One Minute Update (20 Feb)

Hi everyone,

First things first, I am going to try to make this blog a little (or a lot) more about what is going on with photography here at home, around the State and Nationally/Internationally.  Here is an excellent article on Reviewing your Annual Marketing Plan by Bridget Jackson (Bridget Jackson is manager of PPA Studio Management Services, which helps photographers make their business profitable. She is a certified pubic accountant. Reach her at bjackson@ppa.com.)  I encourage YOU to get a subscription to the Professional Photographer magazine ($22 a yr I think) and also to message me or drop me a link to things that you find.

I will also start a 'letters to the Organizer' campaign where I will publish your letters of concerns, noteworthy subjects, debatable issues and opinions.  You need to get those to me by close of business on Wednesday.  I will print as much as we have space for.  Please limit your writings to 100 words.  (we will start with this and see if that is too much or too little).  If no one writes, you'll be stuck with just me.  Also if there are any request for articles on a specific topic, I can do that too.  I am also going to structure the blog a little more and have sections like a News and weekly Member profile.  I will continue to have a very short section on Vision and talking about the Group's Future (the working title is Rants&Ravings)

In general I thought my focus on us growing last week was a little long.  My revised opinion is that the 'size' of our group is immaterial.  What is important is the health and well being of the 'Community'- whatever its size.  Thanks to the Event Leaders and Co-Organizers I think your all in pretty good hands.  So here we go...

News:
Wedding Videographer sued for $50,000 This is a very interesting piece for many reasons.  To start the piece appears to be very well made.  But the bride(zilla) went into hysterics when she watched it. Very important for all you photographers out there to recognize upfront is that you could be sued by your clients.  So suddenly that $500 or $1,000 payoff becomes you paying for the ceremony to be re-enacted (with another photographer).  Google 'Photographers sued.'  It happens more than is talked about.  Thank you to Cori Hickman for finding this and sharing the story.

Thanks to Janet Smith, send her kuddos, for sharing this terrific story about These Regular Women Watch As They're Photoshopped Into Cover Models.  I think it is wonderful that all these women where so comfortable and confident with themselves.  We 'assume' that everybody wants to look perfect, when in life some people just want to be seen for who they are- and that includes freckles.

CSCPG Live is launched.  We held our first CSCPG webinar on Tuesday night.  I am excited to see how this new venue grows.  If your one of those people who can never make time to attend a MeetUp we hope that you will join us some time online for one of our CSCPG Live sessions.  The next one is scheduled for 4 March and we will be looking at the Animal category from the 'Community' Photo Contest.  Giving all of you animal (domestic and wild) photographers some insight into what the judges picked and liked.

*my intent with these member
 profiles is to 'Showcase' our
community.  We are Creative :-)

Member Profile:  I would like to introduce Arnett Luce to you this week.  Arnett is a photography student who pursuing a BS degree online at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  I think it would be great if she held a MeetUp to tell us how she does it. Go to her MeetUp profile and email her if you agree.  Weekly assignments.  Challenging tasks.  She is my hero because she served in the military and now they are paying for her equipment for school.  Isn't that cool!  What is even better is that Arnett was a big winner in the 'Community' Photo Contest- so come and check out her work at the Gala.  A little reminder is to remember that our Vets SERVED long and hard to have these benefits :-)

A testing of how the logo will look.

'Community' Photo Contest/ Donor Appreciation Update:  Four BIG things this week.  The trophies have come in and are being engraved.  They are crystal, heavy and frankly gorgeous.  These are definitely worthy to be put on your mantle. To attend the Gala rsvp today!  I used a local vendor (C&A Trophies) and the trophies are not just gorgeous but this year they will also have our logo on them.

2nd thing, I met with our caterer.  Just FYI this will truly be a Gala with nice food and drinks.  The budget is $10 a head, soooo... come get your monies worth- that means we're doing everything else we do with $2 a year (I think that is impressive, don't you?).  This will, I hope, become a signature event.  Great 'Community' photography, great food/drink and great people.

3rd, The grand prize category winning prints are off to be matted and framed.  They too will be gorgeous.

4th, I have reserved space at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts for the 2014 'Community' exhibit.  I think it will be a great, little bigger & more public, venue with lots of easy available parking  Come check it out.  We will be doing a silent auction at the Gala to fund our 2014 'Community' contest and exhibit.

Rants&Ravings:  Ok... yes, I take us being 'Community' minded seriously.  It's been my mantra since I took over.  Here is where I want to take us in 2015.  I want us to do an Arts for At Risk Kids program.  I am reaching out to The Concrete Couch, a local 501(c)3.  I love their mission statement: "To work with kids and community groups to create public art, to build community, and to create environments and experiences that humanize our world."  So cross your fingers and toes, but I think we will be a great fit with each other and that an event in 2015 would be exciting.   So if you want to share your passion for photography with kids and 'make a difference' stay tuned.  The Creative Group and the FaceBook Group are taking off!

Paid Intern Position Available:  Volunteers will always be what keeps this group going.  We are SO blessed with the Event Leaders, Co-Organizers and even the time I give to the Group, but there is some work that as a Group we need done and none of us Leadership people have time to do it.  So I am looking for a CSCPG Intern.  You must be organized.  Be able to recognize the difference between a Portrait, Landscape or Photojournalism image.  Pay is negotiable based on how skilled you are.  Work would be 1-2 hrs a month Mar-Oct and 10-20 hours Nov-Dec. 

We had over 200 entries in this years contest.  This was a notable improvement over 2012 contest.  I can only think that we will continue to grow this 'Showcase' program.  I am going to encourage everyone to submit at least (1/$10) image.  I see it as an investment and as a great way to market your work.  But even more it will give you the opportunity annually to look at your work and get a strong sense of where your individual photography stands.  Come to the Gala and pick up a trophy, it will definitely excite and motivate you to get one of your own :-)

Let's have FUN! Charlie

Our Vision: Educate, Showcase and Community Mindedness

and obtw- I do notice my bad writing and how I occasionally write bad sentences (paragraphs), but I only ever claimed to know something about Photography NOT be a perfect writer.  If you want to edit, let me know.  I am always open to doing better :-)