One of the things that I’ve discovered about judging is what an incredible honor it is to be asked to do it. I know that sounds all hoity-toity and prim and proper and what you’d expect a judge to say. Publicly, anyway. But it is the truth. You have trusted me to evaluate your prints. …
Category Archives: From the Heart
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 …
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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 …
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Resolutions Before the Dawn
It’s late, and I really ought to have headed off to bed by now, but today’s to-do list had write post about resolutions on it and so here we are. As I get older, the holidays and days of significance are, well, less significant. It’s been a good many years since I’ve gone out and …
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 …
2014: It’s all Good, Now.
The Winter Solstice is when I reflect on the last year and think about changes I want to make in the New Year. The winter is long and painful for me and this is the point where I can celebrate being halfway through the time when the sun is rarely here. Warmer and brighter days …
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 …
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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 …