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Imaging USA: Phoenix Convention Center Virtual Tour

Get your first look at the new Phoenix Convention Center, home to Imaging USA 2009

Hi, Lenny Taffel here, your Director of Events for Imaging USA.

I’ve just returned from a visit to Phoenix, Ariz., where I was making sure that everything is on schedule and up to par. Though it may sound corny, I’m so excited! Imaging USA 2009 is going to be AWESOME! There’s a lot to look forward to:

The layout of the Phoenix Convention Center campus makes it very easy to get around, which is a very good thing because you don’t want to miss a minute of your chosen programs or the Imaging Expo. In just seconds you can zip back and forth between the Imaging USA classrooms and the exhibition hall via the skywalk, located on the same floor as both locations. And if you ever do need pointed in the right direction, you can just look for me or any of the other Imaging USA staff members and volunteers (we’ll be the ones in the orange shirts!)

Not only is the layout great, the entire convention center is eco-friendly with top-of-the-line enhancements (it’s brand-new for you, my friends). The $600 million expansion triples the original size of the center, and totals nearly 900,000 square feet of space that is inviting, comfortable, and easy to navigate. Talk about perfect timing for Imaging USA! It’s definitely one of the best—if not THE best—convention center that has housed Imaging USA.

So you might be wondering about things outside the walls of the convention center…Well, let me tell you, they’re going to be a breeze to experience! The METRO light rail train will make it sooo easy and cost-effective to get from the airport to your hotel, the convention center, dining, entertainment, and anything you want to do around the city. (Plus, it’s pretty snazzy looking!)

Imaging USA 2009 is a great show in a great city…soon to be filled with the greatest folks in the world, (yes, I’m talking about YOU!) We’ve uploaded a video from our visit to Phoenix, a  virtual tour that the convention center’s architect gave us. Take a peek at where we’ll be in January.

It's Going to be Brilliant

Be one of the first to see the next big thing from Adobe on September 23, 2008. Save the date and get a look at what's to come. Join in at www.adobe.com/go/somethingbrilliant

What Should I Look for in a Press Printed Book?

Now that couples are asking for press printed books and  being tempted by low cost books online, here are some of the choices you have  to distinguish your offerings and make sure your photography is professionally  presented and preserved.

Print Quality
To get the color you desire, request and use the printer’s  color profile. And be sure to embed your color profile in all images. You will  need color correction the same as you did for your prints. When you make your  first press printed book, ask for sample pages of your photos so you can see  how your photos look. Both you and the printer can then make adjustments if  necessary.

Paper Weight 
Paper is sold in the US using a crazy system of lb  weights. The “lb” part refers to the weight of 500 standard size sheets - but  the standard sheets vary in size depending on their assumed end use – usually  Text or Cover.

Family Portrait Month Slideshow

Take a look at the smiles that are created when you participate in Family Portrait Month. When you participate in Family Portrait Month, you help PPA Charities raise funds for Operation Smile, allowing them to continue their work with children around the world.

Since 1982, more than 115,000 children and young adults have been treated by thousands of volunteers worldwide and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally. For as little as $240 Operation Smile can change a child's life by giving the gift of a surgery. Revenue in excess of surgical costs is invested into our sustainability programs, empowering our partner countries to treat more children on their own and making your investment go even farther. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child's life forever.

For More information, or to participate, visit www.PPACharities.com.

Slideshow prepared by Angie Weedon for PPA Charities.

BJP International Photography Award

In partnership with the Association of Photographers Sponsored by Spectrum Photographic & Canon

The British Journal of Photography is calling for entries to its fourth International Photography Awards – a juried competition with a total prize fund worth more than £13,000 ($25,000/€16,500).

This year photographers have TWO chances to win a Canon EOS 5D camera kit – worth £3250 – because we have TWO separate categories.

Photographer of the Year Awards

Congratulations to all the recipients of the 2008 Photographer of the Year Awards. These individuals demonstrated excellence in their craft and earned tremendous achievements in PPA's 2008 International Print Competition.

ELECTRONIC IMAGER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Platinum

Jo Burkhardt, M.Artist.MEI
Sherron Sheppard, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Beverly L Toves, M.Photog.Cr.

Gold

Michael D Barton, Cr.Photog., CPP
Kaye Frey, M.Photog.M.Artist.MEI.Cr.

Silver

Robert W Cleere, M.Photog.MEI.Cr., CPP
Scott A. Dupras, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Paul D Rogers, M.Photog.Cr., CPP

Bronze

Melanie A Burton
Robert L. Kunesh, M.Photog.MEI.Cr., CPP

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Diamond

Rod Brown, M.Photog.Cr.
Don Chick, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Steve B Ervin, M.Photog.MEI.Cr.
Mark Garber, M.Photog.Cr.
Jerry Ghionis
Jennifer K. Gilman, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Sam Gray, M.Photog.Cr.
Travis Gugelman, CPP
Robert Hillier, M.Photog.Cr.
Keith Howe, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr.
Elaine Hughes, M.Photog., CPP
Steven J. Kemp, M.Photog.M.Artist.MEI.Cr., CPP
Tomas Munoz, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
Bruce D Nelson, CPP
Ron Nichols, M.Photog.Cr.,API
Michael E. Timmons, M.Photog.Cr.
Mike Williams

Imaging USA…Celebrate with PPA Charities

PPA Charities hosts a “Celebration” event Saturday evening before PPA’s Imaging USA (the national convention in January) officially begins. The celebration event will take place at Alice Coopers Town in Phoenix, just two blocks from Convention Center and features fun, fellowship, and food. The evening kicks off with a VIP Cocktail Hour from 8-9pm. VIP Cocktail Hour tickets are only $35 and include hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. The doors open to all convention attendees at 9pm, and the fun continues with the live/silent auction, the check presentation to Operation Smile, and music and dancing.

Mark your calendar now to attend the PPA Charities' Celebration on January 10, 2009, in Phoenix. Order your VIP ticket when you register for Imaging USA.

Protect Yourself: Copyright, Trademarks, and Model Releases

August 27
Hosted by: Christel Aprigliano, PPA’s Member Services Manager
Panelists: Al Hopper, PPA’s Director of Membership, Copyright & Government Affairs and Maria Matthews, PPA’s Copyright & Government Affairs Coordinator
7:00pm – 8:00pm EST
Free—PPA members only
Please login to PPA.com to get the free registration link.

Every photographer needs to ensure that each image they share with the public is protected. If it's not, you lose business! Learn about copyrights and trademarks, how to properly handle them, why model releases are necessary, and more…all with this free webinar.

Join PPA’s Copyright & Government Affairs staff as they discuss how to protect yourself, your work, and your clients using the tools and resources of PPA. And don’t forget to bring your own questions—they'll be answering yours during the Q & A session.

Earn $1,000 an Hour from School Photography Step 1: Underclass Business Basics

August 25
with Chris Wunder, Cr.Photog.
Monday, August 25, 2008
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Cost: $49 PPA Members/ $249 non-members
Register online (08AUGWEB2) or call 800-786-6277

It’s always good to add something lucrative to your business!

Ready to offer an additional service and bring in more revenue? Conducted on weekday mornings—when you probably have time available to handle it—underclass school photography can be a lucrative addition to your studio business. But to get a good start in this field, you must understand the metrics of the business. Join in this live Webinar for explanations and advice about the basics of the underclass photography business, including schools’ requests for rebates.

Listen and learn how you can add a new revenue stream!

Chris Wunder Bio:
Chris Wunder, Cr.Photog., is a 30-year veteran of the photography business and a recognized sales & marketing industry expert for studios, events, sports, schools and directory photography programs. He’s a popular platform speaker and a consultant to photography businesses—both small and large—all across America. Chris is also co-owner of the PortraitEFX Photography Network with over 40 locations nationwide.

Visit PPA.com for complete information.