Monday, June 14, 2010

June PUG Meeting Details

Hey DC Puggers,
Just a reminder that our next PUG meeting is June 14th at 7pm!

I am excited about this months PUG meeting because not only are we going to share images from our PUG shoot out from last month, we are also bringing back the ever famous - Studio Spotlights!
This month we have the lovely Jessica Del Vecchio presenting her self and her photography business for our listening and viewing pleasure.

I am hoping that this meeting will be a time for us all to reconnect, talk shop and have a good Q&A with each other.
I will be making a list of your discussion topic ideas during Monday's meeting which will be used for future meetings. I have had some great response from the PUG survey (which if you haven't already taken, we'd love your feedback) of ideas for future meetings.
Some of which are:
Pricing
Finding New Business
Advertising
Workflow
Lighting
And much more.
Along with photography business ideas we will also be chatting a bit about things we can do outside our PUG meetings, such as, photo outings, museum trips, volunteering with our local communities etc. So come ready to share you thoughts!

Please mark June 14th - 7pm on your calendars.
We will be meeting at Jessica Del Vecchio's house in DC - 2123 California Street, NW, Apartment A5, Washington, DC 20008
See you then!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Please take our PUG survey!

Hey Folks,
Just in case you didn't get the email I sent out, I have put together a quick 10 question survey to help guide us in the next year of meetings.

If you could please take a peak and leave us your feedback it would be hugely appreciated.
You can find the survey by clicking HERE!

We need to hear from you so that we know how best to move foreword and make the PUG experience the best it can be.

Thanks so much,
Sarah
________

Monday, April 12, 2010

Dane Sanders at next PUG Meeting - Balto/DC Combine Meeting!

Hey Folks,
Just in case you didn't already know, out next meeting will be held at Love Life Images in MD on April 27th - 7pm. If you haven't already RSVPed - please do so in the comment box so that we know how many folks to plan for.
I will be heading up early for dinner at The Rams Head Tavern if anyone would like to join me I will plan to be there by 5:45. Please email me directly if you think you can make dinner - sarah@blinkdc.com

I hope the DC PUG crew will give Dane a big warm welcome - lets represent people!
Dane will be having his work shop the 2 days following the DC Pug, if you don't already know about it, you can get more info here - Fast Track Photographer.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the 27th!
Sarah and Geoff

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Jim Collins at Jan PUG - Dinner before at Rock Bottom Brewery

Hey Folks,
As you already know, Jim, our oh-so-fabulous CEO is coming once again to DC to share his wisdom, knowledge and possibly some inside info on the many big things that are happening at Pictage!

It would be great if you all could join us for dinner before hand at the Rock Bottom Brewery in Bethesda, MD.
Jim will be dining with us too, so come on out and lets see if we can't get our CEO to eat a whole basket of RB famous soft pretzels!

We'll be meeting at the Brewery at 5:30. Please contact me directly to let me know if you will able to join us. I will need a head count no later than 12pm on Jan 25th.
sarah@blinkdc.com

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday the 25th!!
Sarah

Friday, January 8, 2010

January PUG - Pictage CEO Jim Collins returns

Date: Monday, January 25, 2010

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Michael Bennett Kress & Associates
7906 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

Starting the New Year off right, we'll be visited by Pictage CEO Jim Collins. Jim will be discussing an inspiring topic that was a big part of his keynote at PartnerCon and will talk about some exciting future plans for Pictage.

What does Dream, Create, Inspire Mean to You?
We’re going to take a moment to breathe and dream a little. We’re going to celebrate the incredible work you do and we’ll contemplate creativity. What inspires your creative energy? What drives your vision? What’s your next big thing? Let’s shake a few of the cobwebs lose in your soul. Ultimately, this session is about beginnings. It’s about a mindset. It’s about being open to what’s next. Onward, indeed!

This event and all PUG meetings are open to any photographer who cares about his or her business and enjoys meeting other like-minded professionals. You don't have to be a member of Pictage to attend. And we won't try to convert you. We just want to meet you and play nice. Really.

Hope to see you there!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Justin and Mary's STL tour is only days away!

Just wanted to send out a quick reminder for any of you out there who signed up for J&M's STL tour...
We'll be meeting at Allison Britton's Studio 115 S. Patrick St. Ste 101 Alexandria, VA at 2:30 for registration!
Can't wait to see everyone.

Sarah

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Justin and Mary in DC Jan 7th - Spread The Love Tour

Be there!!!

If you haven't already heard, Justin and Mary Marantz are bringing their Spread The Love Tour to DC in January!!! More info Here!
If you haven't seen Justin and Mary speak about how they approach their photography business and also how to balance that
with living your life, you NEED to be there on January 7th!
If you were lucky enough and had the great fortune to see them when they were here in 2008 on their DC Pug tour, then you will get the
opportunity to not only see their lovely faces once again, but gain even more inspiration and knowledge on how to wow
your clients, but also how to retain or create a good work/life balance.

I have to say that seeing Justin and Mary in 2008 was one of the major turning points that year which made me decide to keep my business going.
I was at a tough crossroads in my life and business, I was truly ready to throw my hands up in the air and say, "Forget this crazy business, it's too hard!"
The very night that I was going to make the decision to throw in the towel (which is what I really wanted to do), I drug myself to the PUG meeting where
I got to hear Justin and Mary share some remarkable ways to approach the "selling" of one's self and business... and what I found was it was less about
the "sales pitch"... oh, it was SO much more. It was about connecting!

You mean, we can connect with the people who we get to share in one of their most intimate days with? I mean really connect, form friendships and still
retain a strong sense of business? Well, this was revolutionary to me!
The part of this business that I tend to loath is the "selling", but when I was able to see the whole process in a different light, I felt renewed, I felt like
someone had just given me the tools and permission to really make a connection with my clients which is what I was longing to do.

So, to make a very long story short(ish), Justin and Mary's talk that night rejuvenated me and my desire to move forward.
I urge you all to sign up for this tour, I will be there will bells on! I might even be wearing my I *heart* J&M - if it doesn't make
me seem like a stalker... :D

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season so far and I look forward to seeing you on
January 7th!