Christmas in September Promo

NP Design & Photography is happy to announce Christmas in September! This is a promotion we'll be running ONE DAY ONLY. It is a chance to have professional studio portraits of you, your kids, your family, friends, pets, etc. specifically for your own custom holiday cards. We will be accepting appointments on the half-hours starting at 8AM and running through 9PM on Saturday, September 25. The portraits will be "high key" against a white background. We recommend wearing bright holiday colors and bringing accessories such as scarfs, mittens and hats. You will receive your choice of two card templates and three images printed on them. All of this, the express studio session, retouching and 24 printed premium cards is yours for an introductory special offer of only $69.99. A savings of 50% off the regular price! Additional cards, portraits and gift items are also available for ordering at 10% off as well. There are only so many appointments to be had, so call early for the best available times. Get ahead of the holiday rush and create an opportunity for photo gifts for everyone!

Mommy Makeover

Keeping a new tradition (oxy-moron?) going, I'm proud to announce the second annual Mommy Makeover sessions at The Hair Company & Spa in New Richmond. Last year we conceived the idea after my wife, Teresa, did a little sample modeling in the studio for me to test some new lights. We had a great time shooting and the results made her cry. That's when I knew we needed to share this opportunity with others. This is a gift for you, your mom, your daughter, your sister, or even a group of friends to celebrate Mother's Day in a new and glamorous way! For further details click on the image to see the full flyer. Hurry! Reservations are limited. Call Julie at the Hair Company & Spa today! We'll see you there. -NP

After Dark Education: Miami

Last week I attended my second After Dark Education experience. This time it was in the wonderful, warm city of Miami, FL. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency right in the center of the downtown area. I arrived Sunday evening after a layover in Atlanta. (I heard that even when you die, everyone has to stop for a layover in Atlanta on your way to Heaven... A little travel humor, I guess... That was my first time having to stop there so it must be more common that I realize... Anyway, I digress.) The first night was a reunion of past attendees and a welcoming of new members to the After Dark family. The introduction was complete with money being thrown into the crowd and full day schedules being unanimously voted to be flip-flopped due to weather conditions. A celebration of chaos, as the founders would have it. I was introduced to a new found friend, who I would be a roommate to while there. David Meyer, a 20-year veteran photographer from Michigan. A great guy I learned a lot from in a matter of a few days. The remainder of the first night was filled with a business class with three generations of the most successful business people in the industry: Bill Sorenson, Rachel Marten and Travis Gugelman.

The second day, Monday in real life, but Tuesday in the world of After Dark, was a little rainy outside. This kept the group indoors for the most part. We found locations within the hotel to work on many techniques. I personally worked with Brian Killian and Mike Ridinger on ambient lighting and reflectors and then saw Lou Freeman, world-renowned fashion photographer, in action. After grabbing some dinner at a nearby cafe, it was time to do some work in the studio bays with lighting master, Don Chick, Dan Davis and Chuck Arlund. Finally then after the sun went down, we did some off-camera flash outdoors with Jordan Chan. Last part of the night was spent assisting in a workshop with Kay Eskridge. After all the activities were done, I went back to my room to review the days captures and finally got to bed around 2:30 AM. Hey, it's called After Dark for a reason.

The next morning, the alarms went off too early, but it was time to load up on the bus and head to South Beach. We spent the day out in the Miami sun shooting models in alleys, gardens and on the beach using all different types of lighting scenarios. Kevin Jaira used full-power studio strobes with a beauty dish in the ocean and Fuzzy Duenkel and Jen Hillenga used a piece of aluminum-faced insulation as a reflector in a back alley... All levels of equipment were used. A great hands-on educational experience. After about seven hours, we loaded up the buses and headed back. I then realized that the tube of sunscreen would have been worth any price. I'm not sure if my nose had second or third degree burns on it... :( When we got back to the hotel Miller's lab hosted a pizza party for everyone. Quite a treat. Then I spent the night going though the business/marketing pods listening to presentations from Jeff Lubin, Angela Carson and a rousing 3-hour marathon by Bill Sorenson. The night was capped off by a tell-all meeting with Kevin and Dixie Jordan that, like Bill's presentation, went well past the planned finish time, but was entirely worth every minute. Lots of epiphanies throughout the night that will help shape my young business.

The final day was spent reflecting on what I had learned and developing a plan of action to set deadlines on changes needed, make a grocery list of worthwhile equipment missing from my tool bag and begin new strategies and beliefs toward the way I will conduct myself and the business. It was then time to say goodbye to everyone there and head back to Atlanta on my way home. It wound't be a tough goodbye though. They're all headed up to Minneapolis in May, and I can't wait to do it all over again!

Huge thanks goes out to Dave Junion and Kevin Jordan and all the After Dark mentors, assistants and attendees! This is a great opportunity for myself and many people in the industry to better themselves and better the industry overall.

(For a sampling of images from the trip, check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/npdesignphotography ) While you're there, become a Fan so I know you're out there and you can get updates to the happenings of the business. Thanks! -NP

Brothers Hockey Photo Shoot

Today we had a great session with Dan, Josh and Jeremy. Three brothers being forced by mom to do one last photo session together in their hockey gear before having to turn it in. Despite the reluctancy in the beginning, we worked our charms to create a fun experience for everyone. (OK, guys, just kidding about the forced thing... I know you were dying to do it!) Got some great images in the end and I believe some genuine smiles. Plus everyone got a Tootsie Pop! Thanks Kim for getting the boys in today. We'll see you at the baseball field. -NP

Reflections on WPPI

It's been a little over a week since getting back from WPPI. WPPI, an association of Wedding and Portrait Photographers from around the globe, celebrated their 30th anniversary of holding the largest annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas March 4-11. There were over 15,000 photographers in attendance packing the trade show floor and seminar rooms.

It was my first time attending this event, but it will certainly not be my last. The educational value of and event like this is invaluable. The names on the program roster were all the celebrity names of the industry. The trade show had all the latest and greatest equipment along with their best sales people and even the founders. For me, five days of nose to the grindstone/take in as much as I can in the time allowed. Here is a list of the programs I attended. I recommend if you're in the industry to join the organization and attend the show next year. And if you're not in the industry, just Google some of the following names and see how amazing photographs can look. Enjoy!

Saturday, March 6:

Full Day Program called All About Schools - more a business day looking at the underclass market of school photography, team sports photography and High School Senior photography and all the products available to go with it. Speakers included Jeff Edwards, Chris Wunder, Paul Schulz and Ralph Romaguera.

Sunday, March 7:

• Judy Herrmann and Jay Kinghorn: Workflow Management - Again, more business related, but coming from a technology background I could appreciate this class. It studied everything from color calibration to backup/archiving procedures. I felt good about my skills having worked in the printing industry and information technology over the last 10 years.

• Vincent Isola: 21st Century Professional Photography - A look at the evolution of photography up to now and where it's going. A study of the art of being a true professional in the land of a ton of aspiring amateurs.

• Doug Gordon: Posing is Back and it's this Year's Black! - The room had 1200 people and the energy of 10,000. Loud music, cheers, amazing atmosphere. Doug teaches fast-paced posing to ensure getting the best wedding portraits in a timely manor. A real character too.

• Gregory Heisler: Canon Keynote Address - Greg has photographed the cover of Time magazine 17 times. He is world-renowned. He does images for Life, Esquire and more. World leaders, celebrities, you name it. He is said to be currently the best photographer on the planet.

Monday, March 8:

• Kirk Voclain: High School Seniors - This is my second time getting to meet Kirk Voclain, having studied with him at After Dark last Fall. Very cool, edgy Senior Portraits. A style I enjoy in my own work... Just a master of it. A great guy as well, who's tons of fun.

• Kevin Kubota: Core Strength - Kevin is awesome! He is one of the best photographers in the world, but also very successful in branding his other businesses of products in the industry. Best of all a very down-to-Earth person. Incredibly inspiring program full of great ideas.

Tuesday, March 9:

• Tony Corbell: The Power of Light - Another thought-provoking and inspiring presentation. Talked about the concept of being a truly great photographer, you must understand proper lighting. Just when you thought you were good, Tony proves you're only beginning.

• Dane Sanders: Anatomy of a Creative - MY NEW HERO! This was a pick you up, flip you around and put you back on the ground as a newly inspired and different person. This was purely an inspirational journey inside each of ourselves on what it is in your life that you're passionate about. It was about escalating above the masses and being a leader. I could have been there all day listening to this presentation. Confession: I'm generally a pretty physically reserved person, but when given the opportunity to shake Dane's hand, I reached out and embraced him with a bear hug. He truly changed me that day. It comes down to believing in what you do, setting your mind to it and going ALL IN. Amazing program. (My wife was in tears.)

• Kay Eskridge: And for Dessert... - This was actually a program on boudoir photography. While it's not for everyone, after being so emotionally overhauled by Dane Sanders, we decided we better have a more light-hearted program. Much to my surprise, this is a trend coming back and sweeping the nation. The program was a ton of fun and very educational. Not such a taboo subject. Very professional, even though a lot of the audience reactions to some of the one-liners made it seem almost like it was a comedy show.

Wednesday, March 10:

• Kevin Ames: The Keys to Great Portraits - This was another technical seminar on proper lighting techniques for in studio and on location.

• Lori Nordstrom: Get Off Your Butt! - Another get up and get out there inspirational and methodological approach to the industry and the business side of it. Lori is a celebrity in the infant and maternity portrait industry. Another After Dark alumni.

• Other names I met or saw briefly that have amazing work: Dave Junion, Vicki Taufer, Jerry Ghionis, Louis Pang, Jasmine Star, Mike Fulton, Cody Clinton, Bambi Cantrell, and Jim Garner.

I assume this may be more than you'd ever want to know about the experience. I just want to make it clear how big of an event this is. All professional photographers should attend this at least every few years. I am a big fan of continuing education through workshops and seminars to keep your edge and stay with the trends and technologies. After all, it betters you, your work and your clients experience.

A note about the photo... Our local paper loves to publish photos of it showing up in various places. Nothing like a little publicity! ;)

My only apology goes out to my wife, Teresa, for not getting to have any typical Vegas fun while we were out there. I'm now told I owe her another trip out there that is purely a vacation.

Newly added backgrounds

Today we had my favorite studio muse, Taylor, in for some new background sample images. We had a blast! Even her grandma came to witness the experience! The images are presented in a new service we provide to families and Seniors that we call a PhotoMotion Slideshow. Great way to share the image collection with friends and family on Facebook and email. Give me a call when you want to set up your studio session and feel like a model!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I have to give a shout out to my colleague, Pat, who views this day as a "National Holiday." He's the most Irish guy I know. He's out of the office today; a tradition he's had his whole life. So raise a pint to the Irish today, and get home safe tonight.

ALL IN (It's about Risk)

So I've decided to go all in on the blog idea. It's a commitment. It needs to be interesting and informative so that you, the reader, doesn't get bored of it. It needs to be personal and open, so that we make a connection. I want you to be a part of my successes, my failures, my learning and my growing. I want your feedback and interaction as we're in this together. I will agree to do my best to not leave you hanging, waiting for the next detail. I will share ideas and insights with you and give you educational tips and referrals along the way. You will see what projects I'm working on and those I have completed. I think we're in for a wild ride and it'll be a great to look back a year from now, five years from now and 10 years from now and see the story of how we got where we are. You're welcome to become a "follower" or just stop by occasionally. That part is up to you. Some posts will be on Facebook and Twitter, so feel free to jump on that ride as well. HERE WE GO!