When Judging Makes You Cry…

… you know you’re looking at something pretty special. Last August I took the 2013 Judges’ Workshop (read about it HERE) and in the spring of 2014 I began to judge at state level competitions in order to start squaring away my requirements to become a PPA Affiliated Judge. I’m considered a Juror-In-Training until I …

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 …

Why I became a Certified Professional Photographer

In 2008, I was entering my 12th year as a quality professional in the chemical industry. Unfortunately, it was also the year I became a statistic. Suddenly, I found myself among one of the 2.6 million workers in the USA that lost a job that year. The unemployment rate in my county jumped from mid …

PP of Ohio Convention 1st Timers: Meet the PPO Office Staff

Do you ever wonder who the voice is at the other end of the phone? Who sends out the emails? Who process your dues payment? Well, meet the answer to those questions… The Three Ladies. For some reason, that’s just what we call them. Please meet Sharon, Susan and Kristin – the force behind all …

From IUSA Mentor Booth Appointment to Loan Book – The Journey of an Image

  2013 was my first trip to IUSA. It was an important event in my photographic career, I was receiving my Master’s Degree, so I was going to make this trip the absolute best it could be. I volunteered to help set up the print exhibit and work the ASP booth, and I attended several …

IPC 2013: The Journey of an Image – from Inspiration to Loan Collection

Last summer I shot a session that’s been 11 years in the planning. Let me back up. I took this photo in April 2001. Mr. Wootness and I were on the trip of a lifetime to Ireland. We were warmly ensconced within the tea room at Aillwee Caves in County Clare. This was our first …

IPC 2013: “Be Somebody’s Hero”

While a lot of you are still on pins and needles, awaiting your International Photographic Competition (IPC) results, I am tucked firmly in a blanket of post-IPC glow. I’m sure the spark will be revved up again later today when the official results are posted, but for now I am happy to float in warm …

Wootness: Pop-Tarts, K-Cups and Judging School

Oh, it’s about time for a little Wootness injection and update, isn’t it? As I puttered around in my kitchen just now, making my *favorite* kind of Pop-Tart… what?…you don’t know what my favorite kind of Pop-Tart is? Well, you know, people have often asked me what kind of Pop-Tart is my favorite and I …

IPC 2014 – The Season is Off to a Rocky Start…

I’m a dumb ass. There, it has been said. I am all about honesty. Plus when the little excerpt shows a cuss word in the links, I always get a lot of hits. I’m all about marketing, too. 🙂 But back to me, and my total and complete idiocy. I was so proud of myself …

IPC 2014: WHAT?! Defining Your Competition Timeline

Seriously? Are you freaking kidding me? I haven’t even sent in my 2013 case and you’re already blathering on about next year’s competition? Let me put my feet up and have a margarita or three while I wait for IPC 2013 results. Freaking crazy woman. *Smile* As I was perusing my Facebook Groups over the …