Brazos Valley Professional Photographers Association

We are extremely excited about our upcoming BVPPA event to be held at the College Station Conference Center on November 17th, 2009. Our speaker of the month will be Walter Eagleton, Cr. Photog., PPA Certified of Eagleton Photography in Denton, Texas. Walter is being sponsored by White House Custom Color.

Walter’s Bio-

Walter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s Degree in Music with Jazz as his special field. His career in photography began as a hobby he and his wife Kim enjoyed together.

Walter is an active member of Professional Photographers Association (PPA), TPPA (where he is currently serving as the Treasurer), and Senior Portrait Artists (SPA) and also volunteers his time in his local community of Denton.

His work has been featured at several PPA national conventions from Las Vegas to Chicago to New Orleans and he has been honored to have one of his portraits published in the exclusive PPA Showcase Collection.

Walter has achieved the distinction of Certified Professional Photographer and in July of 2004 was awarded the degree of “Photographic Craftsman” by the Professional Photographers Association.

Walter’s program will be a half-day program.

• 4pm-6pm Set up for the Senior session and the session itself
• 6pm-7pm Dinner Break   (Jason’s Deli)
• 7pm-9pm Retouching and Sales

This workshop is open to non-members for a fee of $35. $25.00 for the workshop and $10.00 for dinner. Current BVPPA members will be charged a fee of $10.00 for dinner. We ask that you RSVP to any of our Board members whose names and email addresses are listed on the website.

We would also like to take time to thank WHCC again for their sponsorship of Walter Eagleton. Without them, this event would not be possible.

Event Details:

• November 17th, 2009
• College Station Conference Center
• 4pm-9pm with an hour break for dinner
• BVPPA members-$10
• Non-members $35
• Please RSVP by November 13th, 2009

Since we are doing a half day program there will be no print competition for this month.

If you are interested in learning how to frame and how to incorporate framing into your photography business, or if you already offer framing and need to brush up on your selling strategy, this is the Program for you!

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We have a very busy September schedule (check out the calendar on the left)! Let’s begin our quest for continuing education with our monthly BVPPA meeting on Tuesday, September 8th… this program can’t be missed! We welcome the Reddehase sisters from Spring, who’ll tell us all about their Baby Program and will help develop or strengthen your own. Have a look below for more information on Cristie and Melinda and their fun program….

You may know that we meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30, at the College Station Conference Center at 1300 George Bush Drive. We begin to gather at 6:30 for a little social time, have a brief discussion about Guild news at 6:50, and finally, the program begins at 7:00. Please do not forget… the Guild Print Competition begins this month! If you wish, bring a mounted 16×20 to enter.

We hope to see you Tuesday, September 8th at 6:30!

Seminar Info:
One of the best things you can do for your studio is have a strong baby program. After all, baby clients turn into toddler and family clients! Come learn how to not only get clients in the door, but also how to dazzle them with extra touches that will encourage them to spread the word to their friends. Melinda and Cristie discuss how to set up marketing pieces and create a brand for your studio, in addition to sharing some tips and hints about a great referral program and sales.

About Silver Image…
Melinda & Cristie Reddehase are sisters with a shared passion for photography. Simply put… “We do this job because we love it! There is nothing more rewarding than capturing a special moment in someone’s life. We create images that are held onto, loved and cherished.”

Both Melinda & Cristie have obtained bachelors of art degrees in photography from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Melinda started the studio in 2001 shortly after college graduation and was, for a time, the youngest studio owner in Texas. Cristie joined her a year later when her degree was complete. They quickly outgrew their 1,000 square foot commercial space and expanded to a custom built studio and three acres just over two years ago. They photograph all types of portraits but love high school seniors and babies the most!

This month we welcome Lewis and Carol Kincheloe from Georgetown, with a great program… “The Senior Moment!” If you need new ideas for your senior program or are looking to start one… you MUST come see this program!!! Please join us for the Kincheloe’s exciting program on Tuesday, August 11th at the College Station Conference Center located at 1300 George Bush Drive. We’ll gather at 6:30 for some social time, have a brief meeting at 6:50, and begin the program at 7:00. Also, the Print Competition does not begin until September, so keep those prints at home and surprise us later!

About Our Speaker…

Lewis Kincheloe is a Certified Professional Photographer, M.Photg.Craftsman who together with his wife Carol opened their studio in 1989. Lewis’ eye and persona behind the camera, combined with Carol’s business and customer service skills have made photography both exciting and rewarding as a profession. Texas Professional Photographer magazine described Lewis as “very much an artist, and has made a huge impact in the Austin area.” They have presented photography and marketing programs throughout the south.
Lewis currently serves as Vice President for the Texas Professional Photographers Association. He has won numerous awards for his photography, including five images in PPA’s Loan Collection and five Fuji Masterpiece Awards. He has won trophies for “Best Overall” Wedding, Illustrative, Portrait and Best Wedding Album five times from the Texas PPA. Lewis’ work is also included in the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK.

We also welcome Carl Clark of Pounds!
Pounds Labs is a full service lab located in Dallas. Pounds began business in Austin in 1976. Danny Pounds the owner was the official photographer for Gov Dolf Briscoe prior to starting  Pounds Photographic Labs. Pounds currently serves photographers in the continental 48 states and is a totally digital lab offering prints up to 40×60, along withpress printed cards and books.  Carl will have samples of their great products for you to look at on Tuesday night!

Cris j Duncan will be visiting us on June 9th, presenting his truly inspiring and motivational program… read below. You will not want to miss this!

Come meet with Cris, listen to what he does to elevate his business, incorporate some of his ideas in your own business model, and don’t look back! As usual, we meet at 6:30pm, with the News/Announcements beginning at 6:50pm, and the program following at 7:00pm. Although we still meet at the College Station Conference Center at 1300 George Bush Drive, we will be in a larger room from now on, so please look for the signs in the lobby to direct you.

The Photographer You Want To Be

No matter what you shoot, no matter your style, no matter your market level, in this motivating program you will learn great techniques to take back to your studio and push your business to the next level! By focusing in on a new philosophy and some simple principles, your approach to work as well as life will never be the same.

Discussion in this new and exciting program is based upon a simple but important principle–”Perception is greater than reality”. While technique is not a primary focus of this program, it will be covered to demonstrate how we as professionals present ourselves to our clients. So much of how our business will succeed or fail is based upon our relationship with our clients, our vendors and most importantly ourselves. Remember what your mother told you: “You can do it!” This has never been more relevant than it is today, in a time where economic storm clouds are building and a whirlwind of amateurs flood upon our market. Invest in yourself, invest in your business, invest in your life. In any business or organization, there is a plateau, a point in which one will persevere and increase or do nothing and fall: Do not let your business be the one to fall. When times look toughest and things are dark, true leaders and champions will rise. This is the time to be a leader, a champion, a surviver. Build your confidence, your knowledge, your sales and your business and become the photographer you want to be.

Cris j Duncan CPP. Professional Photographer, SPPPA,SWPPA,PPA.

Cris j DuncanCris is a professional photographer based in Lubbock, Texas. He specializes in wedding, portrait, corporate and family photography. Cris’ passion and knowledge for the art of photography is contagious. Since turning pro in 2001, Cris has had the opportunity to photograph Presidents, sitting Vice-Presidents, dignitaries, and countless weddings and portraits. Currently, Cris j Duncan Photography is one of the most sought after wedding photographers in the area. Cris and his wife, Deanna, both believe that God has blessed them with a talent and a passion that needs to be shared, both with their clients, as well as other professionals.

Cris continues to shoot numerous weddings, children, new families as well as giving several lectures to other professionals around the area. Cris is quickly becoming a force within the photographic community for his technical knowledge of photography as well as that of digital imaging programs, such as Adobe Photoshop. His energetic and outspoken attitude for his profession does not go unnoticed. He is the recipient of several accomplishments, both locally as well as at the national level.

Cris j Duncan continues to travel the country and gather awards and recognition for his photography. Below are a few of those accolades.

• 2008 Texas ‘Album of the Year’ scored a perfect 100
• 2008 SPPPA Photographer of the year
• 2008 Texas, Best first time entry TPA
• 2008 Loan collection acceptance PPA
• 2008 Distinguished Print ribbon, Judges choice SwPPA

April 14th

at 6:30pm (gathering) and 7pm (presentation)

Major Arnaud

Getting Your Name Out There

This is a business presentation on doing business in the 21st century.  With the problems we have in today’s economy it is not enough to just have a listing in the yellow pages, attend a few bridal shows and do a bulk rate mail out.  You must put your name out everywhere that you can.  Having a website is just the start of promoting your business.  In this program Major will go over the importance of social and business networking, creating a blog, writing articles, how to send out a legal mass email newsletter, attending events, becoming the expert resource for your clients and so much more.

Major’s Bio

Maydrick (Major) Arnaud (pronounced Arno) first discovered the internet in 1994.  With a background in computer technology and certified as a Professional Photographer he immediately realized the incredible marketing potential that World Wide Web had to offer.  So after building his first personal business website in 1995 Major was soon approached by other small businesses to design custom websites for their own companies.  Shortly there after a new company called Major Websites was formed.  For more then a decade now Major Websites has created hundreds of websites for all types of industries and organizations.  Major holds the degree of Photographic Craftsman and was the 2004 and 2008 President of the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston.

The March 10th program will feature Ross Benton. Remember, we now meet at the College Station Conference Center.

PS WoW Factor 2.0

Join us for a powerful class of Photoshop and Business from basic PS functions to advanced time saving tips and tricks. Understanding the Layers pallet, using mask, understanding blending modes, building custom patterns and textures. Using all this to create spectacular images without sitting at the computer all day. Then we are going to take it up a notch by adding in actions and automation to have PS work for you. Develop RAW profiles and streamline your workflow using RAW and Bridge. We will then dive into some Custom Album design tools and wedding sales techniques. Hang on to your seats this will be a fast paced class with tones of information!

At a recent event Ross Benton took the stage to teach many of his PhotoShop techniques that have earned him a multitude of awards in a very short period of time. “He was extremely patient and took the time to go over the steps more than once within each action to achieve the beautiful textures and romance he adds to his portraits and wedding images. I believe he really helped everyone learn more about the layers pallet and how to understand the blending modes in Photoshop. He also elaborated on his talent as a designer, creating gorgeous wedding album layouts for his clients and others who seek out his expertise. It was a wonderfully interactive program that involved a very packed audience. Great job Ross!” San Antonio Photographer

Highlights

• Retouching skin QUICK

• Dodge and burn techniques – great for skin and scenic

• Working with RAW images to streamline your workflow

• New Recipes for BW and Sepia

• Actions Actions Actions

• New Time saving (sometimes Life saving) Filters

• Some of Ross’ time saving albums tricks

• And More……

This class will cover Photoshop and Bridge.

the June 9th program will feature Cris Duncan.

the May 12th speaker will be Farrah Braniff.

“Achieve Your Image” with Vernon Wentz

February 3, 2009—Learn how Vernon Wentz attracts clients with outstanding images and marketing that’s full of impact, and how he keeps them happy. Mr. Wentz was President of the Professional Photographers of San Antonio in 2008, and won the title of San Antonio Photographer of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Recently, at the SWPPA Fall Convention, his Competition Prints received 4 for 4. Wentz and his team have received numerous awards in magazine ads and DVD marketing, for themselves and their clients.

It’s easy to see that even though Mr. Wentz has over 20 years of experience in this business, he keeps his images and his business fresh, and this is just one reason why he attracts such lucritive clients.

Meet with us February 3rd at the College Station Conference Center (1300 George Bush Drive). Arrive at 6:30pm for some social time, with the meeting beginning at 7:00pm.

Brazos Valley Professional Photographers present Vernon Wentz