The (Conference) Hits Keep on Coming!

The 2010 conference theme is LEARN MORE TO EARN MORE and this conference delivers it all! Photoshop, marketing, classical portraiture, weddings, models and fashion, fine art, seniors, children and MORE! right down to some KICKIN' EARLY BIRDS.

In the last two months, we've added MORE speakers, MORE vendors, MORE excitement!

NEW! On Saturday, March 27th at 1:00 p.m. at the Desmond, we've arrange to administer the PPA CPP test (Certified Professional Photographer) If you're interested in taking that test, call PPA right away to make sure you're eligible and can participate.

NEW! We've added early birds on 1) getting REAL results with Facebook, 2) Lightroom tutorial, 3) background design using muslins, 4) how to design a marketing piece, and 5) a special early bird that will take you on a photo safari around the Desmond and show you how to find photo opportunities on location. Check the schedule here for specific times and instructors. One non-early bird program discusses the PHVusion that happens with still and video. Promises to be a cool program.

NEW: There's new print rules posted that now include ALL the award categories -- Fuji, Canon, Courts of Honor, everything explained.

BRAND NEW! We just added (20 minutes ago) the speakers' posters online -- you know, the ones you normally stand outside their room to read at conference to see if that's who you really want to see? We're giving you a head start this year; because you may have to make some tough choices :-). SO, when you check the schedule, check out the green "Learn More to Earn More" logo to the right of each presentation and click it to check out that's speaker's bio and information. AND if you click on their photo, you'll go to their web sites so you can really check them out. it doesn't get any easier than that!

Someone wrote me that they didn't know some of our speakers. THANK GOODNESS! The team worked hard to bring you fresh talent. You might not have heard of some of them, but I promise you the artists we present you this year are cream of the crop, and at the top of their games.

Consider KEN SKLUTE! Canon Explorer of Light -- a designation shared by only 60 other top photographers worldwide! Could you learn something from a person who's been chosen as photographer of the year 27 times in 35 years, between different states? or someone who's won 15 Kodak Gallery awards and 15 Fuji Masterpiece awards. Would you like to get inside that mind? Check out his poster here: http://ppsnys.com/conference/2010/Sklute.html .

Or how about MATTHEW JORDAN SMITH; photographer to the stars, teaching us photographic lighting secrets and marketing techniques to improve your bottom line. Do you think the person who photographs Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Halle Berry, Mandy Moore and other stars might be able to share a thing or two about lighting? The same man who's hired by Pantene, L'Oreal, Revlon and Olay? Right here in Albany...Friday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. Check out his poster here: http://ppsnys.com/conference/2010/mjs.html

Do you work out of your home? How about STOREY WILKINS who, in 6 short years, built a highly successful home based wedding business and was named one of Canada's top 10 wedding photographers in July 2009? March 9th she'll be teaching a master class at WPPI on the art of powerful wedding day storytelling, but you can save your money because she'll be teaching the same program at at our conference in Albany on March 28th at 8:00 a.m. (tradeshow starts at 10:00) Check out her poster here: http://ppsnys.com/conference/2010/wilkins.html

That's just 3 -- and there's so much more. I don't want to give it to you all at once; I just wanted to give you a feel for what will be right here in your own back yard... March 25-28th, 2010 at the Desmond.

The ONLY way to keep from learning something MAJOR at this conference... is to not show up! Don't risk it! Your competition is already registered !!

The Fine Print

Day Rates Tickets now available on the registration site. PPSNYS / PPANJ/ PPA member rate is only $75.00. Non-Member Day Rate fee is $100 dollars.

Print Competition begins on THURSDAY, March 25th, so be sure to check the rules for deadline dates and fees and submission changes.

FULL CONFERENCE fee! $175 for PPA, PPSNYS, PPANJ members -- $245.00 for non-members, includes 1 year free membership in PPSNYS for first-time members) Includes all parties and socials (except Sunday night awards banquet), one lunch, one brunch, all seminars, and the TRADE SHOW! Sunday night awards banquet must be purchased separately.

Hotel Reservations
The Desmond is located just 2-1/2 miles from Albany International Airport, and is easy access off routes 1-87, 787, Rt 7 and I-90. Call 1-800-448-3500 to reserve your plush accommodations at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center for the special price of only $135.00 per night for up to 4 occupants. Special rate ends March 5th, 2010.

Talk to you again soon. ;-)

Your Conference Team

New York and New Jersey Co-Venture Joint Conference for 2010 !

The Professional Photographers' Society of New York State (PPSNYS) and the Professional Photographers' Association of New Jersey (PPANJ) are making history, as these two powerhouse organizations come together to co-venture the "1st Annual The Northeast Regional District of Professional Photographers of America Convention", being held Thursday, March 25 - Sunday, March 28, 2010.

Assessing current market conditions and anticipating upcoming changes to PPA's regional print competition policies, the organizations seized the opportunity to get a head start in working together and setting the spirit and example of cooperation among the Northeast Region's photographer Societies.

The 2010 joint conference is being held at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany-Shaker Road in Albany, New York. Click the image below to see full registration details on the upcoming conference as well as a video of the conference speakers.


The conference features a plethora of top speakers (see the schedule here) , as well as a FULL HOUSE of sponsors for the TRADE SHOW on Saturday and Sunday.

Just $175.00 for PPSNYS / PPANJ / PPA members, includes the full conference, one brunch, one lunch and all social functions (including the theme party). Non-member fee of $245 includes one year of free membership in PPSNYS (for 1st time members) at the section of your choice (there are ten sections throughout New York State)

REGISTER NOW at http://northeast2010.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn or send a blank email to ppsnysconf@aweber.com for up-to-the-minute updates.

See you there!

And the Beat Goes On...

When I joined PPSNYS back in September of 2000, I could not have forecasted the series of events that would have culminated in my becoming president of PPSNYS.

As I look back, it all came about because I had a desire to contribute. I've always believed that if I'm going to "belong" to something, I needed to contribute. So after I joined in 2000, I started pitching in at the section level -- first as secretary, then delegate -- and wound up being section chair at Central for two years, and the rest is history.

In order to be a good member, I believe that you need to find a way to contribute to whole. Everyone doing a little makes the organization stronger, particularly in an all volunteer organization.

So maybe you don't want to be president -- I certainly didn't think that was in the cards for me -- but I encourage you to find a way to contribute. Don't just carry membership card; carry out the "active" part of your active membership. Think of what small part you can play -- and add your own unique value -- that will make PPSNYS a better society for you, and all of us. Choose to be a partner in our greatness. It is the power of our team that makes us stand out, and makes us successful.

Thank you for helping us have a very successful year! Despite the downturn in the economy, PPSNYS members turned out mightily for our conference, and we had a great time.

The photo committee processed over 1500 images (see them on FLICKR at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ppsnys/).


So, I've graduated to the ranks of past presidents - 104th in a series. Though my presidency is over, my contribution is not. I will continue to be a good member, and contribute to make our society better. I hope you will continue with me.

If you're new to our great society -- our family -- we understand that you joined us in hopes of receiving something. But members of a family support and nurture each other, and if we're not a family, we're just a bunch of people sitting around in a room together. I hope you'll be part of our family.

Thank you for allowing me to lead you. Take care.

Kelvin P. Ringold, CPP
"The Prez" (some habits die hard)

2 Weeks to Go (From Winifred)

We are only two weeks away from PPSNYS and as I am looking at yet another beautiful snow fall in the northwest, I know I am being prepared for what I might find in Albany – because I have certainly NEVER seen a winter like this in Poulsbo WA before - winter 2008/2009. We have created history!

In addition to a slideshow I hope you will enjoy, I will have sixteen 24x30 canvas prints on display. Sometimes it is difficult to put together a large display when traveling to a conference, but with the help of Paul Bernstein and my lab – I am getting them there.

I am so excited about meeting so many new people and of course meeting my new FACEBOOK friends. I would never have been on FB had Kelvin not said – “I need you to be on FB. I want people to start to meet you and you them and it will be good for your business.” I was resistant – I emailed “What is this FB. – just another link to my site” Anyway, I joined and could immediately see the significant platform it provides and the access it gives me to easily connect to my professional industry. I am actually a very private person, so there are real limits as to how I use it but I do enjoy.

I am speaking on the first evening but I am remaining for the entire convention. I am looking forward to all the presentations - it is such an opportunity to keep those creative juices stirred and such an opportunity to meet you.

See you there.

Winifred

3 Weeks to Go (from Winifred)

Less than 3 weeks to go and I am thinking "shouldn't I wear an evening

gown so that I can better represent my elegant ladies." I wonder if I

can pull that together! I have so much to show you and to share with you about Intimate Portraits for Women - my tiny slice of the market and I love it. I am in the 212 club. I am going for STEAM! SOMEBODY needs to setup a 212 group.

You are probably aware of the reputation New Yorkers have for being all business, cold and distant. I continue to be amazed by the warmth with which I have been received and the assistance extended by this NY community. Wouldn't it be something to have to coin a slogan "New Yorkers are Nice" Scary but It could happen.

Anyway, I sure hope you will come to State, as I hear it called, and please introduce yourself to me. I am so enjoying this cross country connection. Speaking of cross country, it was so frosty and cold this morning, I thought I was in New York. Well, at least the time has changed -- a promise of Spring to follow. Winifred

---

http://www.intimateportraitsforwomen.com/blog

http://www.intimateportraitsforwomen.com

elegance@intimateportraitsbyWinifred.com

~~~~~

New York ~ 347.835.8783

Seattle/Bainbridge Island ~ 206.777.5178

Poulsbo ~ 360.779.1375

http://www.facebook.com/people/Winifred-Whitfield/646537920>Facebook me!

PPSNYS / Westchester Member in the News!

Every body likes good news, and all the better when it's about US!

Westchester member Aida Krgin -- was featured last week in two different articles in her area. A local online journal entitled The Loop, featured Aida's studio on Saturday Feb 21, and also talked about her involvement with "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" (NILMDTS), an organization that provides bereavement photography for parents who have experienced early infant loss.

Aida and Krgin Photography were also featured in an article which appeared on February 25th in The Rye Record, and details her success in transforming her passion into a profitable business.

Check it out then drop her a line at aida@krginphoto.com and say congratulations!

Do you have other good news to report? Drop us a line at news@ppsnys.com!

Have a great day !!!

The Prez is on the Move

February 24th, I had the pleasure of visiting our Westchester section, at the kind invitation of Mr. Frank Mohalley. I got there just in time to be "social" and enjoyed a good meal and invigorating conversation. Then I found out I was going to be a print judge -- a pretty humbling experience when the other judge is Frank Dispensa!

But I survived the night and among other things had the pleasure of helping select the Carol Phillips 2008 print of the year, in honor of our past state president Carol Phillips. The award was presented by her husband, Robert Phillips, to Sheila Gardner.

It was a good night for Sheila -- she took that award, as well as Best of Show, 1st and 2nd place awards for Westchester's quarterly print competition. 3rd place was garnered by Les Howard. Thanks for inviting me Frank!

I have visited some other sections during my term. Last year I visited Southern Tier, actually before I was officially president. I visited Finger Lakes for their summer family picnic, SNAPP for their TEP with Don MacGregor last fall, Greater New York for their excellent Long Island Conference, and Hudson Valley in the fall for their John Woodward TEP. Greater Rochester invited me a couple of times, to include installing their officers in January.

I still need to get to Capital Champlain and Buffalo -- hopefully not on the same night! I have until mid-May as president, so maybe we can work these out after conference.

Have an excellent day! See you at conference!