Photographer of the Year - PPA International Convention

I just arrived back from our International Photography Convention in Nashville TN.

We had over 10,000 photographers attend, the largest we have seen in the 118 year history of Professional Photographers of America.

While is was a great honor to receive "Photographer of the Year, Bronze", it was equally great to help out two newer photographers I met with their business. I have always entered into print competition to better myself and raise the bar on my skills. I could not have accomplished what I have without other photographers helping me. Also by taking the advice of judges on how to create better images. That is what got me to where I am today.

I fear for the new photographers coming into this business that they do not all have what it takes to run a successful one. It is so much more than taking a good image and spending hours in photoshop to make the perfect image for our clients. When it was film, we could keep our cameras for 5-10 years before replacing them. Now, every 2-3 years the technology improves so much that a newer cameras is a must, and lets not forget about all the software, computers and upgrades to just scratch the surface.

Volume always equals less time with each client, less ability to give better quality and customer service, which every client deserves.

For the new photographers out there, I ask you "Are your running a volume operation and charging less, only to spend more time on photoshop and less time with your family?"