TAPPA Tribune - June 2015

June, 2015

The TAPPA Tribune Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association

Contents President’s Message

3

Spring Salon Competition

7

This Month’s Program

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Salon Rules

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Salon Judges

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Upcoming Events

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Print of the Month Portrait 12 Print of the Month Unclassified 13 Print of the Month Commercial 15 Print of the Month Electronic Imaging

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Print of the Month Social Function

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How To Reveal Your Photography Package Prices At The Perfect Time

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Committees 22 Board of Directors

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On the cover: Photo by David Hanko

Visit TAPPA on FaceBook

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Photo by Booray Perry

President’s Message

Six months into 2015 and summer is upon us. Seems like we skipped spring this year. Graduations lead to months with the kids out of school. Beach and other vacations beckon to us. Rush hour traffic grows lighter as the days grow longer.

It’s the perfect time to change our routine, turn our attention to something new or different and start special projects.

This June promises to be hectic and exciting, kicking off with a concert the first weekend. I can hardly wait to see my all-­‐time favorite performer in one of his three shows here.

The second weekend we’ll celebrate my precious granddaughter’s fourth birthday with a Disney’s Palace Pets theme. My daughter, the family baker extraordinaire, will create the perfect birthday cake along with a ton of food. There’s even talk of a water slide jump house as well.

Father’s Day, the third weekend will be a time to honor and celebrate our dear fathers. My anticipation is escalating because I’m doing something rare and unusual for me. I’m really going to print and give my dad images from his four month snowbird vacation with us.

You’ve heard the saying that the shoemaker’s children don’t have shoes. I have had to hang my head, guilty as charged. For me, it’s the photographer’s family rarely gets pictures. But this Father’s Day will be different because I’ve already edited and printed the images. They’ll be mailed early for my now out-­‐of-­‐state dad.

That would be enough, but this year we have more—we’re fully engaged in plans for my youngest daughter’s fall wedding.

Taking time away from the studio adds value to my skills and professional relationships. Hands on immersion enhances my abilities or adds new tools to my repertoire.

If it weren’t for Florida School; my business would be a thing of the past— every year has directly benefited my personal and business growth.

I haven’t missed since the first one I attended in 2010. Focusing completely on one topic, for several full and consecutive days saturates our minds. It stimulates us to connect new information to what we already know. Depth of understanding paired with practical application enables me to return to the studio and hit the ground running.

Not to overlook annual professional opportunities, I’ll be in Daytona from June 7-­‐10 for Florida School.

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It’s never “if I’m going,” each time, but rather “who I’m taking.” A wide variety of instructors and classes always meets the needs of everyone who attends. Add in genuine friendships, enhanced each year, and the event is priceless.

We’ve scheduled our juried print competition for TAPPA on June 16—the final one for 2015.

It’s perfectly timed to gear us up for FPP’s Focus Convention in August. We’ve lined up a stellar panel of judges for the evening and as part of this night of education. Since adopting the practice several years ago, our panel of experts arrives mid-­‐day to judge and score the images. This allows them to offer an image-­‐by-­‐image critique of each print in the evening.

These insightful comments help each of us gain their perspective and understand how and why they score each image. It’s helped me understand what it takes for a print to earn a merit.

Our regular meeting will be moved to June 16 instead of June 9 to accommodate those attending Florida School. Judging will begin at 2 p.m. with the critique following our dinner meeting and announcements.

I hope to encourage all of you within each newsletter. This month, following the “kick back” summer mindset, identify something you’ve been wanting to do for yourself whether fun, educational, or challenging.

Perhaps you’ll master a new skill, enhance an existing one, work on a project that’s been set aside, exercise more, lose weight, or simply catching up on your reading. Let your goals and ideas with motivate you and bring you joy. Make June a celebration of completing half of 2015 and do something good and rewarding for yourself.

Think happy and be happy, Susan “Instead of giving myself reasons why I can’t, I give myself reasons why I can.” ~ Unknown

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HOW TO: Handle bad reviews by photography clients

By Rachel Brenke, TheLawTog

You have a killer session and a seemingly awesome client relationship. Then all of the sudden you see the client negatively discussing your business, work or even you personally on the internet. What can you do?

Negative reviews can be placed on a variety of platforms ranging from Yelp to the Facebook Page feedback/rating function. Even without these review functions, customers can say what they think on the Internet by status, blog post, and other mediums – most of which are available publicly.

Unfortunately, we don’t want to just focus on the “clean-up on aisle four” – so let’s walk through the steps of preventing these types of issues and your possible remedies if this does occur.

1. Don’t give your client a reason to talk negatively This seems like common sense, but often issues arise because of a failure to fulfill a contractual commitment to client, or simply not offering the best customer service.

It is important for you to have a written workflow to ensure you don’t miss any steps. This will ensure all clients receive a consistent experience across the board. This will also keep you from wasting

your office-time trying to figure out what needs to be done. Lastly, this will hopefully prevent any negative reviews by your photography clients.

Many times clients just want to be heard – Listen to avoid bad reviews!

Many times clients just want to be heard – make sure that you include a feedback mechanism in your workflow so they can provide you their comments. Not only will this work to deter public displays of frustration or dissatisfaction, but you can then have a pulse on what needs to be adjusted in your business for future success.

We can’t always keep clients from talking negatively, even when we’ve done everything by the book. Life is just not that predictable; but how we respond is the mark of a good business owner.

2. Non-Disparagement provision in your photography contract Non-Disparagement clauses have historically been placed in employment contracts and settlement disputes. These clauses have only recently been emerging in personal services contracts, such as those used in the field of photography. The rising popularity of these clauses is due to the onslaught of social media and other web-based platforms that make it easy for individuals to bash publicly and tarnish the reputation of a company, whether deserved or not.

This type of provision outlines the financial responsibility a client would face if a negative review surfaces about the photographer.

Non – Disparagement Provision Example: For the purposes of this Section, “disparage” or “disparaging” shall mean any negative statement,

whether oral or written about Photographer Company Name. The Client agrees that no disparaging communications shall be made about the Photographer, whether through online or offline mediums. Disparaging communications are defined as criticism, ridicule or any statement that disparages or is derogatory of the Photographer and the photography business.

If the Client violates these terms, a liquidated damages of $____ shall be assessed and remitted to the Photographer. The parties agree and acknowledge that this non-disparagement provision is a material term of this Agreement, the absence of which would have resulted in the Photographer refusing to enter into this Agreement.

This provision is only for educational purposes.

Use of this provision is of your own accord and should have a local lawyer review prior to use. Use of this provision and reading this article does not create a lawyer-client relationship with you and TheLawTog. Some recent examples of “disparagement” being pursued can be found here: Bride fined by wedding venue for negative Yelp review (Venue later stated was a hoax) Hotel fines $500 for every negative review posted online In fact, due to these recent events, The Knot even took to publishing an article warning brides from signing contracts with these provisions, which can deter brides from engaging in your services.

Realistically, who wants to give away their right to leave a negative review, especially if it is deserved by the actions of the business? In fact, courts tend to agree.

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In 2014, California proposed (and won) legislation to limit and possibly punish non-disparagement clauses in online consumer contracts (also known as the Yelp Bill) on grounds of free-speech. Yelp stated “A five-star rating for a business who had used one of these clauses to simply scare all negative reviewers into removing their comments wouldn’t really represent the experience a consumer could expect to have at that business in our opinion.� So California has found these clauses to be invalid and unenforceable.

Non-disparagement clauses are invalid in some states and not recommended.

For this reason, among others, non-disparagement clauses are not always recommended for inclusion in photography contracts because they are hard to enforce and it is also difficult to identify the fine line between a legitimate disappointed customer and one out to tarnish a reputation.

While some displays by customers online can be clear cut, enforcement of such a provision may lead you back into court. Including a provision like this is a decision you, the photography business owner, would need to make.

Keep in mind, if the disparagement becomes so severe to your reputation an action can be taken in court with a contract that is silent on disparagement.

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3. Cease and desist for harassment There is a fine line between an unhappy customer and a harassing customer. Unfortunately, the computer makes it super easy for individuals with chips on their shoulder, nothing better to do, or no manners to reach out into the webspace and to crucify the reputation of an undeserving business.

This is where a cease and desist document can enter to deter further damage.

If the words and threats become too severe, a call to the local police may be needed as some states have harassment laws in place to safeguard their citizens.

As you can see, staying on the straight and narrow with clients is the best way to avoid negative reviews, but if you do encounter someone who has taken the negative reviews to an extreme you have a legal foundation with the options available to you.

This Month’s Program

Spring Salon Competition

TAPPA’s next meeting will be our Summer Salon! For many, this is the most exciting meeting all year (along with Fall Salon) as this is the meeting where we bring in judges to grade our work.

It looks like we will be starting the judging at 3PM but this is not confirmed. Critique will be that night at the regular meeting.

If you have never participated in a Salon, it’s really a great experience. If there is any way you can come early for judging, do… it’s a great learning experience.

Meeting Details Tuesday, January Tuesday, June 16, 13, 2015 2014 Social 6:00 Dinner 6:30 Program 7:00 Register online Member with PayPal at TAPPA.org RSVP

by Noon January 6: $25 Doubletree Hotel After W. 4500 theCypress 7th $35St., Tampa Register online at TAPPA.org Doubletree Hotel 4500 W. Cypress St., Tampa

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Salon Rules Salon Competition Procedures & Rules INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL ENTRANTS – Please study and follow carefully. Not doing so will prevent judging of your entry.

ELIGIBILITY: Any member of TAPPA in good standing.

ENTRIES: A total, not to exceed 6 images, may be entered by one photographer per salon judging. Images previously entered in TAPPA Salon Competitions may not be entered again. No two images shall be of the same subject.

designated by the entrant in one of the six (6) categories listed on the entry form. If the chairman feels the entry is placed in an incorrect category, he/she may change the entry’s category. Color and Black and White images will be judged together in all categories.

1. PORTRAIT: This category includes portraits of men, women, children, couples (2 people), groups (3 or more), and environmental portraits.

2. SOCIAL FUNCTION: This category includes social function portraits or candids.

ENTRY FEE: The entry fee of $5.00 covers one to six entries. If you are not attending the competition, the entry fee is $15. It may be cash or a check made payable to TAPPA. Please pay that evening. If you are not attending but placing entires, please let Constance Avellino (cap_studios@hotmail.com) a couple of days before the event.

3. COMMERCIAL: This category includes advertising illustration, industrial, architectural, product photography and photojournalism.

Live models may be used for these entries.

The deadline for all entries is posted on www.printcompetition.com

5. ELECTRONIC IMAGING: This category includes digital restoration, image enhancement. Entries will be judged for digital, artistic and technical proficiency.

ENTRY DEADLINES: Entries must be uploaded onto the website. Go to the TAPPA website and then to:PrintCompetiton.com FILE NAMING: Will be done automatically. But of course you will need to title your entries CLASSIFICATION OF ENTRIES: Entries must be

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4. UNCLASSIFIED: This category includes abstracts, pictorials (non-portrait), animals, figure studies and photojournalism.

6. ALBUMS: This Category includes wedding albums, story book and portrait albums.

Albums can be from 1 or more makers.

Send ALBUM ENTRIES ONLY, 24 hours before salon, to: Constance Avellino at cap_studios@hotmail.com

IMAGE PREPARATION: Always SAVE a copy of your competition print file before attempting this!

See tutorials at http://www.ppa.com/competitions/tutorials.php Files must be sized so the longest dimension is 4,000 pixels (20 inches at 200 ppi). Each file must contain an embedded color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998 and be saved at a JPEG quality setting of 10. Total file size should not exceed 7 MB. ALBUM FILE PREPARATION: 1. All page/spread files must have the longest file dimension at 4,000 pixels (20 inches at 200 ppi), have an embed-ded color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998 and be saved at a JPEG quality setting of 10.

2. Each page/spread file may contain as many images as you desire.

3. An entry may contain up to 36 page/spread files 4. Files are to be numbered in viewing order using two digits (i.e., 01 jpg, 02 jpg, 03 jpg, etc.).

5. All individual files must be compressed into a single ZIP file. ZIP file must be named: LastName_ Album_Title (use _for spaces, e.g. Sewell_ Summer_Wedding.zip)

JUDGING PROCEDURES: Each salon will be judged by a panel of three qualified judges using FPP and PPA guidelines including point scoring procedures. The score of the three judges will be totaled and averaged for the final score. When a judge’s score varies 10 points or more from the average score, it becomes an automatic challenge and the photograph must be discussed and rescored. A judge may initiate a challenge at any time.

SCORING: Prints are scored from 0 to 100 as follows: 100-95 EXCEPTIONAL

79-76 GOOD

94-90 SUPERIOR

75-74 AVERAGE

89-85 EXCELLENT

73-70 FAIR

84-80 VERY GOOD

69-0 UNACCEPTABLE

AWARDS: Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. Merit ribbons will be awarded to all prints scoring an 80 or above. A Best of Show ribbon will be awarded to the print judged best by the panel of judges. All entries receiving scores of 80-81 and 78-79 are automatically challenged. During the automatic challenge, judges may lower or raise the score of an image by a 2/3 majority of the panel.

6. Studio identification or entrant’s name cannot appear on any file within the album entry.

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Salon Judges Bruce Wilson, Jr., Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, PPA Certified, Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence. Florida Education Degree. Florida Service Award.

Bruce Jr. is a 2nd generation photographer from a family owned and operated business since 1966. Wife Kathy and two beautiful daughters Ally13 and Emily-11. Bruce works in a studio that employs 4-professionals in a 4,000 sq ft studio/production center in Historic downtown Kissimmee, FL. The studio photographs over 1000 high school seniors (contract and non-contract) each year. Bruce was voted photographer of the year 2001, 2002 & Master Photographer of the year 2005,06 and 08’ in the Professional Photographers of Central Florida and in the Top 10 Internationally by the Senior Photographer’s International 1999, and Top 3 photographers in the Florida Professional Photographers in 2002. PPA Bronze 2006 & 08. His award winning images are in the loan collection along with state and local awards.

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Peter A. Burg is

sought after as a lecturer, mentor and judge by other photographers. He has received the following degrees, awards and recognition: Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman, Certified Professional Photographer, Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence, Florida Service Award, Florida Education Degree and Qualified Panoramic Photographer.

He is a two time recipient of the Kodak 50th Anniversary Award for Consistent Quality and The Becker Award for Creative Photography. He has also been awarded the FPP Past President’s Award for Photographic Excellence, and was the #1 Photographer at the 2010 FPP convention. He has also received numerous Kodak Gallery awards, and several Fuji Masterpiece Awards. He was also the first photographer to ever score a 100 at SEPPA.

Tim Kelly - Central

Florida’s Tim Kelly is a Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman, recipient of PPA’s Imaging Excellence Award and is a Fellow of the American Society of Photographers.

His other awards are just to numerous to list, as he has been an industry leader for over a quarter of a century. But he and his work remain incredibly relevant, recently featured in a PPA Magazine profile, earned his 27th Kodak Gallery Award, built a brand new gallery and studio and written two new books for wide release in January 2015, in time for his presentation at ImagingUSA in Nashville.

Tim remains Kodak’s longest running mentor and is also an affiliated international judge.

Upcoming Events Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Salon Competition Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Andi Diamond

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Jackson Koontz

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 To be announced

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Crystal Radinsky

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Michael Joseph

More information on all of these events can be found in this newsletter and at TAPPA.org

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Print of the Month - Portrait Second place: Michael Landes

Print of the Month - Unclassified First place: David Hanko

Print of the Month - Unclassified Third place: Michael Landes

Print of the Month - Commercial Second place: David Hanko

Print of the Month - Electronic Imaging First place: Michael Landes

Print of the Month - Electronic Imaging Third place: David Hanko

Print of the Month - Social Function First place: Booray Perry

How To Reveal Your Photography Package Prices At The Perfect Time “Should I show prospects my price list right away?”

they check and leave…

This is a question I’m constantly asked…

PLUS it doesn’t require them to call you, so they’re not worried about getting caught up in a 30 minute sales pitch.

Photographers wonder if they should have a page on their website that shows package pricing, or if they should just give their contact details and have the prospect call or email to get that information.

In the first scenario you’re often giving the prospect no reason to contact you, because they’ve got what they thought they wanted, and they’re simply comparing your prices to a dozen other photographers. It’s a game you don’t want to get caught up in, because the winner is the guy with the lowest prices, and he’s also the one who goes out of business first – quickly replaced by another cut-price photographer.

The second option of asking the prospect to contact you also has a huge downfall. And that’s the fact that you’ll lose a huge portion of interested prospects because they expect you to give them a huge sales pitch on the phone, so to avoid that they just rule you out altogether before you’ve even had a chance!

There IS a better way!

And in this article I’m going to show you the way you should do it…

The answer involves something that isn’t difficult to achieve, but it allows you to give your prospects the information they need to make the right decision, without giving the price so early that

The Answer To Your Price Revealing Woes Create a PDF file (or a booklet if you’re being asked in person) that goes over all the reasons you’re unique and better than other photographers. The things that make you amazing value at the price you charge, as well as credibility boosters.

In the PDF / booklet, use a headline like…

“I’m not another ordinary photographer, so don’t compare me to the others”.

This gives them the thought that you’re different, right from the beginning, and tells them that they need to see how you’re different so that they can compare you accurately which gives you a chance to tell them about what you do.

What Should It Look Like?

That really depends on you as a photographer.

What you offer and what you’ve done.

It should always focus ONLY on things that the prospect actually cares about. They usually don’t care what kind of camera or lenses you have, other than maybe a sentence saying something like “I use state of the art equipment that’s matched

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perfectly to my photography style to get you the perfect results you deserve”.

Your PDF / Booklet should be short, maybe only 2 to 3 pages, so everything you write must increase the prospects opinion of you, build your credibility and build value in their mind.

Here are a few things you can include: What you offer that other photographers don’t Skills that you have (ability to direct and make clients feel comfortable, photo editing skills, photography skills) Awards that you’ve won – no matter how small, they all look impressive Places your work has been published – even on other websites Short testimonials from past clients (including name, suburb, age if possible) Use bullet points to make skim reading easier for prospects. If they really don’t like reading and see 2 solid pages of text, they’re likely to skip to the end to see the prices – If there’s a few descriptive headlines and bullet points along the way it will at least give them a better idea of what you’re offering in a few seconds.

Right At The End… It’s time to reveal your pricing structure.

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Now that the prospect has had a few minutes to see exactly what you can do and why you’re the best, they’ll be much more receptive to your prices, especially if they’re higher than what other photographers in your area are charging – which they should be.

Added Benefit: Prospects reading your PDF are able to focus on it away from all the distractions of their web browser and the internet flashing ads in their faces, lowering their attention span. It’s like you get a few minutes talking with them one-onone to say “hey, here’s what I can do for you”.

PRO TIP: You can put in some warnings about other photographers in your PDF. Don’t name anyone specific because it makes you look shady… just warn them of ways other photographers sometimes use ‘bait and switch’ marketing where they get the prospect in on a cheap price and then make them pay much more in the end to actually get the photos (or other similar examples).

Where Should My Price Report Go? You should put it where prospects can see. If it’s on your website, have a link to a ‘201x Pricing Guide’ just as you normally would, but instead of a page, it would simply download to the prospects computer.

If a prospect asks about pricing in person you can give them the booklet, and run them over it in person. So you would explain why you’re the best before mentioning your prices.

The TAPPA Tribune is published monthly for the membership of the Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association. Its purpose is to share knowledge and insight with the photographic industry.

After The Prices Now you need an offer that encourages the prospect to take action and contact you…

Something like “Mention this pricing guide to get extra booking preference because places are limited and filling fast” Or “Mention this pricing guide to get 5 extra prints free – usually these cost clients $120 – Only valid until June 20th”.

Anything that shows the reader that they need to take action quickly or they’ll miss out.

Using this strategy my own private clients and those using the Rich Photographer System have seen a significant increase in response rates, all from simply giving prospects the information they need to make the right decision.

The deadline for submission of articles and ad changes is the 15th of the month.

Permission is hereby granted to reprint the contents of this newsletter, provided the authors and The TAPPA Tribune are recognized as the source. The ideas and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association; they are solely those of the author.

Editor: Chuck Vosburgh 300 62nd Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com 727.743.1740

Advertising: To advertise in the TAPPA Tribune, please contact the editor for rates and distribution information.

Meetings: TAPPA monthly meetings take place the second Tuesday of the month at: Doubletree Hotel 4500 W. Cypress Street Tampa, FL (one block east of Westshore Blvd).

Networking Dinner Meeting

6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm

Register online at TAPPA.org

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Board of Directors

2015 Officers President

Susan Black

813 230-6472

Susan@Bespics.com

Vice President

Constance Avellino

813 600-8152

Me@ConstanceAvellinoPhotos.com

Secretary

Kevin Newsome

813 968-2810

Kevin@NewsomesStudio.com

Treasurer

Melissa Sewell

813 230-7092

Melissa@DontBlinkllc.com

Past President

Kevin Newsome

813 968-2810

Kevin@NewsomesStudio.com

Directors

Carol Hackman

727 867-9254

HackmanC@tampabay.rr.com

Booray Perry

813 728-7110

Booray@BoorayPerry.com

Christine Reynolds

813 760-0831

ChristineR@aol.com

Benjamin Todd

813 431-2873

Benjamin.Todd@verizon.net

Chuck Vosburgh

727 743-1740

Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com

Committees Delegate

Julie Johnson

Membership

Kevin Newsome

813 968-2810

Kevin@NewsomesStudio.com

Program

Constance Avellino

813 600-8152

Me@ConstanceAvellinoPhotos.com

Salon

Becky Jordan

Door Prize

Glenn Nielsen

glennln@verizon.net

Scholarship

Carol Hackman Terri Daunic

727 867-9254 813 839-2860

HackmanC@tampabay.rr.com terridaunic@yahoo.com

Audio Visual

CJ Moment

813 244-6716

cj@annointedproductions.com

Newsletter Editor

Chuck Vosburgh

727 743-1740

Chuck@ChuckVosburgh.com

Photographers

Booray Perry Christine Reynolds

813 728-7110 813 760-0831

Booray@BoorayPerry.com ChristineR@aol.com

Web Master

Booray Perry

813 728-7110

Booray@BoorayPerry.com

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