It is an election year right? Well I have been officially nominated by my peers for a PPA Council position for the state of Arizona.  As a board member for the Arizona Professional Photographers Association it would be an honor and privilege to serve in this position which runs for 3 years (2012-1015)

About the PPA Council

The membership of PPA ultimately governs the association through its representatives in the PPA Council. The Council consists of elected representatives from each state (under specified conditions), members of the Board of Directors, Chairmen of Standing Committees, Group Chairmen, Past Presidents of the Association, and Presidents of PPA International Affiliates. All PPA Professional Active, Life, and Retired members may vote in Council elections. Councilors must be Professional Active, Life or Retired PPA members and can be nominated by a state, local, or chapter affiliate; or by five individual Professional Active, Life or Retired members of PPA. Ballots are sent and tabulated electronically. Eligible members then vote for the individuals that they feel would best represent the membership of PPA. Council elections are held every three years.

Each Council member represents all of the PPA members in his or her respective state. A Councilor’s duties include attending state and local association meetings, encouraging membership in PPA, and maintaining constant liaison between PPA members and PPA headquarters.

You can find more information about the Professional Photographers of America and the PPA Council online at www.ppa.com/about/council.php

You can find more information about the Arizona Professional Photographers Association online at www.arizonappa.com

Happy Mother’s Day to my awesome super mom!

As I spent Saturday afternoon on the other side of the camera, a video camera to be exact, I realized…video is exhausting! My good friend Keith who has spent the majority of his career in commercial advertising and production was gracious enough to take on this project.  So why is video so exhausting? Well here are a few observations I made on photography vs. video:

• Sound. As a photographer I can care less about sound during a session, in fact I highly encourage my clients to bring their iPod to the studio so that they can listen to their own tunes. With video and the sensitivity of the microphones you have to worry about how loud the AC is, a plane flying over the building thousands of feet up in the air or the tapping of my own nervous feet

• Memory. I don’t mean the memory of bumbling photographer who keeps forgetting his lines (aka – me), I wasn’t using a script because I wanted natural dialog but heck I couldn’t remember that good line from 5 seconds ago when a camera and lights are pointed at my head. No I’m talking about the memory and hard drive space needed on memory cards and computers, at the very least video eats up 3 x’s more storage than still images. Then it eats up all the space on your hard drives plus the RAM to process, edit and compile video.

• Lighting: As a photographer I can use a flash or constant lights because I’m only taking 1 photographer for a split second but with video you have to use constant lights because it’s recording everything.  Then you have to be careful which lights you’re using because if they are too hot then you’ll literally cook the person being recorded.

• Editing: Take into consideration the time to edit photographs vs. video and here again the video just takes that much more time to get it all done. I can professionally retouch an image in a third of the time because I’m only working on 1 photograph, I use Photoshop and other programs to edit a photograph and sure there are editing programs for video but it’s a moving target and video takes on average 24 frames per second with some video cameras taking up to 1,000 frames per second.

• Time: This in my opinion is the biggest difference. I just mentioned editing and with both you take the time to prep equipment, prepare a location, get your subject ready, etc, etc but once I setup a photograph I can take get a great shot with one click but with video it’s rare to get it in one take. Someone forgets a line, lighting changes, a cricket chirps, etc.

So when you need video, just know that hiring a professional like Keith is invaluable and is money well spent.  

PS – I love working with videographers but here’s a funny video that I got to be a part of last year on the Battle of the ‘Ographers. Filmed at After Dark Education in Tucson, AZ. Visit site www.switzerworld.com TRIsaber and music rights provided by www.songfreedom.com

My new favorite television show is The Pitch on AMC, the show offers viewers a chance to see how top ad agency’s pitch to get the business of companies.  So it got me thinking,  aren’t there ad agencies out there to help a small business like me? Sadly I don’t have millions of advertising budgets to throw out into the market place but I do have money to spend, the need to grow my business and heck I’ll spend more as I continue to grow! Some firms I called required a minimum investment of $$$ per month, something I can’t do right now, as other photographers know our business is largely seasonal. Some firms turned out to not really be firms but rather specialists at SEO, Social Media, Copywriting, or graphic artists. Nothing wrong with that at all, I love specialists, even I try to specialize in portraiture but as a small business owner I need to know that the dollar I spend on Monday will at least get me some money back on Friday (or within a reasonable amount of time).

So through the recommendations of friends and asking around on Facebook, I received several recommendations and the only requirement I had to start was that the company had to be local, because I largely support the local companies.So the companies that I have or will be interviewing are:

Bushido Marketing: Bushido Marketing specializes in Online Marketing Systems. Our systems out perform the Yellow Pages multi-fold. The components of the synergistic system include SEO, Sales Website Design, Google Places, Pay Per Click Consulting and Management, Wow Offers, Direct Response Copy Writing, Online Reputation Mgmt., Email Marketing with Lists and Social Media Consulting. Customized proven marketing systems with Guarantees since 1994.

FreshWords, Ink: FreshWords, Ink provides Identity, Marketing and Communication services to small businesses and independent professionals.  Through Print Media, Branding/Naming, Promotions, Email Marketing, Blogs, Website Copy, Client Communications, Strategic Consulting

AEI Advertising: There are so many different advertising avenues out there – print, online, non-traditional, social networking. How do you choose what would work? Our mission is to educate clients on how to market themselves. In turn, our clients save time and money.

TMB Partners: tmbpartners offers fearless business solutions, anchored by years of experience in improving the marketing strategies for a diverse group of business. We transform products and services into magnetic Brands that differentiate you from the competition. Our dynamic and innovative thinking has created success for regional, national, and international companies within the automotive, engineering, education, healthcare, technology, construction, philanthropic, food service, legal, real estate, manufacturing, insurance, consulting, hospitality and franchise organizations.

Let’s see how it goes with them all….

PS – On the episode of The Pitch with Waste Management (Proud sponsor of our local Waste Management Phoenix Open), I was rooting for and hoping that The Ad Store would beat out SK+G

My spring newsletter was just sent out, are you signed up?

One of my resolutions this year was to print more of my work. Displaying memories through wall art, albums, cards, etc is important because they don’t need power or batteries which makes them live on pretty much forever.

How are you doing with your new year’s resolutions?

Read the whole newsletter here. 

I was born and raised in Tempe, my grandmother started a restaurant in 1963 that continues to serve the East Valley, my mother shopped for grocery’s at Smitty’s, we ate breakfast at Harlow’s and dinner at the Spaghetti Bowl. Yet for so many years I’ve been drinking Starbucks coffee. I’ve even had a Starbucks Gold Card since they introduced the program (which really means I probably drink too much coffee).  So I’m a little ashamed to say that I haven’t been doing a better job of supporting my own community but I ended that habit this week after attending a workshop presented by Kimber Lanning and Local First Arizona.

It comes down to this…

• For every $100 spent a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy.
• For every $100 spent a non-locally owned business only $43 remains in the local economy.

Take a look at the chart below, both employ local staff but the difference gets bigger when is the local business gets more of its supplies from other local businesses, hires its accountant, graphic designer, photographer, print shop, etc usually from here. That non-local business hires its account, graphic designer, etc from outside our state. Here’s an article from Time, “Buying Local: How It Boosts the Economy” explaining how it works.

Did you know?

• For every two jobs national retailers bring to a community, three jobs are lost as a result of local businesses closing down.
• When you shop locally owned businesses, your money is re-circulated over and over and creates up to 75% more tax revenue to our community and state.
• Independent businesses raise the standard of living in your community because they take their profits and buy products and services from other local businesses, thus creating more and more tax revenues needed for the community to thrive.
• Millions of dollars of tax revenue subsidies handed to chains by financially-starved local governments drain even more tax revenue from our community and state.
• Blighted empty shopping areas are created in your community when chain stores re-locate to a more lucrative shopping center, or leave altogether. Literally hundreds of big stores are abandoned each year across the United States.
• Independent businesses are unique enterprises that contribute to the character of our community by offering a more diverse selections of goods and services.
• Independent businesses provide meaningful service with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.
• Carefully planned predatory pricing practices have allowed national chains to establish virtual monopolies as they drive local competition out of business. And then they raise their prices.

Make a difference with a few simple steps:

So Local First Arizona, Everardo Keeme Photography and over 2000 other Arizona businesses are asking your to SHIFT THE WAY YOU SHOP, by shifting a minimum of 10% of your spending to a locally-owned business. You can read all about it at shiftarizona.com and here’s an article from Bloomberg, “10 percent: The Local Stimulus” with more on this topic.

• Make a decision to find and patronize a locally owned business, wherever possible. Use our business directory to locate businesses offering specific goods or services, or you can view a complete list of Local First Arizona member businesses and the categories in which they are listed.
• Dine at a local, independent restaurant and treat yourself to a unique and personal dining experience.
• When you shop online with out-of-state companies, it doesn’t contribute a dime to the local economy. So check for members who offer the same products locally, and some even deliver.
• Look for the Local First Arizona logo when you shop and tell other independent businesses about Local First Arizona.
• Tell your associates, family, and friends what is happening and why. We all create our communities. Let’s create strong and vibrant communities as a legacy for those who follow.
• Support Local First Arizona by donating, or join us as a member business or friend.

What is Local First Arizona?

Local First Arizona (LFA) is a non-profit organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through supporting, maintaining, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona.

We educate citizens, stakeholders, business leaders, and legislators about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of strong local economies. We build vibrant communities that make residents proud to call home.

*Much of the information here is provided by Local First Arizona and can be found at www.localfirstaz.com and www.shiftarizona.com

The following message was written by Everardo Keeme for the Arizona Professional Photographers Association

Why should I join an association?

This is a common question I hear from other photographers. Either that or “Why do I even need an association?” My simple answer, if you are interested in furthering your career as a photographer, then joining a professional association is a great place to start. So many times I’ve heard people say, “I’m just one person, I can’t change the industry” well an association by definition is a group of people with a common purpose or a synergistic group whose collective effort is greater than just one person. The more individuals that join an association the stronger it can be. An increase in membership funds in the association allows for the generation of more frequent and higher quality resources. This is to your and your peers’ collective benefit.

I am a member of an association here in the valley and have been a member of other associations nationwide. I believe that being an association member is in part a supportive and selfless act. I feel that being a member of an association tells my family, friends, peers and clients that I care about myself, my profession and my industry.

Let’s revisit what the AZPPA is all about;

The purpose of the Arizona Professional Photographers Association is to advance photography in all its branches, both as an art and as a profession; to promote, foster and maintain cordial relations, cooperation, interchange thought and opinion freely among its members.

To educate its general membership as to the many benefits to be derived from competitors helping each other improve their work.

To oppose violations and infringements of the rights of professional photographers as individuals.

To cooperate with all agencies, departments or organizations, either governmental or private, having to do with any phase of the profession of photography.

To act as a clearing house for funds collected from its members and other sources for promoting professional photography, maintaining and publishing a magazine for the Association for communicating with its members and promulgating technical information for educational purposes.

Broaden your knowledge:
The AZPPA sponsors numerous events throughout the year that allow you to learn anything from business tactics, lighting and posing techniques, print competitions and more. This is your chance to share ideas, seek advice or volunteer to benefit yourself, your peers and your industry.

Networking:
For incoming professionals another benefit is the opportunity to find a mentor to help you grow your career. For veterans it’s an opportunity to give back and help protect your industry.

Other ways it could help:

• Meet peers to share leads with, trust me, there are plenty of leads to go around
• Meet potential employers. Many photographers love their craft but hate the business side, there are many photographers who need associate photographers.
• Put forward your own ideas! Which could lead to new opportunities and professional relationships. These may not benefit your career in the short-term, but that is irrelevant if you are in your industry for the long-term.
• Enhance your self-esteem. Once you get the chance to speak with others and realize that you’re in the same footsteps, that you face the same challenges or that your work is better than you thought.
• Your understanding of what best practice entails is enhanced and, if you use this knowledge wisely, you will become more proficient at your craft.

You make a greater difference when you are part of a team. It doesn’t mean individual brilliance or perspectives cannot be exhibited outside the confines of the team, but it will enhance the impact of both the individual and the team/group initiatives if both exist to their optimum level.

Being a leader, in this context, also says to younger and/or less experienced photographers that you care about the profession and that attempting to excel is the only way to achieve the best possible outcomes. Not being a member of an industry association says you are self-centred to the detriment of the industry as a whole.

There is an attitude amongst some people that they are too cool to join the AZPPA or other associations and I think this is a deluded perspective. I have benefited considerably from being a member of the AZPPA, especially in finding a mentor, making new contacts, sharing leads and learning techniques to improve my photography.

Yes, being an association member can be frustrating at times, but it is a low-cost way of contributing to the photography industry and a wonderful way to be presented with opportunities for proficiency and career enhancement. It is up to each individual to make their membership an active and positive experience, and I am grateful and honored to be serving on the board of directors for the Arizona Professional Photographers Association as a mentor and as a student.

Sincerely,

Everardo Keeme

Director

Arizona Professional Photographers Association 

I love cigars and I love vintage cars. So when I heard that the Tinder Box in Ahwatukee was hosting a car show this weekend, I had to stop by. I used to work for Jeff Cayton at the Tinder Box and he’s a stand up guy, plus it was a fun “guy’s job!” The Surf Guitar Villains also made an appearance and gave the visitors some tunes to enjoy. I dream of owning and driving an old truck, something like a ’48 or ’72 Chevy truck, some day…but until then I’ll have to settle for checking out others

I used to cruise around in a ‘64 Chevy II, she had a 230 ci 6-cyclinder “straight six” and actually had factory A/C but wasn’t installed because of trying to finish the restoration. So for two Arizona summers I braved it. Since I’m a native to the valley it wasn’t that hard to get used to but you learn really quickly that a metal dash, vinyl seats and no tint creates a small oven. Speaking of tint that’s a must for cars and homes here in Phoenix and Bernice Ussery of Pure Luxury Mobile Auto Detail (480-560-8143) can help with her mobile service.

The Phoenix Half Marathon has a beautiful race course that begins below the large white Phoenix sign painted on the Usery Mountain in Mesa. Half marathon runners will experience nearly 700 feet of net elevation loss in this Gentle downhill route that is great for a first time half marathon. Arizona Half Marathon runners will enjoy the diverse scenery from the beautiful desert vistas.

These images and more are available for purchase through Zazoosh

Sadly, I attended a funeral over the weekend and it’s never a welcome experience for me or for anyone else I imagine.  In general I try to look at the positive influences a person left on their family, friends, coworkers, or how a person lived their life and did they accomplish their goals in life? I listen to the family and friends share stories about the fun times, embarrassing moments or tests of character. They are doing this all together while sharing a drink and looking through photographs in an album.

A photo album is such a powerful and sacred possession, especially in times like this. A family doesn’t huddle around a computer screen to view photographs, they sit in the living room or kitchen passing these cherished memories from one set of hands to another. Everyone recognizing now just how delicate and important these artifacts are to the family. You don’t get a chance to take more photographs; what you hold is what you have. People will delay their family portrait because someone wants to lose 10 lbs or grow their hair out but in times like this, do you really thing anyone notices or gives a crap about those 10 lbs?

As a photographer, I don’t take my craft and responsibility lightly and would be honored to capture and share your life with your family members, future generations and friends.