being a Certified Professional Photographer. A certified photographer not only has to prove competency in the craft with a test and submitted images, but must adhere to a code of ethics. I suggested that people looking for a photographer check into whether the photographer was operating legally, first thing. Later when I was photographing a 50th Wedding Anniversary party, a number of the folks recognized me and said, "You're the Reputable Photographer!"

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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Relief!

... in that I am no longer President of the Tennesse Valley Professional Photographers. I will still be a member, and continue to be a member of the Professional Photographers of Mississippi/Alabama and of course the national Professional Photographers of America. The TVPPA has been important to me in the friendships I have made with other photographers, sharing good ideas and problems, and having people ready to help whenever there was a problem. I have learned a lot over the more than fifteen years I have been a member.

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Saturday, January 2, 2010

Monica Martin Photographer Monica recently received notice of being again Certified by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. I was first Certified in 1999. This involves proving competence artisically and technically, continuing education, and stringent ethical business behavior. There are only approximately 2,000 Certified Professional Photographers.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Wedding Coverage Sale

This first week of January 2010, 20% off of 2009 prices if booked this week. Booking requires a signed contract and retainer.
Come see us before 2010 prices kick in!