Hello bloggers…

I’m back from my seminar in Oakland, Maryland, where the weather changes more rapidly than I have ever seen anywhere in the world. One minute it was hot, then next minute it would rain and cause the temperature to drop drastically enough to need a jacket. Beautiful city, which I will definitely be visiting again during the winter for some good skiing. However the reason for my trip was a semi-private seminar with Ann Monteith. Ann (picture below) is probably the most influential lady in the photography industry in the US, and other parts of the world. Her and her husband Jim Monteith are responsible for inventing most of the models by which the best photographers in the country run their studios today. She’s the former president of PPA (Professional Photographers of America) which I’m a member of, and she’s a frequent judge in print competitions around the country.

Her credentials go on and on, but her best features are her charm, down-to-earth attitude, and humbleness with which she sits with you and makes you understand your business better than you could ever imagine. If it sounds like I’m kissing her butt, it’s because I am. These 4 days I spent in her lake house I believe will be the single best investment of money and time I’ve made in my entire photographic career. So Ann if you are reading this blog I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope to catch up with you soon again.

I met a bunch of cool and talented people, including Ron Nichols, who will be the next president of PPA, Judy from SuccessWare and a few other really cool photographers over the weekend, which I hope to keep as friends for years to come.

Gotta get to work now. Ann left my mind spinning and I have to put my ideas to work.

More soon…