Imaging USA: Let the planning begin

We can help you find success as an artist and businessperson—
the true photographic rockstar!

READY TO ROCK?
WE ARE—and we’ve got the Imaging USA registration and
hotel information ready to roll, too!

REMEMBER: Imaging USA is January 10-12, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee, but plan to join us a little earlier to take advantage of the all-star lineup of pre-convention classes! These in-depth classes are being added all the time, but here's a taste of the great education that awaits you early birds:

JANUARY 7-8 Photographic Essentials When Turning Pro Steve Kozak JANUARY 7-8 The Business of Photography: A 2-Day Business Basics Workshop developed by PPA’s Studio Management Services Ann Monteith Carol Andrews JANUARY 7-9 Certification Prep Class Gary Meek

JANUARY 8-9 Senior Success: Success through Marketing, Photography, and Sales (3-part series) Colleen Gonsar & Darty Hines JANUARY 9 Tots 2 Teens Sandy Puc’ JANUARY 9 Speed Shooting with the Pros (featuring bridal, children, family, individual, senior, & baby photography) Bry Cox, Dennis Craft, Jamie Hayes, Andrew Jenkins, Jackie Palmer, Don Chick, and Lori Nordstrom. Moderated by Louis Tonsmeire.

book your hotel rooms now!
We’ve saved spots for you in the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center—the same place where you’ll find all the classes and the EXPO. It’s all under one roof and is a one-day drive for two-thirds of the nation's population. Remember, to get our special rates, you must reserve online at www.ImagingUSA.org.

We’ll see you in Nashville, where we’ll help you find success as both an artist and a business person—a true photographic rockstar!

Your Imaging USA Team

Imaging EXPO: 2009 Exhibitors Win Big

Congratulations to the following companies for winning the Imaging USA EXPO Pass distribution competition. These passes allowed exhibitors to give their clients something special—the ability to attend Imaging USA’s EXPO for free (and see their favorite company)! The following companies had the most EXPO Passes redeemed:

• Neil Enterprises and White House Custom Colour are the top winners, each earning $500 off their 2010 booth price.
• Studio Plus Software and GraphiStudio are our second-tier winners, each earning a $100 Gift Card.
• Professional Marketing Services and Art Leather Manufacturing are our third-tier winners, each earning a $50 Starbucks Gift Card.

This program was so successful in Phoenix that we are upping the stakes for Nashville (Imaging USA 2010). The companies with the most EXPO Passes redeemed next year will win one of the following: 

• First Place: One free 10’ x 10’ Booth at Imaging USA 2011
• Second Place: $1,000 credit toward any sponsorship package at Imaging USA 2011
• Third Place: A Bronze Corporate Membership

Imaging USA EXPO Pass promotional details will be sent to exhibitors soon. It's a great way to have your customers right where you want them—at the EXPO!

Imaging USA Gave Them Even More

Twelve photographers walked away with a little something extra from PPA and Imaging USA this year. Along with new creative ideas, technical know-how, and more business knowledge, these folks won some pretty cool prizes!

Join us in congratulating the winners of the program evaluation online surveys!

Winners of the Wii Gaming Console:

• Lisa Weinzapfel - Visions Memory Studio - Jasper, IN
• Tawnya Hood - Beauty of Life Photography - Mesa, AZ
• Megan Pisha - Make the Moment Last - Erie, CO

Winners of the Apple iPod Touch (8GB):

• Kathy Nossett - KJ Photography - Mesa, AZ
• Suzanna Hand - Studio S - Saint Marys, GA
• Greg Frieden - Greg Frieden Photography - North Liberty, IA

Winners of the $50 American Express Cash Cards:

• Marie M. Curtis - Curtis Studio, LLC - Durham, CT
• Enrique Munoz - Enrique Munoz Studio - Miami, FL
• Dawn Yorke - Dawn Yorke Photography - Cape May Court House, NJ
• Kathy Davanzo - Soleil Studios - Vestal, NY
• Tammy Lyle - LylePhotos.com - Chamblee, GA
• Neil Hurd - Neil Hurd Photography - Metairie, LA

Don’t forget about Imaging USA 2010 in Nashville, TN. Next year it might just be you on this list!

Tell us what you think

We value your opinion! If you attended classes at Imaging USA, SEPCON, the Commercial Photography Conference, or EPIC School, please take a few moments to complete our program evaluation surveys. Your feedback is our guide to improving Imaging USA.

Take our surveys:

• Survey: Day 3 (Tuesday - all Imaging USA Tracks, SEPCON and EPIC School)
• Survey: Day 2 (Monday - all Imaging USA Tracks, SEPCON and EPIC School)
• Survey: Day 1 (Sunday - all Imaging USA Tracks, SEPCON and EPIC School)
• Pre-Convention & Commercial Photography Conference

Imaging USA 2009 Highlights - Watch Now!

Imaging USA was once again a smashing success!

This year's convention and expo drew more than 7,700 photographers, making it our second biggest year, in spite of economic uncertainties. In fact, we heard time and time again from photographers who told us that coming to Imaging USA was a business necessity that they simply couldn't afford to give up. Those photographers went home with business-changing ideas, information and education that will make them stronger during the upcoming year.

Enjoy this highlight movie of Imaging USA 2009 - graciously produced by Animoto. See you next year at Imaging USA 2010 in Nashville!

Sponsor Spotlight: MILLER'S PROFESSIONAL IMAGING

Miller's is focusing on their flush-mount albums, introducing 11 new cover options that allow photographers to add some excitement to the albums they're selling their customers. Watch the video to learn more.

Sponsor Spotlight: COLLAGES.NET

In addition to telling us about their latest product line additions, Kevin Casey, CEO and founder of Collages.net, told us how the company is helping photographers get through these tough economic times. Collages.net has instituted an instant $250 product credit with every annual, unlimited upload subscription purchased. They also understand the value and impact of social media, and recently completed a Facebook integration (available late January) that will allow Collages.net customers to link their Collages site directly to their Facebook account.  Watch now to learn all the details!

On the Record @ IUSA: Michael & Rebecca Zoumberos - SMS Success Story

Michael & Rebecca Zoumberos of Limelight Photography shared with us how PPA's Studio Management Services (SMS) helped their business skyrocket to unbelievable heights in just two short years. Hear their story in this IUSA TV exclusive interview.

Sponsor Spotlight: EXPRESS DIGITAL

Charlie Meyer, Vice President of Sales with ExpressDigital, told us about the workflow solutions they create for professional photographers. Their entire suite delivers all the tools needed for a photographer to handle every aspect of their workflow. Watch the interview here.

Sponsor Spotlight: EASTMAN KODAK

Joe Paglia, Eastman Kodak's Marketing & Communications Manager, told us about how Kodak can help get photographers images displayed in New York City's Times Square. We also learned about their new products, including wide format ink jet paper offered in 36 and 44 formats; new high-end films with the world's finest grain; and new papers specifically designed for digital output. Watch now!

Sponsor Spotlight: WHCC

White House Custom Color (WHCC) continues to expand its operations and product lines to meet the demands of its customers. Watch now to hear the latest developments from WHCC's CEO, Mike Hanline.

Sponsor Spotlight: MARATHON PRESS

Bill Camacho, Executive Vice President of Marathon Press, explains the importance of Imaging USA to their marketing strategy every year.

Camacho also told us about Marathon's newest line of products, BellaGrafica.

Watch now to learn more.

Ending with Awards...and a Dance Move or Two!

Imaging USA seems to always start and end with an evening party...and Tuesday night's shindig didn't disappoint. But it started out much more formally!

Around 3:00pm, finely dressed photographers hit the streets of Phoenix to congregate in Symphony Hall for their special Awards & Degree Ceremony. Honoring photographers for their achievements, PPA presented individuals with their special awards, including the Helen K. Yancy Award, the Charles H. “Bud” Haynes Award, the AN-NE Marketing Awards, and much more. In addition, photographers were honored for reaching the requirements for their PPA photographic degrees. One truly high note of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Anne Geddes, who'd already graced us with her presence the previous night.

Upcoming PPA President Ron Nichols even got a bag of moonpies from the Tennessee PPA Affiliate, welcoming us in advance to Nashville, the site of Imaging USA 2010.

Right after the last degree was presented and applauded, people headed over to the party that was already in full swing at the Sheraton. “Next Stop: Nashville!” the closing night party, sponsored by Kodak, was a definite blast.

Whether it was the stocked bar and great food, the great DJ, or the thrill of completing another fabulous Imaging USA, photographers were rocking! A large group grooved and shimmied on the dance floor...and it even consisted of quite a few PPA Board members if I don't miss my guess. (I'm sure a video will turn up some time!)

And did you get your Imaging USA 2010 free t-shirt at the party? I hope you did...and I hope we see you in Nashville, TN in January 2010!

Successful SMS Studios Share the Knowledge

Successful SMS Studios: A Panel Discussion

Do you want to own a growing, profitable studio? Is that a trick question? I'd venture to say everyone would answer yes...and if so, I hope you caught at least part of the “Successful SMS Studios: A Panel Discussion” class on Tuesday.

Eric & Shawna Anundi, Jeff & Allison Rodgers, Prem Mukherjee, Ed Zemba, and Michael & Rebecca Zoumberos...these panelists represented some of the most highly successful studios in 2008. Yes, these are the people you want to hear from! And in this truly interactive class, you were able to do just that.

Now, I have popped in to many of the classes during Imaging USA, but this one took me by surprise (in a good way). There they were, all lined up, photographers who pushed their businesses to the top. And they weren't only giving a scripted program (although that's extremely helpful, too). They also took the time to answer MANY questions from individuals in the audience.

From figuring out the best way to avoid sticker shock in the sales room to increasing the wedding averages and more, the panelists pooled their creative and business minds to give those attendees solution ideas for issues they were facing. But you had to ask!

Keep your fingers crossed that SMS brings back a similar program at Imaging USA 2010—I’ll see you there!

Sponsor Spotlight: FUJIFILM

We learned about Fujifilm's newest wide format ink jet papers, available in a multitude of sizes, as well as their DigiLab software. We also got a sneak peek at Fuji's new Instax camera, which produces instant pictures. Watch now!

What's Hot @ IUSA: Everyone is talking about Animoto!

Animoto Productions touts themselves as "the end of slide shows" by turning images into amazing video accompanied by music available from artists who have signed on with the company. Jason Hsiao tells us how it works in this video.

We know first-hand how powerful and easy to use Animoto's web-based product is. The company was generous enough to work with us in producing the Imaging USA '09 in Review video, which you can see for yourself right here!

The Buzz @ IUSA: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, Boutique Studio programs a big hit

Kandi Marlowe is a new photographer from Tampa, Florida who found great value in Imaging USA's classes and EXPO. Watch now to hear what impressed her the most.

Sponsor Spotlight: ACI

Mark Lane, CEO of American Color Imaging (ACI) told us about their new products like the latest edge gildings, mini press printed albums, and what they're doing to give their customers an edge in this competitive market. Watch now!

Sponsor Spotlight: EPSON

Dan Steinhardt showed us Epson's new Stylus Pro 7900 which sports a completely new ink set that yields great skin tones. Watch the interview here.

Sponsor Spotlight: CANON

Brian Matsumoto explained that Canon produces their own digital sensor, in-camera computer, the camera body, and the lens. He also told us how Canon translates customer feedback into new product features. Then we saw Canon's new 50D and heard about their new 5D Mark II. Watch now!