Newsletter June 2006
The Finger Lakes Section of PPSNYS, Inc will hold it's monthly
meeting on Wednesday, June 21 at Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson
Street, Batavia. The business meeting will begin at 2:00PM.
Kevin and Ameka will give a tour of the Studio and the great outdoor
areas nearby. Models will be available for posing and lighting
sessions.
Dinner will follow at a highly recommended nearby restaurant.
From the Thruway, take exit 48. Go North on Route 98.Turn left when
you reach Rt. 5&20 and 33. Follow through city about 1 mile and turn
right on Jackson St. The studio is on the left but you can park
across the street in the shopping plaza lot.
From the South - Route 63 - you will come into the city limits and
Jackson St will be a right turn just before you intersect with 5&20.
From the North - Rt 33 - you will merge on to 5&20 then follow
through the city. Jackson Street will be a left turn before the
intersection with Route 63.
Message from the Editor
Where does the time go?
At our meeting last month it was discussed to get the newsletter out earlier in the month. I apologize for dropping the ball. In the hectic pace of the busy season I failed to grab the reigns and improvise for the newsletter even though I was missing some important information. I waited for it to come to me instead of taking a proactive approach. If I did that with my clients I would not be nearly as successful at running my business.
That being said, this newsletter is for all of us to use. Please send me your input on any items you would like to see in the newsletter. I always wondered what the evening news would look like if there was just plain and simple no news to report for the day. We all have news to report. For example, at the end of this month I will celebrate my sixth year anniversary of being 100% self employed. I started the studio back in 1999 while working as a photojournalist but didn't dive in full time until July 1, 2000. It was a very scary but necessary step in my life. This may not be earth shattering news, but it's a little bit of info to help us get to know each other better as colleagues and friends.
Sue and I have made the decision to use Successware as our studio management software. I will post feedback on the system in future newsletters.
- Steve Chesler
Newsletter Editor
Membership News
"If everyone took the time to personally invite one member..."
Its the obligation of everyone in the organization to work on membership!
-Herb Jones, Membership Chairperson
Message from the Section Chairperson
Kevin Carlson
Carlson's Studio
2110 Sayre Road
Wyoming, NY 14591
Ph 585-786-2871
Fax 585-786-2124
CONTACT INFO:
Finger Lakes Officers
Delegates to PPSNYS:
- Vince Aiosa
- Herb Jones
- Roger Smith
Dates for Council Meetings are January 16 and May 15 2006. All are listed as being held in Binghamton.
PPSNYS Business Service:
Karen Dyer, PPSNYS Business, 388 Broadway, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
518-434-8830
Fax - 518-434-0072
e-mail - headquarters@ppsny.com
PPA (404) 522-8600
Update from Program Chair, Vince Aiosa:
- June 21 - Kevin Carlson's new studio, Batavia (swap meet)
- July - workshop
- Aug 16 - picnic/shoot at Seneca Lake State Park * NOTE - NEW LOCATION *
- Sept 20 - Round Table at A&R Color Labs
- Oct 18 - to be filled
- Nov 15 - Radio Host Mike Rusinko motivational talk
- Dec - Social Gathering
Mark them on your calendar RIGHT NOW so you don't miss anything in 2006!
Minutes of the May 2006 Meeting at Steve Chesler's Studio:
Call to order @ 2:20 by Kevin Carlson, President. Kevin.
Guests:
Steve's wife Sue, and Jessica.
Attendance:
Greg Norry, Neil Sjoblom, David Pye, Nancy and Dan Runfola, Steve Chesler, Ellen Chesler, Ameka Cooper, kevin Carlson, Kristen Dematteo, honey, Lois, Bonnie Saunders, Iveta Buck, Daryn Backal, Clarence and Nancy Williams, Karl Joyce, Chauncey Joyce, and Kent Dyer.
Secretary's Report:
Lois Miller questioned the quote by Craig, that "the cost would be minimal" for Steve and Ernie to present a proposed program at the February TEP. Honey assured the membership that a contract would be signed. Also a correction by Honey: the Theme at next year's convention will be Star Treck -- not Star Wars as stated in minutes. The April minutes were approved as amended on a motion by Lois, seconded by Honey.
Treasurer's Report:
Treasurer's reports for April and May were read by Bonnie and approved on a motion by Lois, second by Dan.
Newsletter:
Steve Chesler reported that previous minutes are now being archived on the web site. It was agreed to keep posting Steve Bedell's "Tip of the Month" column. Neil suggested all correspondence be forwarded to Steve no later than the first of each month following the meeting.
TEP:
Honey said she is working on arrangements for the February TEP, and will have a contract signed by speakers.
Council Report:
Kevin reported that the 2005 conference lost money "possibly as much as $14,000". Conference attendance: 447 -- up from previous year. Dates for next year's convention have been confirmed -- March 17 - 21, 2007. Cost for each double room (meals included) will be $179.00 if registered before 9/15/06, $199.00 after January 15, 2007, and $229.00 thereafter.
Print Committee:
Honey suggested and it was agreed that print critiques be held September, January, and February. there will be an incentive for the section with the highest membership -- $500.00. Our own Mark Griffin will be the Print Chair -- and he is "looking for help". New print competition category: non-professional. Denise Weldon has been doing more historical research as Buffalo Niagara approaches it's 100th year.
Old Business:
Bonnie asked that the Section establish a dollar value for the proposed August photography session / picnic at the Genesee Country Museum. Bonnie said she will E-mail members for their commitment to participate.
For the Good of the Order:
A card was circulated for Erin Schuster who is having surgery. Steve Chesler asked if the section would allow him to post a banner on the section website to advertise his new line of camera bags. On a motion by Steve, second by Dan, For banner adds to be added to the Finger Lakes Section website for fees to be determined and subject to review. Pros and cons were discussed. An amendment to the motion included "for a trial period of three months". Lois said "the section should not become a sales organization", and possible non profit tax implications were questioned. After a vote by the section the motion was denied.
Workshop:
Lois reminded members to take advantage of the $100.00 scholarships. Workshop website @ www.ppsnysworkshop.com.
Programs:
Meeting adjourned at 3:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Neil Sjoblom, Secretary.
News and Notes:
New Section: This is a new section of the newsletter for anyone who wants to share something of interest. It could be a birthday, a milestone, something new you're doing that you want to share, the sky is the limit. Send your News and Notes items to Steve@Cheslerphoto.com.
- Off to Buffalo - Finger Lakes members Brody Wheeler and Steve Chesler have been asked to speak at the Buffalo-Niagara Section of PPSNY on June 20th. Anyone interested in getting together with our neighbors to the west are welcome to come along.
- PPSNY Candids - See more photos of this years conference on Dewey Neild's website at www.deweyneild.com. Click on the events link.
2006 Workshop will be held July 16 through 21 at Hobart William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.
The workshop web site is now up and all Speaker and Program information can be found online. The site can be accessed through the www.ppsnys.com page.
You can also sign up for your class there or send you check for $100 to Linda Hutchings/Registrar, Box 403, Elmira, NY 14902 to reserve your spot in the course of your choice. Deposits are non-refundable.
FINGER LAKES FORUM:
If you haven't signed up for the Finger Lakes Forum, now it the time. By signing up with an e-mail, automatic reminders of upcoming events will be sent to you. There is also a calendar listing all events. Sign on and see what's happening. There are listings for jobs and equipment also. If you have something you would like to sell please feel free to post it there. Several members have uploaded photos for you to look at. There are also a few photos from Conference.
Thank you Steve Chesler for getting this started. I hope it will become a place where our members will get together to share information.
TIP OF THE MONTH:
Wrapped In Richness Courtesy of Greg Stangl
America's consumers are becoming increasingly interested in purchasing upscale products. According to Michael Silverstein and Neil Fiske in their book Trading Up, "Consumers today are willing to pay a significant premium for goods and services that are emotionally important to them and deliver the perceived values of quality, performance and engagement."
One real way to add value at the end of the portrait experience is though the use of upscale packaging. Premium packaging is a combination of both form and function. It is a marriage of aesthetics and functionality that works and promotes the images within. The packaging is the link between the customer and the portraiture. Although today's sophisticated consumers will not succumb to the packaging only, it is often the packaging that puts the studio and the images over the top.
The use of premium upscale packaging creates instant impact. It enhances the "wow factor" as the images are delivered and is a reflection, not only of the portraiture within, but the studio as well. Proper packaging can give the product a finished look and offer the images enhanced protection. Photographic paper has gotten increasingly thinner over the years and can be easily damaged through mishandling. It is not unusual for modern photographic prints to curl slightly at the edges. However, when individually placed in proper matting, this curl is eliminated. Shoddy packaging or lack of packaging altogether indicates that the studio is not concerned about its image in the marketplace.
When the images are delivered to the client in individual mats, it aids the client in their gift giving. When the images are redirected to her family and friends it serves as a kind of gift wrap. The images simply have more of a finished feel. Just was we would not want our clients to put an unframed portrait on the wall, the photographer needs to deliver images in the proper packaging.
More than ever, consumers are very value conscious. Portrait studios have to deliver quality and creativity on a consistent basis. Your advertising and market position simply drive the client to the studio, your portraiture and portrait packaging need to deliver on the promise your marketing creates.
My wife and I recently came in possession of a small collection of antique family photographs taken by area photographers in the mid to late 1800s. I was amazed at the quality of the mats and portrait packaging and how wonderful the images looked after spending 100 plus years in these mounts. Most of the portraits were individually signed, wonderfully presented and still in great shape.
So how can we apply this upscale attitude to the portrait studio? What type of matting should we be using to guarantee that my images still look great 100 years from now? At my studio, The Village Photographer located in Aurora IL. We have chosen to deliver the final product in a classic folder-style product produced by TAP (http://www.tap-usa.com/products/senior.htm) that combines a classic folder with selection of materials. We chose this particular packaging not only because of its unique look, but also how the packaging feels to the touch. Weight and texture were given consideration.
Another factor we weighed when choosing portrait packaging options for our studio, is that fact that 87% of the purchasers of portraiture at the Village Photographer are women and women tend to be the active upscale buyers. According to Trading Up, "Women are the dominant New Luxury consumers. More women are working then ever before and they are earning record salaries. Women have the means, the motives and the opportunities to purchase goods that meet important emotional needs."
Another example of packaging helps to create instant impact is our choice of the Renaissance Album (www.renaissancealbums.com) line for our wedding display albums. Its rich look combined with its upscale feel make this the album of choice for our brides.
Packaging reflects what your brand ultimately is. Your packaging needs to show everything about you: the type of photography that you do, the style of your studio from funky to luxurious. Great packaging offers you the chance, not only of making a great first impression, but a lasting impression.
Greg Stangl M. Photog., Cr. Photog., Certified by the Professional Photographers of America, has been a professional photographer for 35 years. He is a speaker and consultant to the industry and has presented programs and workshops in 35 US states and 7 foreign countries. For more information on his seminars and videos, please visit Greg's website at Wrapped In Richness Courtesy of Greg Stangl www.prospeak1.com
The Finger Lakes Section is a section of the Professional Photographers' Society of New York State, Inc. (PPSNYS) which is an affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
The PPSNYS is a not for profit association formed in 1905 solely to instruct its members and the general public in photography; and to create, foster, promote and encourage the exchange of information among its members and the public.
The PPA is a worldwide association that exists to assist its members in achieving their professional, artistic and fraternal goals; promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history.
PPSNYS (518) 434-8830
PPA (404) 522-8600
E-letter contact info:
Honey DeLapa
thelakehouse@mac.com
(585) 392-3886
Steve Chesler
steve@cheslerphoto.com
(585) 393-9242
