on Excellence Program of the Month

Focus on Excellence
May, 2006
Volume 29 Number 2
Southeastern Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association
Program of the Month
Sponsored by
KM Imaging
May 1, 2006
Save time in Photoshop
Get it Right in the Camera
plus marketing, sales and making money in the digital age
with Doug Box, M.Photog. CR.,PPA Certified
E
ven the best photographer in
the world will go broke without a steady flow of new customers. In today’s economy its NOT
how much you kuow about photography - it’s how much you know about marketing. You can fight it and go
broke or you can accept it and make lots of money.
“It simply amazes me how many photographers feel frustrated, working their
butts off, barely making a living instead of a fortune.” If you’re like most photographers, you spend a lot of time creating great photographs and not enough
time creating a great business.
Do you think selling is a dirty word? OK, persuade, but what you’re really doing is helping
your clients get what they want. So you can
get everything you want!
Doug will cover.
•
Basic posing, couple posing, group
posing, and children posing
•
Lighting patterns
•
Using window light, when and how to add flash to window light
•
Photographing outdoors, adding flash outdoors so it doesn’t look fake
•
Flash at weddings including twin lighting
•
Studio lighting.
•
Find the hidden wealth in your business.
•
How to charge more than your competition
•
Telephone techniques that will
bring in more clients - pre-qualified clients
•
Take control of your time by establishing “Prime Time” Appointment times
•
How to turn your studio into a
Business-By-Referral
•
Setting policies so you are in control of your studio
•
Exposure and white balance for
digital photography.
This is both a lighting and posing
program and a “Make More Money” business program.
Whether you are new in the business or a 20 year veteran you will
enjoy Doug’s fun style of teaching.
You spend a lot of time creating
great photographs and not making enough “PROFIT”!!! In this day of Digital
Photography you have to be a better marketer! You are spending more time on
each image and you have to write off your equipment even faster! Learn: how
to get more money “Up Front”, turn your studio into a “Business-by-Referral”.
Doug has been doing photography for 33 years, either he knows what he is
talking about or he’s just old!
Doug has been inspiring photographers of all levels to go beyond the normal
studio into a more successful and creative business. Besides being an excellent photographer, he is a dynamic speaker and has appeared in seminars and
conventions all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He was also chosen to
teach at the International Wedding Institute by Hasselblad University.
His articles and images have graced the pages of most professional photographic publications. He is the author of The Power of Business marketing
systems and has written several
books including Professional Secrets of Children’s Photography,
Professional Secrets of Photographing Weddings, and Natural
Light Photography, published by
Amhurst Publishing.
Check our his websites:
www.dougbox.com
www.simplyselling.com
Doug Box, M.Photog. Cr., PPA Certified
He has taught at 14 PPA National Conventions,
5 WPPI Conventions,
plus National Conventions of Mexico and Canada
He has earned 717 merits
Page President - John Walcott
920-623-3460
Email: john@walcottstudio.com
Walcott Studio
229 N Ludington St
Columbus, Wi 53925
Print Chair - Trish Brunner
920-803-8880
Email: legacy@milwpc.com
Legacy Studio
1402 S 12th St
Sheboygan, Wi 53081
Vice President - Ron Wimmer
414-258-2700
Email: wimmerr@sbcglobal.net
Ron Wimmer Photography
736 North 109th St
Wauwatosa, Wi 53226
Assistant Print Chair - Craig Wilson
414-416-2739
Email: apexstudios@sbcglobal.net
Apex Studio
524 Milwaukee St
Delafield, Wi 53018
Secretary - Mary Braunsdorf
414-483-2526
Email: infocus7@sbcglobal.net
In-Focus Photography
4160 S Kinnickinnic Av
St Francis, Wi 53235
Computer Services - Alan Goodstone
414-425-4241
Email: alan@goodstonephoto.com
Goodstone Photography
7121 B South 76th St
Franklin, Wi 53132
Treasurer - Rick Bate
262-375-0163
Email: rbate@wi.rr.com
Rick Bate Photography
1483 Hwy C
Grafton, Wi 53024
Library Chair - Mary Quick
920-922-8233
Email: quicksma@execpc.com
Quick & Smart Photography
N7609 Hwy 149
Fond du Lac, Wi 54935
Newsletter Editor - Rose Goodstone
414-425-4241
Email: rose@goodstonephoto.com
Goodstone Photography
7121 B South 76th St
Franklin, Wi 53132
Program Chair, John Walcott
Reservation Chair - Jerry Braunsdorf
414-483-2526
Email: infocus7@sbcglobal.net
In-Focus Photography
4160 S Kinnickinnic Av
St Francis, Wi 53235
Membership Chair - Shirley Duenkel
262-338-2779
Email: shirley@duenkel.com
Duenkel Portrait Art
2958 Sportsman Lane
West Bend, Wi 53090
EI Chair &
Assistant Newsletter - Mike Sohns
262-560-0787
Email: msohns@charter.net
Moments & Memories II
1089 Summit Av
Oconomowoc, Wi 53066
SEWPPA
Website
www.sewppa.org
Top, left to right, Craig Wilson, Alan Goodstone, Rose Goodstone,
Karen Verley, Mary Quick, Mary Braunsdorf, Shirley Duenkel, Ron
Wimmer.
Below left to right, Rick Bate, John Walcott, Mike Sohns, Jerry
Braunsdorf. Other Board Members were not present.
Asst. EI Chair - Bob Sparks
414-258-6840
Email: bsparks@merr.com
Bob Sparks Photography
Past President - Karen Verley
414-771-9779
Email: akphotos@yahoo.com
A.K. Photography
709 South 100th Street
West Allis, Wi 53214
Quote of the Month:
“If you don’t make mistakes, you work too little”
Chineese Fortune Cookie
Page Pressident’s Message - John Walcott
Thank you very much for your participation
in our annual awards banquet. Thanks also
to those who planned and made it happen.
Congratulations to all who received Door
Prizes, Fellowships, Service Awards, Courts
of Honor and photographer of the year
awards. But let us remember that these
awards are not the end or the beginning. They are indications of achievement on
life’s educational road to becoming better business people who work as artists in
the photographic profession to provide for our families and deliver the best quality
images we can to our clients and communities.
A big thanks, to everyone who has served on the board in the past, and to those
who have committed to serving on the board. Now a gentle reminder, the titles
which our fellow professionals have bestowed upon us for the year, are titles of
servant hood, not titles of lordship.
In order to FOCUS this year we need to work at staying off rabbit trails and saying
NO to some good things. Our main project for the year will be “Marketing” the idea
of utilizing professional photographers, who are members of SEWPPA. Quite a bit
of ground work has been done by a handful of our members. We need volunteers
to serve on our marketing committee and a chairperson. Currently we have only
two volunteers and one of the best opportunities to come SEWPPA’s way just
two months away. SEWPPA needs a few members to volunteer and someone
to chair this committee. SEWPPA has earmarked $4,000 of this years budget to
jump start this effort. This project has been given serious consideration by last
year’s board and a lot of forethought, research and deliberation by those who’ve
put the first proposal together for us. The ball is in our court. The opportunities
are great. Many of our members are suffering the aftereffects of an
industry downturn. Others have begun to experience serious growth.
A famous statesmen once said, “together we stand divided we fall.”
We’ve weathered the transition from glass plates to flexible based
films, from Kodachrome to Ektachrome, to Ektacolor to Fujicolor,
from in house B&W labs and hand oil portraits to digital and now
we’re seeing growth from Photoshop to Painter. We’ve transitioned
from photographing kids on ponies to photographing them on mulithousand dollar backgrounds and sets.
We’ve grown from $120 per year heat bills to $1,000 per month
heat bills. Phone bills of $3,600 or more annually, health insurance
ranging from 650 to $2,400 per month with 13 to 20% annual
increases. Taxes that quadruple an owner’s before tax take home.
Auto gas prices that have doubled, and lab bills that have decreased
four-fold. What’s missing? Profits, year round clients, repeat clients
in increasing numbers who appreciate the individualized artwork we
create.
What is the next frontier for SEWPPA and it’s members?
Look forward to being together with each of you at the Olympia in
Oconomowoc May 1st. Jon Allyn has worked hard to put together
a day of marketing with one of our associations top speakers, Doug
Box. This will also be a great opportunity to network with your fellow
professionals from around the state.
Looking Forward to a great year Focusing together,
John Walcott your fellow businessman in the art profession.
john@walcottstudio.com
We will not be printing a new
Membership Directory this next
year. Current membership information, such as telephone number, address, etc. is available
on the SEWPPA web site, and a
PDF Directory will be available or
download at a future date. This
will save the association money
that can be put into our new marketing efforts with “lookforaphotographer.com”.
Page Editor’s Keyboard
- Rose Goodstone
This is my granddaughtger Amber’s
18 month photo session. And even
though she is a natural poser, she is
still a typical 18 month old child who
wants to run and not sit! We all know
what I’m talking about... To me, the hardest age is walking (at
around 12 months) to about age 3. Before or after this age range I
love photographing them. So this was the “challenge” session.
With a few tricks up my sleeve, grandma went to work! We started
with the pose that was most important - with all the stuffed animals.
She helped place the animals and loved standing in front of them
but did not want to sit in the chair for very long. Up and down she
went! So my first trick was the necklace. To get the necklace
she had to sit on the chair, and it worked. The second trick was
grandpa making faces and telling her to copy. She loves that
game! So we got the cute one with her hands by her head. Then
when one necklace wasn’t enough, we cohersed her with a second
necklace and that got her to sit just a little longer.
At this age, we have to work fast. Getting a few good poses and
expressions and moving on. When we know we have what we
really want, then we slow down and play to get other more creative
poses. We find if we diddle too much at the beginning, we won’t
get what the parent wants and then the sale is smaller. We can
always sell the creative things after we get the typical smile that
mom wants.
We love the Hartman matts! This three picture panel is very popular with children, as well as seniors. There are many matt openings
to choose from and they are very easy to put together. Customized
matt and liner colors and textures allow for creativity, and a selling
point is that no custom framer can match perfectly to the color of
the clothing or prop like we can digitally.
If you notice in the portrait with all the stuffed animals, there is a cat
on the left side. Well, kitty wasn’t in the studio! We had kitty’s picture from the family portrait we did recently. So I copied and pasted
kitty in at dad’s request. Digital is amazing! When I first started in
photography in the early 1970’s, the retouching was done first with
negative retouching, then with dies, then spray and do pencil, then
spray again and do more pencil, then sand, then spray and do oils,
then spray and do some more oils, and do a couple coats of final
spray. This was so time consuming! and not perfect! Thank God
(or who?) for Photoshop...
Page Multi-Regional
Meeting
Sponsored by
KM Imaging
•
Check-in will start at 8:30 AM.
•
Doug Box program starts at 9:00 AM •
10:15-10:30 AM Break
•
Break at Noon for the Italian Buffet
•
12:45 PM Regions may have short
Monday, May 1st Agenda
Olympia Resort and Conference Center
1350 Royale Mile Road
Oconomowoc, WI 262-567-2666
I94, exit North on Hwy 67
(about halfway between Madison and
Milwaukee).
The Olympia is on the west side of Hwy 67
about two miles north of I94.
meetings or socilaize
•
1:30 PM Doug Box program resumes
at 1:30 PM
•
3:00-3:15 Break
•
4:30 Program ends (SEWPPA will have
IMPORTANT!
Make checks payable to SCPA and
send (along with Registration Form) to:
Rick Trummer
3701 Country Grove Road
Madison, WI 53719
Credit Cards are not accepted
a Board meeting afterwards)
Deadline is Monday 24th
Late fee is $20
Reservation Form
RSVP -Rick Trummer
3701 Country Grove Road
Madison, WI 53719
By - Monday, April 24th
$20 EXTRA FEE for late
registration or at the door.
No refunds or
guarantee of a meal.
(No Exceptions)
Submit Registration with checks payable to
SCPA. Credit Cards will not be accepted.
Cost: $25 Members of any WI Regional
$50 Non Members
Early payment guarantees lunch
Name__________________________________________
Number attending __________
Studio __________________________________________
Total Due $ _______________
Email ___________________________________________
Make checks payable to “SCPA”
Address_________________________________________
________________________________________________
Additional names attending:
SP
E
PO CIAL
LIC
Y
This is a multi-regional meeting, sponsored by KM Imaging.
The Olympia Resort needs, rquires, and must have set-up
and lunch numbers seven (7) days in advance. Because of
the Olympia’s requirements, the deadline for this meeting
is Monday, April 24th — procrastination, indecision, or otherwise putting off what should be a simple decision will cost
you an extra $20. Doug Box for $45 is a great deal, but Doug
Box for $25 is not something you want to pass up.
Page Schedule of Upcoming
SEWPPA Events
May 1st
Camera, Marketing, Sales and
Making Money In The Digital Age Doug Box
Olympia Resort, Oconomowoc
Sunday, June 4th
Monday, June 5th
September 11th
Learn Your Digital Camera Mary Mannix
Starts at 1:00 pm Open Forum, talk digital, bring your camera
Holiday Inn Harborview, Port Washington
For hotel room reservations call 262-284-9461 This is the
tall ships/pirates weekend, so call early for your room.
Six Shooting Bays, bring your cameras
November 6th Seniors Kevin Redford
Location to be announced
February 5th
Pre-State Print Judging Program also on making and scoring of
competition prints.
Location to be announced
April 2nd
Maximizing Your Website Phil Craycroft
Location to be announced
Promoting and Marketing Workshop Aletha Speakar
Location to be announced
State and Regional
Events
WPPA Contact DeBorAh Wiltsey
262-886-0616 dwiltsey@hotmail.com
Fox Valley
September 18, 2006
Tour an outdoor shooting facility at KenMar Studio in
Appleton. Print Competition is Open and Seniors.
South Central
Check out SCPA Website
http://www.southcentralppa.com
Indianhead
Contact:
Regional Director:
Paul Hafermann
Studio Phone: 715-424-3979
hafermannphoto@charter.net
Page SEWPPA Print Awards
Photographer of the Year 2006 - Ken Webb
Top Folio - Fuzzy Duenkel
jEI
of the Year - Sue Walcott
Court of Honor - John Walcott
Portrait of the Year and Courts - Fuzzy Duenkel
Page SEWPPA Awards Banquet
Passing
The
Gavel
and
President’s
Plaque
S
c
h
o
l
a
r
s
h
i
p
W
i
n
n
e
r
Received Service Awards
Raffeling Off
Page Get to know your Board of Directors
Editor’s Note: I asked our Board of Directors ten
questions and here’s the first of a series.
Jerry Braunsdorf, Reservations Chairman, In-Focus Photoraphy
I think it’s a great idea to get to know your neighbor, er
fellow board member that is. My position on the Board of
Directors is Reservations Chair, although I did have my
reservations at first. This will be my 2nd year and what
got me to volunteer was because nobody else did. Actually, I was debating whether or not to volunteer prior to
that, and since the need was there I wanted to be of help.
My only concern was would I have enough time among
other duties to really be effective at it. Since I have one
year under my belt I feel more “seasoned”, shall we say.
I have two things to say on asking the members to volunteer. One is that many hands make light the work.
In other words, if only the same people volunteer all the
time, my question is how strong does that make our association?? Secondly, Christ came to serve, not to be
waited on hand & foot. He helped set the example for
all of mankind, so if more people volunteered, the world
would be a better place!! As far as entering prints, I’m
all for it. It helps make us better photographers/artists!
It’s both an exciting and fun opportunity to be judged by
your peers. To solicit a few pointers here and there is a
good thing!
My goal for the year is for Reservations to run a whole lot
smoother! That’s not to say last year went bad. It was
good, but I/we can improve. Last year I was the rookie
quarterback behind center, this year I am a 2nd year veteran (ooooh, I’m getting tingly all over). Thus, I know
what to expect, and thus be able to do a better job, and to
do it much more efficiently!!
My least favorite part of the job is paying bills, taxes, and
sometimes not having enough free time (especially Saturday’s in the summer while doing the wedding scene)!
How do I cope with it all? I stomp my feet, shout and
pout till I’m blue in the face, at which time nobody’s listening anyway! Actually, I always stop before I enter the
office in the morning and sing a song for sanity’s sake.
Something positive, uplifting, and spiritual. It helps! Spare time? What’s that? Is that like a spare tire? Why
do they put those miniature tires in your trunk anyway?
The wife and I like our Y.M.C.A. workouts, like kicking the
dog, no taking the dog (Goldie) for walks, roller blading
(in-line skating) x-c skiing, lunch with my beautiful wife,
Astronomy telescope viewing of the planets, and of course
games with the kids. We have 5 children (due to very
cold temperatures in winter) We have a co-ed basketball team consisting of 3 boys and 2 girls. Our youngest
just turned 15 and is a freshie in high school. Our oldest
daughter attends prestegious Drake University following
both academic & athletic scholarships. Heather & Daniel
go to UWM - Go Panthers!! David our oldest will be going
back to college at UWM this fall. And last, but certainly
not least, having a friendship with the God who created
me, helps me to put into perspective what life is about
- to live life to it’s fullest potential.
Our future has not yet been written (or has it), therefore
what we do today will help shape our future tomorrow. I
hope and pray God’s blessings continue to be a part of
this great nation!! But, for the Grace of God, there go I.
God speed and prayer (protection) to Ron Feurer in his
My specialty is to please the customer. Yes, I do wed- quest to make it a better planet abroad!! My mom sez I
dings, yes I photograph high school seniors, etc. The used to talk alot, she thanked my wife (Mary) for taking
bottom line is this: If the customer ain’t happy, they’re not me off of their hands!
going to blog people to you! End of sentence.
The best part of my business, or what I like the best are
the “fringe benefits”!! Filet dinners at weddings, and
all the Italian desserts, not to mention chocolate fountains (yummy)! Seriously, one thing that thrills me about
our business is knowing that we’ve touched many a lives
during our tenure at In-Focus. Yes, we’re in it for the
money, who wouldn’t be (daa), however, I try and have
fun in everything that I do, and to interact with clientele is
downright fun, as it should be.
Page More SEWPPA Awards Banquet
Haig and Webb
taught us the
7 C’s of
Porfessional
Photography
Crazy
Roob
and
Haig
at it
again!
The 4 C’s of Professifun Photography
Crinkly
Crotchet
Curvaceous
Page 10
A Message from Iraq -
Ron Feurer
Editor’s Note: Ron is a past President of SEWPPA, past Milwaukee Police Detective, and past
employee of Moments and Memories. He volunteered to be stationed in Iraq for one year.
It is generally better, in life, to forget about those things over which
you have no control. This is especially true in third world countries,
where most things are beyond your control. Take my vacation for
example.
I planned to meet my family in Rome on 10 March and then, when
they left on the 17th, begin a motorcycle tour to the south of Italy
and into Sicily. To get to Rome on the 10th, I had to leave Baghdad
on the 9th, stay over night in Amman, Jordan and then continue on
to Rome. That’s how it was supposed to go.
In order to fly out on the 9th, I had to get to the airport on the 8th.
In order for that to happen, I had to get to the pickup point on the
afternoon of the 7th.
My team left our base and traveled to the IZ (International Zone)
(Green Zone) right after lunch on the 7th. We went to the Adnon
Palace to interview some people regarding an ongoing investigation. From there we proceeded to the Al Sadeer Hotel where I was
dropped off to spend the night. The Tactical Operations Center
(TOC) called me and told me that the Shark Team would pick me
up at 0845 hrs. on the 8th. The Shark Team is a PSD (Personal
Security Detail) team that gets its name from their radio call sign;
Shark One, Two, Three, etc.
On the morning of the 8th I was on my way. We made several
stops for passenger’s enroute. One of those stops was back in the
IZ. While we were there, there were several attacks and several
demonstrations outside the IZ which caused the closing of most of
the gates. We couldn’t leave. Four hours later, one of the seldom
used gates was deemed safe and we were allowed to leave that
way. Several of us were dropped off at Camp Victory, adjacent to
the Baghdad International Airport. We got to stay in a beautiful 30
man tent with two lights. This was a great location because the
Port-a Johns were only about 100 meters away and the showers (in
converted shipping containers) were only twice as far. That night the
wind started blowing hard. The tent was flapping against itself so
loudly that no one got any sleep. It got cold too. Maybe 50 degrees.
That wouldn’t have been a problem, but there were no blankets
or sleeping bags in the tent. When we got up the next morning we
were in the middle of a mild sand storm.
We got to BIAP early but were pushed to the back of the line
because no flights had taken off the day before. A plane had burst
into flames on the runway and since it may have been a terrorist
attack, the airport was shut down and all those scheduled to leave
yesterday were still waiting. There was no attack, it was just poor
maintaince. (makes you wonder about flying with them doesn’t
it?) But now there were twice as may passengers as there were
seats. Several additional planes were rerouted to assist with the
passenger problem. But at the last minute they were turned around
because of the worsening sand storm. Nothing left BIAP for two
days and I missed my flight to Rome.
Baghdad was placed under a curfew due to the violence and
therefore those residents, who were trying to get a flight out, chose
to remain at the airport because if they left, they could not return the
following day. There are now five hundred people staying in the airport lobby but the two fast food restraints there don’t have enough
food for more than three days. There was one other slight problem.
Most of the Arab culture does not use toilet paper and therefore
public facilities do not supply it in the rest rooms. Now those of
us who are not comfortable with that particular custom, and think
ahead, carry their own. However, since most of us don’t think that
far ahead, we seek alternative measures, like the thick paper toweling used to dry your hands. Now, many of the higher class hotels in
the area post signs in the rest rooms warning not to flush the paper
because it clogs the system. Instead, they suggest placing the
used toilet paper in the waste baskets provided. (I’m not joking here
folks). Obviously, that doesn’t always happen. As a result, every
toilet in the BIAP was clogged and over flowing by the first afternoon
and maintaince people couldn’t get in due to the curfew. And we
can’t get out due to the travel restrictions.
After two days of no sleep, little food and no poop, everyone was
a little edgy. And to make matters worse, the immigration people
decided that even though about half of us had cleared immigration,
we were to go back on the other side of the wall with those who had
not cleared and do it all over again. Now those who were already
cleared had been waiting two to three days while the others had
been there only one day. There weren’t enough planes and we all
had to fight for our positions. Some one was going to be staying in
this beautiful place for one or two more days and no one wanted to
be in that group.
When one plane came in, there was a rush to the gate. Pushing and
shoving for a position in the single line out of the airport and onto
the plane. We didn’t make it. A few hours later another plane came
in, then another, and another. Everyone relaxed because chances
of getting out looked very good. However, most of us had already
missed our connecting flights and there was no internet access in
the airport. Only cell phones could be used to communicate with the
outside world. But few people had chargers and there were only
two working outlets.
Well I finally got to Rome and had a great time (until we got pick
pocketed for about $1,000 in camera and cash). But to show you
what a small world this can be; I signed the check at the Hard Rock
Café in Rome and when I looked at the pen the waitress had given
me, it said “ Ho Chunk Casino, Baraboo, WI.”
Page 11
A Message from Iraq -
Ron Feurer
Ron’s wife Nancy and their three children.
Support our
Newsletter
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Page 12
Bits & Pieces
Dane County UW-Extension
Natural Resource/Community Development Education If you use mulch around your house be very careful about buying mulch this year. After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees
were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any
state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at dirt cheap prices with one
huge problem; Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country
where the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those
termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These
termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to avoid
cheap mulch and know were it came from. Audrey Hepburn “beauty tips”:
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed,
and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of
each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping
yourself, and the other for helping others.
Beware the Free business cards from Vista Print
My wife ordered business cards from Vista Print in 2004 with her Bank ATM/Credit card. Soon after, we started getting deductions
from our account via the bank card of 9.95 a month by a company called AP9 BusinessMax (in August, the deduction was bumped
up to 11.95). As my wife buys odds and ends from OfficeMax and Office Depot, I thought that this was one of her purchases and
didn’t question it until she noticed the charges this past month and had not been to an office supply store in months. A quick internet
search of ‘businessmax’ yielded a number of findings here on ripoff.com, with many people describing the same thing. We called
the Vista Print and they admitted to having a relationship with OfficeMax and seemed rather calm in explaining that my wife may
have responed to some kind of pop up ad. For the record, neither of us reply to pop up ads, in fact, we have a pop up blocker
installed. We never gave permission to Officemax to take funds or charge our card for anything. We never received any service,
product, or benefit from Officemax. While the business cards were sufficient from VistaPrint, there is obviously a connection
between the two companies, and VistaPrint has given our account information to OfficeMax. This is a scam. Stay away from Vista
Print, they will give your private information to a company who will steal money from you.
Kevin
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (John & Sue Walcott discovered months of unauthorized charges to their credit card account.)
Frames Are the Newest Offering from TAP
Frames are the latest addition to the comprehensive array of professional photo packaging products offered by Taprell Loomis
(TAP). “Frames offer the professional photographer another tool for increasing sales,” explains Elizabeth Adams, TAP’s brand manager. “Framing is especially effective when it’s presented as part of a package or delivery method.” The new frame line includes
three product categories. Perfect Choice™ frames are for desk, shelf, or tabletop display. Constructed of black- or walnut-finish
hardwood in rectangular and square formats, Perfect Choice frames come fully assembled, including glass and easel back, and are
individually boxed. Readymade hardwood frames are designed for wall display and are available in narrow and wide widths and
four colors. Presentation mats from TAP’s extensive selection can be added to create truly customized presentations. Sizes range
from 8x10 to 20x24. Also offered are pre-assembled frame and mat combinations and professional-caliber framing accessories.
For a product brochure and complete ordering information, contact your nearest TAP distributor. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Taprell
Loomis is a national manufacturer and marketer of photographic packaging products, including folios, photo mounts, albums, and
related products.
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Keith Louis Robinson
- MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER. Of Brookfield, died peacefully at Elmbrook Hospital
surrounded by his loving family on March 31, 2006, at the age of 83. Born to Eva Ragna
(nee Buran) and Carl Louis Robinson on March 5, 1923 in Laona, WI. After graduating
from Laona High School Keith proudly served as an MP in the US Army during WWII.
While in the army he served in North Africa, Italy and France. After returning home he
received his degree in Photography from the Layton School of Arts, Milwaukee. Keith
was a renowned portrait photographer in Elm Grove from 1960 to 1988, winning over 200
local, state and national awards. His hobbies and interests included wood carving, wood
turning, and furniture making. Over the years Keith was active in the Kiwanis, Masons
and the Wood Turners Associations. He was a member of Wauwatosa Presbyterian
Church for over 38 years. Through his involvement at church he volunteered his time with
Habitat for Humanity and Guest House, a homeless shelter in Milwaukee.
Beloved husband for 51 years to Lois (nee Fossum). Proud father of Heidi (David)
Aprahamian. Loving grandpa of Elizabeth Aprahamian. Dear brother of Janet, Joyce, Jim
(Barbara), John Robinson and Lois (Dick) Price. Further survived by nieces, nephews
other relatives and friends.
Keith was President of SEWPPA in 1976 and one of the founders of our organization.
He held offices in WPPA during his long career. He will be missed by his friends at
SEWPPA.
“Happy Birthday” for May:
Marge Scheibe, May 23
Richard Bublitz, May 10
Shelly Leverenz, May 28
Suzanne Walcott, May 19
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“No sense
being
pessimistic,
wouldn’t
work
anyway”
bumper
sticker
14 Reasons Small Businesses Need
Both a Logo and Marketing Materials
By Erin Ferree
Experts urge small business owners to “brand” their businesses with a logo and a set of consistent marketing
materials. But they rarely explain the reasons behind this advice. Below are some of the benefits of having a
professionally designed logo and identity system.
1. To look “bigger.” Home-printed business cards with perforated edges or cards printed with standard
designs available through Microsoft software or online business card vendors scream “small-time vendor” to
your potential clients — and that is how they will want to compensate you.
2. To increase your chance of getting venture capital or selling a business. If you present a well-rounded business package, including marketing materials and graphics, your business will look more complete.
3. To attract more clients. Some clients look for a well-defined company, and “look and feel” may be one of
their criteria in making a purchasing decision.
4. To brand yourself. If you are a consultant, you need a logo in order to build an image and a brand that is
bigger than your individual identity.
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5. To convey that you are established. A logo and professionally-printed materials show that you are committed to both your business and your clients.
6. To give clients a sense of stability. You may not have been in business “since 1908,” but if you have invested in an identity, you are much less likely to fold in the eyes of your customers. It goes a long way toward
building that all-important “trust.”
7. To explain your company name. If your company name contains a little-known word or an acronym, the
logo can give visual clues to its meaning.
8. To be more memorable. Forty percent of people better remember what they see than what they hear or
read. So having graphics associated with your business and having consistent graphics on your business
materials make you more likely to come to the forefront of potential clients’ minds when they have a need for
your goods or services.
9. To endear your company name to your clients. A difficult-to-pronounce or hard-to-remember company
name may make it challenging for your clients to hire you. When potential clients have the need for your services, they might not recall who you are. But if you reinforce the name with interesting, compelling graphics,
they are more likely to remember you, pick up the phone, and hire you.
10. To explain an unusual line of business. If your business is nontraditional or in a hard-to-explain industry, a
logo can help to explain exactly what it is that you do.
11. To show what practices differentiate you from your competition. A well-designed logo can have many
subtle meanings and can begin to tell the story of how you do business, including the special practices that
make you stand apart from the competition.
12. To stand out in your field. A well-designed logo and an identity system can put you far above the competition, especially if they are paired with a strong marketing program.
13. To comply with expectations. In some industries, a logo is just expected. In the creative services industry
especially, having a logo is an industry standard.
14. To show your commitment and for the sense of personal pride it will add to your practice. In other words,
do it for yourself.
These benefits will boost your business and your confidence, so start thinking about developing a logo and
identity as soon as possible.
There has been a challenge by one of our members to have a competition for the “Funniest Customer Related Story”. It could be at
a wedding, during a photo session or even during a sale. Send your
story to the Editor at rose@goodstonephoto.com Entries will be
published as received and then all will be judged at the February,
2007 meeting. Winners will be announced and a prize given at the
April, 2007 Banquet. Enter today!
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