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Website: http://ppwm.org/

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Lew Everling | Social Mediarology

PPWM welcomes Lew Everling this month as we eagerly anticipate learning more about this social networking thing! Here's what Lew has to say about social media and a little about him:

Social media is hot! Whats your forecast? Is your presence high or low? Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, email, texting, blogging its all networking. Join Lew Everling aka “Lewbie” as he will take you through some basics to get you started, give you ins and outs of the social world we live in.

If there was only one word to describe the enigmatic Lew Everling aka “Lewbie”, it would be passionate! Lew embodies the word in his personal and professional relationships, which include teaching & public speaking; As well as, in his photography.

His quality work & excellence are achieved through enormous amounts of energy towards education—whether in self-education or teaching others. And now, with over 26 year’s experience, Lew comes to you with a “think outside-the-box” attitude that has enabled him to create refreshing, elegant, and personal photography & classes.

Lew is a member of: Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Photographers, Indianapolis Professional Photographers Guild, Professional Photographers of America, a Craftsmen Photographer, Certified Professional Photographer and serves on the Professional Photographic Certification Commission, a group of professionals promoting professionalphotography.

Monday, September 19, 2011 7:00pm | Comfort Suites North, 350 Dodge NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321

Dinner at Vitale's on your own at 5:30pm

Ana Brandt Workshop

August is typically a busy month for photographers with weddings, seniors, and all the other portrait work that client's love to do outdoors during Michigan summers. Nevertheless, we had a great turnout for the all day workshop featuring Ana Brandt from outside LA. Ana is a maternity and newborn photographer who's work has featured celebrity clients such as Ian Ziering of 90210. Ana openly shared with us about her photographic journey and how it has led her to a very specific market for which she is passionate. Too many photographers try to do it all, but Ana explained how she found her niche and stuck with it to be successful. During the afternoon, we participated in a mini shoot with a pregnant model and learned several tips and techniques for making a woman feel beautiful at the most sensitive time of her life!

PPWM thanks Ana for including time for us during her family vacation back to Michigan. If you are interested in following Ana's newsletter for photographers, future workshops and shopping from her unique items for both maternity and newborn subjects please visit her website at: www.theartofpregnancyandnewborn.com. Now through the end of September use this code for 15% off: michigan15

June Contest Winner

The theme for June was Reflections, and this was the winning entry by Sarah MacKinnon of S.MacK Photo & Design. Here's her story behind this image:

"As Greg mentioned during his presentation last night - It is not always wise (if ever) to practice a new technique during an actual session or wedding. Get out there and practice, practice, practice. That is exactly what I was doing when I created this image.

Me and my flash (Canon 580EXII) have yet to come to some sort of 'happily ever after' working relationship. It is pretty much just along for the ride, tucked into my bag, going wherever I go with my camera. Doesn't see much action at all because of our lack of communication.

"Just set it on TTL" is an answer I've heard often when I've asked about how to master that piece of equipment. I'm old school. Couldn't EVEN tell you what the heck TTL is or how to use it.
Hand me a flash meter and I'll work at it from that angel.

On this day, I was hanging out with my model waiting to get into the studio that I share with two other photographers. We wandered to the unfinished side of the building and thought we'd shoot around with whatever was available until the studio became available. We had window light from the left and the 'just along for the ride EXII' from the right.

Add the flash, take a reading, drag the shutter, adjust settings, try again. Looks too 'flashy', change the settings, drop the power, change the angel, try again and again and again until we got what we wanted/liked. Practice, practice, practice.

Post production included a little NIK NIK here and a NIK NIK there and a couple of la-de-da's.

I'm certainly not going to brag about my 'working relationship' with my off camera flash yet. I still have a long way to go before I think I'll feel fairly confident with that gizmo.

I'm thrilled that my image was "The Chosen One" last night and I am thankful that my niece is a very patient model when she gets those calls asking, "Hey, want to come hang out and pose for me while I try out something new?" Thank you Leah!

Thank you PPWM & speaker/judge Greg Schrader"

You know you want to, now here's your chance!

Wow, the first 1/2 of 2011 has just flown by!

Now is your chance to see what PPWM is all about. We still have some great programs lined up to finish the 2nd part of 2011. Our next meeting is on Monday, June 20th, featuring

Greg Schrader "Change the way you photograph the world" 7 to 9 p.m.

You can now get your membership for 1/2 off! That's ONLY $67.50 The membership application can be found on our website, click HERE The membership form can be downloaded directly from our site (under forms)

If you need additional information, just let me know! My email: photosbylisa1@comcast.net

Lisa

Competition Winners

A big huge "Congrats!" goes out to Jayne Wirebaugh and Kari Douma for winning the amateur judge print competition this year. Their photos received top honors for Best of Show chosen by a group of non-photographer judges.

How often have you heard from a judge at a normal print competition, "It's a nice photo, and I'm sure the client loved it, but it needs more for competition." The judges used in this competition were some of our clients instead of the usual critical PPA type judges. So what these judges (clients) were looking for was somewhat different. Hint: they love big smiles and cute babies!

I heard a couple of times from our client judges, "I'm not sure what it is, but I just don't really like this photo." My guess is that there might have been technical issues with the images, meaning that they were breaking too many of the "rules." To me, it's just a reminder that although rules are made to be broken, the rules play an important part in our images.

Our clients really are our ultimate judges. They're the ones that pay our bills and keep us in business. This event was a great way to hear what our clients are saying about our images when they look at them with a critical eye.

Monthly Competition


This month's winner for the monthly competition was Jodi Jarka. The theme for May was "Perspective." We're used to seeing the world at eye-level, so this theme was a reminder that as photographers we can show things from a different angle, or perspective. It's important for us to see more creatively.

Jodi's winning image, which she could've probably used for next month's competition, features an interesting angle of her client. The rounded mirror gives a fish eye look to the image. Images like this are all around us; we just have to see them!
Next month: Reflections

June 20 | Greg Schrader: Change the Way You Photograph the World

The time to break out of your comfort zone and watch your creativity soar is now! This program will expand your boundaries and transform your images into magnificent works of art.

Attendees will learn:
* Invaluable “Wedding Day” time management strategies
* How to create beautiful images in less than beautiful surroundings
* Strategies behind Narrative Photography
* How to Photograph with Purpose
* Create "Art" - Not “just” photography
* How to create “Emotional Impact Moments” for your couples
* Learn how to "Not" let the day slip by
* Designing and refining your portfolio
* How to infuse passion into your work

Whether you’re just starting out - or a seasoned veteran, this program will open your eyes to a new way of photographing the world.

ABOUT GREG:

Gregory Schrader is not your typical photographer, therefore he does not have the typical story of how he came to own a photography studio. His story begins in 2005 when he finally decided to put his mantra to work. “I would rather work 18 hours a day for myself than 8 hours a day for someone else.” Little did he know how literal that mantra would become. Once he decided on his course of action, then came the hard part. Every technique that Gregory uses has been self taught and sometimes taught through mistakes. He invested blood, sweat and countless tears. A few tears of frustration, but mostly tears of joy. Tears of being able to witness glorious moments, tears of happiness for new friends and family and tears of profound pride when life has been taken from our friends and family but Greg’s photography remains to help comfort and remind us all of the happier moments.

Gregory has risen through the photography ranks in a non-traditional way and his photography is best recognized for its non-traditional style. Gregory works to continually raise the bar and push the limits in the photography industry. He is able to stamp a recognizable style in everything he photographs, with each event undoubtedly sparking its own unique twist. In addition to photographing families in all of their glorious traditional moments and milestones, Gregory also photographs for commercial clientele and his work can be seen in national publications. Emerging as a leader of a new generation of photographers, Gregory has the rare gift of being and artist, a natural entrepreneur and an inspirational teacher. He continues to raise the benchmark of excellence as an artist who is admired and respected by his peers and loved by his clients. As a public speaker, Gregory inspires and educates other photographers all over the country with his passionate approach to photography and a natural business sense that has made him the leader that he is.

Gregory realizes that he can not change the world with one photograph... but he believes that he can change individuals with one photograph at a time. Gregory is available for wedding, portrait, fashion, and special event assignments anywhere in the world.

PRINT OF THE MONTH THEME: REFLECTION

*As always, please join us for dinner at Vitale's at 5:30pm!