Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Update to our Photographer Fun Day

Hello Again,
Jess and I have finally decided on places for breakfast and lunch for our day of fun in the DC area.
If you haven't already sent me your email address to put on the evite list please do. You can send me an email at sehodzic@gmail.com

Here is the updated schedule with eating locations.
:D

9:30am - Meet for breakfast at Teaism on Connecticut Ave.
11:00am - Ansel Adams/Annie Liebowitz exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art (see details below re: purchasing your ticket) Some shooting time here if you want - no flash photography and nothing in the special AA/AL exhibit, but there are some cool nooks there!
1:00pm - Lunch at Olle's Trolly
2:30pm - Shoot Around Town - bring your cameras! We'll be right downtown, so lots of opportunities to be tourists or just "shoot" each other!
4:30pm - Rock Climbing at Sport Rock in Alexandria VA - if people are interested we can get a group beginner class scheduled.
Followed by Dinner/Drinks if people are interested in hanging out more!

If you are interested in going to the Corcoran exhibits, the tickets are $14 each and can be purchased here. Select 11am entry time. There are plenty of tickets available as of now. I checked and they do not have a group discount, so the easiest seems for everyone to purchase their own tickets.

We are super excited!! Hope you are too! :D

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

PUG Holiday Party!

Ok so it's that holiday time of the year, and our PUG holiday party is next week people...bring your party hats! This won't be like all of our other meetings - we're throwing the agenda out the window and spreading some holiday cheer with great food and beverage compliments of our friends at Pictage. We're encouraging you to bring in another photographer friend in the spirit of growing the group. Celebrate a great year and meet some new photographers! Please RSVP so we can get an accurate count.

Monday, December 17, 2007
7:00pm
MBK & Associates
4710 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814

View Larger Map

Hope you can all make it.

Geoff Chesman

Mike Colon workshop in February

I know a couple of people have already emailed this out, but here it is for reference:

Master Your Craft Tour - Baltimore, Maryland

Sponsors: Apple, Epson, GraphiStudio, Calumet, WestCott, liveBooks
Description: Join Mike Colón and Bob Davis in this intense one-day workshop covering everything including: camera settings, creative lighting techniques, efficient workflow for high volume shooters, high quality printing, marketing techniques, and detailed explanations of Mike and Bob's most successful images. You will leave this workshop with a new passion and a ton of new information that will change the way you run your business forever. Seating is limited and this tour WILL sell out!
Fees: $199.00
Date: 02/08/08
Time: 9:00am-6:00pm
Location: Marriott Baltimore/ Washington Intl: (800) 228-9290
1743 West Nursery Rd
Baltimore, MD 21240
view map


















Click here to go to the oficial site

Friday, November 30, 2007

November Wrap, Holiday Preview

Thanks to everyone who came out to the November meeting, and thanks to Michael for running the show. I was totally under the weather and couldn't be there but I heard that everyone was impressed with the new Willow Book sign-in books and in the Studio Spotlight, Renee Cobb showed some great work.

Everyone was very helpful in providing feedback for future meeting topics and I am predicting a strong 2008 slate full of information to help everyone enjoy their photography and run a better photography business.

Our December meeting will be on Monday, December 17th at 7:00pm and will be a much less formal gathering. As it is close to the holidays, this will serve as our non-denominational holiday party. You are all welcome to join and encouraged to bring non-Pictage photographers as well. We'll have food and fun beverages (the alcoholic type) and a relaxed environment to get to know each other in a more social setting. There will be no Pictage program, no local agenda and no studio spotlight. Just a bunch of fun photographers hanging out and reflecting on the year that was. Click here to rsvp so we can plan for the proper number of party-goers!

See you all soon,
Geoff

Friday, November 16, 2007

DC Shoot Night - Thank you!



A big thank you to everyone who came out this past Wednesday!
It was a lot of fun to all get together and learn, play and shoot with such a great group of people.

I have started a thread on the Pictage forum to share some of our favorite images from the night.
Link to post.

I hope to see everyone this coming Monday at the PUG meeting!

Sarah

Friday, November 9, 2007

Scott Kelby CS3 Workshop at the Convention Center. Don't Miss it!

Hello Fellow PUGS,

Garrett from our PUG meetings asked if I would post this info for everyone.

If you haven't been to a Scott Kelby workshop I HIGHLY recommend it. One of the best things about his workshop (IMO) is the fact that you don't have to take notes! Scott always has his entire seminar/notes written out for you in a easy to navigate work book.

I myself and a highly visual person, so being able to see and then DO, is key for me.

Thanks Garrett for the heads up on the workshop.
Looking forward to seeing everyone for the Night Shoot on the 14th! :D

Sarah



by Scott Kelby

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Washington DC Convention Center
Room: Ballroom A-B
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 249-3000

Photoshop CS3 Power Tour

Shock yourself and amaze your clients after you amplify the voltage of your work with these high-powered, hair-raising techniques for Photoshop CS3! This one-day seminar, created by #1 best-selling computer book author Scott Kelby, will charge up your creative batteries and turn you into a Photoshop dynamo. Boost your already impressive Photoshop skills with awe-generating effects used by today's industry pros.

Class Schedule

Digital Photo Correction Secrets


10:00 to 11:00 A.M.
Enlightening examples of how leading professionals manage and prepare digital photos, and the step-by-step process for getting what you see on screen to reproduce in prints. Discover how today's experts color correct their images, when to shoot in Raw (and when you should not), the latest cutting-edge sharpening secrets, and how to get perfect flesh tones every time!

Photoshop "Photo-Finishing" Techniques


11:15 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
Go light years beyond simple color correction to a totally new way to tone your images, adding spine-tingling vitality to every photo you edit. Learn the tricks you see in magazines and brochures to make images "pop," all without using Levels or Curves (you'll be amazed once you fi nd out how it's all done). These techniques will forever change the way you work with Photoshop.


LUNCH BREAK
12:15 to 1:15 P.M.


Yet Even More Down & Dirty Tricks


1:15 to 2:30 P.M.
Witness the quick and easy way to create the latest jawdropping Photoshop special effects-the same ones you see today on TV, in print, and on the Web. You'll learn how to "fake it" in Photoshop, how to recreate popular photographic effects and lighting tricks that save you time and money, plus loads of cool effects that look hard, but are easy once you know the secrets.

Photoshop Speed Clinic


2:45 to 3:45 P.M.
Get your workflow going like greased lightning with Photoshop's built-in automation tools. We'll show you actions that take your productivity through the roof; how to use Batching to speed everyday tasks; the secret to making the Bridge work in the background, and lots of other secrets that pros use to get twice the work done in half the time.

How to Show Your Work Like a Pro


4:00 to 5:00 P.M.
Deft presenters know that dazzling your clients is critical, so we'll teach you the latest layout techniques to really knock their socks off . You'll learn how to set your work apart from the crowd with digital framing techniques, how to add excitement and interest when showing your images, simple filter effects, plus a look at how pros create stunning layouts from within Photoshop.
Washington, DC

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

DC Night Shoot - UPDATE

Ok, shoot night update.....

Jess and I decided the 14th of November would work out well.

And my thought was to all meet at the Washington Cathedral around 4pm.
If we meet at 4pm we can get some cool dusk shots as Jess pointed out... which would be awesome.
We can then shoot around that area for a while, and go where ever our cameras and our photographer's eye lead us.

After a few hours of shooting we can head over to one of the great restaurants for some much needed grub. Shooting always works up my appetite!
My vote if for Two Amys - the best freaking little authentic Neapolitan pizza joint around! Mmmmm

Post and let me know what time you think you will be at the Cathedral.

Can't wait to see you all!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

DC Night Shoot

So, Jess and I were once again brainstorming on how to get more shooting time in that wasn't "work" related.

I really took to heart what Mike Larson was saying when he made the point of "How many hours do you shoot a week?" "If is less than five that's nowhere near enough."

I don't know about you but I need to be shooting more, and not just more weddings, but really I want to be shooting more for fun, for art, and for expanding my creativity!

I would love for a group of us to get together one week day have some dinner then head out into DC for some fun night photography!!
Then maybe hit Starbucks for a warm cider or hot chocolate afterwards.

If you are game let me us know and we'll pick a time, date and place.
Hope to hear from ya!
Sarah!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Winter Photog Fun Day!!

Sarah and I have been brainstorming and came up with a couple ideas for the day. First off, it seems the best day based on the earlier thread is Thursday, December 20.

Here is the preliminary plan:

9:30am - meet for breakfast (place TBD)
11:00am - Ansel Adams/Annie Liebowitz exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art (see details below re: purchasing your ticket) Some shooting time here if you want - no flash photography and nothing in the special AA/AL exhibit, but there are some cool nooks there!
1:00pm - Lunch (place TBD)
2:30pm - Shoot Around Town - bring your cameras! We'll be right downtown, so lots of opportunities to be tourists or just "shoot" each other!
4:30pm - Rock Climbing at Sport Rock in Alexandria VA - if people are interested we can get a group beginner class scheduled.
Followed by Dinner/Drinks if people are interested in hanging out more!

If you are interested in going to the Corcoran exhibits, the tickets are $14 each and can be purchased here. Select 11am entry time. There are plenty of tickets available as of now. I checked and they do not have a group discount, so the easiest seems for everyone to purchase their own tickets.

I'll cross post this on the DC and Baltimore PUG sections, as well as the DC PUG blog.

Please post here and let us know if you plan to come and for what parts. And of course, everyone from everywhere is invited to attend! If you can make it to DC - you are in!

I'm excited!! Hope you are too! :D

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Upcoming Events

I won't be able to make it up to Photo Plus this year due to some last-minute corporate events, but I hope someone, or many someones can help share all there is to see and do in NYC. Anyone going to Photo Plus?

Also, coming on Monday October 22nd is the Clay and Jane "Capture & Creativity" seminar in Virginia at the Marriott in Tyson's Corner from 6-10pm. This looks like a fast-paced 4 hours of photographic knowledge. We know and love Clay and I know first-hand how great of a teacher he can be. They've got a ton of sponsors and there's even a mini-tradeshow.

Our next PUG meeting will be Monday, November 19th at 7:00pm. Stay tuned for details...

October Meeting wrap-up

Thanks to everyone from DC, Baltimore and Virginia for making this month's meeting such a huge success. We had over 40 people in our studio to see and hear from Mike Larson who was great in sharing his work and ideas on the business of photography. I think Mike gave us some good things to think about when planning for the future of our businesses. Thanks to Pam long of Pam Long Photography for bringing her camera (a true professional) and getting some great shots of Mike interacting with the group.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Pre-PUG Dinner - Oct. 15

Sarah and I thought it would be fun to meet up for dinner before our 10/15 meeting. Join us at Levante's at 5:30!

Please let us know if you are coming by posting a response on the thread on the Pictage Forum here.

Also, while you are on the Forum, check out our DC/MD/VA Photog Fun Day planned for December. Hope you can join us!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

October meeting preview

Exciting times for the DC PUG! October's meeting (Monday, October 15 @ 7:00pm) will be a combined DC/Baltimore PUG meeting featuring a visit from Mike Larson - an internationally acclaimed and published photographer who does amazing work. Here is a preview of his presentation:

Do not let your business be your life, but let your business support your lifestyle. At some point, as a business owner you must choose what you can and cannot do. One thing you cannot do is everything… especially as your business grows.

Whether you desire volume, profit or more freedom, Pictage offers the online tools and resources to save you HUGE amounts of time. As a result, you can be more efficient, and have more time to develop relationships with your clients and other colleagues in the industry. This also allows you to provide more value to your clients through the innovative product offerings and options that Pictage provides.

Dream of your future goals, and free-up time to spend developing them—rather than developing 4×6 print orders in the digital darkroom. You’ll have a higher profit in the long run if you invest in yourself by focusing on exactly what you’re good at, and “right-sourcing” the rest. With the time you save, you’ll have a whole lot left over to give to everyone else, especially your family.

Sound interesting? yeah, thought so...so sign up today to reserve your seat!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

September meeting

Thanks to everyone who came out for the September meeting where we got a chance to review the new Pictage user experience. I think we were all pleased that they've listened to some of our comments and suggestions and the ultimate result is a better experience for all of our clients. Thanks also to Kevin Kennedy for sharing his work in the studio spotlight.

I hope everyone likes the new blog - I thought it was time we had a space for everyone to share. I welcome any and all feedback on the blog as well as upcoming topics for the meetings. I know it is going to be a busy fall and holiday season but I hope that we can all find the time to continue getting together to share each month.

Next month's meeting is Monday, October 15th at 7:00pm. Please RSVP so we can buy some snacks.