Happy Holidays!

The Officers and Board of Directors of the Professional Photographers Guild wish each and every one of you a Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year! We look forward to seeing you in 2004.

January's Program

The January program will take place on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 and will feature Kirk Kief of Palatka, Florida. Titled"Custom Framing Business under $700", Kirks program is a demonstration on how a studio can offer custom framing services, including mat cutting, all for less than a $700 equipment investment.

He will take us through the whole process: How to compute the finished size, building the frame, How to cut a Can't Fail triple mat, pricing, and even try to open your eyes to framing more than just your own work!

Kirk's been involved in custom framing for over 15 years, and he's been confronted with some real challenges. For instance, a 4' X 6' Antique Afghan that the customer wanted to be fully exposed in frame. A full size, leather Racing Suit, complete with trophies, checkered flag, photos, racing program, etc.

"Custom Framing is a wonderful way to get customers into your doors, where they can then see your portrait work," says Kirk. "It's a great way to help raise those ?valley's" that we all experience when business is a little slow.

There are a lot of folks out there with diplomas, children's art work, posters, memorabilia, etc. that they are going to get framed somewhere. "Might just as well be by you!"

When we're finished, you'll have the basics to be able to go out and start offering a whole new product line! Photoshop skills not required!!!

Kirk is currently serving as the Communications Director of the Florida Professional Photographers. Lets show Kirk some hearty PPGF hospitality.

November Program

Many thanks to Sherri Ebert for her most informative program. The November program was one of the best attended in quite some time. After seeing Sherri's work we all know why. Not many photographers can boast of having scored 99's and 100's in salon competition. But Sherri Ebert most certainly can.

Sherri's cutting edge album design sets her apart from the traditional, her contemporary style of design reflects the individuality of each of her couples, every couple is different, therefore every album is a unique work of art.

Sherri's background in fine art and graphic design enable her to customize each and every album to the personality of her client. Sherri works hard to capture the traditional images our clients expect on their wedding day, as well as the journalistic and "artsy" images we see in fashion magazines. Her goal is to really get to know her clients prior to the wedding day so that they can relax and have fun ­ and above all, be very comfortable with their photographer.

This program was sponsored by Album King

Call For Submissions

Do you like to write? Submit an article to GCE-Online. Published articles earn the writer a point towards the Top 10 Photographer Award. The deadline for submission is the 30th of each month. The best way to submit articles is by email. Send you articles as attachments in Microsoft Word, text, pdf or HTML format. Images and illustrations should be submitted as jpeg files at 72 ppi.

Mentorship Program

Education is a large part of the PPGF mission. Clearly, inexperienced members would benefit from mentorship by experienced members. Therefore, the Board of Directors has approved a mentorship program.

PPGF seeks volunteers from our experienced members to serve as mentors. Mentors are needed in all areas of specialization.