Professional Photographer February 2010

©Dan Davis Photography

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P ROF E S S I ONA L

EDITORIAL

director of publications

CAMERON BISHOPP [email protected]

Hot love

senior editor

art director/production manager

JOAN SHERWOOD [email protected]

DEBBIE TODD [email protected]

features editor

manager, publications and sales/strategic alliances

PASSION, THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

LESLIE HUNT [email protected]

“What is our life? The play of passion,” wrote Sir Walter Raleigh.

editor-at-large

As we put the finishing touches on this issue, which lands in

JEFF KENT [email protected]

mailboxes during a month filled with valentines and Cupid’s arrows, we’re thinking about photography and l-o-v-e. Photographers are in the love business: babies, toddlers, rising seniors, in-love couples, families, holiday portrait cards, birth announcements—all of life’s goodness. The heart of the photographer is not the only place where passion burns. A brimming abundance of ardor also fuels the tanks of photo industry manufacturers. In our January issue, we featured five photographers-turnedinventors, individuals whose fervor to solve a problem led them to create solutions from which everyone can benefit. It’s business, yes, but true innovation requires devotion far greater than the desire to turn a profit. Look at Adobe, whose software offers control and capabilities no one dreamed of two decades ago. “The engineers I know take photo workshops, visit studios, go on photo trips. This is not a nine-to-five job for them; it’s a passion,” says Katrin Eismann, whose history with the app goes back to before v.1. Zack Davis marks Photoshop’s 20th anniversary in the story that begins on p. 17. Congratulations and the traditional 20th anniversary gift of china are definitely in order. And of course, on p. 64, you’ll find the greatest love letter of all, Professional Photographer’s annual Hot One Awards. Chosen by a group of working photographers, the products described on these pages are truly labors of love. Each is the result of years of an unwavering devotion to bettering the industry, and the commitment to create even more powerful solutions to ease the photographer’s workflow, elevate his art, and help him to more high-caliber products than ever before. �

Cameron Bishopp Director of Publications [email protected]

4 • www.ppmag.com

KARISA GILMER [email protected] sales/strategic alliances assistant

CHERYL PEARSON [email protected]

technical editors

circulation

ANDREW RODNEY, ELLIS VENER, DON CHICK

MOLLIE O’SHEA [email protected]

director of sales and strategic alliances

SCOTT HERSH 610-966-2466; [email protected] western region ad manager

northeast region ad manager

BART ENGELS 847-854-8182; [email protected]

SHELLIE JOHNSON 404-522-8600, x279; [email protected]

southeast region ad manager

BILL KELLY 404-522-8600, x248; [email protected] editorial offices

Professional Photographer 229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303-1608 U.S.A. 404-522-8600; FAX: 404-614-6406 Professional Photographer (ISSN 1528-5286) is published monthly subscriptions

Professional Photographer P.O. Box 3606, Northbrook, IL 60065-3606; 800-742-7468; FAX 847-291-4816; email: [email protected]; Web site: www.ppmag.com member services

PPA - Professional Photographer 800-786-6277; FAX 301-953-2838; e-mail: [email protected]; www.ppa.com Send all advertising materials to: Debbie Todd, Professional Photographer, 5431 E. Garnet, Mesa, AZ 85206; 480-807-4391 Subscription rates/information: U.S.: $27, one year; $45, two years; $66, three years. Canada: $43, one year; $73, two years; $108, three years. International: $19.95 one year digital subscription. Back issues/Single copies $7 U.S.; $10 Canada; $15 International. PPA membership includes $13.50 annual subscription. Subscription orders/changes: Send to Professional Photographer, Attn: Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 3606, Northbrook, IL 60065-3606; 800-742-7468; FAX 847-291-4816; email: [email protected]; Web site: www.ppmag.com. Periodicals postage paid in Atlanta, Ga., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Professional Photographer magazine, P.O. Box 3606, Northbrook, IL 60065-3606 Copyright 2010, PPA Publications & Events, Inc. Printed in U.S.A. Article reprints: Contact Professional Photographer reprint coordinator at Wright’s Reprints; 1-877-652-5295. Microfilm copies: University Microfilms International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Professional Photographer (ISSN 1528-5286) is published monthly for $27 per year by PPA Publications and Events, Inc., 229 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2200, International Tower, Atlanta, GA 30303-1608. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, Ga., and additional mailing offices. Acceptance of advertising does not carry with it endorsement by the publisher. Opinions expressed by Professional Photographer or any of its authors do not necessarily reflect positions of Professional Photographers of America, Inc. Professional Photographer, official journal of the Professional Photographers of America, Inc., is the oldest exclusively professional photographic publication in the Western Hemisphere (founded 1907 by Charles Abel, Hon.M.Photog.), incorporating Abel’s Photographic Weekly, St. Louis & Canadian Photographer, The Commercial Photographer, The National Photographer, Professional Photographer, and Professional Photographer Storytellers. Circulation audited and verified by BPA Worldwide.

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CONTENTS PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER FEBRUARY 2010

Features 64

11TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS Our 11th annual Hot One Awards recognizing the year’s best products By Jeff Kent

94

LET’S TALK Dan Davis builds rapport to unlock real smiles By Stephanie Boozer

80

SENIORS: STRAIGHT SHOT

+theshotshot hits a bull’s eye in the senior portrait market By Lorna Gentry

86

CHILDREN: TIGHT-KNIT BUNCH

Angela Lang nurtures client interactions into life-long relationships By Stephanie Boozer IMAGE BY ANGELA LANG PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTENTS PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER | FEBRUARY 2010 | WWW.PPMAG.COM

14

FOLIO

104 SCHOOL CALENDAR 105

PPA TODAY

122

GOOD WORKS

©+theshotshot.

Departments C O N TA C T S H E E T 16 Smitten Photography

Photoshop turns 20 24 PPA members to be exclusive providers to unique dating service 17

PROFIT CENTER 29 What I think: Garrett and Joy Nudd 30 Ask the SMS experts 32 Dazzle your customers!

by Kay Eskridge 38 21 ways to slash your print costs

by Kammy Thurman 40 More than luck: Tips for SEO by T.J. McDowell

THE GOODS 45 What I like: Angela Lang 46 Pro review: AF-S Nikkor

50

54

58 60

80

Nate Embrey says, "We like senior photography the most and we do it the best.” So he and

his wife, Britanny, set out to create an irresistible experience for teens at +theshotshot. Even though they do other types of photography, they market only to high school seniors, and they do it extremely well.

8 • www.ppmag.com

70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II by Betsy Finn Pro review: RedCart, Photo Cart, Lightbox by Betsy Finn Wireless: 4GB Eye-Fi Pro SDHC card by Curtis Joe Walker Lighting: Portrait lighting patterns by Don Chick Pro review: Phase One Capture One 5 PRO by Stan Sholik

ON THE COVER: Senior Lena Sanfilippo‘s session was memorable, says Dan Davis, this month's cover photographer. “She had so much personality and nervous energy she couldn't keep from giggling. Ten minutes into the session we all were giggling,” he says. Using a Canon EOS 5D with 28-70mm f/2.8 lens, he exposed the frame for 1/60 second at f/14, 200 ISO. Davis used one Calumet Travelite with a 40x53-inch Calumet Soft Box.

Cover image retouched by Jim DiVitale, M.Photog.MEI.Cr., API, F-ASP

The new Epson Stylus Pro 3880. Everything about it will blow you away. ®

Brilliant performance. Exceptional design. Amazing value. At $1,295, this printer has it all: For the most demanding photographers, APROFESSIONALLEVELPRINTER COMPACTINSIZEANDCAPABLEOFPRODUCINGEXHIBITION QUALITYPRINTSUPTOXs%PSON5LTRA#HROME K3® WITH 6IVID -AGENTA )NK FOR BREATHTAKING COLOR AND PHENOMENAL BLACK AND WHITE OUTPUT s !CCU0HOTO™ HD2 technology for SMOOTHER COLOR TRANSITIONS AND OUTSTANDING HIGHLIGHT AND SHADOW DETAIL s 5NSURPASSED QUALITY FROM THE COMBINED ELEMENTS OF an Epson printer, paper and ink. Pretty sweet, huh? To learn more, visit www.proimaging.epson.com 0HOTOGRAPHˆ-ARCEL#HRIST Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price. Epson, Epson Stylus and Epson UltraChrome K3 are registered trademarks and Epson Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. AccuPhoto is a trademark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2009 Epson America, Inc.

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Whitney Stevens, Bliss Studio, Portland, OR

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White House Custom Colour is a full service, professional photographic lab and press printer. In addition to the showcased products on these pages, we offer a full line of products and services to make a positive impact on your goals for continued success in building your photographic business. For more information visit our website, www.whcc.com

“Clients order Proofbooks because they can use them as a reference for all the images from their session, but end up loving them so much that they proudly show them off to all their family and friends.”

Ria Czichotzki, Rialee Photography, Fargo, ND

Proofing WHCC proofs are economical, delivered quickly, and available in ve sizes. Enhance your proofs with borders, texture, or binding. Add a white or black border to your les, texture proofs to provide added protection from scanning, or bind your proofs together for a perfect sample ip book. Bound Proofs are great add-ons and allow your clients to show off your work.

Press Printed Cards WHCC Press Printed Cards are affordably priced with quantities as low as 25 and include envelopes. Choose from 5 paper cover stocks standard, art watercolor, art linen, art recycled, or pearl. Also add UV coating to the standard and pearl paper for added protection and a high gloss look.

“With all of the size and paper options available the design and product possibilities are endless. They are hands down one of the best tools for our studio’s marketing and sales.”

Troy and Heidi Eiffert, Studio U, Kalona, IA

White House Custom Colour - www.whcc.com - 800-252-5234 - [email protected]

MICHAEL GAN M.Photog.Cr., CPP [email protected]

Professional Photographers of America 229 Peachtree St., NE, Suite 2200 Atlanta, GA 30303-1608 404-522-8600; 800-786-6277 FAX: 404-614-6400; www.ppa.com

2009-2010 PPA board president *RON NICHOLS M.Photog.Cr., API [email protected] vice president *LOUIS TONSMEIRE Cr.Photog., API [email protected] treasurer *DON DICKSON M.Photog.Cr., CPP [email protected] chairman of the board *DENNIS CRAFT M.Photog.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., CPP, API, F-ASP [email protected] directors SANDY (SAM) PUC’ M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI [email protected] RALPH ROMAGUERA SR. M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API, F-ASP [email protected]

PPA staff DAVID TRUST Chief Executive Officer [email protected] SCOTT KURKIAN Chief Financial Officer [email protected] THERESE ALEMAN Director, Marketing and Communications [email protected] CHRISTEL APRIGLIANO Director of Member Value & Experience [email protected] CAMERON BISHOPP Director of Publications [email protected] SCOTT HERSH Director of Sales & Strategic Alliances [email protected] WILDA OKEN Director of Administration [email protected] BETSY REID Director of Education [email protected]

CAROL ANDREWS M.Photog.Cr., ABI [email protected]

COREY B. SHELTON Director, Web Strategy & Development [email protected]

SUSAN MICHAL M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI [email protected]

LENORE TAFFEL Director of Events [email protected]

TIMOTHY WALDEN M.Photog.Cr., F-ASP [email protected]

BING ZENG PPA China Managing Director [email protected]

DOUG BOX M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API [email protected] DON MACGREGOR M.Photog.Cr., API [email protected]

12 • www.ppmag.com

industry advisor KEVIN CASEY [email protected]

SANDRA LANG Executive Assistant [email protected] *Executive Committee of the Board

folio Comprising images selected from the files of the PPA Loan Collection, Folio is a monthly sample of award-winning photography by PPA members. The Loan Collection is a select group of some 500 photographs chosen annually by the PPA print judges from more than 5,000 entries.

BONNIE SLAGLE During a senior portrait session, Bonnie Slagle, of Bonnie’s Custom Photography in Randle, Wash., captured “No Place to Skate,” alluding to the subject’s favorite hobby. With a Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro camera and a Nikkor 24-120mm f/5.6 AF-S VR Zoom lens, Slagle exposed the image for 1/60 second at f/6.7, ISO 200. A 42x72-inch Larson reflector bounced in the natural October daylight for fill, and was balanced by a 30-inch Westcott silver circle reflector. Slagle performed minor retouching in Adobe Photoshop CS2. The image won a Fujifilm Masterpiece Award. www.bonniescustomphoto.com ©Bonnie Slagle ©Alvaro Balderas

ALVARO BALDERAS Alvaro Balderas, of Alvaro Balderas Artistic Photography in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico, was on assignment shooting models in Villahermosa when his eye was drawn to the texture and shadow in this scene. He captured “Construction Art” with a Canon EOS 20D camera and a Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM EF-S lens, for 1/125 second at f/13, ISO 100. In Adobe Photoshop, Balderas applied the High Pass filter to increase the sharpness, then mirrored the image. “When I finished retouching, I yelled in excitement,” he says. www.alvarobalderas.com

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CONTACT SHEET What’s New, Cool Events, Interesting People, Great Ideas, Etc.

Better together Smitten Photography � BFFs

All images ©Smitten Photography

BY LORNA GENTRY

an inside senior. “My sister, who is a senior

Photoshop turns 20

this year, has been our biggest mouthpiece,”

One application launched two decades of creation

Smitten Photography has a secret advertising weapon in the Albany, Ga., seniors market:

l BY ZACK DAVIS

says Amber Humphries, who co-owns Smitten Photography with Greta Reynolds. After Humphries’ sister had Smitten make her senior portrait with her best friend, who happens to be another sister, she spread the word to her classmates. Soon seniors were showing up with one, two, even a halfdozen of their best friends in tow. Now, says Humphries, nearly all the senior portraits Smitten takes are BFFs (best friends forever). Humphries credits the boon in their senior portrait business to the BFF photos. “Some seniors who have already had their pictures done at another studio come here to have them taken again, this time with

Left to right: Long-time Adobe advisors and educators Katrin Eismann, Martin Evening & Julianne Kost share their unique views on the history of the groundbreaking software.

their BFFs,” she says. On February 19, Adobe celebrates the 20th

I know take photo workshops, visit studios,

mouth, website, blog, Facebook and Twitter.

anniversary of the release of Photoshop v.1.

go on photo trips. This is not a nine-to-five

“Social networking is huge for us,” Humphries

To commemorate the occasion, we asked three

job for them, it’s a passion. A new feature

says. But it’s the seniors themselves who’ve

fantastic photographers what it’s been like

might not be perfect in the first release, but

done the lion’s share of talking up the studio’s

behind the scenes in the development of this

you know they’re working on it constantly.

BFF portraits and anything-goes policy. “We

groundbreaking digital imaging technology.

The partners advertise only by word-of-

Julianne Kost of Adobe: Adobe has been fortunate to have many significant contributors

allow seniors to bring as many friends as they want, wear what they want, and go any-

Who’s had the greatest influence on Photoshop’s

to Photoshop, including strong Alpha and

where to have their picture taken,” she says.

development?

Beta teams that help guide development. As

The idea for this type of “border-free” pho-

Martin Evening: Most of the new features in

for individuals, Alpha testers such as Katrin

tography, says Humphries, came from Nate

each updated version were spawned by

Eismann have offered a continuous stream

Embrey of +theshotshot in Zanesville, Ohio

multiple user reports and requests and the

of brilliant suggestions over the years that

(see page 80 for a profile on +theshotshot).

engineers’ own ideas of appropriate solutions.

helped the Photoshop team hone in on the

“I met Nate, loved his no-rules approach and

Katrin Eismann: Adobe employees, evan-

most important features for our customer

made it work for us,” she says.

gelists and engineers are very good at lis-

base. Thanks to her and photographers like

tening to customers, reading every post on

Jeff Schewe, Martin Evening, and the late

multiply print sales. They often book back-

the user and beta forums, talking with you at

Bruce Fraser, we continue to grow and build

to-back sessions on the same day, one for

tradeshows. If you’re patient enough, and

the Photoshop family of products, which fit

solo portraits, the other with their friends.

you show them why your requests are

the needs of our customers across several

BFF photos, mostly female seniors,

“It gets the kids more excited about their

important, you’ll see improvements in two

industries. There is a tremendous amount of

pictures,” says Humphries, “and that’s good.”

or three versions. It speaks to the quality of

research and testing that goes into each

To see more of Smitten Photography’s work, visit their website at www.smittenphotos.com.

development, how much the engineers

feature, and we look across both photography

actually care about this stuff. The engineers

and design communities to create the best

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 17

Matt Lucas | Lucas Photography 2009 PPA National Photographer of the Year Diamond Level | 2009 We Are Miller’s Ad Contest Winner!

I am Matt Lucas I Am Always Learning I went to college and graduated with a BS in Photography. Shortly after, I met my mentor whose teaching sent me light years ahead of the learning curve. Photography is changing every day, and at Lucas Photography, we feel that we always need to know more. We are very active in Missouri Professional Photography Association and the national PPA convention.This is where I learn hands-on how to do what I do, as well as meet other photographers who become friends for life. I Am A Senior Photographer I love to photograph high school seniors! I feel like I can relate to seniors and create timeless pieces of art for them and their parents. Most of our clients love color and saturation and that is one of the reasons they choose Lucas Photography, driving sometimes from other states – they want something different. I am most passionate about making our clients see that they are beautiful, leaving more confident than when they came in. I Am On Facebook Facebook has been huge for us! After every session, I tag my client so that their friends will see one of the images. I have people booking this year because they saw images of clients on Facebook and visited our Lucas Photography Fan Club page to see more. We have photographed more seniors from a larger variety of schools than ever before – schools we’ve never even targeted. I Am Second Generation I grew up in photography. My parents started Lucas Photography 37 years ago; my dad was my role model. I started printing black and white photographs when I was eight and photographed my first wedding at age 16. My parents began working with Miller’s right after opening and have been loyal customers ever since. Without Miller’s customer service and quality, Lucas Photography wouldn’t be where we are today. I am Miller’s. My lab is Miller’s Professional Imaging because I Expect More.

Expect More

To see how Matt uses Miller’s to grow his studio, please visit www.millerslab.com/MattLucas. To view more of Matt’s work check out www.lucasphotography.com.

CONTACT SHEET tion. How does the unsharp mask work?” I knew the answer cold because the concept came from analog darkroom and pre-press techniques. So I said, “Amount does this, radius does that, threshold does that and this is how you control it.” I turned around and walked out of the room, scared she’d ask me more questions. One man in the room turned to the person next to him and said, “I’m going to marry that woman,” and he did. My husband, John McIntosh, fell in love with me when I explained the unsharp mask filter. He was also the one who’d asked the question. So it’s good to know how the plugins and filters work. Martin Evening: When I started working with digital images, the biggest discussion among photographers was about image quality and the effect Photoshop would have on photography. One chairman of the Association of Photographers said, “Photoshop is turning good photographers into bad surrealists.” Five years later he was running digital imaging workshops. Has any one feature tremendously influenced photographers? J.K.: I believe every release has that one key feature that makes Photoshop just magical. More than likely, that key feature is different Top: An early edition splash screen, personalized for Adobe insider Jeff Schewe. Bottom, left to right: Packaging for v.1 and 20 years later, Photoshop CS4.

for designers and photographers. It might be difficult for those just starting with Photoshop to imagine manipulating images without the ability to have multiple layers or

experience for each user. In recent years, the

answer!” I was a bit taken aback, as I hadn’t

multiple undo. And remember, there was a

communities on the forums have also played

heard the conversation leading up to the ques-

time before the Healing brush, re-editable

an important role, enabling the team to talk to an even wider range of customers. I to hear all of the unique uses for Photoshop.

“If I had to choose one Photoshop feature that

What’s your favorite Photoshop story?

changed the industry, it’s our digital Camera

always find it inspiring as well as fascinating

Katrin Eismann: In 1992, I was working at the Center for Creative Imaging in Camden, Maine, the first place in the nation to offer digital workshops. I walked in the classroom, and the teacher said, “Katrin will know the

20 • www.ppmag.com

Raw file support in both Lightroom and Photoshop, which never fails to amaze me.” —JULIEANNE KOST

You spend time photographing other people’s families.

Now spend some time with your own.

mpixpro Where discerning photographers belong. mpixpro.com

CONTACT SHEET ©George Jardine

restrained and sophisticated retouching evolving, if not a full backlash against the airbrushed look. At this point I can’t say too much about what’s in store for the next version of Photoshop. This is my ninth time to be involved in a Photoshop pre-release program, and based on what I know, this one will be the most impressive so far. K.E.: Adobe Camera Raw allows photographers to really take advantage of the capabilities of their digital cameras in Photoshop. Adobe’s smart idea was to never touch the RAW file. It’s either use the metadata or create a DNG file. So now photographers can experiment and go back a day, week or a year later and reprocess their images as the software is improved or to experiment with a different look or style. You could never do that with film; once it’s developed it’s developed.

Co-creator of Photoshop and author of Camera Raw, Thomas Knoll (left), collaborates with engineers Mark Hamburg (with hand on keyboard) of the original Adobe Photoshop team, Zalman Stern (standing) and Michael Jonsson (lower right), taken in 2006. Part of the success of Adobe Photoshop has been due to the passion and concern engineers feel for this application and its users.

type, Liquify, Vanishing Point, and Content

been Camera Raw processing and how that’s

Aware Scaling! The features that make the

evolved into the managed, raw-processing

largest impact on my speed and efficiency

workflow of Photoshop Lightroom. The

are those that give me flexibility … such as

retouching tools we have now are pretty

nondestructive adjustment layers, and

amazing. With the Healing brush, I immediately

masking, Smart Objects and Smart Filters—

saw the benefits and how easy it would make

all features that can be refined and tweaked

retouching. We have perhaps reached the

at any time to transform my images in the

point where everyone is a little tired of the

exact manner I desire. If I had to choose one

super-retouched look, and we’ll see more

Julieanne Kost is the senior digital imaging evangelist at Adobe. She travels the world to teach and inspire people not only about Photoshop, but about creativity itself (jkost.com). Katrin Eismann chairs the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Photography program of the School of Visual Arts in New York. She’s worked with Photoshop since before v.1 was released in 1990 (katrineismann.com, photoshopdiva.com). Martin Evening is a London-based advertising and fashion photographer, and the author of the “Adobe Photoshop for Photographers” series. He also works with the Photoshop and Lightroom engineering teams (martinevening.com).

Photoshop feature that changed the industry, it’s our digital Camera Raw file support in both Lightroom and Photoshop, which never fails to amaze me. Camera Raw gives me everything from custom camera profiles to global and local corrections that can be adjusted as many times as needed, all nondestructively. When I think back to the years that I spent developing film and printing in my parents’ darkroom, I never imagined that I would have a tool as powerful as Photoshop in my lifetime! Martin Evening: The most popular has

22 • www.ppmag.com

“At this point I can’t say too much about what’s in store for the next version of Photoshop. This is my ninth time to be involved in a Photoshop pre-release program, and based on what I know, this one will be the most impressive so far.” —MARTIN EVENING

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CONTACT SHEET

First impressions, first contact PPA Members will be exclusive providers of unique dating service photos

vides a certified photograph for a $65 fee. The low fee makes it attractive to dating site members. The photographers’ profit on the photos is negligible, Kirkland sys, “But we do expect it to drive large numbers of

PPA member Brenda Kirkland decided to

at the perfect stage in the sales cycle—on the

prospects to their studios, and the up-selling

seek a new relationship in January, 2009,

verge of finding a significant new relationship,

opportunities will be tremendous.”

which led her to the online dating site

even marriage and the start of a family.

eHarmony. While she’s yet to land Mr.

Kirkland called PPA CEO David Trust to

“Photographers spend considerable marketing dollars to lure customers into their

Right, her heart’s a-flutter for a business

float the idea by him. “We see a wonderful

studios. With Accuphoto photographers,

idea that could prove to be a profitable affair

marketing opportunity for PPA members,”

highly qualified future customers will be

for other PPA members as well.

Trust says. “The people who use online

paying them to visit the studio,” says Trust.

dating sites are typically well educated,

“It creates an interesting dynamic where the

photography business three years ago,

upper-middle-class professionals hoping to

photographer has the opportunity to build

Brenda Kirkland gave a lot of thought to

create lasting relationships and build

one-on-one rapport with qualified prospects

how she wanted to meet new people, and

families. By establishing a bond with them

who are coming to them.”

more importantly, the kind of man she

early on, our members have the chance to

hoped to find.

cultivate life-long customers.”

A single mother who started her

“Online dating sites have become an

The Accuphoto marketing concept is

accepted means for busy professionals to find

simple. Kirkland will promote its services

others with like interests and values—15,000

through advertising relationships with major

new people join eHarmony every day—so, I

Internet dating sites. When dating site

didn’t feel at all strange about signing up. In

prospects visit the Accuphoto site, they’ll be

fact, I thought it was the best way for me to

linked with a PPA member who is enrolled

meet the right person,” Kirkland says.

in the Accuphoto program, which is free and

“But the majority of people I met online weren’t accurately portraying themselves, or

exclusive to PPA members. The photographer agrees to schedule a mini session, and pro-

An advertising agreement with eHarmony is in the works, and Kirkland plans to secure similar arrangements with other dating sites as she moves toward a launch date of May 1.

PPA members can register for free at the Accuphoto website, accuphoto.com. To register by mail, visit www.ppa.com/ accuphotoprovider and print the registration form. Free training will be provided to all Accuphoto providers.

else just not making a good first impression,” she says. “Of all places, you’d think this

©Accuphoto

would be where people would want to put their best face forward.” Kirkland also became aware of scammers and people being removed from the dating service for not being honest about their identity. Suddenly, she had an entrepreneurial brainstorm—she would create a service to provide professionally made profile portraits that could be certified as genuine representations. It would help dating service members create the best first impression, while providing extra assurance that the people they communicate with were accurately portraying themselves. She dubbed the service Accuphoto. The best part, Kirkland realized, was that the service could help other professional photographers by providing an opportunity to generate leads among a pool of prospects

24 • www.ppmag.com

Kirkland made a professional portrait (right), for her friend Mike to replace the “dead-fish” snapshot (above) he'd been posting on eHarmony, and he now gets many more responses from women on online dating sites.

White House Custom Colour, Your Professional Photographic and Press Printing Partner

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Matt and Kristin Hodgman, The Edge Gallery, Elk River, MN

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Press Printed Products WHCC provides the best Press Printed Products in the photographic and printing industry including bookmarks, rep cards, and stickers. All press printed items are affordably priced and make great ancillary products for studio marketing, high school seniors, and sports teams.

“WHCC has made it very easy to market to new clientele with all of their Press Printed Products, as well as continue our high standards of creativity and quality to our existing customers.”

Kim LaFauce, KimAnne Photography, West Burlington, IA Visit pro.whcc.com/go/Start today to open your WHCC account.

White House Custom Colour is a full service, professional photographic lab and press printer. In addition to the showcased products on these pages, we offer a full line of products and services to make a positive impact on your goals for continued success in building your photographic business. For more information visit our website, www.whcc.com

“Accordion Mini Books are a great add-on product for my clients because they can easily throw them in their purse or diaper bag and use them to brag to all their friends.”

Accordion Mini Books Accordion Mini Books are the perfect gift item for your clients to use as mini folios and brag books. Available in a wallet and a square 3x3 size. Choose from any of our five press printed papers and eight cover options including a custom cover in lustre or metallic.

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Standout Looking for a more contemporary mounting option? Try WHCC’s Standout. With its thick, lightweight, finished black edges, Standout allows the mounted print to be hung right on the wall without a frame. Standout is available in two depths, ¾ inch and 1 ½ inch.

“Being sturdy and lightweight there are always new ways to display Standout, setting our studio apart and allowing us to offer more variety to our clients.”

Jennifer and Daniel Roggi, Stephen Charles Photography. LLC, Vernon, CT

White House Custom Colour - www.whcc.com - 800-252-5234 - [email protected]

© Portraits by Wendy

I don’t think about competition. Instead, I focus on my clients and me—focusing on making my art and their experience the best it can be. It’s a way of thinking that takes confidence. I didn’t used to have a lot of confidence in my own photography, so I strived to better myself. PPA is a great resource

Wendy Rouleau | Portraits by Wendy

PPA Member since 2003

for this. In fact, after my first Imaging USA, I came home, had my husband take the day off, and spent the day “downloading” everything I’d learned. I still attend Imaging USA, read Professional Photographer, and talk with my mentor. And it was a great day when I actually gave my mentor an idea he used! Still, the best confidence-booster I’ve found is the clients who keep coming back—they drive me to continually compete against my personal best. They have helped make me who I am.

Professional Photographers of America | www.PPA.com | 800.786.6277 | [email protected]

Professional Photographer

P R E S E N T S

Business, Marketing and Sales Strategies

What I think Garrett and Joy Nudd balance life through division of labor What do you wish you’d known when you were starting out? Success doesn’t happen overnight. There is no secret formula. The most successful studios got there through hard work and strategic goal setting. What do you consider your big break—the turning point? We’ve had several, but the biggest turning point was when we decided to go from part-time photographers with corporate jobs to full-time studio owners. Then we were able to give our business and our art the attention they deserved. What’s your secret to building business in a sluggish economy? We’ve been fortunate to partner with some fantastic charities and non-profits. Charitable partnerships are truly a win-win for everyone involved. What’s your secret to managing your workflow? As a husband-wife team, we have clearly defined roles in the business, with occasional crossover. It’s important for both of us to perform our roles. Anything we can’t do we outsource. How do you achieve work-life balance? It boils down to priorities. We work a lot of hours, but we have the flexibility to spend time with our family. It’s a trade-off. Long hours for more flexibility. I wouldn’t have it any other way. IMAGE BY COBBLESTONE RUE COBBLESTONERUE.COM

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 29

PROFIT CENTER

ST U D I O M A N AG E M E N T S E RV I C E S

From left to right: Julia Woods, M.Photog.Cr.; Bridget Jackson, manager of PPA Studio Management Services (SMS); Scott Kurkian, PPA chief financial officer and founder of SMS; Ann K. Monteith, M.Photog.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., CPP, ABI; Carol Andrews, M.Photog.Cr., ABI.

GURUS FROM PPA'S STUDIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES ANSWER YOUR BUSINESS, MARKETING AND SALES QUESTIONS. FOR INFO ON WORKSHOPS, GO TO PPA.COM.

Ask the experts Pricing philosophy, advertising venues Q: Our clients tell us we could price ourselves alongside the most successful photographers in our market, and we’re only in our fifth year in business. But they also compare us to the bargain photographers who offer allin-one packages for $2,000. I don’t want to go after the budget bride business, but we can’t pick and choose just yet. We have six weddings booked going into 2010, triple what we had going into 2009, but it’s still only six weddings. We’re personable and get referrals from our clients, but we’re not getting the number of inquiries or bookings other photographers are getting. What should we do? A: Get clear, focus on the specific direction you’ve selected, make a plan, follow the plan, and don’t concern yourself with your competition. Have the courage to be you. On your website I see no reference to a price range on your wedding pages. Decide what you want and who you want, then use the right tools to attract your ideal clientele. I’d rather see you pursue the high-end wedding market, because there will always be someone cheaper than you. Truth is, the crazy-making that comes with bargain hunter clients will quickly lead to burn out. If you’re in this business for the long haul, hit the streets to introduce yourselves to the top wedding vendors in person, and start networking. The return on investment in bridal magazine ads isn’t as high as the return on person-toperson networking. Make a plan for marketing and developing your wedding market and use your good reputation with past clients. Are you taking advantage of your person-to-person contact with the bridesmaids and groomsmen in your

30 • www.ppmag.com

weddings? They’ve seen you work—guess who’s getting married next? Consider sending monthly e-mails to share the stories and images behind your wedding events. Oh, and be sure to get all the e-mail addresses of the bridesmaids and groomsmen before the wedding day. You could even drop a note to invite them to have a special photo made at the reception with their family or date. Invite them to be part of the wedding photo event, and start cultivating them as future leads. This is the kind of advertising you can’t buy. You do have to get out there and earn it. In the long run, it’s priceless. —Carol Andrews Q: What makes an advertising campaign effective? I advertise on eight or nine planning sites, but at least 90 percent of my inquiries come from referrals. I must be doing something wrong if I’m not getting a return on it. A: While there’s no recipe for advertising that works for every studio, there are some established elements of successful advertising. A distinctive style, an understanding of your ideal client and a little fortitude are important foundations. Understand and stay true to your style, and it will bring clarity to the look of your advertising and make a stronger impact on your ideal client. Not everyone who sees your advertising is the right fit for your style or prices. Take time to figure out who best fits what you offer. The more extensively you define your perfect clients, the easier it will be to find the marketing outlets that will reach them. For example, if you’re looking for discerning couples who consider photography a top

“Truth is, the crazymaking that comes with bargain hunter clients will quickly lead to burn out.” priority, and make their own decisions about the wedding, then choose the vendors to network with, the blogs and wedding resources to advertise in, and the text and photographs for your marketing pieces, based on what will entice this kind of bride. While defining your style and searching for the perfect client, you might experience failures. Understand that failures are a part of the package, and lessons in how to do things better, and don’t get discouraged. It’s wonderful that you recognize that referrals are your best source of advertising. If 50 to 75 percent of your marketing efforts center around referrals, you can’t go wrong. The rest of your marketing energy is best divided between networking with vendors and making arrangements to display your images in their businesses, and social marketing. Today’s brides learn about photographers through viral marketing campaigns, wedding blogs and educational resources. It’s an important part of a diversified strategy. � —Julia Woods

Got a question? The SMS team wants to hear from you. E-mail our panel of experts via PP editor Cameron Bishopp at [email protected] and include “experts” in the subject line.

© Chanel Parrott

© Kevin Jairaj

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PROFIT CENTER

All images ©Kay Eskridge

N

o business is impervious to economic slowdown. But at Images by Kay & Co., we keep business growing by practicing extreme customer care. I’ve come up with 10 principles to describe the kind of customer service we’re going for.

1. Think of your customers as individuals.

Turn your focus to satisfying the needs of

Dazzle your customers! 10 IDEAS IN THE ART OF CUSTOMER CARE

each individual customer rather than focusing on your products and services. Apply the Golden Rule.

Example: We receive customers by appoint-

ment only. We always know who is walking through the door and we greet them by name. We offer them a beverage and take the time to ask conversational questions about their family, pets, job, community involvement, hobbies. We want them to know we care about them as people, not just customers. 2. Act, not merely react. Call clients to

B Y K AY E S K R I D G E , M . P H O T O G .C R . , C P P

alert them to new products or services or to remind them to book seasonal sessions you know they’ll enjoy. Example: At the beginning of the winter holiday season, we call clients to remind them to start thinking about this year’s holiday card portrait session. They appreciate the insider info on getting primetime session appointments before the holiday crush. (And it helps us get the schedule filled early.) 3. The experience of working with us begins long before the actual session occurs. Customer care is optimal when the customer knows the kind of quality to expect, and that the prices will reflect that quality. Like an exquisite Tiffany’s box, even our packaging supports our brand, as everything is delivered wrapped, boxed or

The reputation associated with the Tiffany box comes from more than pretty packaging. It begins with the highest level of customer service and appreciation.

32 • www.ppmag.com

Everything Kay & Co. produces supports the brand, from the Christmas card selection, to gift certificates and gift cards.

Example: We devised a client profile form

bagged with our imprinted logo or custom-

ment of our commitment to quality and the

made stickers on the outside. We’re using

value of the investment the customer will make,

that we begin filling out during our first tele-

large bags from Rice Studio Supply, and

illustrated special portrait program descrip-

phone conversation. We might add comments

our clients’ reaction to this presentation

tions, and just about everything the client

as our experience with the client grows, and

is awesome (ricestudiosupply.com).

needs to know before doing the portrait session.

we read it over before their pre-portrait con-

Example: We give each client a welcome

4. Know your customer and antici-

sultation and portrait session. It helps make

kit that includes a price index, a sheet on what

pate their needs. Customers pay for solu-

their experiences with us personal, and they

to expect from us next, a purchasing options

tions and good feelings. Those needs are

appreciate our remembering details about them.

card, appointment reminder cards, a state-

more emotional than logical.

5. Customer care starts at the top. That’s

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 33

PROFIT CENTER

clients feel appreciated, but when they share them with friends it helps our client base grow. When one of our clients has just had a baby, we send a gift card addressed to the baby and say we look forward to working with him or her soon. The parents love it. (Marathon Press supplies our gift cards,

are opportunities to grow and improve. Example: Our motto is Customer service is not a department, it’s an attitude! 10. It truly is the little things that make a big difference between you and your competition. Example: One of the smartest things we’ve ever implemented is hospitality stations.

marathonpress.com.) 8. Invite regular feedback. Compose a howare-we-doing query card and tuck it into each The Kay & Co. staff have personalized stationery to make the most of client contact opportunities.

completed order. Ask for comments about what they liked and didn’t like about the experience, what the photographer and staff could do

so important, especially in this era of

better, and other specific comments. To ensure

faceless digital communication.

the customer sends it in, have your address

Example: We’ve revived the art of hand-

printed on one side, and affix postage.

written personal communication. Our staff

Example: We created a please-refer-us

has personalized stationery and their own

bookmark to include with each order. We list

business cards for client connection

several online review sites (Google Local, Kudzu,

opportunities. (White House Custom Colour

Yelp and Yahoo Local), and when clients use

supplies our cards, whcc.com.)

them, it boosts search engine ranking. We’ve

6. Say yes when a customer requests some-

been pleased with the number of clients who

thing special. The fact that a customer cared

want to spread the word about their experience

enough to especially ask for it is all you need

with us. Clients want you to succeed!

to know. It might not comply with your

9. Know how to apologize. The customer

studio policy, but see if it’s feasible in this

might not be right, but he must always win.

particular instance.

Deal with problems immediately. Tell the

Example: When a client asks for some-

client what’s happened and apologize. It

thing outside our norm, we try to remember

can be painful, but you’ll never regret

that we’re making an exception, not new

taking the high road. Besides, mistakes

The planning guide gives clients everything they need to know to be ready for the portrait session.

policy, and that if we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will. 7. Go the extra mile. A handwritten thank-

In the dressing suites, clients find snacks and

you note in the package, a birthday card in

breath mints, hair products, first aid kits,

the mail, a clipping of an article where the

makeup, shaving kits, changing table and

client’s name appears, a congratulatory note

diapers, and other thoughtful amenities. In the

for an achievement—all speak volumes. Online,

projection theater, we provide snacks, water,

post a super image from the client’s recent

note pads and pencils, tissues and more. Clients

session on your blog and include one of

appreciate that we care about their comfort

their images on your website’s portraits of

as well as provide super photography.

the month gallery. Example: We love sending thank-you notes and gift cards. They not only make our

34 • www.ppmag.com

All in all, as Pro Football Hall of Fame Clients are extremely impressed with the large, custom-imprinted bags from Rice Studio Supply.

star Roger Staubach said, “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” �

PAPER PRINTS ON

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PROFIT CENTER

BY KAMMY THURMAN

Direct mail on a budget 21 Ideas to lower your marketing printing expenses

14. MAKE SURE THE SHOE FITS. When you make your mock-up for the post office, make sure the contents fit into the envelope, that the right information appears in the outer window, and that the postal

Direct mailings to targeted households are still

created; a PDF of the entire design; all the

an effective method of promotion. If you’re look-

original files of the copy and art; color models

15. KNOW THE PRESSES. Find out

ing to reduce your overall marketing expenses,

and PMS ink numbers; all printing instructions;

the differences in print quality and costs for

cutting paper and printing costs is an excellent

contact information for you and/or your

the various processes, including open-web,

place to start. One advantage of a tight economy

designer in case the printer has questions.

heat-set web, jet offset, sheet-fed and

is that some businesses are more willing to

6. DESIGN FOR STANDARD SIZES.

permit has the correct information.

flexographic printing. A good printer will be

negotiate on price. Don’t be afraid to ask for

For mailings, that’s 8.5x11-inch sheets or

willing to work with you to experiment with

a discount if you have a sizeable order or

derivatives of that size: 5.5x8.5 and 11x17

screens, halftones, bleeds—design elements

multiple projects. Combine a few of these tips,

inches. Envelopes are pre-made for these sizes,

that will yield the best results from the

and you’ll be amazed at how much money

too. The odder the size, the higher the costs.

equipment.

you can save on your marketing campaigns.

7. AVOID DATING MATERIALS. You

1. RETHINK FOUR-COLOR DESIGN.

may be able to use the leftovers later on.

Two-color design can be just as appealing as

8. DESIGN FOR AUTOMATION.

16. PRINT ONLY WHAT YOU NEED. Order the amount you actually need, regardless of volume discount.

four-colors when it includes tints and shades

The less a piece has to be handled, the less

Discounts don’t save you anything if you’re

of those colors, and for about half the cost. If

expensive it is to mail. Make sure the piece

left with materials you can’t use.

you opt for full-color design, go with four- or

meets automation requirements by creating

six-color printing rather than three or five.

a mock-up of the entire piece, envelope and

LISTS REGULARLY. This saves materials

all, get approval in writing, with a signature,

and postage.

2. AVOID BLEEDS. Bleeds are blocks of color that extend to the edge of the page.

from the post office or your mailing service.

It’s not possible to actually print to the edge

9. PROOFREAD CAREFULLY. It’s

17. CLEAN UP YOUR MAILING

18. CHECK PAPER QUALITY. The look and feel of paper has an effect on the

of the sheet, so the work has to be printed

easy to overlook small things, so get more

perceived value of the product. Get samples

on oversize stock then cut to size. More

than one set of eyes to proofread the piece.

and prices from your printer.

paper, more labor, more money. 3. AVOID USING SPOT COLORS

10. DESIGN A MULTI-DATE PROMO-

19. ASK YOUR PRINTER ABOUT

TIONAL MAILING. Print all the pieces in

HOUSE SHEETS. Papers of various

WITH CMYK. Adding a fifth color (or

one run on the same paper and in the same

finishes, weights and grades that the printer

more) with CMYK requires two print runs

ink colors. After the first mailing, you could

keeps in stock versus special orders.

and adds significant expense.

have the next batch over-printed with new

4. FORGO FOUR-COLOR ENVELOPES. The envelope is a throw-

info in black ink and still save money. 11. COLLECT BIDS ON EACH JOB.

20. DO THE TWO-STEP. Instead of mailing brochures, mail a lead-generating piece that prompts interested prospects to call.

away piece. You might do just as well with

Even if you have a favorite printer, you’ll always

simple graphics and teaser copy to lure

know if his prices are competitive. There

ENDS. If you have a onetime project that

readers inside.

could also be circumstances when one printer

doesn’t require a specific paper, ask your

can give you a better deal than another.

printer what paper is available on the spot at

5. PREPARE YOUR PRINTING JOB. Most printing jobs are submitted electron-

12. ASK WHAT OUTPUT SIZES

ically, which saves typesetting and other

WORK BEST. The printer might have

costs, but shifts the responsibility of

suggestions that will save you money

preparation to you. Be sure to include: a

without denigrating the design.

page containing a list of the submitted files by name and the program in which they were

38 • www.ppmag.com

13. PLAN FOR PRODUCTION TIME. Avoid rush charges.

21. ASK ABOUT CLOSEOUTS AND

a discount. �

Kammy Thurman of Anchor Photography in Laurel, Mont., is a marketing specialist. Go to anchorphotography.net to contact her.

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Everything after the photography

PROFIT CENTER

B Y TJ M C D O W E L L

With some serious SEO work, you can build Web traffic that produces bookings, not just browsers.

More than luck With an estimated four out of five consumers

to promote her business, and I launched

doing online research before making a pur-

larissaphotography.com.

chase, investing time in optimizing your web-

Getting just a couple of customers a week,

site may be one of the best marketing moves to

Larissa dropped a heavy hint; people couldn’t

get new customers. For our studio, it’s allowed

find the website when they searched for the

us an opportunity to follow our dreams. It’s

studio name on Google. Getting Google to

hard work, not luck, that makes a website

find the studio name was a lot easier than I

one of a photographer’s best marketing tools.

thought it would be, but that was only the

For a startup studio on a tight budget, over-

beginning. I wanted our site to come up

spending on advertising could mean disaster.

whenever someone looked for photog-

Every dollar spent on advertising leaves one

raphers in our area. After hundreds of hours

dollar less to spend on equipment and studio

of research and experimentation, I’ve got us

improvements. We discovered that we could

coming up in the No. 1 slot in our city.

save money on advertising and still effectively

According to Google Analytics, our website

spread the word by investing time in

now gets some 150 visitors per day. We were

Internet search engine optimization (SEO).

booking so many appointments that I quit

My wife, Larissa, has been passionate

my job to help out full time in the studio.

about photography since high school, and

The listings by the map are the local search results for “Belleville IL photographer.” Below that are the organic search results. Be sure your studio is listed with search engines' local service.

The basics of SEO are pretty simple. First,

started working at a studio in college. I

let the major search engines know your site’s

majored in computer science and worked as

out there. It takes just a few minutes to submit

Directory Project (dmoz.org) because being

a programmer for a communications company.

the address to Google (google.com/addurl),

listed there earns your site more legitimacy

It wasn’t long before Larissa was shooting

Yahoo (siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit),

with the search engines. All of these reg-

weddings on her own, and I went along to

and Bing (bing.com/docs/submit.aspx). It’s

istrations are free.

do candids. She drew up plans for a website

also wise to register your site in the Open

Now choose keywords (search terms) that customers are likely to search by. Resist get-

TRAFFIC GENERATORS

ting into a bigger-is-better mindset. For example, our site comes up on the first page

decidio.com—I get a visitor every other day from this site. I get better placement on the site because I link back to their website.

of a search on “photographers in IL,” but

insiderpages.com—I get a visitor every other day from this site, too. Reviews from this site get pulled in to local search results.

searchers in all of Illinois are outside my target,

highschoolseniorphotographers.com/—This site gets the same amount of traffic as decidio, but brings high school seniors instead of brides. I link back to their site for better placement. wedj.com—I don’t get a lot of traffic from this site, but linking to their site gets quite a few links back to our site.

40 • www.ppmag.com

does that get us anywhere? The majority of so people who find our site from that phrase are unlikely to call. On the other hand, we have five to 10 potential customers who find our site each day by searching “Belleville IL photographer,” and we have a much higher success rate for booking sessions with these searchers. Using your keyword phrase in the

PROFIT CENTER

“We discovered that we could save money on advertising and still effectively spread the word by investing time in Internet search engine optimization (SEO).”

the main site also keeps the site’s contents fresh, which search engines might use as a ranking factor. Blogging can also be used effectively through sites like blogger.com, which is what we use. To promote the main website from the blog, each post should con-

page title, image alt tag, page text and link

Yahoo (listings.local.yahoo.com/csubmit/

tain a link to the studio’s website. Each new

text, will help your site show up higher

index.php), and Bing (ssl.bing.com/listings/

post on the blog is then a popularity “vote”

among the search results for that phrase.

ListingCenter.aspx). It’s best to enter as

for the main website. To make each vote worth

Listing your studio in a search engine’s

many business categories as possible, even if

more, register the blog at blogcatalog.com

local service is one of the quickest ways to

it means using custom categories like

and other quality blog directory sites and

start showing up in search results. Showing

wedding photography or commercial

aggregators like blogville.us, blogged.com,

up in regular “organic” listings could take six

photography. The key is to guess what a user

networkedblogs.com and feedmap.net.

months or more, but if the field of

might enter as a search query.

competition isn’t too crowded, there’s a good

Blogging plays a crucial role in a website’s

There’s always room for growth in SEO. I’ve hit just the basics as a starting point.

chance of having your site come up in local

ranking, too. If a blog is part of your main

For more info on Search Engine

searches within 24 hours.

website, every new post creates a page on

Optimization, visit seomoz.org. �

the site, and search engines will see the site

Larissa Photography is in Belleville, Ill. (larissaphotography.com).

Businesses can be added for free to local listings for Google (google.com/local/add),

as an authoritative source. Having a blog on

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Professional Photographer

P R E S E N T S

Products, Technology and Services

What I like Angela Lang puts her money on processing power What’s the best equipment investment you’ve ever made? My Nikon D300 camera. I love the large LCD, and the body is durable yet lightweight—perfect for location shooting. Little thing, big difference … The Pelican camera case for my gear. It has wheels and goes everywhere with me. It’s waterproof, airtight, indestructible, and a total back-saver. Even in a shaky economy, I’m still tempted to splurge on ... upgrading my iMac. I need more processing speed, RAM, and storage. More, more, more. I shoot everything in RAW, so I need a computer that can handle the postproduction workflow as efficiently as possible. Has a piece of equipment ever changed the way you approach photography? Adobe Lightroom makes it manageable to catalog hundreds of images. I can’t imagine shooting digital without it. What’s the one piece of gear you couldn’t live without? The HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA photo backup device. It allows me to view RAW and JPEG files quickly as they’re downloading. More important, it gives instant peace of mind to have all my images backed up before I leave an event. IMAGE BY ANGELA LANG ANGELALANG.COM

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 45

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW

Nikon’s new VR II vibration reduction technology is an astounding improvement over VR. Clarity, balance and AF performance measure up to high standards as well. BY BETSY FINN, CPP

Get more, stay sharp AF-S NIKKOR 70-200MM F/2.8G ED VR II

comparatively shaky and unstable after using the VR II version. My test results in Figure 1 will show you what I mean. I photographed one still scene

Nikon released the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm

generation vibration reduction image stabiliza-

twice with each lens—one frame with VR

f/2.8G ED VR II lens last November. If you

tion could really be such an improvement.

enabled, one without—handholding the

own its comparable predecessor, the VR

Based on my experience, it’s a marked improve-

camera, with the same settings. Without VR,

Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED,

ment. I must stress that the first-gen VR

the lenses performed about the same. But

you might be wondering if this second-

lens is hardly a bad piece of glass, but it feels

compare the VR and VR II results, and the difference is stunning. With VR II enabled,

All images ©Betsy Finn

every detail is crisp, down to the hairs of dwarf ’s beard. In another test (Figure 2), I used a focal length of 70mm, exposed for 1/13 second at f/22, ISO 100. I handheld the camera, bracing my hands against my body. With the 70-200mm VR II lens, size is not sacrificed for superior performance. It’s slightly more rotund than the 70-200mm VR lens, but shorter (Figure 3). The lenses have the same total number of elements, but the VR II lens has seven ED glass elements, compared to the VR’s five. And for all the improvements, the VR II lens weighs 54.3 ounces, a mere 2.4 ounces more than the VR lens. The internal focusing design makes the VR II lens feel balanced, allowing smooth

Figure 1. These images were all photographed handheld at a focal length of 200mm, exposed for 1/13 second at f/5.6, ISO 400. The images in the top row were taken with the new AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens; left, with VR off; right, VR enabled. The bottom images were taken with the Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G lens with original VR technology; left, with VR off; right, with VR enabled.

46 • www.ppmag.com

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW

Figure 2. Vibration reduction isn’t about shutter speed alone. This image was taken in a 1/13-second exposure at f/22, ISO 100. Figure 5. Shot at a focal length of 70mm for 1/125 second at f/6.3, ISO 640.

operation throughout its 70-200mm range. At the minimum focus distance of 4.6 feet, you can still be relatively close to your subject (Figure 4). I couldn’t resist bringing out the 70-200mm VR II lens in several client sessions. Both in studio and on location, the VR II lens worked flawlessly and quickly, helping me to capture the moment without focus delay. I even took this lens on an evening loca-

Figure 6. Shot with off-camera flash, focal length 70mm for 1/25 second at f/8, ISO 200.

tion session. Twilight into darkness, I enjoyed the freedom I felt knowing I could rely on the lens’s superior VR II image stabilization. Figures 5, 6, and 7 are a few of my favorites from that evening. Only one frame was

Figure 3. The new Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens (right) is slightly larger in girth, but shorter in length than its predecessor (left).

taken with off-camera flash, the rest with ambient light alone. The price tag on the Nikon 70-200mm VR II is a hefty $2,399.95, but the VR II image stabilization is definitely superior to its predecessor. According the Nikon specs, the lens enables you to handhold up to four shutter stops slower than without vibration reduction technology, one stop slower than the first generation. It’s a question of whether or not handholding the camera for that extra stop is vital to your photographic success. For more information about either Nikon 70-200mm lens, visit nikonusa.com. �

48 • www.ppmag.com

Figure 4. This image illustrates both the minimum focus distance, 4.6 feet, and the shallow depth of field you can achieve at f/2.8; focal length 195mm, exposed for 1/2,000 second at f/2.8, ISO 500.

Figure 7. Shot with off-camera flash, focal length 95mm for 1/200 second at f/2.8, ISO 6400.

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW

Online commerce is a norm in our daily lives. If you adopt it in your business, look for an ordering and payment solution that will work for you and your clients.

There’s no shortcut. When you’re choosing an online shopping cart interface, you’ll have to do some research to find the perfect fit for your photography business and the kind of work

BY BETSY FINN, CPP

Checkout

REDCART, PHOTO CART, LIGHTBOX

you do. You can start with these three ordering systems for photographers: RedCart, Photo Cart and Lightbox. All three enable online ordering and payment, but in different ways. They do have a number of features in common. For one, all three are designed to be installed on your Web host’s server. For another, after paying a one-time licensing fee, you can install the cart and sell images online to your heart’s content, without commissions or monthly fees. What you’re looking for is a functional system that’s easy for you, your staff and your customers to use. REDCART, billed as “the photographer’s shopping cart,” was created with the end-users—your clients—in mind. The ordering process is easy to understand and intuitive. RedCart makes life easier for wedding and portrait photographers with an image selection option for albums. Clients simply drag and drop their favorites into My Album, where they can arrange the image order, add image notes or general instructions, then submit the album to your studio. I found RedCart visually appealing and customer-friendly, but had a few quibbles. The menu navigation on administrative backend tasks seemed complex and a bit confusing. More than once, I had trouble finding something I wanted to edit. Also, before uploading images to RedCart, you must generate properly sized Web images

RedCart is a streamlined shopping cart with interactive features to let your clients easily crop, compare, and order images online. On the admin side, you can monitor the status of your galleries, see your clients' past order histories, even create discount codes.

50 • www.ppmag.com

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW

and thumbnails on your computer. If you

code) and customized licensing system

even manage multiple photographers’

want to regenerate the images in a gallery,

make it a truly flexible system. You can

images in the database. Lightbox allows

all of your clients’ favorite designation markers in the gallery will disappear. Unique to RedCart is the ability to auto-

Photo Cart gives your clients an easy way to order prints online. The backend home page gives you a feel for recent activity: new orders, recently viewed galleries, latest customers, and even gallery statistics.

matically generate product prices based on a markup of your lab cost. I can see this might be useful, but for me this lab-centric pricing method just added another step to the setup. I already know my pricing and I don’t like having to override the system’s suggestions. I’d like to see a simple product pricing option. RedCart costs $999; hosted option $89 per month; redcart.com. PHOTO CART is a full-featured interface that bridges the gap between the commercial and consumer models. Photographers can offer digital downloads as well as prints. Photo Cart is practical if you offer a variety of services, such as wedding, portrait and commercial photography, and you want to deal with just one shopping cart interface. It’s less flashy than RedCart, but I did enjoy Photo Cart’s HTML frontend, which is intuitive and flexible. The administrative backend was easy to navigate. I appreciated the ability to completely manage image resizing and watermarking from the Web interface. Photo Cart includes a gift registry feature. You can even set a splash page for each gallery (optional). The early-bird pricing feature is especially attractive. You just set the special pricing to automatically expire after a certain date, no further action required. This feature is not available with the other two carts. Photo Cart is priced $329 to $442, with add-ons that include the installation, an accessory store, and a flash slideshow; picturespro.com. LIGHTBOX is designed for the commercial photographer. Its built-in SEO features (including XHTML-compliant

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 51

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW

you to mark the media release status of

$399 to $1,099 (standard, professional and

more in-depth than with Photo Cart, and

each image (model, property). The license

enterprise versions); lightboxphoto.com.

decided to leave it to the pros. I was

pricing calculator will be a great asset to

While you can install any of these systems

prompted to provide a few details by the

any commercial photographer. Visitors

yourself, both RedCart and Lightbox include

RedCart support team, and they had the

can request a quote via the interface,

complimentary installation on your Web

system up and running in no time.

which saves everyone time and effort

server. Photo Cart charges a mere $35 to do

when the customer has a specific licens-

the installation for you.

ing need.

If you do decide to implement an online ordering system, I highly recommend doing

I was able to install things on my Web

hands-on testing with demo versions. Make

server with both RedCart and Photo Cart.

sure you’re comfortable with every aspect of

assign not only prices, but credits as

Lightbox released a new version in

the interface before committing.

well. Customer subscribers can purchase

December 2009, so by press time, I was

credits and redeem them throughout the

able to test drive only a fully functioning

for wedding and portrait photographers to

various galleries.

demo installed on their server. I actually

sell images online, and without com-

Another neat feature is the option to

The invoice generated by Lightbox is the

Photo Cart, and RedCart make it easy

set up Photo Cart on my own, as I’m fairly

mission fees. Lightbox has extremely useful

most visually pleasing (and easy to read) of

comfortable doing database installations.

features for commercial photographers.

all three systems. Since many of its features

The directions were straightforward, and

Depending on the interface you choose,

focus on licensing and commercial needs

installation was problem-free. I was

you’ll invest $329 to $1,099 in the system.

rather than albums or gift registries, Lightbox

tempted to install RedCart on my own to

To see a thorough comparison of the

will not be ideal for portrait or wedding

compare the process to Photo Cart’s, but

features, consult the online article in Web

photographers. Lightbox is priced from

then learned the process would be a little

Exclusives at ppmag.com. �

Lightbox provides a logically organized gallery for commercial clients, enabling them to simultaneously peruse images and review licensing options. The admin control panel allows you to fine-tune the gallery to your needs and overview statistics at a glance.

52 • www.ppmag.com

THE GOODS: WIRELESS

Eye-Fi raises the wireless file transfer media card to pro standards. Immediate photo sharing and display are easier, faster and more affordable than ever. B Y C U R T I S J O E WA L K E R

From camera to world 4GB EYE-FI PRO SDHC CARD

The original Eye-Fi card was the first memory

to have raw files record to one of the cards,

hotspots to get a relatively accurate idea of

card with Wi-Fi capability, allowing photog-

and take advantage of the SDHC Eye-Fi

where the photo was taken. No, it won’t work

raphers to transmit files directly from the

card’s speed to record and transfer jpegs.

in the backwoods of Montana, but Skyhook

camera. The new 4GB Eye-Fi Pro SDHC

The user sets up a destination folder on the

claims to provide coverage for more than 70

card also supports raw files, video and auto-

computer to hold the transferred photos and

percent of the North American population.

matic geotagging, has hot-spot access, and

video. If the computer is turned off, you can

The service is included with the purchase of the

can connect to ad-hoc wireless networks.

have the EyeFi servers hold your images in

card, along with free lifetime membership.

Backup isn’t the ideal use of this card, but the new raw-file support gives you the option for automatic wireless backup on the

the interim, provided there’s a Wi-Fi-enabled

In addition to uploading directly to a

Internet connection that the camera can access.

computer, the Eye-Fi card can immediately

The automatic geotagging feature, which

upload to an online photo-sharing site. Eye-

fly. As long as you shoot huge raw files at a

works only with jpeg image files, uses the

Fi has partnered with about 30 online photo

modest pace, the transfer will keep up. If

terrestrial-based Skyhook WPS system

sites, including Flickr, Facebook, AdoramaPix,

you’ve got a two-card-slot camera, it’s easy

(skyhookwireless.com) to locate nearby Wi-Fi

SmugMug, Zenfolio and Picasa. You can set privacy so the photos aren’t instantly viewable by the world, and you can set the card to upload only the photos you chose and mark as protected in your camera’s image review. Upload to these sites is automatic, and the data can transmit through any of the more than 10,000 Wayport (recently acquired by AT&T) spots in the U.S., excluding Starbucks (for now). One year of Wayport access is included with the card; $15 annually thereafter. New with this card is connectibility to an Ad-hoc computer network, no wireless router or Internet connection required. Photographers can have all battery-powered previews in the

The Eye-Fi Manager gives you access to your card’s settings for hotspot configuration, upload, destination and notification.

54 • www.ppmag.com

field with no wires to mangle or trip on.

and the process was hampered by technical

Access to encrypted wireless networks can

problems. Even with a powered extender

only be set up with the card connected to a

hub, Stockwell didn’t have the freedom or

computer via the USB reader that comes

reliability the Eye-Fi system affords him. To

with the card. You can opt to enable joining

date, he says, he’s had nothing but success

any open Wi-Fi network that doesn’t require

with it. A typical day’s shoot lasts about four

a terms of service confirmation.

hours. Battery drain hasn’t been a problem.

How does it work in practice? Jeff Sockwell,

My experience with the card mirrors the

of Sail Away Web Design & Photography in

promises of the manufacturer. The setup takes

New Bern, N.C., says he uses the card in his

about 15 minutes and requires a computer with

dance studio portrait business. He photographs

an Internet connection. A lightweight appli-

young dancers while their parents watch the

cation resides on the computer, and the Eye-

images come up on a laptop. His setup is

Fi website manages the configuration. The

simple: a Canon EOS-1D Mark II camera

help center is informative and the main page

capturing raw files only, one laptop for the

of the Eye-Fi Manager has links to solutions

client’s preview, another for ordering. Sockwell

for the most common problems. In my first

uses the application ThumbsPlus (Windows

attempts, the images would stall during trans-

OS) to display the images, although any soft-

mission; turns out that was due to the battery

ware that can monitor and display a folder

power saver feature on my camera, which shut

of images will work. He sets the computer to

off the electronics after a few seconds. Once I

broadcast a Wi-Fi network and the Eye-Fi

adjusted the setting, it took about 7 seconds for

card sends the files directly to the preview

the images to appear on the computer screen.

laptop as he shoots. With instant access to

The card is simple to use and gives you

the images, parents in the emotional

the ability to display photos, as you shoot.

moment of watching their child dance can

With a little networking magic, your

select and order images immediately.

uploaded images could be shared over a local

Sockwell had used FireWire to do this task, but it restricted his moving the camera and limited his proximity to the preview laptop,

area network (LAN) on multiple computers. The 4GB Eye-Fi Pro card retails for $149.99. www.eye.fi. �

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 55

THE GOODS: LIGHTING

Every sport, occupation and skill has foundational principles to be learned and built upon. This begins a series on fundamental lighting. B Y D O N C H I C K , M . P H O T O G .C R . , C P P

Portrait lighting patterns PART 1: NARROW- AND BROAD-LIGHT PATTERNS, OPENAND CLOSED-LOOP SHADOWS

All images ©Don Chick; Model: Kelly Brown

one lighting pattern. Yes, he created beautiful portraits with a narrow-light pattern, but in his famous portrait of Winston Churchill, he used a broad-light pattern. Here was a superb portrait in which Karsh broke the rules I’d learned in my training. Clearly

Figure 2. On the broad side of the face, left, notice that the distance between nose and ear is longer than on the short, or narrow side, right.

then, portrait photographers have an entire toolbox of lighting patterns at their disposal. No one lighting pattern is the best for every situation. It’s the duty of the professional to learn the various patterns and apply the appropriate one in each situation. In this series on lighting, we’ll look at the six major portrait lighting patterns: narrow or short; broad; split; butterfly; ghoul, light from beneath the subject; and flat. I include flat Figure 1. The main light at an improper height can create shadows around the eyes, a condition known as raccoon eyes.

light because at times, usually in environmental settings, you simply have to use it, or use very little contrast. You’re not likely to

In portraiture, photographers must learn and

win awards with a flat-light portrait, but you

master the fundamentals of lighting patterns,

can sell a lot of portraits to your clients.

posing, composition and emotion. Mastery is

The place to begin is with the light in

achieved when the photographer can recog-

your subject’s eyes. The occasions when you

nize and recreate portrait lighting patterns in

want the eyes in shadow are rare. Position

a variety of locations and situations, and

the main light, check the height, then return

produce consistent results.

to camera position and study the subject: Is

big smile—does she close her eyelids

there adequate light in the eyes? Do the

completely when she smiles? All of these

narrow-light, open-loop pattern in my por-

catch lights sparkle? Does the subject have

factor into where and at what height to

traiture. Then, while studying the portraits

raccoon eyes? (Figure 1). While carefully

position the light.

of Yousuf Karsh, I had a revelation. The light

studying the light on your subject’s face,

in his images revealed that he used more than

have her look up, raise her chin, and give a

Early in my career, I exclusively used a

58 • www.ppmag.com

Figure 3. A narrow light pattern places highlight on the narrow side of the face, shadow on the broad side.

Narrow light, or short light refers to the area of the subject’s face where the light falls.

When the subject looks straight into the camera, the pose is called full face. When the subject turns her face at an angle to the camera, you’ll see a broad part and a narrow part of her face (Figure 2). On the broad side, the visible distance from her nose to her ear is broader than on the narrow side. A narrow light pattern will highlight the narrow side and the broad side will be in shadow (Figure 3). Another aspect of narrow lighting concerns the relationship of the shadow of the nose and the shadow of the cheek. With a narrowlight, open-loop pattern, the nose shadow does not connect to the cheek shadow, hence the term “open loop” (Figure 4). When the nose and cheek shadows merge, you’ll get a triangle-shaped highlight on the cheek, which

Figure 4. The open-loop light pattern created with narrow light.

Figure 5. The closed-loop light pattern created with narrow light.

Figure 6. A narrow-light, closed-loop pattern creates Rembrandt light, the triangular highlight on the shadow-side cheek.

Figure 7. Rembrandt Light Created by a broadlight, closed-loop pattern.

ifier also makes it easy to achieve a narrow or

her look heavier. Use with discretion. We’ve

impact with a different lighting pattern?

broad pattern. For narrow light, simply turn

got to walk a fine line between appealing to

Apply light with sensitivity and under-

the subject’s face toward the light. For a broad

the client’s vanity and confronting her with

standing, and tailor it to the individual. Learn

light, turn the face away from the light.

reality. Broad light does have a place in your

to use lighting patterns to complement fea-

lighting repertoire—would the Karsh

tures and body type while conveying the look

portrait of Winston Churchill have the same

and the emotion the client would like to see. �

is called “closed loop” or “Rembrandt light” (Figure 5). Rembrandt light, distinguished by the triangle-shaped highlight pattern on the cheek, can be created with either narrow or broad light (Figures 6 and 7). The narrow-light, open-loop pattern is the most complimentary lighting for portraits. It’s also easy to achieve. Creating the narrowlight, closed-loop pattern is more problematic, due to the huge variance among human faces. Deep-set or recessed eyes make it difficult to attain catch-lights in both eyes in a closed-loop shadow. If the subject squints when she smiles, the catch-light may disappear completely. One reason for using large light modifiers such as soft boxes with the main light is the soft shadows they create on the subject. The loop shadow is greatly softened. You need be concerned with the height of the main light in relation to the subject, but not so much with the position of the nose shadow. A large mod-

The broad-light pattern has a tendency to widen the subject’s face, and can make

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 59

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW Photo courtesy of Phase One

Capture One 5 rivals or exceeds Adobe Lightroom and Aperture as a raw processor, but impressive new tools aside, its IPTC functionality still needs improvement. B Y S TA N S H O L I K

Getting there

PHASE ONE CAPTURE ONE 5 PRO

When Phase One Capture One 1.0 made its

portrait and wedding photographers. With

new features that photographers have been

first appearance in 2003, it was a raw file

the release Version 5, the software becomes

asking for, and kept the look and feel intact.

converter for a limited number of digital

more than a raw converter. Now it’s a

The changes made in the interface to

SLR cameras, and was positioned mainly

formidable competitor of Adobe Lightroom

incorporate the new tools are cohesive; the

for commercial photographers. In its

and Aperture for handling all but the most

new icons are in logical places, and there are

upgrades since, the interface has been

complex pixel-level imaging tasks, and still

new choices in the tool tab menus. Anyone

modernized, and it now supports TIFF and

delivers far better raw conversions.

familiar with previous versions of Capture

JPEG file formats, along with a growing number of DSLRs. Capture One 5 (C1_5) continues the progression, and now has valuable tools for

Major software upgrades can be both welcome—to improve your workflow—and

One will feel right at home. Like earlier releases, C1_5 has three

daunting when the user interface has been

versions: the basic version, with its easy and

redesigned. But Phase One has incorporated

intuitive workflow, delivers ready-to-use images with excellent color and detail; DB

All images ©Stan Sholik

for Phase One, Mamiya and Leaf digital backs only; and the PRO version, which features a series of easy-to-use tools designed to match the professional photographer’s workflow, whether it includes a digital SLR or a supported digital back. Each version includes upgrades, but the major changes for professional photographers are in the PRO and DB versions, which we’ll discuss here. One of the most valuable new features is

I captured this image of model Aubrey (left) with a Phase One back after I had created a neutral white balance for the session. Using the Skin Tone Color Editor in Capture One 5 PRO, I warmed the skin tone (right), increased the saturation slightly, and applied some uniformity to smooth out the model’s skin. Since the background was a similar hue to the model, it warmed up also. With a contrasting background, only the skin color would have been effected.

60 • www.ppmag.com

the Focus Mask (View > Focus Mask or click on the magnifying glass icon in the far-right tool group). This tool makes a color overlay on the areas in the image that it deems to be in focus. You can select the color of the overlay, its threshold value and its opacity in Preferences. The Focus Mask operates on a selected raw image and also on raw thumbnails, so you can quickly see which images from a large shoot are precisely focused. This tool could be particularly valuable to portrait, wedding and fashion photographers who shoot in raw format. The initial Threshold value was too wide for my taste; it showed the focused subject and areas in the foreground of landscape images to be in focus, but no areas in between. I could largely eliminate the

The new Focus Mask tool in Capture One 5 PRO shows a color overlay on areas of the raw image that it determines to be in focus. You can control the overlay color and the threshold of sharpness. I found it very useful with portraits.

problem by tweaking the Threshold value. Focus Mask seemed to handle portraits much better than landscapes. The new Focus Tool in the Details tab will be of value to portrait and commercial photographers, and works on any C1_5supported file format. The tool saves time by allowing you to check focus without zooming in or out of the main preview image. Clicking anywhere in the image with the Focus Tool allows you to zoom from 25 to 400 percent; you’ll see the results in the Focus Tool window. In that window, the cursor turns into a hand tool so you can move around the image—a nice enhancement and a real timesaver. Another new tool portrait photographers will love is the Skin Tone Color Editor in the Color Editor tool tab. After selecting a skin tone, you can adjust its hue, saturation and

The Focus Mask was less useful with landscapes. Somehow it often showed foreground and background areas to be in focus, but not the areas in between.

lightness, or make the skin more uniform. Only the skin tones in the range you select

Among many other new tools are dust

one I’m happiest to see, though not entirely

will be affected. It won’t replace Portrait

removal and vignette, which operate like the

happy with, is the expansion of the IPTC

Professional, but it’s an excellent tool for

ones in Lightroom. There are also improve-

metadata fields. C1_5 includes nearly all

minor skin corrections and adjustments.

ments in existing Capture One tools. The

IPTC categories (but not the “Category” that

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 61

THE GOODS: PRO REVIEW

my press agency requires). Unlike most applications for pro photographers, the IPTC information doesn’t show up immediately in C1_5’s Metadata tool tab. You have to select Load Metadata from the dropdown menu in the tab to see previously entered metadata, and you must do it every time you access the image folder if want to see that information. More disappointing, any changes you make to the IPTC data in C1_5 are invisible to Photo Mechanic, Lightroom, Bridge, and Photoshop, even though the changes you make to the metadata in these programs are visible when you reload the metadata the next time you open the image in C1_5. While C1_5 has made a giant step in handling metadata, it still has a long way to go. Capture One also needs to improve file visibility if it’s going to rival Lightroom and Aperture. Capture One doesn’t see PSD

The Skin Tone Color Editor is a new tool in Capture One 5 PRO. It offers five sliders to give you control over the hue, saturation, uniformity and lightness of skin tones, as well as a slider to control how smoothly the changes are applied to the bordering skin tones.

files, layered TIFFs or TIFFs with alpha channels, although it does see LZW compressed TIFFs and TIFFs with adjustment layers. And while it handled most JPEGs, it wouldn’t show the JPEGs I made from TIFFs of Mac screen captures. Capture One needs to recognize all of the file formats that pros are likely to use. Despite these areas, Capture One 5 PRO is a major step forward for the program, and it will increase its value to professional photographers, particularly portrait, wedding and fashion shooters. For Capture One 3 users who never upgraded to 4 PRO, Capture One 5 is a free upgrade. For 4 PRO users, Capture One 5 PRO is a $99 upgrade. New users can purchase Capture One 5 PRO for $399. Other upgrade pricing, a full overview of all C1_5 features, raw file support, tutorials and a downloadable user guide are available on phaseone.com. �

62 • www.ppmag.com

The Focus tool in the Details tool tab saves you time by allowing you to zoom into and pan around areas of the image without zooming in and out of the large preview image.

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PRO’S CHOICE OUR 11TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

RECOGNIZING THE YEAR’S PREMIER PRODUCTS The Hot One Awards are back and hotter than ever. For more than a decade, the Hot One Awards have been one of the photographic industry’s biggest, most comprehensive product contests. With new products and new companies entering every year, the level of competition continues to escalate. For this year’s contest, we dramatically expanded our panel of judges, giving new depth to the judging process. Professional Photographer is a resource for the working pro, so the Hot One judging is based on the experience and opinions of professional photographers who use these products and services every day. This isn’t some scientific analysis conducted by a bunch of clinicians in lab coats, but a poll of real pros working in the real world. None of our panel of 52 judges is employed by Professional Photographer. They all reviewed the products in each category and voted on their favorites. The main criterium was how effectively they thought these items would help their art, their workflow and their business. A reminder here, that the Hot Ones are somewhat retrospective awards. Like the Oscars and Grammys, they honor the top releases from the previous year, even though some are updates of the strongest performers on the market, and some are brand new in the industry. Take a look to see if your professional opinion matches that of our esteemed panel of judges. These are the tools of your trade, but not every tool works for every photographer. Like we always say: It’s not the tool, but the way you use it that makes all the difference. Jeff Kent Hot One Editor [email protected]

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

MEDIUM-FORMAT DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM

CAMERAS DIGITAL SLR LESS THAN $1,000 Olympus E-P1 The world’s smallest 12.3megapixel interchangeable lens camera system is more than just a camera, it’s an ultra-portable multimedia capture device. The Olympus E-P1 combines the still image capture capabilities of a DSLR with high-definition video capture, a stereo Linear PCM audio recorder and Olympus’ In-Camera Creativity application, offering art filters for both still photography and video. The E-P1 works well as a pro pocket camera, great for those impromptu captures that help inspire your work. Price: $799.99 (includes 14-42mm lens). olympusamerica.com.

DIGITAL SLR $1,000 TO $3,000 Canon EOS 7D The Canon EOS 7D furthers the trend in multifeature DSLRs. With an 18-megapixel APSC-size CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, the EOS 7D captures still images at ISO up to 12800, speed up to 8 fps, and high-def video as well. The EOS 7D has a new 19-point autofocus system with improved subject tracking. Its Intelligent Viewfinder provides 100 percent coverage, and displays autofocus mode, a spot metering circle and on-demand grid lines. The camera has new 63-zone, duallayer iFCL metering that factors in both focus and color information to provide accurate exposure, even in difficult lighting. Price: $1,699. usa.canon.com

DIGITAL SLR OVER $7,000 Nikon D3X Announced at the tail end of 2008 but unavailable for our 2009 Hot One deadline, the Nikon D3X took the industry by storm in ’09. The D3X advances the speedy D3 with a fullframe FX-format CMOS sensor and significantly higher resolution (24.5 megapixels vs. the D3’s 12.1 megapixels), and a lower native ISO range (ISO 100-1600 vs. the D3’s 200-6400). The D3X uses Nikon Expeed image processing

technology to increase image fidelity and reduce noise, even at high ISO. It can shoot at up to 5 fps at full resolution. Compatible with Type G or D AF Nikkor lenses and the full line of DX lenses (FX format not supported), the D3X has a state-of-the-art autofocus system with 3D focus tracking, as well as 3D Color Matrix Metering II. Price: $7,999.95. nikonusa.com

Phase One P40+ The P40+ fought a strong challenge from another Phase One product, the 645DF. The P40+ impressed the judges with its 1.8 fps capture rate and 50-3200 ISO range. Judges also liked the camera’s Sensor+ technology, which allows photographers to change the capture

resolution from 40 to 10 megapixels for higher sensitivity and faster speed. The camera tops off these impressive credentials with a 12.5-stop dynamic range. Price: $19,990. phaseone.com

Editor’s note: Two new, potentially gamechanging cameras came out just after this year’s judging wrapped up. The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV ($4,999) and the Nikon D3S ($5,199.95) are speed-optimized DSLRs designed for fast-moving applications like sports, photojournalism, even weddings. The Canon model has an APS-H-size 16.1-megapixel CMOS Sensor, ISO range of 100-12800, and continuous shooting up to 10 fps. The Nikon has a 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, ISO range of 200-12800, and continuous shooting up to 9 fps. Both cameras support high-definition video capture. Professional Photographer will publish full reviews in upcoming issues. Stay tuned!

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 65

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

LENSES STANDARD ZOOM Tamron SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Tamron captured this category for the second consecutive year with the SP AF1750mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] lens. Tamron designed this high-speed, f/2.8, wide-to-moderatetelephoto zoom exclusively for Canonand Nikon-mount DSLRs with APS-C sensors (the focal length is equivalent to 26-78mm in fullframe 35mm format). The lens features Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial vibration compensation (VC) mechanism to minimize the effect of camera shake, and allows photographers to shoot at slower shutter speeds while handholding the camera. With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, the lens produce appealing shallow depth of field and smooth focus transitions. Price: $649. tamron.com

shooting up to four shutter speeds slower than without VR II. Seven extra-low dispersion (ED) elements minimize chromatic aberration. Nano Crystal Coating reduces ghosting and flare, and Nikon Super Integrated Coating enhances light transmission and color consistency. The Nikon Silent Wave Motor works with the lens’s internal-focus mechanism to provide quick, quiet autofocusing without changing the length of the lens. The rounded, nineblade diaphragm gives a more natural appearance to out-of-focus elements. Price: $2,399.95. nikonusa.com

WIDE ZOOM Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM This is the widest zoom lens with incorporated Sigma Hyper Sonic Motor

66 • www.ppmag.com

Phase One Schneider Kreuznach LS 110mm f/2.8 The collaboratively built LS 110mm f/2.8 digital telephoto leaf shutter lens is designed for medium-format camera systems. The lens features shallow depth of field and flash sync up to 1/1,600 second. The telephoto provides longer focal length with just enough optical compression for full-length portrait photography. Designed for location fashion photographers using fill flash, the lens is versatile enough to apply to numerous situations, including commercial photography and even weddings. Price: $3,990. phaseone.com

MACRO

TELEPHOTO ZOOM AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Nikon’s Vibration Reduction II (VR II) technology stabilizes the AF-S NIKKOR 70200mm f/2.8G ED VR II for handheld

TELEPHOTO

(HSM) technology for quick, quiet autofocus. It’s the only ultra-wide zoom with fixed aperture; f/3.5 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range helps it perform well in low-light situations. By incorporating two Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements with a Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element, the 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM provides excellent correction of color aberration. It has a minimum focusing distance of 9.4 inches throughout the entire zoom range, and maximum magnification of 1:6.6. Price: $950. sigmaphoto.com

Tamron SP AF60mm f/2 Di II LD IF 1:1 Macro This is the first medium-telephoto macro lens designed for APS-C size DSLR cameras with maximum aperture of f/2. The SP AF60mm f/2 covers the equivalent angle of view of 93mm when converted to the 35mm format. With its fast maximum aperture, this new Tamron 1:1 macro lens delivers smoothly blurred backgrounds. The lens features internal focusing and Tamron Full Time Manual Focus Control. Price: $569. tamron.com

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

MEDIUM-FORMAT

standard-length lens in the digital leaf shutter collection of medium-format camera systems. Like its telephoto sibling, the LS 80mm f/2.8 has a shallow depth of field and can sync with flash up to 1/1,600 second. Price: $2,490. phaseone.com

Phase One Schneider Kreuznach LS 80mm f/2.8 The Phase OneSchneider Kreuznach collaboration proved to be a winning combo this year. The LS 80mm f/2.8 is the

WIDE-ANGLE Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE Designed to work with all Canon EOS

DIGITAL STORAGE MEDIA MEDIA CARD SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash Available in capacities of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash memory cards feature read/write speeds up to 90MB per second (600X). The dual-lane architecture of the new SanDisk Power Core Controller directs digital traffic into separate memory lanes to process more images simultaneously. The controller also features an Error Correction Code hardware engine and a simplified design to help maintain data integrity. The durable Extreme Pro cards perform at temperatures of -13°F to 185°F, and have an interior RTV silicone coating for moisture protection. Price: $335.99 for 16GB, $559.99 for 32GB, $895.99 for 64MB. sandisk.com

MEDIA CARD READER Lexar Professional ExpressCard CompactFlash Reader The Lexar Professional ExpressCard CompactFlash Reader leverages UDMA 6 technology for

high-speed file transfer up to 133MB (886X) per second with the Lexar Professional 600x CF card. Plug in the reader to the ExpressCard slot of a laptop, and it connects directly to the PCIe bus interface for enhanced performance. The reader’s deep slot protects card and reader from accidental bumps. The read/write LED indicator lets you know when file transfer is complete. Price: $44.99. lexar.com

PORTABLE HARD DRIVE AND DISPLAY Epson P-7000 The Epson P-7000 impressed our judges with its new tethering functionality to allow photographers

to view and save images as they’re captured, and to control basic camera functions remotely. The P-7000 employs Epson Photo Fine Premia technology, which encompasses 94 percent of the Adobe RGB color space to display more than 16.7 million colors on a 4inch LCD. With hard drive capacity of 160GB, the unit can hold thousands of images. Compatible with UDMA CompactFlash cards, and its lithium-ion battery lasts up to three hours. Price: $799. epson.com

cameras, the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE is an ultrawide-angle lens with a 90-degree field of view. In keeping with recent trends in digital cameras, the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE is ideally suited for high-def video, due to its wide focus rotation, image quality and minimal breathing characteristics (when optics appear to change focal length). What really impressed our judges was the way the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE virtually eliminates image errors in transitions between bright and dark light by preventing color fringing and chromatic aberrations. The Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflex coating helps prevent unwanted reflections and stray light. Price: $1,540. zeiss.com

LENS ACCESSORY Lensbaby Fisheye Optic Lensbaby continues its award-winning innovation with the Lensbaby Fisheye Optic, which allows photographers to turn a Lensbaby Composer into a fisheye lens. The optic’s six-element, multi-coated design features an ultra-wide 12mm focal length capable of capturing a fisheye view from infinity to 1 inch. The Fisheye Optic features a system of interchangeable aperture disks in settings from f/4 to f/22. A lens flare feature creates glowing, colorful areas around the edges of the frame, which would be black with normal fisheye lenses. Unlike most Lensbaby Optics with their focal “sweet spot,” the Fisheye Optic produces images that are sharp throughout the frame. Price: $149.95. lensbaby.com

LIGHTING EQUIPMENT CAMERA FLASH Quantum Trio QF8 The Qflash Trio QF8 won over judges with its versatile combination of a Qflash head with a built-in FreeXwire TTL radio and QTTL adapter for DSLRs. The unit’s radio wireless TTL commands other remote Qflash Trios, as well as older Qflash models mated with FreeXwire receivers. The Trios radio QTTL signals do not require line-of-sight to function. The rapid-firing Qflash comes with a parabolic reflector that can be removed and exchanged for bare bulb, wide-angle lights, diffused lights and telephoto reflectors. Powered by Quantum Turbo battery packs, the Trio includes a USB port for downloading firmware updates. Price: $875. qtm.com

PORTABLE FLASH SYSTEM Bowens Travelpak A previous Hot One winner, Bowens recaptures the crown with its latest Travelpak.

The system can power a Bowens Gemini or Calumet Travelite monolight with 200- to 3,000WS of portable power. The new Travelpak has improved durability and light connectors. It comes with a detachable battery section for quick change outs on the fly or to switch between small and large batteries. Price: $579.95. bowensusa.com

STUDIO FLASH SYSTEM Bowens Gemini 500R Teaming up with the Travelpak is the Gemini 500R, a radio-enabled, 500WS compact mono-

one 100-watt background light with a 6inch reflector and a 3-foot stand, two collapsible 20x20-inch soft boxes, and two 7-foot light stands. The uLite provides constant light so photographers can see the lighting patterns the same way their camera will record them. Price: $295. fjwestcott.com

LIGHT MODIFIER

light with six f/stops of power. The light can be synced via slave or the plug-in radio trigger module for compatibility with Pulsar, PocketWizard or Litelink trigger systems. Features include red-eye reduction, power saving and inverted display. The Gemini 500R monolights are available as individual heads or in kit sets with umbrellas, reflectors, stands and trolley case. Price: $589.95. bowensusa.com

Paul C. Buff PLM System AlienBees takes the umbrella modifier to a new high with its parabolic light modification system, the PLM System. The PLM provides a high-output, nearly round light that can be acutely focused. PLM light creates soft shadows but the system can generate impressive power. For example, the system produces f/32 at 10 feet from a 300WS strobe at ISO 200. The 16-rib umbrella-like design mounts to a standard studio flash to provide a range of light modification, more so when combined with the optional accessories. Available in three sizes (42-, 64- and 86inches) and two colors (silver and white). Price: $12.95 to $74.95. alienbees.com

CONTINUOUS LIGHT SYSTEM Westcott uLite Continuous light is gaining ground in our industry, and the Westcott uLite comes in several kit configurations. The three-light kit is a complete studio portrait lighting system that comes with two 500-watt lamps and February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 69

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

PRINTERS INKJET PRINTER LESS THAN $500

Epson Artisan 810 Epson scored a victory with the Artisan 810. This all-in-one printing solution has a 7.8-

inch smart touch panel and a 3.5inch color LCD that displays only the buttons needed, making it easy to select, copy, enlarge, rotate, crop, restore, and print photos without a computer. Epson sixcolor, Ultra Hi Definition Claria inks combined with Epson MicroPiezo print heads and DX5 technology create archival prints with estimated longevity up to 200 years in an album, 98 years under glass. The unit also affords 4,800-ppi scanning, both color and black-and-white copying, and built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking. Price: $299.99. epson.com

SCANNER MULTI-FORMAT SCANNER

70 • www.ppmag.com

INKJET PRINTER $500 TO $1,000 Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II For a mid-priced inkjet device, the new Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II Photo Printer packs a punch with 10 pigment-based ink colors, including gray, and photo and matte blacks. The Pixma Pro9500 produces pro-quality prints with Canon’s double-encoder system. Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) technology and the 7,680nozzle print-head significantly boost print speed. The matte black, photo black and gray inks reduce metamerism, and provide highdensity blacks and neutral monochrome. Price: $849.99. usa.canon.com

INKJET PRINTER $1,000 TO $5,000

FILM COLOR NEGATIVE Kodak Professional Ektar 100 Last year, Kodak won the Hot One Award for the 35mm version of this film. A few months later, Kodak released the 120-format version to great acclaim. Featuring highly saturated, vivid color, Kodak Professional Ektar 100 has the finest grain of any color negative film available. Kodak specs say it’s best for nature, travel, outdoor, fashion and product photography, but it’s versatile enough to handle a variety of applications. Price: Varies by retailer (about $4). kodak.com

our judges give it kudos. Featuring the Epson UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta ink set and a MicroPiezo AMC print head, the Stylus Pro 3880 yields gallery-quality prints up to 17x22 inches. The ink set’s

Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Epson calls the Stylus Pro 3880 its most sophisticated 17-inch printer to date, and

Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner The Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner landed the prize in this category as our pro’s pick. The Perfection V600 features 6,400x9,600 ppi resolution with 3.4 D-max to create enlargements up to 17x22 inches. It includes Epson Digital Ice technology for removing the appearance of damage and fading on both prints and film. Epson ReadyScan LED technology provides an energy-efficient light source, no warm-up required. Included with the Perfection V600 are Adobe Photoshop Elements for photo editing and OCR software for converting scanned documents into editable text. Price: $249.99. epson.com

advanced magenta pigments yield deeper blues and violets, and the three-level black ink technology yields a better tonal range and gray balance. The MicroPiezo AMC print head produces maximum resolution of 2,880x1,440 dpi with variable-sized droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters. Epson’s new AccuPhoto HD2 image technology amplifies the printer’s

credentials with smooth color transitions and excellent highlight and shadow detail. Price: $1,295 for Standard Edition. epson.com

DYE-SUB PHOTO PRINTER Canon Selphy CP790 Canon landed a Hot One Award last year with the Selphy CP770, so it’s no surprise that the next-generation Selphy scored the

award this year. The CP790 is upgraded with enhancements to the Portrait Image Optimize feature. The system’s brightness and color cast corrections have been improved so that skin tones reproduce with an even more natural appearance. The new Creative Options feature allows users to tweak photos before cropping them on the 3-inch LCD screen. The highly portable CP790 has optional battery and memory card slots for printing on-the-go sans computer. Price: $179.99. usa.canon.com

INKJET MEDIA

GLOSSY PAPER

FINE ART PAPER

MATTE PAPER

Hahnemuehle Baryta FB 350gsm Judges handed a second award to Hahnemuehle for Baryta FB as the pro’s pick in glossy paper. Baryta FB is a fiber-based, 100

LexJet Sunset Velvet Rag 315g This year our judges applauded the 100percent-cotton LexJet Sunset Velvet Rag 315g, an OBA-free, neutral-white paper with a slightly textured matte surface that resembles the art papers of traditional etchings. Sunset Velvet Rag 315g works particularly well with the wide-gamut ink sets of professional printers from Epson, Canon and HP. Price: $127 for a 24-inch x 50-foot roll. lexjet.com

Hahnemuehle Photo Rag 500gsm Our pros selected Hahnemuehle Photo Rag 500gsm, a 100-percent-cotton white paper with a smooth surface. Judges appreciated its guaranteed archival standards and premium matte inkjet coating. Photo Rag meets the highest standards for density, color gamut, color graduation and image sharpness, while having the feel of fine-art rag paper. Photo Rag 500gsm is compatible with pigment and dye-based ink sets. Price: $33 to $285 depending on size and format. hahnemuehle.com

CANVAS

percent alpha-cellulose paper with a smooth, glossy surface. This archival photo paper was specially developed with a bright white, ultra-smooth surface texture that corresponds to classic baryta media in structure and feel. Free ICC profiles are available on the Hahnemuehle website. Price: $27 to $305, depending on size and format. hahnemuehle.com

LexJet Sunset Select Matte Canvas The next-generation LexJet Sunset Select Matte Canvas improves on its popular predecessor with this water-resistant polycotton blend canvas. A new bright white, acid-free inkjet coating supports greater consistency from print to print, while delivering an increased color gamut and improved D-max. This new canvas also works well with widegamut ink sets. Price: $72 for a 24-inch x 40-foot roll. lexjet.com

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 71

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

STUDIO & LOCATION EQUIPMENT TRIPOD OR CAMERA STAND Manfrotto M-Y 732CY Carbon Fiber Tripod Our pros selected the Manfrotto M-Y 732CY Carbon Fiber tripod, the newest member of the Manfrotto MY family of compact tripods. Designed for lightweight DSLRs, the M-Y 732CY is a light yet durable product that can hold up to 7.7 pounds. When folded, the M-Y 732CY is only 16.7 inches long. Price: $200. bogenimaging.us

edged out a couple of other Backdrop Outlet products in its price range. The Mod Cloth line features textured damask and a range of contrasts to make subjects stand out. Available in 5x6- or 5x9-foot formats, Mod Cloths are woven and double sided (metallic look on one side). Price: $99. backdropoutlet.com

CAMERA BAG IT’S A TIE! In by far the most competitive category this year, two worthy contenders rose to the top: The Lowepro Classified Sling AW and the Think Tank Airport TakeOff. Lowepro Classified Sling AW The Lowepro Classified Sling AW has a slim profile to keep DSLRs and other essential gear close yet conveniently accessible. The

Think Tank Photo Airport TakeOff Sharing the spotlight in this category, the Think Tank Airport TakeOff is a rolling camera backpack with a shoulder strap storage system for easy conversion. The Airport TakeOff complies with airline carry-on requirements. It accommodates standard DSLRs across the top and/or pro-size DSLRs along the sides. Other features include lockable zipper sliders, adjustable sternum straps, a protective laptop case and room for both a 300mm lens and tripod. The bag weighs 8.5 to 10 pounds, depending on accessories. Price: $299. thinktankphoto.com

COLOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM X-Rite ColorMunki Photo X-Rite flexes its muscles once again, this time with the ColorMunki Photo. Our pros gave the nod to this integrated color control solution for its high-tech yet easy-to-use monitor, projector and printer calibration and profiling system. It also syncs with your image enhancement programs for seamless integration with your workflow. ColorMunki will even optimize your

BACKGROUND Backdrop Outlet Mod Cloth Backdrop outlet faced stiff competition in this category—from itself. The Mod Cloth

Classified Sling 220 AW can accommodate a 15.4-inch laptop in a zippered, padded outside pocket; the 180 pocket holds a netbook. Inside, the adjustable padded dividers, pull tabs and hook/loop lining allow full customization. A zippered top pocket affords fast access to small items. Airlinereg compatible and free of dangling parts, the Classified Sling AW features an allweather cover, Hideaway Tripod Mount, memory card pockets on the inside lid, a SlipLock attachment loop on the shoulder strap, and a tuck-away waist belt. Price: $174.99 or $199.99. lowepro.com

72 • www.ppmag.com

printer profiles for specific colors and blackand-white features. The system includes an all-in-one spectrophotometer. Price: $499. xritephoto.com

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ʻBowensʼ® and ʻthe power behind the pictureʼ® are registered trademarks of Bowens International Limited. PocketWizard® is a registered trademark of LPA Design. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All models and technical specifications featured here may be subject to change without notice. © 2010 Bowens International Limited.

� 200Ws & 400Ws models � Easy proportional control � 3 modelling modes

Whether you’re buying studio lighting for the first time or simply looking for exceptional value for money, Bowens studio lighting kits are for you. These kits offer a huge saving over buying the parts seperately and include lights, stands, reflectors, umbrellas and a portable bag with wheels - everything you need to get going. For a full list of all available kits and specifications visit the website: www.bowensusa.com

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

SOFTWARE CAPTURE / PROCESSING Camera Bits Photo Mechanic 4.6.2 Workflow accelerator Photo Mechanic speeds import, captioning and editing through a set of customizable tools. Among other capabilities, the software allows photographers to create Web galleries and slideshows, print contact sheets, transfer photos to an FTP server, and upload images to an online archive. Our judges particularly liked the Ingest command, which reads images from memory cards, flattens directory structures, applies IPTC metadata, creates backups on separate disks, and renames files, all in a single step. Price: $150. camerabits.com

layer masks. U Point technology allows users to make selective edits to hue, saturation, contrast and more with just a click and a quick slider adjustment. Price: $199.95. niksoftware.com

PLUG-INS / ACTIONS Imagenomic Portraiture 2 for Lightroom In another hotly contested category, Imagenomic scored a narrow victory over several worthy competitors. Our pros selected Portraiture 2 for Lightroom because of its fast and accurate skin retouching features. Portraiture 2 builds on earlier versions for Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture. Our judges were impressed by the

74 • www.ppmag.com

ALBUM DESIGN / LAYOUT Album DS 6.1.1 In version 6.1.1, Album DS helps photographers quickly and easily design albums, cards, posters, collages and a variety of other contemporary image products. Our judges gave Album DS high marks for its

IMAGE EDITING Nik Software Viveza 2 Nik Software Viveza 2 is technically a plugin, but its selective color and light control features are so impressive that it easily outpaced all competitors in this category. Viveza 2 offers global adjustments and controls through Nik’s U Point technology. The software is designed to save photographers time in editing images by eliminating the need for complicated selections and

width previews for a custom-tailored look. Price: $429. corel.com

two workflow modes—Edit In and Export— for individual and batch image editing and processing. This is the first time a software developer has been able to accomplish this feat, and Imagenomic has received accolades from Adobe Systems for the successful development. Price: $199.95. imagenomic.com

PAINTING Corel Painter 11 Painter 11 improved texture and precision in its pressure-sensitive brushes. New RealBristle Dry Media tools enhanced drawing capabilities with new marker, pen, chalk and pencil tools. Painter 11’s Hard Media Controls include customizable profiles, dab sizes, transitions and stroke

Many problems. One solution. Introducing the new Plug-In Suite 5 from onOne Software. Featuring the new PhotoTune 3 plug-in for color correction and dynamic range enhancement, the Plug-In Suite 5 solves 6 of the most common problems you face as a digital photographer.

The award-winning Plug-In Suite 5 includes: 1

Genuine Fractals 6 for Enlarging Images

2 NEW PhotoFrame 4.5 for Edge & Framing Effects 3 NEW PhotoTools 2.5 for Photographic Effects 4 NEW FocalPoint 2 for Selective Focus 5 NEW PhotoTune 3 for Color Correction 6 Mask Pro 4 for Removing Backgrounds

Making Digital Photography

Easier, Faster, Better

PhotoTune 3 is just one of six products included in the new Plug-In Suite 5 and was used on this landscape photo to correct the white balance, increase the dynamic range and improve the overall color of the scene so it matched what we saw when we shot it. PhotoTune 3 is accessible from within Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture and not only improves the color of your landscape photos, but also includes specialized tools to color correct skin tones in your portrait photos as well.

© 2009 onOne Software, Inc. All rights reserved. onOne Software is a registered trademark of onOne Software, Inc. The onOne Software logo, PhotoTune and Plug-In Suite are trademarks of onOne Software. Lightroom is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Aperture is a trademark of Apple, Inc.

onOne Software’s Plug-In Suite was voted the best set of Photoshop plug-ins in 2008 in the Studio Photography magazine Reader’s Choice Awards.

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11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

versatility—it works with any album maker. Album DS can auto-populate entire albums, produce picture packages and proofs, split design spreads into left and right halves, automatically renaming the image files as left and right, and can also split spreads with an overlap in the center gutter to keep the entire image visible after binding. Price: $349. albumds.com/site_us

PRESENTATION / SLIDESHOW Animoto Pro As pros look for ways to use moving images, Animoto is fast becoming the application of choice for slideshows and video presentations. Created by TV and film producers, Animoto

PRESENTATION TRADITIONAL PHOTO ALBUM

appointments; staff reminders using multimedia messaging; automatic e-mails sent to clients and prospects; and more. Price: Ranges from $49 per month for a single-user lease to $3,595 for an 11-user purchase. successware.net

DIGITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT ACDSee Pro 3 ACDSee continues its award-winning innovation with Version 3 of its professional image organization, viewing and editing application. The Pro 3 software optimizes workflow through four areas of activity: manage, view, process and online. Manage arranges digital assets into user-created specifications with both

Pro makes professional-grade videos from images and sets them to music with more than 500 free, commercially licensed songs. With the release of Animoto + Video, users can incorporate video clips alongside their photos to give customers a more dynamic multimedia experience. The application features patent-pending Cinematic Artificial Intelligence technology that thinks like an editor/director. Price: $99 for three months; $249 for one year. animoto.com/photography

76 • www.ppmag.com

patent-pending, retractable CD/DVD storage sleeve hidden in the back panel, and works great as an add-on display piece or proof book. Price: $14.50 for folio. Mats sold separately at $13.85 per six pack. tap-usa.com

CONTEMPORARY PHOTO ALBUM

STUDIO MANAGEMENT SuccessWare Available for Windows and Mac OS, SuccessWare’s update landed it another win in this category. Adding to the software’s studio tracking, product pricing and business planning features, the latest version boasts a new scheduling feature with month and list views; quick appointment scheduling via drag-and-drop of saved

TAP DPS Matted Folio New from TAP, the DPS (Digital Proofing System) Matted Folio weds a modern feature with a traditional presentation, allowing photographers to display images and deliver a CD/DVD all in one package. The folio has a

folders and metadata. View allows photographers to preview images at full size and apply a range of advanced features. Process integrates nondestructive image editing and pixel-level editing into one seamless application. Online facilitates simple image storage and sharing online without exiting the application. Price: $169.99. acdseepro.com

AsukaBook Book Bound EXD AsukaBook’s new Book Bound EXD line impressed our judges with its customizable format and its high-quality construction. The Book Bound EXD line includes an AsukaBook EX book with a printed hard cover and a matching book jacket. Customizable inside flaps give the album the look of a real coffee table book, and it comes in a custom-designed book case. Includes protective varnish or laminate coating in a matte or glossy finish. Price: Varies according to size. asukabook.com

ONLINE PRINT ORDER FULFILLMENT SERVICE WHCC PickPic PickPic captured this category with the August 2009 release, offering a new level of speed and security, personalized domain name and SSL certificate for secure payment transactions. The system features slick image galleries designed to match the photographer’s branding,

with support for custom crops, tones, borders, pricing and discounts. Just after our judging concluded, PickPic came out with the next generation of its online service, PickPic ProofPro. Price: $99 per month. pickpic.com

ONLINE ALBUM DESIGN AND HOSTING Viewbook PRO Website Account Viewbook PRO is more of a virtual display system than an online tool for building tangible photo albums. If you’re looking for the latter, try close runners-up Collages.net Hybrid Album Design or Forbeyon Virtual Album Builder.

Viewbook PRO provides a robust yet simple platform for building online galleries, sophisticated portfolio websites and virtual albums. The fully customized sites can include branding elements, scalable slideshows, full-screen views and video. There’s even technology for embedding portfolios and projects into blogs and social networks. Price: $19 per month. viewbook.com

FRAME Midwest Photographic Contemporary Acrylic Frames With Midwest Photographic’s acrylic frames,

your prints are protected behind the acrylic face, and magnets keep them in place. The effect is a contemporary look in an easily modified setup. It’s a great display option for studios that want to swap out photos seasonally, or for different promotions. Photos go between the two 5x5-inch pieces of acrylic, which are held together by small magnets. Price: $119-$187. midwestphotographic.com

Simply Canvas Clusters With four or more individual canvases in each cluster, Simply Canvas Clusters combine to create multi-faceted wall art. Simply Canvas provides 10 ready-made, custom-designed patterns. Each cluster comes with a Zip file of sizing templates. With almost no canvas design skill, photographers can drag and drop elements to make clusters and then place a production order. Custom borders are included in the price. Price: $213-$380. simplycanvas.com

DISPLAY ITEM IT’S A TIE! WHCC Float Wraps WHCC Float Wraps add dimension to a room. The wraps are created by stretching a photographic print or canvas around masonite. A laminate protects the image, while padding between the print and the masonite gives the front of the Float Wrap a raised look. Available in sizes from 8x10 to 20x30 inches. Price: $26-$128. whcc.com

NOVELTY OR ADD-ON SALES ITEM Simply Canvas Photo Banner Stands Simply Canvas Photo Banner Stands won

over our judges with their simplicity and high-quality printing on durable fabric. Ideal for studio and tradeshow displays, Photo Banners also make great add-on items and premium gifts for portrait and wedding clients. The stands are lightweight and easy to transport.Price: $99-$249. simplycanvas.com February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 77

11 TH ANNUAL HOT ONE AWARDS

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES BOOK “Power Marketing, Selling, and Pricing” Inspired by photo business expert Mitche Graf’s popular seminars, “Power Marketing, Selling and Pricing: A Business Guide for Wedding and Portrait Photographers” explains building a strong Internet presence, producing highquality mailers, and promoting word-ofmouth referrals. Price: $34.95. powermarketing101.com

WEBSITE Nik Software Webinars From mid-October through mid-December Nik hosted a series of eight hour-long

WORKSHOP/SEMINAR

BEST OF THE REST

Kubota Digital Photography Bootcamp Kubota is back on the podium. Kevin Kubota’s 18th Digital Photography Bootcamp took place over five days in November and covered all of the specifics for running a successful digital portrait and wedding studio. Topics included style, creativity, and inspiration; digital capture techniques with live models; workflow with cutting-edge software tools; Photoshop essentials and fine art techniques; presentation and sales techniques; and marketing and business. Check the Kubota website for future Bootcamp details. Price: $2,895. kubotaimagetools.com

Every year we give a shout out to some worthy competitors that didn’t quite fit into an established category. This year, the judges’ kudos went to the RS DR-1 Double Strap by Black Rapid and the Kubota RPG SpeedKeys 2.0.

DVD Kubota RAW Workflow for Lightroom V2 The interactive DVD outlines a step-by-step process for working with RAW files in Lightroom, including tips for organization, editing and enhancing, and final presentation. As a bonus, the DVD comes with more than 50 Lightroom presets created by Kubota to speed up a digital workflow. Price: $99. kubotaimagetools.com

webinars on a range of photography topics. Classes covered close-up and scenic photography, portraits, sports and action, wildlife, landscapes, weddings, commercial image creation and Capture NX2. The webinars included basic tips as well as productspecific lessons related to Nik’s applications. Look for Nik’s next set of webinars on the company’s website. Price: Free. niksoftware.com

78 • www.ppmag.com

Black Rapid RS DR-1 Double Strap Black Rapid designed the RS DR-1 Double Strap for photographers working long days on location with two cameras. Ergonomically optimized, the RS DR-1 comes with all the hardware needed to attach two cameras, including the new FastenR-2 and ConnectR-2 fasteners. Price: $56. blackrapid.com Kubota RPG SpeedKeys 2.0 The new Kubota RPG SpeedKeys 2.0 for Lightroom 2 is a customizable wireless USB keypad with one-button access to a variety of adjustments, Kubota Lightroom presets and advanced image enhancements tools. This version offers 48 new key options for the complete customization of hundreds of settings. The SpeedKeys software allows photographers to use pre-programmed workflow key combinations or their own presets. It comes loaded with 29 Kubota Lightroom presets. Price: $349. kubotaimagetools.com

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If your first instinct once you arrive at +theshotshot’s website is to turn down the volume on your computer, you’re likely not a member of their marketing target. When they sell the kids, the kids sell their parents. SENIORS

F

By Lorna Gentry

rom the percussion-driven music, in-your-face graphics and fun video on +theshotshot website,

it’s clear who the target audience is. If your first interaction with the site is turning down the volume on your computer, you’re probably not part of that audience. Located in Zanesville, Ohio, +theshotshot

is actually a full-service family photography studio, but its website markets only to seniors, not the brides or expectant mothers whom they also serve, and definitely not the parents of seniors. “We figure if we sell the kids, they will sell their parents,” says Nate Embrey, who co-owns +theshotshot with his wife, Brittany. Let’s be clear: The Embreys aren’t selling pictures. They’re selling an experience. And the kids are buying it. Eighty percent of +theshotshot’s business is senior portraits, say the Embreys. “We like senior photography the most and we do it the best,” says Nate. This from a man who didn’t have his own senior picture taken. Neither did Brittany. So when they were creating their business plan four years ago, they contemplated what would have made them want to have their senior portraits made. An opportunity to have a totally cool experience, they surmised. In “a place where we would have wanted to hang out, with people we wanted to hang with,” he says. At age 23 and 27, the photographers aren’t All images ©+theshotshot.

Straight shot +theshotshot hits a bull’s eye in the senior portrait market 80 • www.ppmag.com

much past teenagers themselves, and they understand the passwords of teen communication. In no part of their business is it more evident than their advertising, which is to say they don’t advertise beyond

their website, Facebook and Twitter. The Embreys turn buzz into business, harnessing the power of social networking, one teenager at a time. “After we shoot a senior portrait, we upload our five favorite images, embedded with our logo and website info, on our Facebook fan page, and then tag the images, which links them to the senior’s page,” Nate explains. “As soon as we tag one senior, he and all his friends are automatically notified.” So, with just a few mouse clicks, +theshotshot advertises directly to hundreds of teens, for free. More than 1,000 people are members of +theshotshot Facebook fan page, where clients and their friends write comments that read like personal messages in a high school yearbook. You can’t buy advertising like this typical entry: Just thought i would let you know how much all my friends and i looove your pictures! Lately all we’ve been doing is sitting around … looking at your website :) we’re all juniors and are sooo excited to get our pictures done with you guys next year!

SQUARE PEG, ROUND HOLE By Zanesville demographics, the Embreys should be failing. With nearly 26,000 residents, Zanesville is home to about a third of the population of mostly rural Muskingum County, about an hour’s drive east of Columbus. “It’s not all farmland, but once you get out of the city, that’s pretty much all you see,” says Nate. “No one thought our style would fly here.” Indeed, their contemporary style would look at home in any newsstand magazine, and it’s resonating with area teens. “Zanesville has a pocket of trendy folks and an up-andcoming art and music community,” Nate says. Despite naysayers, the two Zanesville natives had faith in the draw of their edgy style. They’re enjoying having the last laugh. Brittany, who shoots the majority of the February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 81

SENIORS

senior portraits, uses Canon 35mm-format

girls usually opt for two hours, which includes

digital cameras, mostly in the available light

free hair styling and half-price makeup at

of diverse locations—cityscapes, abandoned

the town’s leading hair salon. The girls will

building interiors, open fields. Typically camera-

invite their friends along and make a day of it.

shy, boys prefer one-hour sessions, but the

For the selection of their images, the

Embreys want seniors to continue to have a fun, easy experience. Nate worked with intothedarkroom.com to design a viewing system that meshes with a shopping cart and wish list. No prices are listed, just sizes, and there’s no pressure to buy. While it hasn’t generated extra sales, the studio does get good customer feedback. “It makes the selection process shorter and easier,” says Brittany. “Some people feel more comfortable selecting on their own at home.”

WRECK-FREE Freebies are ever-popular with kids, who are happy to spread the word. The studio taps into that with free Wreck the Dress sessions, a takeoff on the popular trash the wedding dress trend, only with prom and homecoming dresses. The girls have a great time destroying their dresses and posting photos of the destruction online. Here too, clients like to bring along their friends to heighten

“Successware’s income and expense statement and sales reports provides the financial data we need at our fingertips, taking the fear out of decision making.” Sarah Petty | Sarah Petty Photography | Springfield, Illinois

What do top studio owners use to manage? These owners have all chosen SuccessWare to help the manage their business. Other software may track but they all fall short when it comes to managing your business. SuccessWare is the ony studio management software that will assist you with; creating a business plan, pricing your products, preparing financial reports and tracking client information. SuccessWare manages all your day-to-day operations giving you the knowledge to make solid management decisions necessary to achieve your goals and take your studio to the next level. You can’t get that with just tracking software.

TRACK. PRICE. PLAN. PROFIT. MANAGE. Don’t just take our world for it, see what Jed, Vickie and other successful photographers have to say at: www.successware.net/success_stories

SUCCESSWARE.NET | 800.593.3767

SENIORS

“We give them low-res files for their MySpace or Facebook pages. Making it free enables those who didn’t get their senior pictures done with us— and can’t afford an additional cost—the opportunity to enjoy +theshotshot experience.” the experience. “We give them low-res files for their MySpace or Facebook pages,” says Nate. “Making it free enables those who didn’t get their senior pictures done with us—and can’t afford an additional cost—the opportunity to enjoy +theshotshot experience.” Last year the Embreys started a portrait club, called The Fam, offering members continual discounts and e-mail updates on studio happenings. They’re going for longterm relationships with their young clients, and The Fam lets them keep in touch. The Embreys do so much digital communicating that they’ve hired a digital technician. Social networking is so important that it’s worth the additional salary, Nate says. “It’s going to get harder for studios to compete without doing something socially. There’s a photographer in our area who came out of nowhere, got a Facebook page and right away started doing a brisk business.” He doesn’t even have a website, Nate moans. “All his business comes from Facebook-powered networking. Like Tim Sanders [author of “Love is the Killer App”] says, your network is your net worth.” � To see more of +theshotshot portfolio, visit their website, theshotshot.com.

84 • www.ppmag.com

Suzette Allen

Jon Yoshinaga

Greg and Lesa Daniel

Gabriel Alonso

Doug Box

Carl Caylor

Colleen Gonsar

Darty Hines

Tony Corbell

Bry Cox

Jim Cunningham

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Billy Welliver

Don Emmerich

Frank Cricchio

Rick Ferro

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Robert & Leslie Faust

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Martin Grahame-Dunn

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Mary Fisk-Taylor

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Elizabeth & Trey Homan

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Arthur Rainville

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Weddings and maternity and kids, oh my. Growing a business fast and furious may be dazzling at first, but taking the time to invest in long-term client relationships has greater rewards for Angela Lang. CHILDREN

A

By Stephanie Boozer

ngela Lang, of Angela Lang Photography in Oakland, Calif., thinks of photography as a bountiful tree with many branches. “The core, the trunk, is composed of your

photography skills and talent; the many kinds of photography you can do are the branches,” says Lang. “It’s a field where you can specialize, or do what I have done—start out in photojournalism, then portraits, then weddings, then maternity, then commercial. It’s a lifetime field if you want it to be. There’s always something new to learn, and that’s what I love.” After college, Lang took freelance assignments from The Associated Press, and pursued her news career with fervor, until the birth of her first child. “I had to press the reset button; my priorities instantly changed,” says Lang. “I didn’t want to miss out on my daughter’s babyhood.” As her maternity leave came to an end, Lang made a giant leap and started her own portrait photography business. “That was 10 years ago. I built it from the ground up, with my daughter as my first subject. It was a little scary in the beginning, but it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never looked back. It put me in control so I could raise a family while pursuing my dream,” Lang says. Starting out, Lang went to area playgroups to meet other moms. Word soon spread

All images ©Angela Lang Photography

Tight-knit bunch Nurturing client interactions into life-long relationships 86 • www.ppmag.com

throughout her target market, and Lang’s client base grew steadily. She took the time to nurture her new relationships. Like that branching tree, Lang found it easy to expand into weddings, then maternity and beyond.

“I’ve always felt that I’m a connector,” says Lang. “I’m out there talking to people, and maintaining relationships that I already have. My goal was always to photograph families over the years, so I create photography that captures their true selves. I am a professional, yet treat clients as I would a friend.”

KNIT ONE, PURL TWO The rewards have been numerous. Recently, one of Lang’s long-standing client relationships led to her providing the photography for a book on children’s knitwear, “Vintage Knits for Modern Babies,” by Hadley Fierlinger (Ten Speed Press, 2010). Though the author had moved to New Zealand a few years back, she’d remained enamored of the photographer’s work since having Lang make a family portrait, and had commissioned her to create images for her children’s knitwear website.

“I’d never done a book before,” says Lang.

images for a local organic baby food company.

“But, model search aside, the actual photog-

“I’m a strong believer in reaching out and

raphy wasn’t hugely different. When photog-

getting new clients, but of even greater value

raphers take on new projects and new chal-

to me is creating relationships,” says Lang.

lenges, I think it’s easiest to start at a base

“I’m patient, intuitive and outgoing, and a

that feels comfortable. Now that I have this

listener when it comes to my client’s needs.

book experience, I want to do more.”

I control the photo session while keeping

Others of Lang’s client relationships have

myself open to suggestions, which makes

led to having her work appear in three catalogs

the client feel that it’s a cooperative effort,

for Pottery Barn Kids, and promotional

not just the photographer telling them

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 87

‘‘

CHILDREN

I’d never done a

book

before. But, model search aside, the

actual

photography wasn’t hugely different. When photographers take on

new

projects and new challenges, I think it’s easiest to start at a base that feels

comfortable.

Now that I have this

’’

book experience, I want to do

more.

The Real

Photobook not just a book with pictures... ALL THE FEATURES OF HIGH-END ALBUMS: Pages made of real, archival photo paper

Ŷ

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Ŷ

Professional color corrections

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Full ICC profile color control

IImage © by Black Dog Photography

Ŷ

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CHILDREN

what to do, how to stand, where to look.” One way Lang builds her clients’ trust—

time and energy I give them, and that makes me feel good. It’s a win-win for everyone. It’s

and exceeds their expectations—is by pro-

an investment I’ve been willing to make and

viding complimentary in-home consultations

I’m reaping the benefits of it.”

on wall art. Many clients feel uncertain

Camaraderie among her peers is also impor-

when it comes to ordering large prints, so

tant to Lang. Two years ago, she marshaled

Lang takes the time to get a feel for their

a group of women photographers in her

design sense. She brings along a few framed

area. “Our tight-knit group has turned into

prints as examples, and often leaves with a

a little village in which we all help each

large order and a big smile of gratitude from

other,” she says. Technically they’re competitors,

the client.

but in reality, they share support, advice and

“There’s a confidence they get from my

referrals. “We each have different strengths,

being there. I’ve seen their house, listened to

and because we share … we’re all improving

their needs, given them a custom design for

and growing together.” �

their walls,” says Lang. “By the end of the consultation, we’ve gotten to know each other a little better and shared a few laughs. My clients are always so appreciative of the

See more of Angela Lang’s work at angelalang.com.

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Page 1

Quick Dial #64

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Page 2

022010

“My sessions are a mixture of interview, conversation and party.” —DAN DAVIS

All images ©Dan Davis Photography

Let’s Talk Dan Davis builds rapport to unlock real smiles BY STEPHANIE BOOZER

ot everyone can photograph seniors. The 17year-old animal of the human species is often moody, unpredictable, and sometimes uncooperative. Some seniors lack confidence, or just don’t want to be there. Sometimes they’re a little too confident. Most often though, just like everyone else, they simply don’t know what to do with themselves in

artists or crazy sets. Just honest, comfort-

them,” says Davis. “The more you know

front of a camera. Dan Davis is one of

able dialogue.

about them, the more meaningful the whole

those who can. The biggest trick up his sleeve? Conversation. No trendy props or makeup

“I try to have a real conversation with seniors, which also makes it a lot more fun for me. I really do enjoy getting to know

experience will be.” To combat the I-don’t-know-what-to-do syndrome that Davis’ subjects often face, he

‘‘

The words we use to describe the portraits we love are not terms of science but emotion.

’’

encourages seniors to bring an entourage; a

“Getting a 17-year-old boy or girl to relax with

parent, sibling, friend, or all of the above are

a camera stuck in his face is the most essential

Once nervous chatter progresses to com-

there behind the scenes to encourage and

yet hardest part of the work. Once they realize

fortable banter, Davis becomes an observer, who

interact with the subject.

they don’t have to perform for the camera,

also happens to have a camera in hand. Then

real engagement with me and the camera

he can throw out directorial suggestions with-

begins to flow naturally. My sessions are a mix-

out disrupting the vibe. The potentially

“Portrait photography is really about drawing out a natural expression,” he says.

ture of interview, conversation and party.”

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When they were razing an old building in

resting on an adjustable easel, the color

the downtown district, I got hold of a carved

selected to coordinate with the subject’s

stone window and placed it on a picturesque

outfits. Shooting in close, Davis draws atten-

stand of tall grass on my property,” says

tion to the subject’s eyes, and a contemporary

Davis, who’d been a long-time admirer of

crop lends a fashion magazine feel. But the

the building’s architecture.

extra shine in the portraits comes from his

He goes for simplicity in the studio, often using monochromatic backgrounds to keep

intimidating session turns into fun, and Davis can tease out and capture those fleeting expressions that reveal the senior’s personality. “It’s a dynamic situation with a lot of unpredictability, and the kids just forget about the camera,” says Davis. Located on 15 rolling, partially wooded acres in Grand Rapids, Mich., Davis’ homebased studio is primarily devoted to senior portraiture, though he also does a healthy amount of commercial photography. With a keen eye, Davis punctuates the pastoral setting with relics and objets d’art, from rustic wagon and splitrail fence to intricate sandstone carving. “I’ve always been something of a scavenger.

100 • www.ppmag.com

rapport with subject. “We talk from the beginning about this

the focus on the subject’s face. Some of his

being all about the expression,” says Davis,

most popular portraits last season were

who during the session puts seniors through

taken in front of one-color foam core boards

a few facial exercises much like actors use to

loosen up the muscles. “They know it’s their

photography rather than the other way

from the seniors themselves, who rave about

job to deliver an authentic expression. I’ll

’round,” he laughs. As a college student, he’d

the experience, and the parents agree.

say ‘close your eyes for about 10 seconds and

had a few scenic shots of Iowa published in

let your face sag like a pile of dough.’ That

The Des Moines Register, but hadn’t thought

more interested in concept than technical per-

exercise, and the wording I use, always puts

about photography as a career. When the

fection,” says Davis. “I like that. The words we

a grin on their face, and they relax.”

notion to pursue photography full time hit

use to describe the portraits we love are not

him about six years ago, he dove right in.

terms of science but emotion: words like

Those behind-the-scenes friends and family will readily cite any fake smiles. “I often ask

“I built the studio on our property, and

“I think it was Mark Seliger who said he’s

‘compelling,’ ‘emotive,’ ‘powerful,’ and

mom to be the smile police,” says Davis.

just felt that I’d have a knack for it,” he says.

‘moving.’ A parent isn’t going to buy the big

“Within five minutes it’s become a joke and

“I hung some Calumet lights, started

mounted print because of its technical

everybody’s laughing. Involving everybody is

advertising to local seniors, ran a few

perfection, but because something important

a simple formula that yields great results.”

practice sessions, and it evolved from there.”

about their child is captured in that shot. The

Word of mouth rapidly spread, supple-

technical side of the work needs to be second

Davis has worn many hats over the years. A theology major in college, he later designed

mented by a few ads and direct mailings,

nature, so you can give your full attention to

a line of home accessories, then changed

and Davis now has a following. He doesn’t

the real job of discovering the subject.” �

course again and became a technical illustrator

use senior spokesmodels or max out social

using Adobe Photoshop.

networking sites, he just lets clients do the

“Working in Photoshop led me into

talking for him. His highest praise comes

To see more of Dan Davis’ seniors portfolio and commercial work, visit dandavisphotography.com.

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Affiliate Schools Calendar PPA Members receive service merits and the best-published rates for registration.

May 3-7 Wisconsin Professional Photographers School at Treehaven, Tomahawk, Wis., www.wiprophotoschool.org

February 7-11 Delta School of Photography, Hot Springs, Ark., www.deltaschool.com

April 11-16 New England Institute of Professional Photography, Hyannis, Mass., www.neipp.com

May 16-20 Imaging Workshops of Colorado, Littleton, Colo., www.coloradoworkshops.com

February 21-25 Bahamas International School of Professional Photography, Nassau, Bahamas, www.bispp.com

May 2-7 Texas School of Professional Photography, Dallas, Texas, www.texasschool.org

May 23-27 Florida School of Professional Photography Daytona Beach, Fla., www.fpponline.org

March 21-26 Triangle Institute of Professional Photography, Pittsburgh, Pa., www.triangleinstitute.org

May 2-7 Mid-Atlantic Regional School of Professional Photography, Cape May, N.J., www.marsschool.com

June 6-10 Kansas Professional Photographer School Newton, Kan., www.kpps.com June 6-10 Mid-America Institute of Professional Photography, Cedar Falls, Iowa, www.maipp.com June 13-16 Winona School of Photography, Nashville, Ind., ppofi.org June 13-17 Illinois Workshops, Grafton, Ill., www.ilworkshops.com June 20-24 PP Oklahoma School, Shawnee, Okla., www.pposchool.com June 20-25 West Coast School, San Diego, Calif., prophotoca.com/wcs June 21-24 Great Lakes Institute of Photography, Traverse City, Mich., www.glip.org July 11-15 Image Explorations, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada, www.imageexplorations.ca July 12-15 Lamarr Williamson School of Professional Photography, Columbia, S.C., www.ppofsc.com/school July 17-22 East Coast School Photographic Workshops Raleigh, N.C., www.eastcoastschool.com July 18-23 PPSNYS Photo Workshop, Geneva, N.Y., www.ppsnysworkshop.com August 1-4 Carolina Art & Photographic School, Creekside Park, N.C., www.capsartschool.com August 1-6 Georgia School of Professional Photography Clarksville, Ga., www.gppaschool.com Send all additions or corrections to: Affiliated Schools, Professional Photographers of America, 229 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303.

104 • www.ppmag.com

PPA today FEBRUARY 2010 President’s Message P e Ron Nichols, M.Photog.Cr., API :: 2009-2010 R 9 2010 PPA President Pr

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I penned (ok, keyed) my first President’s Message. Carol and I have traveled to about 35 states and 10 countries to meet, greet, share and learn. Regardless of the country, state, city or convention, we all shared the same desires, had the same love of creating art, shared similar problems and faced the same economic obstacles. So regardless of where we traveled, we never felt alone. Feeling this fellowship is nothing new. It has nothing to do with being on the board of directors or even being president. It’s about sharing common interests to make all of us better and more successful. After all, we are PPA. I have always been involved in photography, but that feeling of fellowship truly started when I joined my local PPA affiliate. I started getting serious when I was a high school sophomore and was first exposed to PPA affiliates by the time I was in college. Not long out of college, I started a business and began the trek. And when I joined Michigan Triangle, the real education began. Although I would never diminish the importance of my college degree, my true education came from PPA members willing to share to make me successful. Many of those doing the sharing were my closest competitors. It wasn’t until many years later that I realized this wasn’t common. In fact, most professions closely guard their trade secrets, and competitors would seldom even help someone in their backyard. I can only hope that I have given back some of what I have gained. Still, competition exists, and your ethics must come into play with your fellow photographers as well as with your clients. Thanks to today’s media communications and social networks, word can travel fast. Training can be delivered without people ever leaving their studios or sharing a meal at a meeting. This is both good and bad. When we look only at an avatar and never into someone’s eyes, it’s too easy to forget there is really a person behind the keyboard.

At PPA, we have the Bylaws, Rules and Ethics (BRE) committee, which spends a good deal of time dealing with the ethics of photography. Both photographers and consumers can file a complaint with BRE, for this committee helps resolve issues and mediate differences. Sometimes BRE determines that members are not operating within the PPA Code of Ethics and recommends (to the board) their suspension or termination of membership. One of the newest trends that BRE is seeing is the misuse of social media sites to “trash” competitors and “steal” friends, pushing those individuals to their pages and sites. Just the other day I got a call from a friend telling me about another photographer posing as a bride on blogs and Facebook pages to post negative comments about his/her competition. This is not PPA. Ethics are different to all of us, but PPA has always taught me to take the high road. Share, be positive and learn. If you get in pinch, call a friend. If a competitor calls, help them out. They will quickly become a friend. PPA is about friends and I treasure all of you. Many of you I know, and many more I will come to know over the next years. Thank you for allowing me to serve this great association. We are PPA. Keep following Ron’s travels the rest of this year: http://blog.ronnichols.com.

Ron Nichols, M.Photog.Cr., API 2009-2010 PPA President

© Michael D. Minturn

© Ella P. Carlson

news from Professional Photographers of America — the world’s largest non-profit association for professional photographers | www.ppa.com

PPAtoday | February 2010 | news from Professional Photographers of America © Matt Houska

GOING TO THE DOGS: Finding a Surprise Passion and Building a Business Around It

by Lara Blair, Lara Blair Images I believe a niche is a must if you are to feel true passion about opening those studio doors each day. But how do you discover the niche that is right for you? It’s often something you discover as you go about your regular business. You just have to be willing to go after it when you find it! For example, I was the typical boutique studio owner who was capturing babies, children, families, high school seniors, pre-teens, family groups and pets—a “jack of all subjects, master of none” kind of thing. That was me. I’d found a recognizable style—candid, fun, colorful. I’d found a clientele—middleto upper-class families who valued the boutique experience. I’d even found some

incredible employees—a technical assistant, a studio manager and a special events coordinator. Yet, I hadn’t found a niche despite all the reading that I had done in the Amherst Media Library and the infinite number of excellent PPA “improve your skills” seminars I’d attended. Now, many photographers have no one niche market for their portrait work. The “wink and the smile” with each session is enough. For me, though, I wanted that signature customer. Turns out, it came in the form of a “bark and a wag.” After reading about the V Gallery’s success with their “Dogs Days of Summer” program (and purchasing their fantastic package/tutorial

Following the Heart Board Member Spotlight :: Tim Walden, M.Photog.Cr., F-ASP :: PPA Member since 1989 :: Location: Lexington, KY

Photography has a strong connection to the heart…as does all art. To Tim Walden, what touches your heart defines both your photographic style and where you should concentrate your efforts in marketing and outreach. While Walden believes in the need for a foundation of excellence, partnerships with successful, like-minded businesses and the creation of a studio experience, he says that “style is the jumping off point for everything.” To find that style, he and his wife Beverly learned what not to do. They kept subtracting

photographic specialties from their services until they found the one that really made their hearts tick: black-and-white relationship portraits. They built their reputation on that. But just as the heart helped them define their style, it also pushed them to reach out to others. In fact, they found a way to use their relationship photography to help a charity. “A lot of people could give more money than we could,” Tim explains. “We wanted to give what no one else could. And that’s where our photography comes in.”

Their goal was to find a charity that helps children because children are the heart of their business. Hospice’s Daniel’s Care was the perfect choice, and they’ve been working with them for about seven years. Daniel’s Care assists children with life-threatening or lifelimiting illnesses by providing them with the highest quality care. Working with families regardless of their ability to pay, Daniel’s Care enables children to be at home as much as possible, allowing the families to lead a more normal life. The Waldens shoot one

news from Professional Photographers of America — the world’s largest non-profit association for professional photographers | www.ppa.com

bundle), I decided that a Humane Society fundraiser would be a great way for my studio to give back to the community. The added bonus was that I was already a huge dog person! Little did I know where that fundraiser would take my business. Our “Paws for a Cause” event (now occurring each February) led us to a kindred spirit in a Humane Society employee who happened to be the events coordinator. She became a fan of our studio the first day and hasn’t stopped singing our praises to the pet community since. In two years, we were able to donate nearly $6,000 to this wonderful organization. We also created a very cohesive address list of all of the enthusiastic dog owners in our area. That event led us to a dog shelter organization in Portland, Oregon, called The Pixie Project. A similar event at this ultra-hip urban shelter enabled us to reach the couples living in high-rise condos whose dogs were their “children”…and who had absolutely no problem investing in large wall portraits of their four-legged babies. When we were swimming in dog sessions for two straight months, I had an epiphany—like a pull on my choke chain, so to speak. I was happiest when working with dogs and dog owners. I’d found my niche. While I wasn’t ready to give up my “people” clients, I did a thorough evaluation of the kinds of work I wanted to do. The dream was to have 70 percent of our studio time taken up by dog sessions and the remaining 30 percent taken by our family and baby/child sessions. Thanks to our busy canine schedule, those people sessions became more in demand, and I was able to charge accordingly, booking qualified Lara Blair Images fans. Even my marketing and advertising tasks have become more fun since we’ve “gone to the dogs.” I never knew I could take a passion for pooches and create a successful business around it. I consider it an incredible gift…even when I’m cleaning slobber off of the studio floor!

session a month for a Daniel’s Care family, providing them a wall portrait worth about $1,200. Why is this such a special gift? Well, not only do most of those families not have the financial resources for a portrait, most photographers wouldn’t even understand the special considerations a child in a wheelchair needs. That’s why the Waldens’ goal is to help professional photographers understand how they could help with this and other similar charities. “A lot of photographers don’t know what to do when it comes to helping out a charity,” adds Tim. “But a thousand miles begins with one step.”

If you are considering getting your studio involved in charity work, the Waldens’ suggest the following: » Ask yourself what really affects your heart. For the Waldens, it was the kids. » Ensure that your friends, family and staff are involved in the decision. » Get out of your comfort zone. It would have been much more comfortable to give the families an 8x10, but the Waldens wanted to give a significant gift. » Make it very clear what form your help will take—write down the details of what you will and won’t do. “The reason many ideas don’t

last is because they aren’t defined,” Tim explains. » Above all, make sure you are doing it for the cause, not the business effect. To Tim, the heart of the photographer helping the charity is more important than any business effect it might have. “That charity work gives you a clear perspective of what’s really important,” he says. “You’re doing something that really makes a difference in someone’s life. It even helps our staff feel great about the work they do—everyone wants to be part of something like this.” In fact, they didn’t tell anyone when they started working with Daniel’s Care,

but three months later, a newspaper called wanting to feature their work because of word of mouth. They’ve had television interviews, spoken at hospice conventions and more, but Tim says those are just the peripheral benefits of something that touched their hearts. If you are interested in learning more about or working with Daniel’s Care, you can reach Tim and Beverly Walden by e-mailing [email protected]. P.S. Meet Tim and roll up your sleeves for an intense 3-day workshop featuring Julia Woods and him— “Where Art Meets Business”—coming this spring as a new PPA class.

news from Professional Photographers of America — the world’s largest non-profit association for professional photographers | www.ppa.com

PPAtoday | February 2010 | news from Professional Photographers of America

THE FEAR OF PRINT COMPETITION By Susan Michal, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI

Fear can keep you from experiencing many things that could be life-changing. Let me let you in on a little secret: when it comes to print competition, no one is immune to the stomach-clinching feeling you get when one of your prints comes up to be judged. Many new competitors think that only they feel this way. Not true! Rest assured that even the most experienced, awardwinning photographic competitor feels just like you do. Why do we subject ourselves to this particular form of fear? For me, it is simple. Competition has made me a better photographer much faster than I could have believed. It is one of the most economical and quickest ways to get educated. More importantly, though, competing has really helped in my business. If you can get past the “winning” aspect of competition and understand what it can do for you as an artist and businessperson, you will see it in a whole new light. Competing can get you past the fear of selling. After all, if you can put your images in front of a panel of qualified, trained judges, selling to your clients should be a piece of cake. From an artistic standpoint, pushing yourself to compete can

be critical to your business growth, too. Taking that bold step to put yourself on the line will teach you to take bold steps in your art (and business). But it’s not always easy to allow your work to be critiqued. That’s why you have to learn to take a step back from your images and look at competing as the learning experience it can be. It may help you accomplish things you never thought possible. I can honestly say I would not be the photographer I am today had I not competed. So take a risk! Take advantage of local, state and regional competitions whenever possible, for they can help prepare you for a great, artistically fulfilling career. What are you waiting for? Get past your fears and give yourself a gift only you can give. Become confident in your work…and watch your business start growing! Get ready for the 2010 International Competition – deadline April 29, 2010 (more information will be available soon at PPA.com’s Competitions page). Check with your affiliate association for upcoming image competition entry deadlines and rules. Send questions about regional or international competitions to Jim Dingwell ([email protected]).

PPA 2010 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES: LEARNING FROM EVERY ANGLE In 2010, our education group has an entire slate of new programs and learning opportunities planned, including a variety of classes that address the artistry, creativity and business of running your business, presented across a continuum of media for every way you learn, whether it’s visually, verbally or hands-on. Don’t miss these exciting classes and workshops that expand your knowledge and skill-sets…and give you the opportunity to get to know fellow photographers and build your network. Association is one of the most powerful benefits of membership in PPA. Use it to your advantage in 2010! The Benchmark Study Webinar Series Register now at: http://www.ppa.com/studio-managementservices/webinars_benchmark.php

»

Meeting the PPA Benchmark: Home Studios Our webinar panel of top-performing home studio owners shares stories and speaks out about the obstacles they have overcome. They’ll address pricing, effectively selling from a home studio environment and keeping costs down, while leading authority on studio business management Ann Monteith gives attendees an in-depth review of the latest Benchmark Survey results and how they can be utilized to improve financial performance. February 1 @ 4 p.m. EST $39 for PPA Members

»

Are You Really Ready for Retail Space? Are you ready for a retail space? Don’t take another step until you listen in on this webinar that can help you put a realistic financial plan in place. Based on data from the latest PPA Benchmark Survey, Scott Kurkian, PPA CFO and founder of Studio Management Services, and Julia Woods will tell you what you need to consider when making this move. This webinar could save you thousands of dollars and protect the future of your business. February 22 @ 4 p.m. EST $39 for PPA Members

Other Upcoming Events and Series » NEW in 2010! Art Meets Business Workshops » Studio Management Services Workshops – The 2010 schedule is now online » Super Monday, Spring 2010 » Continuing Canon and Adobe Webinar Series, free & exclusive to PPA members » Member Essentials Webinars » And so much more… To register for classes and to find out more about PPA’s education offerings, visit www.ppa.com. PPA Education…Where Art Meets Business.

news from Professional Photographers of America — the world’s largest non-profit association for professional photographers | www.ppa.com

LabTab

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WHERE THE PROS GO FOR THE BEST IN REPRODUCTION SERVICES

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 111

LabTab

WHERE THE PROS GO FOR THE BEST IN REPRODUCTION SERVICES

LabTab 2010 ad rates: • AD SIZE: 31⁄2 X 21⁄2 • 12X RATE: $450.00 • 6X RATE: $560.00 PER MONTH Sign a 12x contract and receive a double size feature ad twice during your contract year at no extra charge.

For more information, contact your advertising representative: BART ENGELS, Western Region Manager, 847-854-8182; [email protected] SHELLIE JOHNSON, Northeast Region Manager, 404-522-8600, x279; [email protected] BILL KELLY, Southeast Region Manager, 404-522-8600, x248; [email protected]

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February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 113

LabTab

WHERE THE PROS GO FOR THE BEST IN REPRODUCTION SERVICES

Buyer’s Gallery 2010 ad rates:

Ad size: 21⁄4” x 43⁄4 12x rate: $600.00 / 6x rate: $650.00 (gross per month) For more information, contact your advertising representative: BART ENGELS, Western Region Manager, 847-854-8182; [email protected] SHELLIE JOHNSON, Northeast Region Manager, 404-522-8600, x279; [email protected] BILL KELLY, Southeast Region Manager, 404-522-8600, x248; [email protected]

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February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 115

Buyer’s Gallery THIS SECTION IS THE MONTHLY RESOURCE PHOTOGRAPHERS USE TO FIND THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED. PUT YOUR MESSAGE PROMINENTLY IN FRONT OF INDUSTRY PROS AND START TURNING BROWSERS INTO BUYERS.

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February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 117

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PROFE SSIONA L

Adorama (adorama.com)....................................89,99,101,103

Manfrotto (manfrotto.us)...................................................43

Advanced Photographic Solutions (dvancedphoto.com)...............112

McKenna Pro (mckennapro.com)........................................110

Albums Inc. (albumsinc.com, www.albumepoca.com) ....................39

Meridian Professional Imaging (meridianpro.com) ........Cover II

Alien Skin Software (alienskin.com)......................................3

Midwest Photographic Resources Center (midwestphotographic.com)........................................117

American Color Imaging (acilab.com)................................6,111 Miller Professional Imaging (millerslab.com)...............18-19,111 American Student List (studentlist.com) ............................116 Morris Group (themorriscompany.com) ..............................119 Animoto (animoto.com/go/doug) ........................................13 MPIX (mpix.com) ..........................................................21,115 ARK-LA-TEX Color Lab (altcolorlab.com) ...........................114 NAPP (photoshopworld.com)..............................................91 B & H Photo-Video (bhphotovideo.com)........................92-93 National Direct Marketing Services (ndmservices.com)........118 Baboo Digital (baboodigital.com)...................................67,114 North American Photo (naphoto.com) ...........................113,115 Bay Photo Lab (bayphoto.com) .....................................41,110 NILMDTS (nilmdts.org)......................................................42 Black River Imaging (blackriverimaging.com) .......................35 Onlinephotofix.com (onlinephotofix.com/magpp) ................121 Bowens (bowensusa.com) ..................................................73 OnOne Software (ononesoftware.com/50pn) ......................75 Bron Imaging (bronimaging.com) ........................................55 PCL West Imaging (pclwest.com) .......................................115 Paul Buff Inc. (white-lightning.com) ...................................53 PPA Get Real Tour (ppa.com/getrealtour) ...........................44 Burrell Colour Imaging (burrellcolourimaging.com)....................111 PPA Membership (ppa.com) ...............................................28 BWC (bwc.net) ........................................................56-57,112 Pacific Mount (pacificmount.com) ......................................119 Candid Color Systems Inc. (candid.com).........................63,112 PhotoTech Inc. (phototechinc.com).....................................121 Color Incorporated (colorincprolab.com) ..............................111 PickPic (pickpic.com) ..........................................................31 Contemporary Photography/J. Hartman (jhartman.com) ...........118 Pictobooks (pictobooks.com) .......................................116,118 Corporate Color/Prolab Express (prolabexpress.com) ..110,116 Portrait City Lab (customcolor.com) ...................................113 CPQ (cpq.net).............................................................110,114 Custom Brackets (custombrackets.com) .............................117

Portrait Professional Studio (portraitprofessionalstudio.com) ..................................23

Dalmatian Lab (dalmatianlab.com) .....................................112

Posh Prints & Design (poshprintsonline.com) .....................117

Denny Manufacturing (dennymfg.com) ................................12

Pro Photo (prophotoimaging.com) .....................................115

Denny Novelty (photonovelty.com) .....................................42

Profoto (profoto-usa.com)..................................................15

Diversified Lab (diversifiedlab.com) ....................................113

Reedy Photo (.reedyphoto.com).........................................114

ESS Data Recovery (datarecovery.com)...............................118

Renaissance Albums (renaissancealbums.com) ...................116

Epson (proimaging.epson.com) ............................................9

RightHook Media (bigblackbag.com) ..................................117

ExpoImaging (expodisc.com) ..............................................47

Sandy Puc’ 2010 Family Tour (www.sandypuctours.com)....109

GP Albums (gpalbums.com) ..............................................118

Simply Canvas (simplycanvas.com/TheBest) ..................36-37

Group Photographers Association (groupphotographers.com) .........................................110

Speedotron (.speedotron.com) .........................................104 Studio Logic (studiologic.com)............................................25

H&H Color Lab (hhcolorlab.com) ................................Cover III Styla* Mount (stylamount.com) ........................................116 Herff Jones (hjpro.com) .....................................................113 Successware (successware.net)...........................................83 Hollywood Fotofix Digital Studios (retouchup.com) .............49 Superior Specialties Inc. .......................................................121 Interfit Photographic Ltd. (interfitphotographic.com) ..........118 Texas School of Professional Photography (texasschool.org)...85 Intuit (trygopayment.com) ...................................................5 Tyndell (www.tyndellphotographic.com)..............................117 JD Photo Imaging (www.jdphotoimaging.com)....................113 United Promotions Inc. (upilab.com)...................................111 Kelby Training (kelbytraining.com) ......................................79 White House Custom Color (whcc.com) .................10-11,26-27 Lustre Color (lustrecolor.com) ............................................115 White Glove (wgbooks.com) ..............................................117 Mamiya (mamiya.com) ..............................................Cover IV

Publisher not responsible for errors & omissions

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 119

ClassifiedAdvertising COMPUTER/SOFTWARE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES

Classified rates: • $1.50 per word; • $2.00 per word/ words with all caps or bold face. • $10.00 per issue—Confidential Reply Box Ads (Optional)—$30 minimum per ad. Closing date is 20th of the second month proceeding issue date. Remittance must be received with order. NO ADS ACCEPTED BY PHONE. Remittance to: Professional Photographer Classified Ads, 229 Peachtree NE, Ste. 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303; 800339-5451, ext. 221; FAX 404-614-6405.

SUCCESSWARE®—Studio Management Software available for both Windows® and Macintosh®. Recommended by Ann Monteith, the nation’s foremost studio management consultant. Call today for a FREE SuccessWare® Tour 800-593-3767 or visit our Web site www.SuccessWare.net.

DIGITAL DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS—Kessler Color produces STUNNING images from digital files. Try our rapid FTP site and get a FREE 16 x 20. New Service—E-Vents from Kessler Color. Get 8x10 units for $.90. [email protected]. 800-KES-LABS. SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHERS—Kessler Color’s digital units start at $.90 each. Beautiful color and great value! Call 800-KES-LABS.

EDUCATION/WORKSHOPS ARTISTIC ENHANCEMENT A WORK OF ART - DIGITAL PORTRAIT PAINTING. Offer your clients the look of hand-painted oils on canvas and watch your print sales soar. Fast turnaround, work guaranteed. We have 5 years’ experience in Corel Painter, working exclusively with professional studios. Featured in PPA Magazine, August 2007. Starting at $125. 724-5189069; www.bobnolin.com

BACKGROUNDS THE DENNY MFG. CO., INC. is the World’s Largest Manufacture of Hand Painted Backgrounds, Computer Painted Backgrounds, Muslin Backgrounds, Studio Sets, Props, Lift Systems, and related Studio Accessories. Contact us today to receive our FREE 180 page color catalog filled with exquisite products and ideas to help you succeed in Photography. Write P.O. Box 7200 Mobile, AL 36670; Call 1-800-844-5616 or visit our Web site at www.dennymfg.com. STUDIO DYNAMICS’ muslin and canvas backdrops offer quality and value at outlet prices! Call 1-800-595-4273 for a catalog or visit www.studiodynamics.com CHICAGO CANVAS & SUPPLY—Wide Seamless Canvas and Muslin, Duvetyn, Commando Cloth, Theatrical Gauze, Velour, Sharkstooth Scrim, Leno Scrim, Gaffers Tape, Primed Canvas, Gesso, and Deka Fabric Dyes—Fabrication Available. Curtain Track & Hardware for Moveable Curtains and Backdrops—Easily installed. Quick turn around time. Our prices can’t be beat. Visit our website or call for a free catalog and samples. 773-478-5700; www.chicagocanvas.com; [email protected] BACKDROP OUTLET, We are the Largest supplier of Backgrounds, Props and Studio Accessories. We have it all…. Canvas from $99.00 Muslin Backgrounds from $69.00 Scenics, Flex outs, Faux tex. Your options are endless. We also offer roller systems and Light Rail systems. Lights, Soft boxes, Stands and equipment. We have a huge selection of props and set systems. REQUEST OUR FREE 164 PAGE CATALOG 1-800-466-1755 or you can order online at WWW.BACKDROPOUTLET.COM 3540 Seagate Way, Oceanside, CA 92056.

BLANK MEDIA $64 FOR 100 FULL COLOR PRINTED BLANK DISCS, Vivid waterproof colors, UV cured, Quick 48 hour turnaround, NO SETUP FEES! www.onediscmore.com

CANVAS MOUNTING CANVAS MOUNTING, STRETCHING, FINISH LACQUERING. Original McDonald Method. Considered best AVAILABLE. Realistic canvas texture. Large sizes a specialty. WHITMIRE ASSOCIATES, YAKIMA, WA. 509248-6700. WWW.CANVASMOUNT.COM

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“The Art of Digital Photo Painting: Using Popular Software to Create Masterpieces” book is now available on Amazon. Join Corel Painter Master Marilyn Sholin in Asheville, NC and other locations at a workshop. Free tutorials and registration at the Digital Paint Shop. www.digitalpaintingforum.com/shop Visit WWW.PROPHOTOBUSINESSFORUM.COM—A private online community of business conscious wedding and portrait photographers just like you. YOU’LL NEVER BE THE SAME. YOU’LL BE BETTER!

FRAMES CREATIVE DRAGONFLY—custom 4” & 6” wide solid wood frames. You design it, We make it. www.dragonflyframes.com

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED: Assistant photographer for contemporary photojournalistic wedding coverages in Orange County, CA area. Must have digital equipment. E-mail John at [email protected].

INCORPORATION SERVICES INCORPORATE OR FORM an LLC today! Your art is a business. Treat it like one. The Company Corporation can help you incorporate or form a limited liability company in as little as ten minutes. We are fast, accurate and affordable. Provide additional credibility to your photography studio or business at the fraction of the cost of using an attorney. Call 1-800-206-7276 or visit www.incorporate.com today!

INSURANCE Instant Online Photography Insurance. Quotes. Tom C. Pickard Insurance. www.tcpinsurance.com 800-7263701, ext. 117. Lic. 0555411

LAB SERVICES ACADEMY PRODUCTIONS INC. INNOVATIVE PRINTING SOLUTION Complete Imaging Service for today’s professional photographer Processing—Proofing—Film—Digital Files —SOS— Self Ordering System powered by ROES • High Volume Packages—Kodak Products • Schools—Daycares—Sports—Proms—Seniors • Studios—Store Promotions—Fundraisers—Weddings • Composites—Collages—Other Unique Products • High Tech Printing Equipment—Scanning Services • Free Marketing Seminars—Expert Product Designers • Superior Customer Service—Detailed Technical Support • Competitive Pricing—Quick Turn Around CALL US TODAY: 800-421-3523 6100 ORR ROAD • CHARLOTTE, NC 28213 www.PicAcademy.com

HAND PAINTED OILS; Transparent, Deluxe, and Canvas Stretched up to 40x60. A complete photo art lab serving photographers since 1965. Traditional and Digital printing services. Fiber based B&W up to 30x40. Giclee Fine Art prints. Restoration. Free estimates & pricing guide. 800-922-7459 Venetian Arts www.venetianarts.com Wallets to 6ftx14ft Goldencolor 9020 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-274-3445 • www.goldencolor.com

PHOTO RESTORATION 1st PHOTO RESTORATION FREE! Try us, you’ll like us! Point & click easy. No sign up cost. 100% guarantee. Online leader since 1993. Wholesale only to professionals. www.hollywoodfotofix.com or call 888-700-3686.

PHOTOS WANTED VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS from 1860’s-1970’s: Movie Stills, Celebrity Candids, Music, Sports, Crime, War/Political, Wire Photos, Negatives, Glass Slides, and Transparencies. WILL BUY ENTIRE COLLECTIONS! FINDERS FEES PAID! Ralph 800-392-4050 or [email protected]

PRESENTATION BOXES BOXES—FREE SAMPLE PRESENTATION BOX—FROM THE ORIGINAL BLACK BOX MANUFACTURE—Fast delivery, Finest quality 4"x5", 5"x5", 4"x6", 8"x10", 11"x14", 16"x20", 20"x24". AUFENGER BOX, 4800 COLLEY AVE., NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23508; 757-4401147 (phone); 757-440-1149 (fax); 888-440-1146 (toll free). www.aufengerbox.com PRESENTATION BOXES available for immediate shipment; 19 sizes—4 stock colors. For FREE catalog & samples call 800-969-2697 or fax request 800-861-4528. BUY DIRECT AND SAVE. NPD Box Company, 11760 Berea Rd., Cleveland, OH 44111. www.NPDBox.com H-B PHOTO professional photography packaging for your branding. Visit our e-store for the best quality at lower prices. Boxes, CD packaging, totes, tissue, ribbons, 18 COLOR CHOICES, add your logo. WW.H-BPHOTO.COM, H-B PACKAGING GROUP CENTRAL FALLS, RI; toll free 866-570-8915.

RETOUCHING PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS You can retouch quickly with superior results. Guaranteed. WWW.3DLIGHTMASTER.COM WHEN YOUR NAME is on the line, nothing but the best will ever do. Our retouchers know what you need: fast service, a retouch that looks like the photo was never altered and the lowest prices in the industry. If you demand the best log onto www.retouchup.com and your first 10 retouches are free just to prove our claims— the best—the fastest and the least expensive or call 888-700-3686. “NEED RETOUCHING HELP? Our small team is dedicated, professional and FAST. We accept .tiff and .jpg images, 24 hour turnaround time. Try us for free! www.RetouchAssistant.com.”

SALES AIDS BOXES—FROM THE ORIGINAL BLACK BOX MANUFACTURE—FREE SAMPLE—Fast delivery, Finest quality 4”x5”, 5”x5”, 4”x6”, 8”x10”, 11”x14”, 16”x20”, 20”x24”. AUFENGER BOX, 4800 COLLEY AVENUE, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23508; 757-440-1147 (phone); 757-440-1149 (fax); 888-440-1146 (toll free). www.aufengerbox.com

ProductMall

SOMETHING HERE YOU NEED.

5000 POSTCARDS $149 UV Coated 5,000 Business cards for $60.00 www.colorphotobusinesscards.com • $10 off /with ad

STUDIOS FOR SALE AWESOME DALLAS AREA PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO: A well established, newly remodeled, state of the art studio for sale. In business over 20 years with a great reputation and large client base. Big, spacious studio, with lots of equipment, backgrounds, props, specialty scenes, and big screen protection room. Owner wants to slow down. Will assist with the transition. Call 214-837-5823. A WELL-ESTABLISHED, SUCCESSFUL TURNKEY PHOTOGRAPHIC BUSINESS IN A HIGH VISIBILITY, FASHIONABLE AREA OF NORTH FLORIDA. OPEN FIFTEEN YEARS, NOW WITH FULL FILM AND DIGITAL PROCESSING, WIDE FORMAT PRINTING, LUCIDIOM AND FUJI KIOSKS, SPACIOUS-EQUIPPED STUDIO, LIGHTING, CAMERAS, BACKGROUNDS AND MUCH MORE. READY TO HAND OVER TO CONTINUE MAKING A PROFIT RIGHT AWAY. THE BUILDING, OVER 4000 SQ.FT., WITH LARGE PARKING LOT, IS AVAILABLE FOR LEASE OR PURCHASE. OWNERS ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE ON SITE. THE BUILDING WILL BE WORTH $1,000,000. NOW OFFERING BUILDING AND BUSINESS TOGETHER FOR 900K. OWNER AVAILABLE DURING TRANSITION. [email protected] OR CALL MON-FRI 904-399-3939 BEFORE 9 AM OR BETWEEN 5 AND 6PM.EST. LOS ANGELES PHOTOGRAPHY/Production Studio, located in the Artists District. Bldg. is 19,000 sq ft free standing on 22.000 sq ft of land. It is concrete tilt-up with dock high loading, built specifically for a photography and production studio in 1978. Exacta Photographers, Inc has been a successful business since 1970, grossing an average 1 million per year. Fully equipped w/hot lights for TV commercials and strobe equipment for fashion, etc. 7 air conditioned sets (10,000 sq.ft.) a fully equipped color lab/ computer stations/executive offices, huge inventory of backgrounds for sets, cameras, lens, etc. Owner retired. A great opportunity for the right person. For info call 626-445-7459.

CLASSIFIED ADS CAN WORK FOR YOU! Place a classified ad in the next issue of Professional Photographer to reach over 50,000 qualified buyers. For information contact: Professional Photographer Classified Ads 229 Peachtree NE, Ste. 2200 • Atlanta, GA 30303 800-339-5451, ext. 221

STUDIO FOR SALE: Central New York near Syracuse. High quality portrait studio, w/ excellent reputation, specializing in high school senior portraits (350 - 500 yearly), family portraits, underclass contracts. In business for 35 years. More than 3,000 sq ft. Beautiful country location with valley view on approx. 2 acres. More than 220k in equipment, furnishings, computers & state of the art digital equipment. 3 camera rooms, large projection room and beautiful environmental studio right outside the door. 2 income apartments in the building. Owner looking to wind down and also has other business interests. Will assist in transition, will finance. Call Tom 315-750-8538 or email [email protected]. www.pictureswithpride.com

STUDIOS WANTED COLUMBUS CAMERA GROUP, INC. buys whole studios or any part including cameras, film, darkroom, long roll, lighting, and misc. No quantities too small. Call 800-3257664. Ask for Eric.

February 2010 • Professional Photographer • 121

good works |

Images wield the power to effect change. In this monthly feature, Professional Photographer spotlights professional photographers using their talents to make a difference through charitable work.

©John Ratchford

bol of hope for others. Ratchford documented this as well, capping off the year-long project with photographs of the MacLean family on the beach at sunset, a persistent sunbeam piercing the cloudy sky, everyone reveling in Shauna MacLean’s victory. Not long after, the hospital launched a fundraiser to finance an expansion of the cancer wing. The organizers asked MacLean to be the face of the project, having seen Ratchford’s images of her. Ratchford donated those photographs to the campaign to use in mailings, newspaper and television ads, and posters for the windows of area businesses. Ratchford reproduced MacLean’s album for use on the cancer ward, to show patients what they could expect during their treatment for breast cancer. He also hosted fundraisers at the studio on behalf of the hospital.

The battle story

W

PHOTOGRAPHER RECORDS THE ODYSSEY OF A CANCER SURVIVOR

Ratchford went on to enter the album in a print competition in Canada, where it won Best Feature Album both regionally and nationally, and then was accepted into the 2009 PPA Loan Collection.

hen John Ratchford

took that first call from

Shauna MacLean, there

was only one answer to her

request. MacLean had

recently been given a diagnosis

of breast cancer. Still in early

Over the next several months, Ratchford

“The project has been a blessing to me,

accompanied MacLean to her chemotherapy

with the awards and publicity I received,”

and radiation treatments, photographing

says Ratchford. “It has also blessed the hos-

her as nurses poked around for viable veins,

pital, as the provocative images helped the

and technicians scored her body with lines

hospital raise a record amount. Best of all,

of red light from the radiation machine. All

it’s helped Shauna heal, not just physically,

the while, MacLean’s husband stood by

but emotionally as a woman. She has said

treatment, she had already undergone a double

determined to be strong but looking com-

the images helped her regain her dignity. So

mastectomy, to be followed by a long and pain-

pletely vulnerable. MacLean kept her atti-

my message to other photographers is to be

ful regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. She

tude upbeat, poking fun at herself and her

open to what comes to you; you never know

wasn’t exactly sure why, she told Ratchford, but

husband, and exuding a sense of peace and

the good you can do.” �

she felt compelled to document her battle with

hope. Ratchford made sure to capture these

cancer, her struggle to endure the gruelling

moments, too, along with the difficult ones.

treatment of the disease. Ratchford, whose pho-

He was creating an anthology of an odyssey.

tography business is in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, never contemplated turning her down.

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MacLean would ultimately triumph over breast cancer, and in doing so become a sym-

To see more from John Ratchford, visit www.ratchfordphotographic.com. Share your good works experience with us by e-mailing Cameron Bishopp at [email protected]

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