PSPA |

School Photo Boot Camp set for June 25-29

May 9, 2012 By Gary Pageau

The 2012 School Photography Boot Camp will be held June 25-29, 2012, at the Alexis Park Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. This program is in it’s seventh season and is the most comprehensive training available for independent photographers and studios who want to enter the lucrative underclass school photo market. A highlight of the week-long program is a simulated classroom photo session using local children as models when attendees get to see a wide range of imaging technologies in action.

The program is taught by Chris Wunder, Cr. Photog. ASP, one of the industry’s most popular instructors. Guest instructors will also be featured. The Deadline for discount advance registration is May 31, 2012. The program sells-out each year, so early registration is recommended.

Filed Under: Pro Photography, PSPA

IPC announces 2012 leadership award winners

April 27, 2012 By Gary Pageau

The International Photographic Council (IPC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, announced the recipients of its 2012 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Awards. The award recipients will be honored at the 14th Annual IPC Pro Award Luncheon, which will be held at the United Nations in New York City Thursday, May 17, at 11:30 a.m.

For the first time, editors-in-chief from Japan and Pakistan will be present to receive IPC Distinguished Service Awards: Michiko Ouchi, Pen News Weekly, of Japan; and Muzammil Izhar Siddiqui, Foto Line Monthly, of Pakistan.

Award Luncheon Chair Andy Marcus, President of Fred Marcus Photography, will deliver the keynote address on “The World of Professional Photography.”

Eight associations have designated honorees for 2012: American Photographic Artists (APA), American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Federation of European Photographers (FEP), National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), Professional Photographers of American (PPA), Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA), White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA), and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).

The 2012 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Award recipients are:

American Photographic Artists (APA): Michael Grecco

Michael Grecco has a platinum roster of advertising clients (NBC/Universal, GE, Pfizer, HBO, Kodak, ABC, IBM, Yahoo!) and editorial clients (ESPN, Wired, Time, Premier, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Maxim). Featured in photographic magazines, books, and gallery shows, Michael wrote the best-seller Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography. A frequent speaker, he serves as photo expert for KNBC News, and has been honored by International Photography, Photo Design, The AR 100, NY and L.A. Art Directors Clubs. He is APA National Vice President.

American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): James Cavanaugh

A recognized specialist in architectural, interior and aerial photography, James Cavanaugh serves a broad clientele of architects, engineers, interior designers, real estate developers, contractors, architectural product manufacturers and government agencies. Featured in Architectural Record, World Architecture, Rolling Stone, Business Week, Parents, et al., Jim teaches “Professional Business Practices in Photography” at Villa Maria College, Buffalo. He is a National Director of ASMP and its President.

Federation of European Photographers (FEP): Bernd Gassner

Specializing in advertising images, Master Photographer and Master Qualified European Photographer Bernd Gassner became the Federation of European Photographers’ first double master QEP. Bernd also serves as President of the Westphalian Professional Photographer Association, representative of the Central Association German Professional Photographers in FEP, and an FEP board member.

National Press Photographers Association (NPPA): Yunghi Kim

Photojournalist Yunghi Kim has covered major global conflicts since the 90s. She captured Somalia, Rwandan Genocide, War in Kosovo, Iraq War, Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina and has documented the lives of former South Korean Comfort Women, post-Katrina reconstruction in New Orleans, children with autism, and Occupy Wall Street. Accolades include World Press Photo, Magazine Photographer of the Year, Olivier Rebbot & John Faber Awards/Overseas Press Club, Visa D’Or for News/Visa Pour L’image Festival, and White House Press Photographers.

Professional Photographers of America (PPA): Louis Tonsmeire

A portrait and wedding photographer in Georgia for 30 years, Louis Tonsmeire earned his Photographic Craftsman and Honorary Master of Photography degrees during his 24 years as a member of PPA. He is an Approved Photographic Instructor, and has served on the organization’s Education and Convention committees, Affiliate School Task Force and Imaging USA Task Force. Through Professional Photographers of Georgia, he has served as a councilor and director of the Georgia School.

Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA): Ralph Romaguera

Since opening his studio with his wife and sons in 1971, Ralph Romaguera has earned his Masters and Craftsman degrees from PPA, won the Kodak Gallery Award 10 times, received Louisiana’s Master of the Year, PPA’s International Award and an ASP Service Award. Ralph lectures in North America, Europe and Asia and teaches at the Winona International School for Professional Photography, Florida School, Mid-America Institute of Professional Photography, et al. He represented portrait photographers on the Today show in a series about the 150 Years of Photography.

White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA): Chip Somodevilla

Chip Somodevilla was a photographer for the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Detroit Free Press before moving to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a freelance photographer for newswires and newspapers before bcoming a Getty Images photographer. He was awarded the Political Photo of the Year and Photographer of the Year by WHNPA, University of Missouri’s Pictures of the Year International, and NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism. Chip’s work has been published in the Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time, and Newsweek.

Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI): Jennifer Hudson

A dynamic, soulful wedding and portrait photographer, Jennifer Hudson teaches Portraiture and Photographic Illustration at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University. An international lecturer whose programs are sought by public and private photographic organizations, she recently completed “Baptism,” a narrative series exploring a young woman’s spiritual reincarnation, and plans to begin work on “Medic,” a series that will explore human relationships during illness and recovery.

To RSVP or receive more information on the event, contact James Chung at 914.476.1712 or by email at jchung1@prodigy.net.

Filed Under: Pro Photography, PSPA

The March/April issue of PMA magazine is ready for reading

April 25, 2012 By Gary Pageau

The new Paul's Photo is featured in the new PMA magazine

The latest issue of PMA Magazine – Connecting the Imaging Communities is live and online in an all-new interactive version. Top features include the renovation of Paul’s Photo and a look at the new 6Sight Social Imaging Report.

Connections
Newsline – Top news for the industry’s leading information source

Member Advantage – PMA resources save you time and money and help you succeed.

Connections
In Memoriam: Edward C. Ritz
In Memoriam: Michihiro Yamaki

PMA Australia event gets digital makeover — Annual conference provides wide range of education opportunities.
Portraiture in focus – School portrait and sports/event photography conferences spotlights new opportunities for growth and change

Business & Marketing
Laser photo engraving 101 – If it’s flat, you can probably make a laser-etched photo out of it.
Reinventing Paul’s Photo – A conversation with Mark Comon about why now is the time to rethink the photo store.

Trends & Technology
Smart phone apps drive imaging – Discussing the biggest imaging boom, from PMA@CES
6Sight releases the 6Sight Social Imaging Survey Report – New research sheds light on how today’s connected generation of photo takers choose devices and methods for taking, enhancing and sharing photo.

Filed Under: Featured, Mobile imaging, Online imaging, Photo Specialty, PMA Australia Show, PMA News, PSPA, Social Imaging Tagged With: PMA magazine

Lawsuit alleges studio invasion of privacy

April 24, 2012 By Gary Pageau

A word to the wise – use of a customer’s image for marketing purposes increases the likelihood of a lawsuit. That fact was demonstrated earlier this month when a law student filed suit against a Michigan photography studio.

The student claims the studio used “before-and-after” photos of him to demonstrate the benefits of image retouching to remove blemishes and fix complexion and other features. The images were allegedly circulated to the entire school graduating class on at least five occasions. According to the student, the studio never obtained his consent to use pictures of him for advertising purposes.

The student alleges he was embarrassed and humiliated by the incident, and the entire school was talking about him. He says he suffered extreme mental and emotional distress due to the studio’s effort to market their services.

The lawsuit claims the studio intentionally inflicted the emotional distress. It states the studio was negligent in circulating the embarrassing photograph, and misappropriated his likeness for the studio’s commercial advantage.

While all of the circumstances and possible defenses are not known at this time, these legal claims can normally be avoided by a studio if it obtains a signed model release from the subject which authorizes use of the photo for advertising purposes.

For more information on the use of releases and proper language, contact PMA.

Filed Under: Pro Photography, PSPA, Regulatory updates Tagged With: copyright

In Memoriam: George Davis

April 23, 2012 By Gary Pageau

George Davis, Davis Studio

George Davis, co-founder of Davis Studio, died at age 90, on April 14, 2012. He was born on Feb. 2, 1922, in Kosice, Czechoslovakia.

At the age of 12 (and speaking no English) Davis made the trip alone across the Atlantic to join his mother in America. At 17, he launched his career as a photographer by accepting the position of barker/photographer on the Revere Beach boardwalk, near Boston.

His photography career was briefly interrupted by World War II. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and trained to be a radio operator aboard Grumman-built PBY Catalina airplanes, often used for submarine hunting and shore patrol.

In 1945, Davis was discharged from the Navy and opened a photography studio on Duval Street, in Key West, Fla. He sold his Key West studio a couple of years later and moved to New York City, opening a studio on 56th Street. It was there, in the early 1950s, that he became acquainted with the school photography business. He recognized the income and growth potential of the school portraits business and set his sights in that direction.

One day in 1953 an attractive, fast-talking young woman, Peggy Balish, applied for a job a the studio. A year later, he married Peggy, and she became his partner in business, as well as in life, for more than 58 years.

They moved to Mamaroneck, N.Y., opening Davis Studio in 1954. At first it was just the two of them, with George pounding the pavement as salesman to get new accounts, shooting the portraits and developing black-and-white images in trays in the darkroom, and Peggy handling the business responsibilities, taking orders, being the customer service representative and even learning to retouch prints and negatives. Over the years Davis Studio hired hundreds of staff and photographed more than 10 million children. George’s youngest son, Greg, and Greg’s wife, Roxanne, worked alongside George and Peggy for more than 25 years.

George was always exploring and incorporating the latest technology into Davis Studio’s operations. In the early 1960s he took a big financial risk and purchased color film processors, package printers, automatic cutters and all the necessary equipment to bring color photography to the school portrait market.

Less than 15 years ago digital photography was emerging. High-volume school portrait studios had not switched to digital because there was no camera on the market designed to handle 400 sittings a day with positive IDs linked to every sitting. Added to that the system had to be robust enough to withstand riding in the back of a car and being set up and broken down daily. The captured images also needed to flawlessly interface with the high-volume printing equipment in the lab. Recognizing the need, George contracted with a company that had both software and hardware development experience. That company incorporated the list of more than 100 specific requirements George had outlined and 16 months later delivered and placed the MDS-20 in service as the first high-volume, “long-roll” digital camera.

Davis Studio outgrew its physical facilities on several occasions. The first studio in Mamaroneck was 750 square feet. The last move was to a facility with more than 22,000 square feet for offices, studio and lab.

George is survived by his wife, Peggy, their three sons (Geoffrey, Glen and Gregory), three daughters-in-law (PaoChen, Merrill and Roxanne) and two grandsons (Gabriel and Garrett).

Filed Under: In Memoriam, Pro Photography, PSPA Tagged With: Davis Studio, George Davis

LumaPix releases FotoFusion v5

April 9, 2012 By Gary Pageau

LumaPix, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has released FotoFusion v. 5, now available for Windows and Mac computers. According to the company, this version represents two additional years of development on the core engine and delivers new features, enhanced stability, and even more performance.

Unlike free layout tools offered by album companies, LumaPix claims FotoFusion is “manufacturer-agnostic” – users can design a 12-by-12 bride’s album to match Graphistudio specs, and then easily reshape the entire album to match an 8.5-b-11 album to match Blurb specs for the parents.

The software provides power layout tools, an integrated organizer, rendering to PDF/PSD/JPG, online sharing of results, integrated email proofing, and a complete library of preset album sizes for popular photobook and album binding companies.

Improved features include:

FotoFusion projects can be shared with mobile users with a single click. Customers, brides, school principals, and other recipients can open their mobile device and instantly flip through the pages of your project online.
Supported platforms include iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Mac and PC browsers.
There is no per-project fee to post to this service – it’s free. Projects live 30 days and include LumaPix branding.
Text has been completely re-architected. All editing now happens in-canvas, with WYSIWYG editing providing per-character attributes (bold/italic, font, skew, inter-character spacing, rotation, etc).
Effects such as embossing and blurring can be applied per-character.
Text flows can fit into shapes, and right-to-left or top-to-bottom languages such as Hebrew, Arabic and Japanese are now supported.
PDF export now supports layers and vector text – all text looks perfectly crisp at any zoom setting. This is important for both very fine text (as in business cards) and very large text (as in grand-format advertising).
New preset book sizes have been added for the following album manufacturers: Bay Photo, Blurb, Bridgeport, Finao, HP MagCloud, Leather Craftsmen, Millers/ Mpix, White House Custom Color, and Zookbinders.

FotoFusion runs in German, Portuguese, and Mandarin in addition to English.

New licenses of LumaPix FotoFusion v5 are available immediately for OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP for $119.95 to $299.95, depending on features selected.

Existing users are invited to upgrade at a discount ($59.95 to $219.95) at the LumaPix website. Users who purchased v4.5 on or after July 21 2011 will receive v5 at no charge

: LumaPix – Rich Text

: LumaPix – Render to vectors

: LumaPix – Output Options

: LumaPix – New Project

: LumaPix – Form Factors

: FotoFusion version 5

Filed Under: Canada News, Photo Publishing, Pro Photography, PSPA

IPC announces 2012 Leadership Award Recipients

March 29, 2012 By Gary Pageau

The International Photographic Council (IPC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, announced the recipients of its 2012 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Awards, to be presented at the 14th Annual IPC Pro Award Luncheon, at the United Nations in New York City Thursday, May 17, at 11:30 a.m.

For the first time, international editors-in-chief will be present to receive IPC Distinguished Service Awards: Machiko Ouchi, Pen News Weekly, of Japan; and Muzmmil Lzhar Siddiqui, Foto Print, of Pakistan.

The 2012 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Award recipients are:

American Photographic Artists (APA): Michael Grecco

Michael Grecco has a platinum roster of advertising clients (NBC/Universal, GE, Pfizer, HBO, Kodak, ABC, IBM, Yahoo!) and editorial clients (ESPN, Wired, Time, Premier, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Maxim). Featured in photographic magazines, books, and gallery shows, Michael wrote the best-seller Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography. A frequent speaker, he serves as photo expert for KNBC News, and has been honored by International Photography, Photo Design, The AR 100, NY and L.A. Art Directors Clubs. Michael is APA National Vice President

American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): James Cavanaugh

A recognized specialist in architectural, interior and aerial photography, James Cavanaugh serves a broad clientele of architects, engineers, interior designers, real estate developers, contractors, architectural product manufacturers and government agencies. Featured in Architectural Record, World Architecture, Rolling Stone, Business Week, Parents, et al., Jim teaches “Professional Business Practices in Photography” at Villa Maria College, Buffalo. He is a National Director of ASMP and its President.

Federation of European Photographers (FEP): Bernd Gassner

Specializing in advertising photography, Master Photographer and Master Qualified European Photographer Bernd Gassner is the Federation of European Photographers’ first double master QEP. Bernd also serves as President of the Westphalian Professional Photographer Association, representative of the Central Association German Professional Photographers in FEP, and an FEP board member.

National Press Photographers Association (NPPA): Yunghi Kim

Photojournalist Yunghi Kim has covered major global conflicts since the 90s. She captured Somalia, Rwandan Genocide, War in Kosovo, Iraq War, Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina and has documented the lives of former South Korean Comfort Women, post-Katrina reconstruction in New Orleans, children with autism, and Occupy Wall Street. Accolades include World Press Photo, Magazine Photographer of the Year, Olivier Rebbot & John Faber Awards/Overseas Press Club, Visa D’Or for News/Visa Pour L’image Festival, and White House Press Photographers.

Professional Photographers of America (PPA): Louis Tonsmeire

A portrait and wedding photographer in Georgia for 30 years, Louis Tonsmeire earned his Photographic Craftsman and Honorary Master of Photography degrees during his 24 years as a member of PPA. He is an Approved Photographic Instructor, and has served on the organization’s Education and Convention committees, Affiliate School Task Force and Imaging USA Task Force. Through Professional Photographers of Georgia, he has served as a councilor and director of the Georgia School.

Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA): Ralph Romaguera

Since opening his studio with his wife and sons in 1971, Ralph Romaguera has earned his Masters and Craftsman degrees from PPA, won the Kodak Gallery Award 10 times, received Louisiana’s Master of the Year, PPA’s International Award and an ASP Service Award. Ralph lectures in North America, Europe and Asia and teaches at the Winona International School for Professional Photography, Florida School, Mid-America Institute of Professional Photography, et al. He represented portrait photographers on the Today show in a series about the 150 Years of Photography.

White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA): Chip Somodevilla

Chip Somodevilla was a photographer for the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Detroit Free Press before moving to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a freelance photographer for newswires and newspapers before bcoming a Getty Images photographer. He was awarded the Political Photo of the Year and Photographer of the Year by WHNPA, University of Missouri’s Pictures of the Year International, and NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism. Chip’s work has been published in the Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time, and Newsweek.

Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI): Jennifer Hudson

A dynamic, soulful wedding and portrait photographer, Jennifer Hudson teaches Portraiture and Photographic Illustration at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University. An international lecturer whose programs are sought by public and private photographic organizations, she recently completed “Baptism,” a narrative series exploring a young woman’s spiritual reincarnation, and plans to begin work on “Medic,” a series that will explore human relationships during illness and recovery.

Reservations for the May 17 luncheon at the United Nations must be received by April 16. To RSVP or receive more information on the event, contact James Chung at 914.476.1712 or by email at jchung1@prodigy.net.

The International Photographic Council (IPC) is a multinational, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, composed of representatives from every major sector of the photographic industry. Founded in 1974, the IPC is dedicated to increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication through the adoption of the motto “Peace through Understanding, Understanding through Photograpwww.ipc-un-ngo.orghy, the Universal Language.”

For more information, visit .

Filed Under: Events, Pro Photography, PSPA Tagged With: IPC

Shutterfly adds elementary school photo books, longer books

March 6, 2012 By Gary Pageau

Shutterfly elementary yearbook

Shutterfly Inc., Redwood City, Calif., launched the “Storytelling Collection”, a collection of premium designs and exclusive guided styles for all of life’s occasions; elementary school yearbooks; longer format photo books and additional enhancements that give customers even more creative control.

“We are introducing a school yearbook solution to provide parents and the more than 100,000 elementary schools in the U.S. with high quality, affordable ways to commemorate the school year,” says Karl Wiley, general manager, Shutterfly. “Additionally, our new ‘Storytelling Collection’ gives customers access to exclusive, premium designs, guided styles and more options, many based on their requests and feedback.”

Shutterfly says its new yearbook solution helps parents of a single student, class or an entire school, easily create specially designed page templates for school activities, subjects, and student classroom and faculty photos. Additionally, users have access to photo shot list, tips and ideas and are eligible for bulk pricing discounts. Customers are now able export a draft version of their book to PDF to better support offline editing.

“The Storytelling Collection” offers 16 premium styles distinguished by intricate, hand-drawn designs and guided storytelling. Each kit includes backgrounds, idea pages, and embellishments and is available for $4.99. Individual elements start at 25 cents. This exclusive collection complements Shutterfly’s existing photo book style offering of more than 75 designs which customers may continue to access free of charge.

To support longer-form storytelling, Shutterfly increased the number of pages available in photo books from 100 to 110 and introduced Smart Autofill to allow for improved photo presentation. Additional improvements include easier page duplication, export to PDF functionality and the ability to copy and apply frames, backgrounds and layouts across one or more pages.

Filed Under: Online imaging, Photo Publishing, PSPA Tagged With: Shutterfly

PSPA commemorates 60 years at convention

February 29, 2012 By Gary Pageau

The photo was taken at the close of the PSPA/SPAA 2012 Conference which celebrated the 60th Anniversary of PSPA. It would probably not be all of the attendees as some may have already left and most vendors were setting up for WPPI. It includes members of both groups, PSPA and SPAA.

The photo above was taken at the close of the 2012 PSPA-SPAA Conferences, at the Renaissance Hotel, Las Vegas, which celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Professional School Photographers Association International (PSPA). This photo, provided by Bell Photographers Inc., Provo, includes members of both PSPA and the Sports Photographers Association of America.

Filed Under: Pro Photography, PSPA, SPAA

Michael Bell elected 2012-13 PSPA president

February 21, 2012 By Gary Pageau

Michael Bell

Professional School Photographers Association International (PSPA), a PMA member association, elected officers for the 2012-13 term at its Official Business Session at the Renaissance Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev.

PSPA members elected president, Michael Bell, Bell Photographers Inc., Ogden, Utah; president-elect, Bill Freeman, Freeman Photo, Houston, Texas; first vice president, Ed Sanders, Inter-State Studio, Sedalia, Mo.; and second vice president, Brian Fox, Fox-Mar Photography, Miami, Fla. Directors are Mark Schoenrock, Lifetouch National School Studios, Eden Prairie, Minn.; Bill Glover, Strawbridge Studios Inc., Durham, N.C.; and Todd Wilbert, Creative Images, Galena, Md. Jim Esp, executive of PMA, is secretary and James W. Pool is technical advisor.

About PSPA
Steeped in the richness of tradition, the Professional School Photographers Association International™ (PSPA™) brings together photographers and labs worldwide to advance the business of school photography. PSPA, a PMA member association, honors the generations of entrepreneurs who established the business practice of providing each customer with quality photos and a satisfying experience. This legacy of professional standards continues with today’s PSPA members who are dedicated to capturing life’s time-honored memories. Through education, business services, marketing research, and events, PSPA is committed to better business practices, profitable sales strategies, and ongoing professional development.

Filed Under: Events, Pro Photography, PSPA Tagged With: PSPA/SPAA 2012 Conferences