From the Heart: Are You a New Photographer? If So, Let’s Chat…

Being a new photographer can kind of suck. You’re lacking in knowledge. A lot of knowledge. And while you work on your craft and suffer the sometimes harsh criticism of your new peers, just  how much knowledge you are short becomes painfully clear. It’s a really tough spot to be in. But some of you …

Be More Than A Member; Volunteer

I believe 100% that membership in a professional organization is vital to today’s photographer. Belonging to an organization is a way to network, get educated and just recharge your batteries. I usually come away from conventions and meetings with a renewed sense of hope for myself and my business. I am empowered through education and …

Corn Dogs, Olive Oil and Pink Mashed Potatoes: Thoughts on Customer Service

This article originally appeared in the December 2014 Issue of Southern Exposure, the magazine of the Southeast PPA District, page 15. View it HERE. In 1983, I worked for a concession stand company, traveling from street fair to street fair across the state of Ohio for five months peddling corn dogs. In exchange for working …

Diamond Photographer of the Year: GO!

The other day I wrote about an image by a Diamond POTY (see HERE ) and yesterday’s mail brought the January 2015 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine, which featured all the Diamond Photographers of the Year. Diamonds must be in the air – so we’ll just continue along that theme. Not too long ago, I …

Why I Require My Print Competition Mentorees to Pursue Certification (CPP)

In the past, one was required to have a CPP before they could receive their Master’s degree from the PPA. This didn’t seem to be a popular prerequisite and I remember seeing that the list of Master’s degree recipients was quite a bit longer than normal the first year this requirement was banished. Some folks …

About that Certification thing…

Yesterday I got a lovely email from PPA employee & Certification Coordinator, Cassidy Hoffman. Cassidy reminded me that the deadline to apply for a 2015 CPP Liaison position was looming and that they had not received my request to be considered. Of course, it was something I’d put on the back burner to get to …

It’s Not Always About Winning

This article originally appeared in the November 2014 Issue of Southern Exposure, the magazine of the Southeast PPA District, page 13. View it here. * * * * * * * * * We’re gonna break my number one rule here and use the word “passion.” It’s pretty much a given fact that I’m passionate …

The Speech I Forgot to Make

Four evenings ago, a small group of photographers, past recipients of the PPA National Award, lined up at the front of a ballroom in a Columbus, Ohio convention center. As they stood in line, ready to welcome a new member to their group, their total number of years in the photographic industry was staggering, their …

Inspiration & Personal Projects

Oh, hello! Brush the dust off the chair and take a load off. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? It’s 2014 and I didn’t bother with the resolution nonsense, it never amounts to much and with my ADD personality… let’s just say weekly resolutions are more my speed. I spent last week in Phoenix, AZ for …

Letters Behind Your Name: Right vs. Privilege

The title of this article is a bit misleading, as the space allotted to the right of having letters behind your name will be minimal. It’s not a debatable topic. Every set of letters has a requirement; if you met those requirements, you are entitled/have a right to slap those babies behind your name and …