PPNC Benefit Continued from page 12 opportunities, followed by networking. As the years went by, I made some treasured lifelong friendships (“ShutterChicks” with Karen Goforth, Rhonda Lester and Denise Clay) and many others who I consider brothers and sisters on this journey. ECS added another layer to the depth of those relationships.” Kevin Jordan posted “In the beginning of my career, number one was education opportunities, specifically ECS and conventions; now, networking and inspiration are the number one reasons I join.” Joe Robinson posted “The professional quality relationships.” Kevin Minter posted “I dont know, haven’t seen anything change.” Chris Garner posted “Kevin, I know where you’re coming from. It takes a little while to get ‘in the groove’ with PPNC. But it will come. Hopefully, you feel welcome as a new member. All of a sudden, you’ll hit your stride and you’ll get so much information at once you almost go into overload. It will come.” George P. Joell posted “Kevin, it is not one seminar or one convention or one East Coast School that will change youl. It is a combination of everything. It is a gradual buildup of skills and knowledge. There is no magic bullet. You have to practice what you learn and keep practicing. Doctors are not doctors after their first year of med school and lawyers are not winning cases after a few law classes. It takes a while and it takes dedication. You build you skill set one client at a time. Learning is learning. Change is within you.” Carlton Hubbard Jr. posted “George said it perfectly.” Anne Battey Grant posted “Keep coming around. Bring fresh ideas and an open mind, Kevin. Find kindred spirits at the seminars, convention or even here on Facebook and share images. Go out on self-assignments and make it happen for you. “Don’t depend on anybody else to make you successful and really take in what George P. Joell said about no magic bullet. “We’re like real brothers and sisters – you may not click with all of them, but we are family. “There’s another benefit: an encouraging word from others in the ‘trenches.’” Cecil Hudgins posted “Good people, informative instruction, great fellowship
and conversation, and years of experience to shorten your leaning curve. Just like any education organization, they teach, you learn, then you apply what you have learned.” Liyun Yu posted “PPNC is like a family. I feel so lucky to find and join this family and am reunited from time to time. I feel the strong support from all PPNC family members all of the time. For photography, I can’t go far without this family. Just got my very first PPA Loan this year – all because of PPNC.” Cindy Smith posted “Good going Liyun Yu.” Cristy Winstead Leggett posted “Fellowship and education to put it simply.” Kevin Minter posted “I’m stuck doing this as a hobby, it feels. I have a lot of big time hair stylists who like working with me, like Barbara Lhotan, due to my hair back ground. One day I’ll make some money or get a gig for a magazine. I have fun doing portraits with friends though.” P.J. Ward-Brown posted “I think getting your foot in the door helps, attending the guilds and seminars with, yes, ‘Our Family.’ I cant wait till I’m done with this last year of school so I can be more into it. Kevin, Thursdays I’m free and would like to come to the Raleigh area and do some street photography with you.” Kevin Minter posted “You just made my day P.J. Ward-Brown. I really need a lesson on the professional side instead of lights and street photography. Model release forms, advertisement, taxes, what to do with receipts, where to do my taxes, right ups, pricing (I normally charge nothing and buy hair, clothes and props), prints, and things along those lines. This has just been a hobby so far. Now that I have a year under my belt, I want to work with others who will pay instead of continuing pictures with friends and family. “I feel I can go anywhere and and adapt and get a good picture. When I was homeless I had nothing but my camera so I think I learned to work it pretty well. I just haven’t been given the opportunity to show it, really. This camera got me through a lot coming (from) Afghanistan. I’m in a better position now than when I first started.” George P. Joell posted “Kevin, you have to have a strong passion for photography to make it work. If you are looking to make a living, then maybe you are a little premature. Photography was my
hobby for 10 years before I even asked someone to pay for my services. “And before that, they offered and I would not take any money. You have to be hungry and you have to breathe, eat and sleep photography. When the passion is so great, you will do anything to get better. You will pay anything to get better. You practice until your equipment stops working, people are throwing money at you because your art is so strong. That is when you know you have it. I have been in business full-time for the past seven years and I still have the drive. I still want to get better. I am nowhere near my capacity. I read everything. I watch everything. I do dream about photography. I go to every seminar, school and convention I can. I am hungry. You have to feel the same way. When I think I have arrived, hopefully I will be on my death bed.” Kevin Minter posted “I’m not looking to make a killing but I’m tired of losing. I’m a disabled veteran so I’m taken care of now. Photography, hair and makeup are the only things I read about or do. Life is short and I’m in a rush to be great. I need direction. I really just want to be published so when I die my name is still here. Y’all know I once existed. These things are the only positive things that have ever been my life. It’s good to get praise for doing something good or positive. I got a lot of little hood kids who look up to me. I went into the Army and now I have this dream. It’s crazy how people were quick to show me how to make and sell drugs or shoot a perfect shot, but when it comes to do doing something positive I have to learn it all on my own. George P. Joell posted “Kevin first off, thank you for your service. Believe me, I understand. I am veteran who spent 24 years in the Army and served four overseas tours. I grew up in the inner city of San Diego, not the tourist part, the part that no one wanted to visit. “I believe in you and believe your legacy will be remembered. Giving back to the youths of our community is a noteworthy deed and you will be rewarded two-fold. “If you are in the Fayetteville area or want to travel this way, I would be honored to assist in any way possible. I do feel your passion and I do believe that with the right mentorship, you can leave your mark on society.
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