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See what photo buyers want from photographers

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
photo shelter guide

A new guide from Photo Shelter reveals “What Buyers Want from Photographers.”

The 2012 edition of the survey asked 1,000 photo buyers “what they want from you,” the company says, and “is packed with key insights to help photographers improve their marketing efforts, enhance their brand, and get hired.”

The online photo service for professional shooters partnered with Agency Access to produce the free downloadable guide. It also features interviews with photo buyers at JWT, GSD&M, Billboard.com, Men’s Health, and Random House, “who discuss how they want be pitched, websites that work, and the personal characteristics of photographers they seek.”

The guide is available here.

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Unified Color announces free architectural HDR photography webinar

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Unified Color Technologies, South San Francisco, Calif., will offer a free webinar on architectural HDR photography, hosted by professional photographer Michael James, on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The hour-long interactive live session will provide attendees with insight into James’s technical and creative workflow, and his use of Unified Color’s range of true to life HDR tools.

“HDR allows me to capture the essence of what makes a home or building a singularly unique location and allows the property literally come to life. Unified Color’s HDR tools provide me with the exacting control and time-saving features that I need to make HDR a regular part of my workflow, after all time is money,” said James. “For anyone that is interested in HDR, especially interiors or architectural work, I’ll be demonstrating my preferred HDR workflow and how I’ve harnessed its capabilities to drive my business.”

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

CPI Corp. fourth-quarter sales down 17 percent

May 9, 2012 By
CPI_logo

CPI Corp., St. Louis, Mo., reported fourth-quarter net sales declined 17 percent to declined 17 percent to $107.1 million from $128.9 million in the prior-year fourth quarter.

Fourth-quarter PictureMe Portrait Studio brand comparable store sales, described herein, decreased 17 percent versus the same period last year. Fourth-quarter Sears Portrait Studio brand comparable store sales, described herein, decreased 17 percent versus the same period last year. Fourth-quarter Kiddie Kandids comparable store sales decreased 21 percent versus the same period last year. Bella Pictures operations contributed $1.2 million in net sales in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Fiscal 2011 fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA declined to $14.7 million from $28.0 million in the prior-year fourth quarter due to comparable store sales declines, offset in part by cost reductions. Full-year Adjusted EBITDA declined to $14.0 million in fiscal 2011 versus $41.5 million in the prior year.

“Without question, we are extremely disappointed with our 2011 financial results and current liquidity challenges,” says James Abel, interim president and CEO. We are in active discussions with our lenders to secure additional borrowing capacity and are aggressively pursuing operational changes. We remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers and expect to continue introducing new products to meet their needs.

“Since I stepped into this interim leadership role on Feb. 9, we have significantly reshaped our store portfolio to weed out studios that were underperforming. We plan to continue realigning and effectively managing our asset base to improve the return on our investments. Similarly, we plan to be equally vigilant in our examination of all other aspects of our business to manage all performance variables within our control as we look to restore profitability and growth at CPI.”

Fourth-quarter net sales decreased 17 percent to $107.1 million from the $128.9 million reported in the fiscal 2010 fourth quarter. Net sales for the 2011 fourth quarter were negatively impacted by net revenue recognition change ($1.9 million) and positively impacted by Bella Pictures sales ($1.0 million) and other items ($0.2 million). Excluding the above impacts, comparable same-store sales in the quarter decreased approximately 17 percent.

Net loss for the fourth quarter in fiscal 2011 was $43.9 million, compared with net income of $14.9 million, reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Fourth-quarter results were significantly affected by comparable store sales declines, asset impairment charges and tax-related valuation allowances, as well as the Bella Pictures operations net loss of $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net sales from the PictureMe Portrait Studio (PMPS) brand, on a comparable same-store basis, excluding impacts of net revenue recognition change and other items totaling ($1.0) million, decreased 17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 to $49.0 million from $59.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease in PMPS sales for the fourth quarter was the result of a 15 percent decrease in the number of sittings and a 3 percent decrease in the average sale per customer sitting.

Net sales from the Sears Portrait Studio (SPS) brand, on a comparable same-store basis, excluding impacts of net revenue recognition change, studio closures and other items totaling ($1.8) million, decreased 17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 to $43.0 million from $51.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease in SPS sales for the fourth quarter was the result of a 12 percent decline in the average sale per customer sitting and a 6% decline in the number of sittings.

Net sales from the Kiddie Kandids (KK) studio operations, on a comparable same-store basis, excluding impacts of other items totaling $300,000, decreased 21 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 to $6.8 million from $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease in KK sales for the fourth quarter was the result of a 13 percent decline in average sale per customer sitting and a 10% decline in the number of sittings.

The Bella Pictures operations contributed approximately $1.2 million in net sales in the fourth quarter of 2011.

For the fiscal year ended Feb. 4, 2012, CPI reported net sales decreased 11 percent to $361.7 million from the $407.0 million reported in fiscal year 2010. Excluding the positive impacts of net store openings ($7.5 million), Bella Pictures sales ($6.7 million), foreign currency translation ($1.5 million), e-commerce ($1.4 million) and net revenue deferral related to the loyalty programs ($900,000), and other items with negative impacts totaling ($400,000), comparable same-store sales decreased approximately 15 percent from the prior year.

Net loss in fiscal 2011 was $56.7 million, compared with net income of $11.9 million, reported for fiscal 2010.

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Filed Under: Canada News, Earnings, Pro Photography Tagged With:

School Photo Boot Camp set for June 25-29

May 9, 2012 By

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.

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Filed Under: Pro Photography, PSPA

ONYX Graphics announces Production RIP software update

May 2, 2012 By
Onyx Production House Software

Onyx Graphics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, announced version X10.2 of its production RIP products: ONYX ProductionHouse, ONYX PosterShop and ONYX RIPCenter. Version X10.2 software include new features reducing ink usage, optimizing color handling and reducing manual intervention, thereby improving the workflow, the company says.

Version X10.2 software adds the GCR (Gray Color Replacement) Plus tool to ONYX PowerChroma black generation technology in ONYX ProductionHouse software. The GCR Plus tool maintains smoothness in highlights and mid-tones, while saving ink in shadow areas. Users can save up to 30 percent in ink usage without sacrificing output quality .

Also available for ONYX ProductionHouse software is a new Vivid Color gamut mapping tool, an option enabling users to build profiles with brighter tone mapping, resulting in more colorful prints. This feature works particularly well to help brighten output when using mid- to low-gamut ink and media combinations.

 

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Orange Photography uses Mitsubishi photo printers for Bay Area events

May 2, 2012 By
Orange Image

Orange Photography

From weddings to corporate events to photo booth parties, Orange Photography, San Francisco, Calif., has relied on Mitsubishi Electric products for its photo printing needs for more than 11 years.

“We’ve never had a single problem with Mitsubishi professional dye-sub photo printers,” says Gene X. Hwang, chief operating officer of Orange Photography. “At our very first gig in this business, we tried to print with an inkjet printer and quickly discovered the printer was slow and it took forever for the ink to dry. Afterward, we spent a lot of time researching professional photo printer options. ”

Orange Photography’s team of experienced professionals has been providing photo and videography services to the San Francisco Bay area since 2001. While giving back to the community, Orange Photography’s Social Photography program has assisted more than 70 non-profit organizations, donating creative talent along with design and print resources. In addition, Orange Photography is the first photography studio to earn the Green Business designation from the City and County of San Francisco.

http://www.orangephotography.com/.

# # #

 

For more information:

Jen Lynch

Definition Branding & Marketing

(212) 660 2555 x 11

jen.lynch@definitionbam.com

 

 

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Fujifilm opens inkjet technical center in Illinois

May 1, 2012 By
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Fujifilm North America Corp., Valhalla, N.Y., has opened The Technical Center for Inkjet Printing, located in Fujifilm’s Hanover Park, Ill., facility. It was designed to demonstrate and to support the company’s role in inkjet technology. The culmination of a series of strategic acquisitions and technological innovations led to the development of Fujifilm Inkjet Technology, the focal point of the Technical Center for Inkjet Printing.

“The opening of the Technology Center for Inkjet Printing exemplifies the strategy built around Fujifilm Inkjet Technology and clearly indicates that we will continue to forge a path as a leader in inkjet technology for the graphic arts industry,” says Stephen Sanker, director, Inkjet Presses, Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. “Since establishing the center, we have conducted more than 50 customer demonstrations. The extremely strong interest shown in the J Press and in Fujifilm Inkjet Technology has led to numerous requests for samples and demonstrations. The center has proven to be a valuable resource for printers hungry for more information on inkjet printing, and has provided valuable feedback for us.”

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IPC announces 2012 leadership award winners

April 27, 2012 By

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.

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Filed Under: Pro Photography, PSPA

Anne Geddes debuts new magazine at Destination Maternity

April 27, 2012 By
My Pregnancy by Anne Geddes

My Pregnancy by Anne Geddes

Destination Maternity Corp. announces an exclusive retail partnership with photographer Anne Geddes and the launch of the U.S. edition of my Pregnancy: A Woman’s Story. Geddes combines her photography with nine women’s intimate and emotional interviews about their pregnancies, the births of their babies, and beyond.

In this magazine, she hopes to bring to light the truly universal story of motherhood. For this project Anne has photographed women from all walks of life, all in their final months of pregnancy. After their babies were born, the women were invited back into Geddes’ studio to candidly tell their unique stories. my Pregnancy: A Woman’s Story is the result of more than two years of her work. Each story is also illustrated with personal photographs of each woman and behind-the-scenes imagery from Gedde’s studio.

“Even though I’m primarily known for photographing newborns, I’ve also always loved photographing pregnant women,” says Geddes. “my Pregnancy shares rich, diverse stories that all women should hear. Women are great storytellers, so I’m sure you’ll be able to identify with all of them. I couldn’t be more pleased to share my Pregnancy with the women at Destination Maternity, a company that fully embraces and cherishes pregnant women.”

Destination Maternity will host a kick-off event at its flagship location in New York City on April 28, at 2:00 p.m. Geddes will be on hand for a meet-and-greet at the 57th and Madison location, and light refreshments will be served.

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Zazzle partners with NatGeo for customized photo products

April 25, 2012 By
Zazzle Logo

Zazzle Inc., Redwood City, Calif., announced a partnership with the National Geographic Image Collection enabling consumers to customize thousands of products with the Image Collection’s award-winning and iconic photographs. This is the first time the organization’s imagery will be offered at such scale for mass customization to consumers worldwide.

“National Geographic has built a reputation for producing images that inform, entertain and inspire,” says Maura Mulvihill, senior vice president, the National Geographic Society and Director of the National Geographic Image Collection. “Through Zazzle, consumers will now have access to a wide range of these images and can use them to reflect their own personal style through a vast array of products, from wall decor to customized personal accessories.”

Zazzle will feature a variety of subjects drawn from National Geographic’s catalog of images, including wildlife and nature shots, landscapes and cityscapes. All imagery will be available on a wide range of custom products, inducing greeting cards, postage, consumer electronic cases, apparel, plates, necklaces, accessories and more.

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Filed Under: Online imaging, Photo Publishing, Pro Photography Tagged With: ,
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