What's happened in Jaunary? Big News!!!
The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) held their National convention here in Phoenix. There were over 7,000 professional photographers from all over the world gathered at the Downtown Convention Center. Our group was the first official convention held at the new digs and WOW was it amazing. The new Sheraton was the host hotel and it was beautiful. The staff was super friendly . . . if you ever get the chance to sneak away for some downtown culture I recommend spending the night there! The light rail was even up and running. We certainly seemed 'big time' for our little town :)
The PPA asked me to give a platform program that would be helpful to photographers at all stages of their careers so with sponsorship by Eastman Kodak (I am one of their approved Kodak Speakers which is WAY COOl!) I presented "10 Steps to Building a Successful Photography Studio". I love giving this program and was excited to share all I could and wasn't nervous at all until . . . gulp . . . I found out I was to give the program in the Symphony Hall that would hold 2,000 people. Shaking it off, a couple of deep breaths later and looking out to see my mom and dad in the audience calmed me right down. In all my 15 years of giving programs across the United States (Japan and Canada too) this was their first time to see me speak. It was also Todd and my freinds Jena and Drew's first time to see me on stage so that made it extra special.
Let's just say the program 'rocked the house' and I was very proud of how it went. Lot's of great responses from photgraphers that wanted to talk to me afterwards. To each of you that took time to share your stories with me after the program . . . keep the faith and call me if you need me!!!!!!!! And remember how important each of you are as our world's visual record keepers!
Here are some pictures of the trade show, the Kodak sign highlighting my program and Kristin, Jamie and I out celebrating. Good times!!!!!!
