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American Society of Photographers
Spring 2007
Cover Designed by Don Emmerich, photos by ASP Fellow Ralph Romaguera
Departments
4 I Know What It Means.....
by Ralph Romaguera Sr.
8 ASP Regional Medallion Awards
10 Dog From Down Under
by Ken Webb
13 AFlight of Fancy
Jennifer Hudson by Arthur Rainville
17 “Ole”
by T. Michael Stanley
18 Family Reunions
by Doug Box
19 PPA Cruise
Regulars
9
President’s Message by Buddy Stewart
The ASP Magazine is the official publication of the American Society of Photographers, Inc., published four times a year for members and others for information of industry
matters, personal achievements and news of this and other associations. Acceptance of advertising, or publishing of press releases does not imply endorsement of any product or service by
this association, publisher or editor. Permission is granted to similar publications of the photographic industry to reprint contents of this publication, provided that the author and the ASP
Magazine are credited as the source.
Articles, with or without photographs, are welcome for review for inclusion in this publication; however, the editor reserves the right to refuse publication, or if accepted, the
right to edit and use on a space available basis. Send all communications, articles and advertising to:
Editor, ASP Magazine, PO Box 1120, Caldwell, TX 77836. Telephone 979-272-5555 or e-mail: [email protected]
Spring Issue 2006
3
I know what it means….
ASP Thesis
Ralph Romaguera Sr.
One of the most famous New Orleanians, the great
musician Louis Armstrong, wrote the song "Do you
know what it means to miss New Orleans." The song
goes on to talk about "The moonlight on the
bayou.......a Creole tune.... that fills the air…
I dream... about magnolias in bloom......and I'm
wishin' I was there. New Orleans is the land of
dreamy dreams. It is the Crescent City - it is the Big
Easy!"
Growing up in New Orleans was great! It was the
Sunday morning "streetcar" ride up Canal Street. It
was meandering through the French Quarter to the St.
Louis Cathedral, and after mass a walk past the artists
and musicians that filled Jackson Square. To top the
morning off, it was Café au Lait and Beignets (coffee
and donuts). One day, I thought, maybe people will
hear me play or see my work.
As a young boy, I had the opportunity twice to go to
a Kiwanis sponsored camp. I loved the camp. Little
did I know that it was a camp for indigent boys.
Never did my mother or three sisters ever tell me we
were poor.
Then one
November night
my mother and
I went around
the corner to
Miss Rita's
house for the
Friday night
ladies' card
game. Miss
Rita also had a
son named
Ralph. We
always played
until we got
tired, usually 9
o'clock. Fortyfive years ago
the streets were
safe to walk
around the block, until that night.
I saw what appeared to be a very large man climbing
out of my bedroom window. The main thing he stole
was the one hundred dollars my mother had been saving for Christmas presents. Once again, Kiwanis was
there. They found out about my mother's plight and
gave us a hundred dollars so Christmas would not be
spoiled. I knew that one day I was going to be a
Kiwanian; I wanted to be able to help some other
mom and her kid.
When I was of high school age, I went to an all boys'
Catholic high school. St. Aloysius was located one
block outside of the French Quarter. It was a great
school taught by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.
With the windows open, you could hear the vendors
walking the street shouting, but also singing - things
like "I gotta watermelon and I got it now."
I am so appreciative of the Brothers for the education
they gave me. They taught much more than just
reading and writing. They prepared us to be young
men. They taught fear of the Lord and fear of the
paddle.
Brother Lee Barker was my principal and a fair man.
My mother had to visit Brother Lee to ask for a little
extra time to pay my $25 per month tuition. I learned
4
American Society of Photographers
a couple of lessons
from the two greatest
people in my young
life; from Brother Lee
to be kind and considerate; from Mom that no
matter how little or how
large the debt, face the
person and let them
know how you will pay
it back. Back then I
thought that maybe one
day I could pay for
some kid's education.
The best way I could
show my appreciation
to Mom and Brother
Lee was with good
grades - I finished with
a 3.8. So off to
LSUNO I went, not
knowing what I really wanted to be. The first semester I got a 2.3 and my best friend from the band Bill
LaGrange got a .8. We had found out what girls, beer
and fraternities were all about!
After a couple of beers that next Friday night, I asked
Bill what he really wanted to do. Of course, he was
thinking of the next bar. "No, really, let's join the
Navy in the morning." I said. In his not so sober
voice he responded, "If you are crazy enough to go,
so will I." He spent the night at my house and the
next morning we were off to the recruiter.
Spring Issue 2007
After a week of tests and a
physical, we once again sat in
front of the recruiter. He asked,
"What would you like to be?"
Bill's reply was "What do you
have to offer?" "How's about
aviation jet mechanic?" the
recruiter asked. "No," Bill
replied "we really don't like to
get our hands dirty." "What
about Airman Ordinance?"
offered the recruiter? When the
recruiter explained that it was
loading bombs, Bill once again
decided against it.
"How's about a nice easy air
conditioned office job, folding
parachutes and you go to New
Jersey. It's just like folding towels and you will be home in 5
months." "Great!" was Bill's reply. "Heck, we have
never been north of Baton Rouge!" Then the recruiter
said we get to jump out of a plane with the first ones
we packed. Bill then yelled "Hell no! What else to
you have to offer?"
The recruiter, just about to lose patience with us, said
the only thing else I have is photography, but you
didn't declare that as one of your interests. Bill said,
"Ralph, tell him about the darkroom we have at your
house." I didn't even know how to load an instamatic!
So, off we went to Pensacola Florida for basic photography training. During our
training, I saw a movie titled "Blow
Up". Now 18 years old, this movie
about this cool guy, photographing
these cool chicks, got me thinking
this might be the profession for me.
I instantly fell in love with creating
images. Yes, I do remember my
first shot of the 4x5 camera case.
Yes, I do remember the magic of
developing the film and seeing the
image come up in the pan. After 5
months, 26 days and 10 hours of
temporary duty, we were heading
home to enroll back in college. The
5
roles now reversed, Bill turned out to be a good student and finished college while I staggered through
courses not caring about anything but the camera.
Living with a camera around my shoulder, I was in
the right place at the right time and the local daily
newspaper ran some of my images. Then they asked
me to be on the staff. Now I felt like a real photographer.
One day I was doing head shots of a debutante in the
newspaper's studio, and they waited for me to process
the film and make a contact sheet. The girl's face
showed her satisfaction with my work, and the mother said, "You ought to become professional." Even
though I took it as an insult, my mother taught me to
just say "Thank you". I thought to myself, "I am a
professional - I make $125 per week and I have a car
allowance!"
But I thought more and more about her statement.
She really liked what I did - maybe I could be a portrait photographer and own my own studio one day.
My new wife was selling bridal gowns at a little boutique and she was able to send leads my way. Soon, I
was making more money on the weekends then I was
at my full time job. Life was going to be great at
$160 per wedding! She was 8 months pregnant for
Ralph Jr. when I quit the Times Picayune.
One of the first things I did was to join the
Professional Photographers of Louisiana. It exposed
me to what the lady meant by "professional". I was
consumed with print competition - I knew I had a lot
to learn.
I then started to travel to the Mississippi/Alabama
convention, the Georgia convention; anywhere I
could to soak up knowledge. Meisel Photochrome
lab started putting on seminars with the some of the
now legends: Monte and Sandi Zucker, Leon
Kennamer, Joseph and Martha Zeltzman, Frank
Cricchio and Al Gilbert. In Atlanta or Rochester,
Kodak put on lectures by a gentleman named Andy
Purdome. Donald Jack was probably the most influential speaker of all; I thought one day maybe I could
be good enough to be a speaker, and be able to share
and educate the new photographer.
6
I strongly believe that God's purpose for everyone is
to serve, to share and to build.
Now as a grown man, I have had the opportunity to
be a Kiwanian, going through the ranks all the way to
Lieutenant Governor. Kiwanis' motto is to serve and
to build. Together with many friends, we have built
new clubs, built playgrounds, given to orphanages
and to serve the less fortunate.
On the professional side, I have been very blessed
with having made so many great friends over the last
thirty plus years, but never did I realize the bonds
until August 29, 2006.
My great city was devastated by the largest natural
disaster to ever hit America. Katrina took away our
music, our art, our restaurants and our people. Ten
months later over 200,000 folks are still not home.
New Orleans will never be the same - ever.
Hopefully it will be better, but it will take a long,
long time.
It took a week to even get internet service 80 miles
away where we had evacuated. There were over 400
email messages with prayers and well wishes from
photography friends.
Many photographers graciously offered us work and
their homes. Ralph Jr., Ryan and I went to California
to work and just get a break from the rebuilding work
we had been doing. Randy and Linda Brister gave us
a place to stay and fed us. We were able to help him
with his very busy season in October. It had been
two months without clients; multiply that by four studios and you can feel the financial pinch we were
experiencing.
Twenty six photographers and their friends from all
over the United States and Canada, some I knew and
some I met for the first time, came in during
Thanksgiving week to help build out our outdoor studio. Organizations like PPA and WPPI sent in money
as fast as they could. Many of us were on unemployment and food stamps not knowing when or if we
would be back in business. I will never forget the
efforts of Cheryl Ridgeway and Johnny Burroughs; so
many of our vendors came to our rescue, like Off the
Wall Productions, Norman and Kodak.
Continued on page 15
ASP Seeks New Executive Director
The ASP currently has an opening for its Executive Director position. The position entails the following
duties, among others: maintaining membership rolls, handling correspondence, editing the ASP newsletter,
advising the Fellowship and Associate Chairs when members apply for those degrees, and preparing and filing
the organization's tax returns.
The new position will be effective July 1. If interested, submit your resume to Don Emmerich by regular mail
(1324 SW 89th Street / Oklahoma City, OK, 73159) or email ([email protected]). Feel free to email or
call Don (at 405-735-3881) if you have any questions.
Applications are due June 15
Thanks,
Don
Don Emmerich
Studio Art Photography
1324 SW 89th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
(405) 735-3881 wk
(405) 735-3765 fax
e-mail: [email protected]
Editors note:
I want to thank all of you for your gracious support as editor and executive director these past three years. It has really been a rewarding and fun experience.You should all be proud of the fine men and women who are the officers and
board of governors of ASP. I have never worked with a more devoted group of people.
This was my first attempt at editing a magazine. It was fun and intresting. I could not have done it without a lot of
help and support. Bill Hedrick, the editor of the Texas PPA magazine, took me under his wing and showed me the
mechanics of the process. Don Emmerich created all the covers, your first impression of each issue, and they could
not have been more beautiful. Hudson Printing - Longview, Texas, their professionalism, editing and printing made us
all look great. All the photographers who provided the stories and beautiful images that made the magazine intresting
to read. And all of you who sent notes and words of encouragement.
My life has recently changed directions, and I feel it is time to pursue a new path which offers some new challenges. I
will always look back on my time with ASP with fond memories. As I leave, I want everyone to know I am still am
still very much involved in this wonderful profession of ours and will still be active in ASP. I look forward to seeing
each of you at upcoming PPA events. It has come time for someone new to step into the position of executive director,
who can carry on the new focus of ASP.
Sincerely,
Doug Box
8
American Society of Photographers
2007-2008 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT- Buddy Stewart
M.Photog.,Cr.,CPP.,API.,F-ASP
2305 Bluecutt Road
Columbus, MS 39705
662-327-4617 [email protected]
PRESIDENT-ELECT- William Eaton
M.Photog.,Cr.,F-MPP
2213 Randolph Street
Lake Station, IN 46405
219-962-1987 [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT -Ernie K. Johnson
M.Photog.,Cr.
912 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37064
615-790-2680 [email protected]
SECRETARY/TREASURER - Richard Trummer
M.Photog.,Cr.,CPP.,F-WPPA
3701 Country Grove Road
Madison, WI 53719
608 848-6006 [email protected]
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD - Don Emmerich
M.Photog.,MEI.,M.Artist.,Cr.,CPP.,API.,F-ASP
1324 SW 89th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
405-735-3881 [email protected]
GOVERNORS
James Churchill
M.Photog.,Cr,.CPP.
7773 Shannon Faye Ln
Grant, MI 49327
231-206-4117 [email protected]
Helene Glassman
M.Photog.,Cr.,CPP
5960 Mandarin Dr. #B
Santa Barbara, Goleta, CA 93117
805-967-5760 [email protected]
Kalen Henderson
M.Photog.,MEI.,Cr.,CEI.,CPP.,API.,A-ASP
115 North Jefferson St.
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641-1934
319-986-5597 [email protected]
Randy McNeilly
M.Photog.,MEI.,Cr.
1241 Fallston Rd
Shelby, NC 28150
704-482-0011 [email protected]
Kathy Meek
M.Photog.Cr.,CPP.,API
125 Albert Pike
Hot Springs, AR 71913
501-624-3195 [email protected]
Doran Wilson
M.Photog.Cr., MEI., CPP.
11214 Pine Bank Ct
Ft Wayne, IN 46845
260-489-3100 ext228 [email protected]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Douglas A. Box
M.Photog.,Cr.,CPP
P.O. Box 1120
Caldwell, TX 77836
800-638-9609 [email protected]
Spring Issue 2007
President’s Message
First, I want thank all you who called,
sent cards, emailed, and prayed for Lola
and me during the last couple of months.
I want you know I can feel your thoughts
and prayers.
If you haven’t heard, I was diagnosed
with a brain turmor. I had surgery on
April 12. The surgery went well, and I
came through with flying colors. The outcome was not what we expected but not
as bad as it could be. The doctors tell me
the prognosis is good. I am seeing an
oncologist who will determine the next
plan of action. I am determined to kick
this cancer!
In any case, let me tell you that ASP is in great shape! Even though I am
not 100%, we have a great board who is pulling together to make this a
fantastic year. We had a wonderful banquet at the PPA Imaging
Convention in San Antonio. If you missed it, and I know several of you
did because we sold out of tickets, you missed a really fun time. Next
year, order your tickets early!
Jon Allyn was again in rare form as the emcee. The multi-media presentation was “Fantastic”! Thanks to Don Emmerich, Doran Wilson and others
who helped! Wow! This years Charity Fine Art Show and Sale was even
bigger and better than last year. And we look forward to doing it again, so
get your prints ready.
I know I have forgoten to thank several folks, but you know I love you all
and appriciate everything you all do for me and ASP. I would like to give
a special thanks to the entire board for all of their hard work and support.
We are lucky to be in this great profession. We touch the lives of our
clients, and they touch our lives in return. I have always known I have a
lot of friends in this industry but until you go through a rough spot in the
road, you don’t really know the depth of the friends you have. I love you
all and apprieciate your support. And if you don’t mind, I still need your
thoughts and prayers.
Keep Grinnin’
Buddy Stewart
ASP President
9
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10
American Society of Photographers
ASP Banquet a Big Success
I hope you didn’t miss the banquet this year. It was a great success!
I would like to give a special thanks to Jon Allyn for all of his
hard work and for proving to be an exceptionally gifted emcee
at the banquet. Move over Jon Stewart!
My thanks, of course, extends, not just to Jon, but to everyone
with whom I've had the honor of serving. You have all been so
helpful, entirely member-friendly and benefit-driven. A great
example of this was the Charity Fine Art Show. Headed by my
wife Nancy, the show was a great success, raising money for our
three charities: PPA Charities, Down Syndrome, and Emerson
House. I really appreciate everyone who donated and purchased
photographs. I plan on holding the show again next year. It is
my hope that it will grow to become a highlight of the convention and, as a result, raise more money.
Don Emmerich
John Woodward Receives ASP
Educational Associate
In being a part of any organization, one should seek ways to help that organization grow and make it easier for the existing members
to improve their circumstances.
As a member of PPA, I have been speaking for many years in an effort to do just that. Once I received my Craftsman Degree, I was
invited to join the American Society of Photographers.
At the time, I did not realize what this “ASP” group represented. Once I had examined the membership list, I realized that I would be
honored and “humbled” to join with what is undoubtedly, the finest assemblage of professionals in the industry. I was certainly the “runt” of the
litter.
I searched for ways to let the PPA and ASMP photographers know that this was the organization where they would find their memtors.
I have only to look at the list to see all those who have helped and inspired me in my short time as a member. The open-hearted way in which
these great photographers offer their guidance, should be the model for all the organizations within photography. I look at members like Don
Emmerich, Buddy Stewart, Joseph and Louise Simone, Doug Box, John Allyn, Kalen Henderson, Tim and Bev Walden, Tim Kelly, Dwight and
Kay Okomoto, The Horowitzs and so many more who give back so selflessly, both in teaching and in service to the photographic community.
It was my effort to honor their support of me which led me to write this thesis. I wanted to feel like I had given back as well.
Receiving the Educational Associate from ASP was the highlight of a career which spans four decades.
I would call on all of the ASP membership, to gather their thoughts and experiences and write an article which would help other members and photography in its entirely. If you would take the time to follow my lead and turn it into a thesis, we could create the ultimate
resource, for those who follow us.
John Woodward
12
American Society of Photographers
FLIGHT OF FANCY
An Interview with artist JENNIFER HUDSON M.Photog.,
Cr. CPP
By Arthur Levi Rainville, M.Photog. Cr. API CPP
Socrates wrote; "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Jenn, put into words for us, the essence of your work.
I like to think of my work as romantic and dreamy, almost
like a stirring period movie. It is always warm, emotional,
evocative.
You graduated from college as a music major. Do you find
there is any correlation between what you know of music
and how you create your multi-layered images?
Well, when a composer writes a musical score, they go
through a process very similar to the way I create a portrait. In music, melodies and harmonies are important.
Composers incorporate formal elements such as a chorus a central, establishing series of words and or music that is
repeated to ground the piece. I work for a rhythm in my
pictures - that time signature holds the viewer and guides
them through the image. Often there is a bridge to take
the listener from the body of the piece to the dramatic ending.
The Boston School was a group of painters early in the
1900's that combined the tenants of Impressionism, the
quest to show the atmosphere that lie between the subject
and the artist, and marry it with academic, traditional
skills. How do you think your soft granular portrait work
emulates the pursuits of these early American artists?
There are always periods in Art that change and redefine
our way of seeing. But change simply for change sake is
not an end-all be-all.
Boston visionary painters
such as Edmund Tarbell
and Frank Benson created
beautiful Impressionist
pieces but they did not
abandon their skills as
master academic painters
and as such made portraits, that while
Impressionistic in nature,
remained bastions of proper posing, setting and
lighting. I am blessed to
have learned my portrait
skills from some of the best, like Don Blair and I always
try to honor those formal teachings as I swirl in my diffused, atmospheric style.
Ben Shahn is credited with saying; "Intuition in art is actually the result of prolonged tuition." Artist's work can
range from mentally contrived to intellectually vacant.
Exceptional imagery is a melding pot of inspirations, all
the stuff that lives in our head, in our heart, it's what
makes our work unique. What do you think are the ingredients that you make come together to make your work
truly distinctive?
I love expressive posing - not sure where that comes from.
And body language, monochromatic color harmonies, and
theatrical set designs have always fascinated me. I guess
looking at so many amazing photographs, great works of
art, fashion magazines and music videos has really influenced my sub-conscious and comes out when I sit and
spend time with an image I am creating. Slowing down
like painters do and spending time with your work is critical to understanding what the piece is saying.
Edward Hopper once wrote, "More of me comes out when
I improvise." I guess that at some point in the process of
each image, a lot of my private feelings join in to help me
know what the image needs next.
So, how can an artist begin her search for new inspirations that are meaningful and for joining it with her personality to create work that truly sings?
Mary Full of Grace
Spring Issue 2007
I think a photographic portrait artist needs to take time to
understand not only the world around them but themselves. In the classic book 'Anne of Green Gables,' the
character Anne Shirley was courageous to a T. I have
always been affected by her intelligence, imagination and
spunk. She never lost her youthful idealism and love of
beauty. Inspirations that affect us personally, married with
13
to portraiture. I think I will have a hard time to relinquish
control but I want new work to have the appearance of
untouched, less arranged.
You received your Masters and Craftsman degrees together at the 2006 PPA convention in San Antonio, the
youngest person to ever achieve those honors. You've told
us much about your work, what's next for Jenn? What do
you want now for your career?
our connection with our clients will always yield an image
that is more meaningful and special.
Where do you start, what is your recipe? How do you
unite your technical skills with your inspirations and your
heart light?
Well, my second love is teaching. This year we
will be teaching at Texas School, West Coast School and
IE in Canada as well as several private workshops. And
we're developing a website devoted to helping photogra-
Melancholy messages, overtones of love, will always be
there, that's the private part of me that just comes through
on it's own. I start with the idea, the inspiration of the
story I want to tell. While the wonders of digital allow me
to tell a beautiful story, you can't put the soul of a portrait
in with Photoshop. I construct a portrait with expressive
body language and movement coupled with atmospheric
lighting. I have to be in command of every aspect of subject and setting so they blend into perfect harmony - I
think it's the lack of harmony that leads to many photographs downfall. As artists, it's all about our commitment
to control.
A colleague once wondered why both of us make so many
portraits with our subject's eyes closed or looking away.
Why do you think that is?
It sends a powerful signal to viewer. The subject is
removed from looking out of the photograph at the viewer.
It allows the viewer to go into the image, join in the dance,
to bring his or her own thoughts to the moment and privately to the subject. What is our subject thinking, why is
she in this situation? So many questions remain unanswered. It serves as an emotional connection between the
subject and the viewer. Poet Anne Sexton wrote; "Tell
almost the whole story."
phers with their imagery and their art. So it's all very
exciting. I'm so appreciative for all the good fortune this
profession has offered me.
I hope that in this time of change, many young artists will
find personal and financial success as we reinvent professional portraiture for a new generation.
I think anyone looking at your portraits will agree that
they are something special. Where do you think you are
going with your portraiture…. what's next?
For more
information
on Jennifer
Hudson please
visit:
www.perryaslyn.net
www.perryaslynseminars.com
I think my work is constantly evolving because I
am constantly taking in a wondrous new world. I have
endless ideas to try - I may drift away from my stylized
imagery for a while and try a more documentary approach
Jennifer
Hudson,
M.Photog.,
Cr. CPP
14
American Society of Photographers
Contuned from page 6
Eastman Kodak, asked me to be part of the mentor
team. It was quite an honor for me; there I sat with
some of the best photographers in our business. I
was so pleased to be part of an organization that was
dedicated to educating the professional photographer.
It was 1994 when Michael Taylor showed his images
of the "People with Passion for Pasadena". Terry
said that all of us should find an organization that we
could help through professional photography.
Dr. Merv Trail was an acquaintance that loved New
Orleans. He was instrumental in bringing the Final
Four basketball tournament, the Superbowl and
many other events to our "Big Easy". I explained to
him what Kodak wanted and he got me in touch with
the Young Leadership Council.
I had a meeting, trying to see what the needs of the
local photographers were. It was great to see the faces
of my friends. The best quote of the night was when
George Kushler, a young photographer, said, "I now
know why I pay my dues." More than a magazine,
more than the competition, more than any convention,
our friends are what we gain by belonging.
I have traveled extensively since the storm; everywhere I go the question "How is New Orleans?" is
asked. It is impossible to put the answer into words.
You have to see it and live it to believe it.
No way can anyone understand, feel the pain, or the
sorrow. You just have to live it. In my travels since
the destruction of my city I have never felt so much
like an outsider, displaced from what I love and
remember. As Fats Domino sang: "No matter where I
roam, New Orleans is my home." So I must say; " I
do know what it means to miss New Orleans."
The Young Leadership Council is a non-profit, nonpartisan civic organization created to develop leadership through community projects. These projects
center on youth education, youth enrichment, leadership development, arts and culture, community service, and economic development.
A few years ago, the YLC started a campaign call
"Proud to call it Home". This theme has a renewed
meaning in this post Katrina area. There has never
been a better time for New Orleanians to remember
their pride in their city and give comfort to so many
still unable to return.
Each year, the YLC hosts an elegant $150 a plate formal gala honoring 25 of the best role models in New
Orleans. In the months preceding the gala, I have the
opportunity to meet some of the more prominent citizens that normally not have portraits made.
The Young Leadership Council
The organization makes all the appointments, emphasizing the honor it is to have their image included in
the walk of fame that evening. For me, it is an exercise in professionalism, to be able to walk in their
office and leave with a beautiful portrait in less than
10 minutes. It is an exercise in choosing the correct
lighting, sometimes available and sometimes with
strobes. Many of these images were taken with one
portable flash bounced into a corner of a room.
Terry Deglau, director of professional relations for
Spring Issue 2007
The twenty-five images I selected were not based on
15
My joy is that God continues to give me the opportunity every day to make music and art through my
photography. I hope I make Him proud.
the best photography but on the passion and heart of
each person that came through in my short time with
each one.
Marc Cooper is the head of the Vieux Carre commission. It is the commission that oversees all renovations
within the French Quarter.
The Role Models
The truth about of the role models is that they have a
love and a passion for our fair city. Like me, they too
"Know what it means to miss New Orleans."
Like the city herself, the role models are a variety of
folks like artist, musicians, chefs and entrepreneurs.
The collection includes the likes of Dr. Bob Roberts.
Dr. Roberts gave up his dental profession to help convicted felons rehabilitate after the stay in Angola, a jail
for the most harden of Louisiana criminals. Dr.
Robert's success rate is in the 80% of men that do not
return to prison. The portrait has meaning to me
because of the young gentleman in the lower right corner of the image. One week after I made the image,
the young man was killed because of a mistaken identity.
The center image is of Irvin Mayfield, a very talented
musician and the cultural ambassador for the state of
Louisiana. In the few minutes I had with the gentleman, it was a pleasure to hear him play the trumpet
and piano. Mr. Mayfield lost his dad to the waters of
Katrina. His father's remains were not found for three
weeks.
The lady with her leg folded under is Ruby Bridges.
It took a lot to get Ms. Bridges and my schedules to
match. Finally we meet on the steps of the New
Orleans Museum of Art only to encounter rain. Two
frames were all I got on the impressive and important
lady. The image next to her is a Norman Rockwell
painting of her being escorted by FBI agents to her
first day of school. She was the first black child to
integrate the school system.
Larry Gibbs was impressive to me. I went to his very
typical large contractors office, I asked him if he was
to be in his favorite place where would it be? He said
on the ball field with his young daughter. Perfect I
said ; let's go there.
One of the images is that of Sam LeBlanc, an attorney
who much rather do his metal art than be in a courtroom. Dr. Mayer Heiman, a retired physician who
collects, repairs and sends medical supplies to South
American countries.
16
American Society of Photographers
“Ole” by T.Michael Stanley
The print was created using images from an afternoon in Tiujuana, Mexico. I was trying to create my impression of the Hispanic culture on this short journey. There were many booths on the streets selling everything
imaginable and the guitars dominated with
their colors and size.
The print is made of 3 separate images from 3
different booths and then blended together.
The border of fish was created using two fish
that hung below one set of guitars. I extraced
the fish to a separate file and then positioned
them into borders that I could drag and drop
Techniques used
Various Blending modes(multiply, difference, exclusion)
Filters on Various layers (rough pastels,glowing edges, unsharp mask)
Printed on hot arches watercolor paper#140, with Epson 1280 printer.
Spring Issue 2007
17
Family reunions and Anniversary's
by Doug Box M.Photog.,Cr., CPP
Every year, in every town, families get together to celebrate something. You and I know they need us, professional photographers, to capture their families. How can we find those people? How can we photograph these
families? How can we charge, package, sell to these people so we can make a good profit?
What a great opportunity to photograph several families at one time. But if we don't market and charge right,
there will be hit and miss results. I have done a lot of these kinds of "events". At first I charged a small session
fee and hoped for a big order. Bad idea. Especially in today's digital world, it is even more important to get
your money up front!
What about on line selling? Well….. I have not seen great results selling that way.
I am sure there are a few isolated cases of success, but for the most part, I don't think this is the BEST way to
sell. I believe selling "when the iron it hot"! Sell when they are the most excited! The time to sell is BEFORE
the photography, not after.
I have had success doing this type of photography a couple of different ways.
One way is charge a fee, photography the event and deliver an album with the family photographs in them. I
included a 10x20 panorama of the big family group. 8x10's or all the sub-family groups, small photo of everything else. I charged $2000. I did put the images on line for additional sales, pretty disappointing results, only
about $300. But I didn't care, BECAUSE I GOT $2,000 UP FRONT!
Another way to handle this type of situation is pre-sell each family a package.
For example: (prices are for example only - you set your own prices according to your skill, cost of doing
business, product costs, etc)
Package one - 11x14 and a 4 open folio $295
Package two - 16x 20 and a 8 open folio $450
Package three - 20 x 24 and a 4x5 album with 12 images $695
Package four - collage with 16 x 20, and 4 - 8x10's and a small album $895
Each sub-family prepays for the package they want, you send out the proofs in the folio or album that is
included in their package. They call you with their favorite pose for their enlargement.
Then every one orders a copy of the large family photo.
I have done these and had orders of $2000 to $6000 for two hours of photography time.
I worked with the chamber of commerce, hotels or anyplace where people rent for meetings or get togethers.
Contact churches and advertise in they buliten or newsletter. Put in your own studio newsletter that you do this
kind of photography.
For more marketing ideas, visit Doug's web site: www.simplyselling.com.
18
American Society of Photographers
Perry Aslyn Portrait Designs
1632 Mistletoe Blvd.
Fort Worth, Tx. 76104
817-921-5556
[email protected]