Professional Photo Expo 2009 - Schedule of Events

Feb 21 9:00 am - 5:00 pm	Expo2008 - Mercury Megaloudis PROGRAM: Mercury will teach you techniques for using studio lighting to capture stunning portraits that create warmth in their imagery and make your clients keen to buy these fantastic images. In a technically complex world of lighting and posing, Mercury will show us his simple solutions to the challenges we may face. In his presentation he will be taking us step-by-step through his sales process, showing us the tools and products he uses to consistently achieve great sales figures. He will also show you how to make your award print get a First Place. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a leading photographer sharing the secrets that have allowed his financial success. Mercury Megaloudis, of Melbourne Australia, is recognised as one of the most passionate photographers in the industry. After 20 years in the  wedding portrait business Mercury would be one of Australia’s leading photographers. Mercury is a four time master of the Australia Professional Institute of Photography and a double master New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. He is renowned for his zest for life and is one of the most enthusiastic working photographers today. All his energy makes learning from Mercury fun for fellow photographers. Mercury’s business philosophy is, if the work is not good enough it will not sell. So be enthusiastic, creative, inspiring, passionate and the rewards will roll in.    Mercury Megaloudis has a passion for people and photography and anyone who has ever met and spoken to him will agree that his energy and enthusiasm is truly contagious. His portraits are uniquely different and combine a blend of contemporary style, personality and detail. Mercury runs a high end business Megagraphics Photography. His photographs speak form the heart, filled with emotion, joy and impact. His designer work and original ideas have gained him respect not only with his peers but with his emotional clients.   He has judged, lectured and presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. Always looking to break new ground has made Mercury different, and the best in his field. Don’t miss out on the energy and passion this Australian has to offer. Fee: $59
Feb 22 9:00 am - 11:30 am	Expo2008 - Paul Tumason  “The Bare Essentials of Portraiture” Almost 40 years experience and his knowledge of portrait art history has given Paul Tumason a tremendous insight into the psychology of what makes his clients excited and thankful for their portraits.              He has met his clients’ somewhat high expectations of their own perceptions with a style based on classical portraiture. Paul is a portrait photographer located in San Jose, California. A graduate from San Jose State University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology in 1965, Paul also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 12 years, starting as an photo interpreter. Paul has also worked as a professional musician during and after college. He first opened a photography studio in 1972 in downtown San Jose.  Paul is married to Kathy, and they have five grown children.        Always aware of a subject’s likes and dislikes about their appearance, Paul follows tried and true, simple concepts of composition, lighting, and effective expressions observed from the works of the masters to bring out the best in the subject.
Feb 22 11:45 am - 2:30 pm	Expo2008 - Awards Reception  Awards Reception  Location: The Jazz Institute Sponsored by Bay Photo Lab
Feb 22 2:45 pm - 5:45 pm	Expo2008 - Craig Kienast Craig’s Program deals with the marketing techniques he’s used to expand his business as well as his philosophy on senior’s…weddings…portraits in general. As a part of Craig’s program, he will photograph several individuals using “Traditional lighting” and the digital medium. For many subjects, Craig produces what he calls a “Fantasia Print”or “ART Prints”. This is a very artistic print with extensive computer manipulations.  The perfect marriage of traditional painting techniques and today’s techno crazed world….VERY FUN!!! The ART Prints are used as an add on sale and can as much as double the final sales. Craig will create “ART prints” from these sessions. The whole point of Craig’s programs is to inspire and put FUN back into the business of photography.   e-mail him at craig@photock.com
Feb 22 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Expo2008 - David Trust - Executive Director - PPA Do Something! Since taking over as CEO of Professional Photographers of America, David Trust has helped lead the world’s largest photographic association to its most successful years in history.  Trust calls on his background in communications, corporate marketing and leadership to drive home critical points that most small businesses fail to understand.  He argues that a key to success in every business it to “question everything” and then find a way to do it better.
Feb 23 6:25 am - 7:45 am	Expo2008 - Marissa Lopez-Donatt A lighting and posing program created by Professor Marissa Lspez-Donatt Title: Images Beautifully Expressed Description: Achieve Beautiful Images when artificial light becomes less frightening. (live models will help this program to be more explicit) Program intro: Have you ever felt frustrated when your subject is like an ice block? -time is running by and you have not yet gotten that special image -nor you feel is the chosen one? This is an educational program to teach photographers how to control artificial light, how to use accessories to create something beautiful to enhance their subject and use less time in-front of the computer and the-how-to speak to the person to achieve beautiful images. _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ This program is designed to teach the photographer how to communicate with the subject/client to achieve a comfortable atmosphere. How to feel connected to capture the outmost in expressions and poses achieving the best and most natural image possible. The program will also teach digital studio lighting techniques on how to see and how to manipulate artificial light to enhance those natural expressions and poses. A digital DVD presentation with examples will be given to educate and inspire the audience. This educational program can be presented in Spanish by Marissa Lopez Donatt without translators. Ms. Lopez is one of the first Hispanic educators that started to teach photography classes in Spanish. She is a professional photographer with 17 years of experience and over 14 years in the field of education at La Foto, Inc, a photography education center in Santa Monica, CA and at Santa Monica Community College since 1994. Ms. Lopez is a member of PPA, PPC, WPPI, and APA. In the year 2000, she opened her own educational business offering photography workshops in both English and in Spanish, providing professional photography services to different clients, mainly in portraiture. La Foto, Inc a photo gallery, studio and custom B/W lab; provides studio and B/W darkroom rentals mainly to photography students but also to active photographers. The photo gallery hosts established photographers and advance photo students presenting photography exhibits in a professional environment to enhance and inspire the love of photography. Marissa López Donatt - Biography Marissa López-Donatt; an artist by heart and tradition, a certified photography instructor at Santa Monica College for more than 13 years, an entrepreneur and dedicated professional photographer owning her studio (La Foto, Inc.) in Santa Monica, CA since 1998.   Marissa was born in Mexico City, Mexico. Her artistic talent in music first showed when she was five years and she would sing and dance for anyone who would watch. She pursued her love of song and dance professionally throughout the United States and Japan. While loving to perform in front the camera, she discovered a passion for turning it around when her friends in the music industry asked her to take photos of them for promotional headshots. Having found this love for being behind the camera, she naturally found a niche in photographing dance performances and musicians. She began shooting portraiture, commercial, corporate and wedding photography over 18 years ago and has been creating uniquely stunning images ever since. In the early years of her photography career; Marissa participated in important educational projects for the community; one of them was the Community Foundation of Los Angeles. She initiated a unique program teaching photography to low income children, where she received two important acknowledgment awards from Supervisor, First District of Los Angeles, Ms. Gloria Molina. Marissa’s teaching and educational career grew to inspire the children to create a beautiful photography exhibit of their work at Santa Monica College photo gallery, ending the project with great success but inspiring her next teaching venture. In 1994, Marissa graduated from Santa Monica College receiving her vocational certificate in photography and received a Persistence Award from the Latino Center which gave her the courage and inspiration to continue teaching. In October of the same year, she was the first Hispanic woman to teach photography classes to the Hispanic community in Spanish through Santa Monica College community classes. A tremendous success, the program evolved and about 40 students per semester were being inspired to pursue a future as professional photographers. In 1996, she was hired as an adjunct faculty member in the credit program by photography chair Mario Baratucci of Santa Monica College, where she was assigned to teach a special class for MAOF Latino students. The program was designed to teach all facets of professional photography – including black/white & color printing, 35mm, medium format and 4x5 camera manipulations, darkroom and studio techniques.  These students received vocational certificates and job placement assistance to function in the business of photography. Ever since, Marissa has continued to teach in the photography department at Santa Monica College while at the same time conducting workshops at her studio.  She believes in sharing her knowledge with students hoping to pursue a photographic career.  She believes her efforts to inspire students in the Hispanic and Anglo communities is much more fulfilling than if she had chosen to only pursue her professional photographic career. Throughout the years, Marissa evolved not only as an instructor in photography but she also became a video producer and director for corporate and industrial promotional videos for well known advertising agencies such as J. Walter Thomson in New York/Los Angeles and Perceive. She has also become an award winning photographer, participating in several photography contests where she has won numerous awards and has been acknowledged for two consecutive years at WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) with high scores in the Accolades of Excellence print competitions, where her photographs are being published. In 1998, while thinking about building a lab and studio to further her photographic career, Marissa had the idea to create a photographic and educational center to help new and emerging photographers discover their passion.  Her background as a teacher has helped to forge the mission for La Foto – to provide a high level of personalized service, to help and educate photographers of all levels and nationalities along the way. Today, Marissa continues her success as a photographer. She is currently working on two book projects; shooting expecting families and landscapes of ancient times in b/w. As she continues to share her knowledge with others, she teaches photography in both English and Spanish at Santa Monica College and at La Foto, Inc (something she’s done for over 14 years) and has been invited to speak at the WPPI conference in Las Vegas in March 2007. If more information is needed, please contact: La Foto, Inc 806 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.664.1463
Feb 23 6:30 am - 7:45 am	Expo2008 - Margit E. Myl Margit E. Myl will introduce you to the Secret World of Millionaires. She will teach you how they think, feel and act to produce results. Margit not only works with Millionaires on a daily basis as a business coach, but they are her friends and mentors. It takes more than talent or a good eye…it takes the knowhow…to create the wealth and keep it.  Workbook will be provided. Margit E. Myl is an Austrian born 'artist of life.' All over the world, people are inspired by Margit’s attitude of ‘Living a Life of No Regrets’. In the past seven years of her coaching career she has helped hundreds of clients achieve their dreams, and changed their lives for the better.
Feb 23 6:35 am - 7:45 am	Expo2008 - Marc Benjamin It’s Your Show!  DVD slideshows and more. Learn to create stunning slideshow presentations for clients.  Marc will share slideshow techniques including tips on how to speed up your slideshow workflow and creative ways to present the show to your clients.  He will also talk about the truth behind music licensing and other important aspects behind selling the finished DVD slideshow.
Feb 23 8:00 am - 10:45 am	Expo2008 - Scott Kurkian- Financial Director - PPA  IT’S YOUR MONEY – KEEP MORE OF IT!    by Scott Kurkian If you only see your accountant once a year at tax time, you’re missing out on a valuable resource in the quest to run a profitable business. Find out how PPA, through its Studio Management Services program, is working with photographers to provide financial information and analysis that improves their bottom line. Learn how the following can help keep more money in your pocket throughout the year:  Setting up your company legally to minimize the amount of taxes you pay.  Which tax deductions are crucial to know and which ones are often overlooked.  Why managerial accounting is so crucial to maximizing your company’s profits.  The importance of financial forecasting.  What types of financial and managerial software exists for photographers and which is best for your business. Most importantly, you’ll learn the results of PPA’s first-ever financial survey and how the information can be used to analyze your business and grow your profits. Find out:  the percentage successful photography businesses are keeping in their pockets;  the most important numbers in your business that you must know;  the financial differences you need to know when deciding between a home-based studio and a retail storefront;  the analytical differences between successful and non-successful businesses; and  how much you should be spending on marketing, overhead, employees, and other operating expenses.
Feb 23 8:00 am - 10:45 am	Expo2008 - Jack Reznicki - President - PPA Jack Reznicki is commercial people and children photographer based in New York City. His creative problem solving has helped promote products and services for many companies such as Tylenol, The Wall Street Journal, Hyatt, Toys “R” Us, Kodak, Reader’s Digest, Crest, AT&T, Playtex, and several Time Magazine covers.  Jack is the author of several books on commercial photography including “Studio and Commercial Photography- A Kodak Pro Workshop” book. For over 4 years, Jack’s insights to professional photography could be found in Petersen’s Photographic magazine with his popular “Pro Vision” column. His insightful articles also appear in PEI (Photo Electronic Imaging) and Professional Photographer magazine. Believing that photographers should be pro-active in the photo community, Jack is currently a President of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and has been heavily involved in several other photographer’s associations. Along with other awards, Jack was very proud to receive the IPC (International Photographic Council) Leadership medal for “Excellence in Studio Photography” at the United Nations. He is honored to be a “Canon Explorers of Light”, an  “Epson Stylus Pros” and host of the Epson Print Academy’s Track One, and a Sandisk “Photo Master”. Jack has also does Beta testing and consulting with Canon, Epson, Mamiya, Microsoft, X-Rite, Leaf digital backs, and Adobe. He also founded and runs the Photo News Network (PNN) at http://www.photonews.com    PNN is home to the very popular Photo Forums- PhotoPro, PhotoTech, PhotoDigital, and PhotoWed. www.reznicki.com
Feb 23 11:00 am - 4:00 pm	Expo2008 - Trade Show - Saturday
Feb 23 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm	Expo2008 - Sandy Puc      Growth     Inspiration     Visualize     Evolve         G.I.V.E “Life is too short to short yourself on life.” Terri Zadra Are you eager to bring your business to the next level? Have you always known there must be a better and easier way to build your company? With over a decade of hard-earned experience, Sandy Puc' will pass on lessons she's learned that have improved her company and her quality of life. Listen to the voice of experience,  a successful business isn't born overnight. Come and learn how to give your company time to grow, create unique and fresh marketing pieces, give your images a creative boost, give yourself the gift of time to relax and more important, give back to your community. The journey to create the company of your dreams is just as much fun as the end result. Let Sandy G.I.V.E. you the tools to transform your business and your life.
Feb 24 8:00 am - 10:45 am	Expo2008 - Hanson Fong Sunday, February 24 - Hanson Fong - "How to be a Complete Photographer" This show is open to all Trade Show attendees. Location: Little Theater With over 30 years in the Art of Photography, Hanson Fong will share his techniques that apply to both fine art and photojournalistic photography.    Hanson will demonstrate the 10 classic pose techniques he pioneered, which allow you to handle every bride and groom anytime, anywhere. He will also show how to apply the same posing methods to group portraits.
Feb 24 8:00 am - 10:45 am	Expo2008 - Suzette Allen Sunday, February 24 - Suzette Allen - free program to all trade show attendees “Image Composites with Photoshop” By Suzette Allen API, Cr.Photog. CPP, FSWPP 8:00am -10:45am Sunday, Feb 24, 2008 Location: Grand Theater Cool and unique image composites get attention! ~and Sales! You will get lots of fresh ideas for composites, easy tricks to make the job faster, templates to make your life easier, and actions to put you into high gear! We all know that composites CAN be super time-consuming, but what you need to know is that composites CAN be fast and easy, too! Suzette will teach you the techniques for fast assembly, how to make styles & brushes for fast enhancement, and how to make templates for fast re-creation of popular styles! This class will take your portraits up a notch in Sales, Appeal and Fun! Suzette Allen.com 4260 Orange Grove Ave Sacramento, CA 95841 916-485-3460 suzette@suzetteallen.com LOCATION  Grand Theater
Feb 24 11:00 am - 4:00 pm	Expo2008 - Sunday Trade Show
Feb 24 4:00 pm - 7:15 pm	Expo2008 - Sklute and Doug Box  Wedding Shoot-Out!!! Shoot-out at the Masters' Corral   The Big Texan, Doug Box vs. the City Slicker, Ken Sklute, in a no-holds-barred, old-fashioned digital shoot-out. Two of the top photographers in America will square off and photograph the same models in their style and the audience will decide who the winner is. Be a part of this historic event that promises to be both exciting and informative. Who will win the title of the “Top Shooter?”
Feb 24 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm	Expo2008 - Casino Night Hospitality Party and Casino Night 7:30 pm - ??? at the Jazz Institute Casino Games Big Auction Networking OPEN TO ALL TRADE SHOW ATTENDEES
Feb 25 8:00 am - 10:45 am	Expo2008 - Doug Box How to use Off Camera and On Camera Flash With Children by Doug Box M.Photog.,Cr This is a lighting and posing program. It is fully illustrated and includes a hand-out that follows along with the images on the screen.
Feb 25 11:00 am - 2:30 pm	Expo2008 - Monday Trade Show Trade Show ends at 2:30 pm This is your chance to pick up those last minute reduced items.   See you next year....