Well 2006 is in the books for the Minneapolis PUG and we are looking foward to 2007. Our last meeting was actually not a meeting at all, but a fun dinner party. There ended up being a total of 17 (11 members and 6 spouses) of us who got together and had a great time. It is always fun to see everyone and hear what they are doing and how their business is going, etc. We really have a good group of regulars and seem to be picking up some new members along the way.
For 2007 we hope to have some fun and interesting things in mind for the meetings. If all goes well, we will be having more speakers come in and have some more interactive things planned. In January (Tuesday the 9th), we are all going to be bringing in samples of our work to get feedback for a brand building exercise. I think everyone has an idea of how they would describe their photography, but it should be interesting to hear how someone else would define your style, or the feeling it portrays. We are hoping everyone will find it beneficial, and we should all be able to walk out of the meeting with some ideas.
In closing, Stacey and I want to wish you all a great holiday season and we look forward to seeing more of everyone in 2007!!!!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
November 14th Wrap-Up
Well, November's meeting seemed to be a real success. We had about 12 photographers show up, and it seemed like they all enjoyed themselves and walked away with some new ideas at the very least. This was our first meeting under the new format, which included our first studio spotlight.
Sue Austin of Austin Images was nice enough to volunteer to do the first studio spotlight. It was fun to hear about how she has worked her way into the photography business and the kind of things she enjoys shooting. She does primarly portrait and wedding work. I think one of the most interesting things about her business is how she has aligned herself with a couple of wedding cooridinators in Mexico and does some destination weddings there. I think everyone thought that Mexico sounded awfully nice come the winter months. Here is a picture of Sue during her presentation along with a few of the group members taking it all in.
Next, Erin Johnson gave a recap of the Denis Reggie Conclave workshop that she had just returned from. This was an excellent opportunity to hear a few pieces of advice that she picked up from one of the industry's best. For those of you who haven't heard of Denis, he is essentially the godfather of "wedding photojournalism". I think we all left with some great information. Erin did a fabulous job articulating some of the topics he had discussed, one of which was knowing who your target market is. If you know who you want to attract as clients, it allows you to approach your marketing in a more precise manner. Here is a shot of Erin, and another of Erika McCauley diligently taking notes.
Erin also talked about an on-camera flash technique that Denis calls "foofing". It is essentialy using available walls (usually natural tones) as large reflectors to bounce light off of. This allows you to get a directional lighting effect while still using an on-camera flash. The one thing you want to make sure of is that your flash can swivel 360 degrees in order to use your available surroundings. This same effect can be used off of drapery, or linens. Here is an example using a wall to Erin's right.
If you notice, the one side of her face is nicely lit while the other side is shadowed, helping provide some dimension. We thought it would be fun if everyone practiced this method and sent us your favorite couple of pictures using the "foofing" technique. We can then run them as a slideshow at an upcoming meeting.
We also wanted to congratulate Elaine Wallace who won the raffle for $100 in Pictage credit.
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and it is always nice to get together to talk shop! Once again, we would like to thank Sue and Erin for speaking.
Notes:
In preperation for 2007, please think of any pictage related guests or photographers that you may be interested in hearing speak.
We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting and will be sending out information soon regarding the holiday party.
- Jason & Stacey Thon
Staja Studios
Sue Austin of Austin Images was nice enough to volunteer to do the first studio spotlight. It was fun to hear about how she has worked her way into the photography business and the kind of things she enjoys shooting. She does primarly portrait and wedding work. I think one of the most interesting things about her business is how she has aligned herself with a couple of wedding cooridinators in Mexico and does some destination weddings there. I think everyone thought that Mexico sounded awfully nice come the winter months. Here is a picture of Sue during her presentation along with a few of the group members taking it all in.
Next, Erin Johnson gave a recap of the Denis Reggie Conclave workshop that she had just returned from. This was an excellent opportunity to hear a few pieces of advice that she picked up from one of the industry's best. For those of you who haven't heard of Denis, he is essentially the godfather of "wedding photojournalism". I think we all left with some great information. Erin did a fabulous job articulating some of the topics he had discussed, one of which was knowing who your target market is. If you know who you want to attract as clients, it allows you to approach your marketing in a more precise manner. Here is a shot of Erin, and another of Erika McCauley diligently taking notes.
Erin also talked about an on-camera flash technique that Denis calls "foofing". It is essentialy using available walls (usually natural tones) as large reflectors to bounce light off of. This allows you to get a directional lighting effect while still using an on-camera flash. The one thing you want to make sure of is that your flash can swivel 360 degrees in order to use your available surroundings. This same effect can be used off of drapery, or linens. Here is an example using a wall to Erin's right.
If you notice, the one side of her face is nicely lit while the other side is shadowed, helping provide some dimension. We thought it would be fun if everyone practiced this method and sent us your favorite couple of pictures using the "foofing" technique. We can then run them as a slideshow at an upcoming meeting.
We also wanted to congratulate Elaine Wallace who won the raffle for $100 in Pictage credit.
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and it is always nice to get together to talk shop! Once again, we would like to thank Sue and Erin for speaking.
Notes:
In preperation for 2007, please think of any pictage related guests or photographers that you may be interested in hearing speak.
We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting and will be sending out information soon regarding the holiday party.
- Jason & Stacey Thon
Staja Studios
Thursday, November 02, 2006
The Next Minneapolis PUG Meeting Is On November 14th!
Come, Experience, and Learn.
There will be a PUG meeting held on November 14, 2006, in Minneapolis hosted by Staja Studios. We encourage you to join us for this mini photography workshop!
Every PUG meeting is a tremendous opportunity for you to learn and make valuable industry contacts, and this meeting promises to deliver. We'll be talking about the latest industry buzz, marketing tips, shooting techniques . . . the sky's the limit. Most importantly, you'll be able to meet and network with a lot of photographers in your area.
Join us for this PUG meeting, and help cultivate a community of photographers in your area from which you can draw support, inspiration, and knowledge.
PUG LEADER: Jason and Stacey Thon
WHERE:
Staja Studios
5205 West 73rd Street
Edina, MN 55439
WHEN: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 7:00PM
Local Agenda:
* Studio Spotlight: Sue Austin of Austin Images Photography
* Erin Johnson will do a recap of the Dennis Reggie Conclave workshop
* Wedding Discussion: What flash and/or lighting techniques do you use during a typical wedding day?
Pictage Agenda:
* Prepare your business and our PUG for 2007
PS. Mark your calendar for the next Minneapolis PUG Meeting (Holiday Party) on December 12th
There will be a PUG meeting held on November 14, 2006, in Minneapolis hosted by Staja Studios. We encourage you to join us for this mini photography workshop!
Every PUG meeting is a tremendous opportunity for you to learn and make valuable industry contacts, and this meeting promises to deliver. We'll be talking about the latest industry buzz, marketing tips, shooting techniques . . . the sky's the limit. Most importantly, you'll be able to meet and network with a lot of photographers in your area.
Join us for this PUG meeting, and help cultivate a community of photographers in your area from which you can draw support, inspiration, and knowledge.
PUG LEADER: Jason and Stacey Thon
WHERE:
Staja Studios
5205 West 73rd Street
Edina, MN 55439
WHEN: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 7:00PM
Local Agenda:
* Studio Spotlight: Sue Austin of Austin Images Photography
* Erin Johnson will do a recap of the Dennis Reggie Conclave workshop
* Wedding Discussion: What flash and/or lighting techniques do you use during a typical wedding day?
Pictage Agenda:
* Prepare your business and our PUG for 2007
PS. Mark your calendar for the next Minneapolis PUG Meeting (Holiday Party) on December 12th
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Studio Spotlight - Austin Images Photography
November's studio spotlight will be on Sue Austin of Austin Images Photography. She is a wedding, senior, and portrait photographer based in Eden Prairie, MN. At the next PUG meeting (Tuesday - November 14, 2006), she will be showcasing some of her work and discussing her business. Be sure to come and check her out!
Here are a few of her images from a wedding in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Here are a few of her images from a wedding in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Argente Photographie Open House
One of our members (Argente Photographie) will be having an open house on the 21st of October from 6-11pm. There will be art, music, refreshments and some food.
Chris Prideaux wanted to make sure that everyone knows they are welcome. The address is below.
Argente Photographie
2800 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
It sounds like a good time!
Chris Prideaux wanted to make sure that everyone knows they are welcome. The address is below.
Argente Photographie
2800 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
It sounds like a good time!
October 10th Wrap-up
All in all, I think our October meeting was a success. To start things off, everyone got acclimated to the new surroundings. This was followed by an Art Leather presentation conducted by Stacey Goodell, which appeared to be well received by everyone. It was nice to have someone come in and give us a demonstration of some new products that are available.
With all of the changes that are taking place, we felt it would be good to get an idea of what everyone would like to accomplish with our monthly meetings. We are going to be conducting studio spotlights which will be a great chance for everyone to learn more about each member and how they conduct their business. In addition, some good ideas that were brought up included:
Bringing in more vendors (Canon, Nikon)
Business speakers (West Photo, an accountant, contract lawyer, etc.)
Group Photo-shoots
A Couples Roundtable
Media and Technology segments (monthly to quarterly)
Any additional ideas are gladly accepted. The more active our members are, the more informative and informational the meetings will be. Rounding out the nights festivities was our first Pictage raffle where Erin Johnson of Erin Johnson Photography won $100 in lab credit. Congratulations Erin!
Overall, it was good a good meeting and is always fun to see everyone.
Stay tuned for details about our next meeting and who will be speaking.
With all of the changes that are taking place, we felt it would be good to get an idea of what everyone would like to accomplish with our monthly meetings. We are going to be conducting studio spotlights which will be a great chance for everyone to learn more about each member and how they conduct their business. In addition, some good ideas that were brought up included:
Bringing in more vendors (Canon, Nikon)
Business speakers (West Photo, an accountant, contract lawyer, etc.)
Group Photo-shoots
A Couples Roundtable
Media and Technology segments (monthly to quarterly)
Any additional ideas are gladly accepted. The more active our members are, the more informative and informational the meetings will be. Rounding out the nights festivities was our first Pictage raffle where Erin Johnson of Erin Johnson Photography won $100 in lab credit. Congratulations Erin!
Overall, it was good a good meeting and is always fun to see everyone.
Stay tuned for details about our next meeting and who will be speaking.
Friday, September 29, 2006
The Next Minneapolis PUG Meeting is on October 10th!
Come, Experience, and Learn.
There will be a PUG meeting held on October 10, 2006, in Edina hosted by Staja Studios. We encourage you to join us for this mini photography workshop!
Every PUG meeting is a tremendous opportunity for you to learn and make valuable industry contacts, and this meeting promises to deliver. We'll be talking about the latest industry buzz, marketing tips, shooting techniques . . . the sky's the limit. Most importantly, you'll be able to meet and network with a lot of photographers in your area.
Join us for this PUG meeting, and help cultivate a community of photographers in your area from which you can draw support, inspiration, and knowledge.
PUG LEADER: Jason & Stacey Thon
WHERE:
Staja Studios
5205 West 73rd Street
Edina, MN 55439
WHEN: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 7:00PM
Local Agenda:
* Art Leather will be here to discuss and share products.
Pictage Agenda:
* Partner Conference Post Script
PS. Mark your calendar for these upcoming Minneapolis PUG Meetings: November 12th and December 12th!
There will be a PUG meeting held on October 10, 2006, in Edina hosted by Staja Studios. We encourage you to join us for this mini photography workshop!
Every PUG meeting is a tremendous opportunity for you to learn and make valuable industry contacts, and this meeting promises to deliver. We'll be talking about the latest industry buzz, marketing tips, shooting techniques . . . the sky's the limit. Most importantly, you'll be able to meet and network with a lot of photographers in your area.
Join us for this PUG meeting, and help cultivate a community of photographers in your area from which you can draw support, inspiration, and knowledge.
PUG LEADER: Jason & Stacey Thon
WHERE:
Staja Studios
5205 West 73rd Street
Edina, MN 55439
WHEN: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 7:00PM
Local Agenda:
* Art Leather will be here to discuss and share products.
Pictage Agenda:
* Partner Conference Post Script
PS. Mark your calendar for these upcoming Minneapolis PUG Meetings: November 12th and December 12th!
Woof Woof
Welcome Everyone to the official blog for the Minneapolis PUG. As you may have read, we are a group of local photographers that have met through the common use of an online lab and hosting site called Pictage. We meet once a month to help one another learn, grow, and improve. Please continue to visit us, as we will be spotlighting our members and keeping each other up to date on what is going on in the ever changing industry of wedding and portrait photography.
Stay tuned for more to come!
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