THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE OZARKS, INC. SPEAKER BIOS AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS DENNIS CRAFT "PORTRAYING CHILDREN" Dennis Craft runs a successful portrait studio in the historic town of Marshall, Michigan. His work includes many photographic areas, but he is best known for his imaginative children's photography. Dennis enjoys working in natural light situations. Window light and environmental portraits are his specialty. Craft Photography opened in 1979 in a storefront in downtown Marshall. In 1988 they renovated a historic home in Marshall as a studio. Then, in 1999 they moved their business and home outside of Marshall on thirteen acres. The charming surroundings serve as a perfect backdrop for their focus on fanciful child portraiture. He received his Master of Photography Degree in 1991 and Photographic Craftsman Degree in 1993 from the Professional Photographers of America. In 1997 he was awarded the Fellowship Degree from the American Society of Photographers. Dennis is currently the President of PPA. Childhood is magical. It's one part fantasy, a dash of nursery rhymes and a pinch of mothers' dreams. Dennis Craft has translated that special mixture to children's portraiture. The results have been award-winning prints that please judges and parents alike. Through creative ideas and popular promotions, Craft has made children's portraiture a significant part of his thriving studio business. He also has made a name for himself across the state of Michigan as not only a creative child's photographer but also the one with whom parents and children enjoy working. His program reflects both aspects. Craft shares his philosophy on children's photography and it's a program that's both fun and informative. Dennis will cover: Photography techniques, equipment. Props that kids love, moms adore Business practices and promotions that spell success How to photograph children without wanting to 'shoot them' Can also include posing demonstrations How to photograph with window light How to photograph outdoors How to market children's photography Selling wall portraits It's a program geared toward increasing sales, improving prints and pleasing the public. Dennis will examine the philosophy behind children's photography and take an in-depth look at photography techniques, equipment, props, and successful promotions. HEATHER KALLOFF "SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY" Heather Kallhoff is sponsored by White House Custom Colour and describes herself as pretty low key. However, you'll find this multiple national award winner anything but ordinary in her style and creativity. After a 13-year career in education, Heather left that to pursue a career in an area that she not only taught but continues to love. Yet her creativity behind the camera may possibly be surpassed only by her savvy in front of the computer. She has traveled extensively educating other photographers in the areas of creativity and Photoshop. Heather's storytelling approach to wedding and portrait photography has earned her Photographer of the Year awards plus Fuji and Kodak awards across the Northern Light Region. Her work has been featured in the Professional Photographers of America magazine and Kansas City Bridal magazine. Her attitude is refreshingly humble, preferring to shun the limelight in favor of just doing what she enjoys - creating moving images that tell a story. HEATHER'S PROGRAM: People always talk about creative people 'thinking outside of the box' and I have always joked about 'box? What box?'. Let's talk about this and see if we can figure it out together...we'll talk about creativity as a whole, applying it to set design, shooting, Photoshop and in general just separating us from the rest of the crowd! There are no right and wrongs...just lots of things to think about and do...let's get a plan built together. You will leave this program with new ideas, a different approach, and with the confidence to just do it! KENT SHIRLEY "TAKE YOUR IMAGES TO THE NEXT LEVEL" Kent is sponsored by FullColor. In this one day class, you will learn how to add wow and impact to your images. Using Photoshop, you'll also learn retouching techniques, color enhancement and the use of textures and brushes. This is a bring-your-own-computer experience. All participants should have Photoshop CS3/4 installed and a graphics tablet would be suggested. JEN BASFORD Jen is sponsored by White House Custom Colour and will be speaking on pricing, specifically price lists. "Price Lists ROCK!" is the title of her program. She'll be discussing how and why to select a pricing structure, what goes into putting it together and explain how the presentation of your pricing (along with the ACTUAL pricing) can increase your sales and solidify your brand image in the mind of your client. JACKIE-STRAIN MAHAR Jackie has grown up in the studio! Her family has been in the photography business for over 35 years. While working in the family business, Jackie's seen how technology has changed the way we market to our customers. In this program, she'll tell you how to mount a full-blown senior campaign that will rock the world of your senior business without spending a dime! Jackie will discuss how to create Facebook pages, profiles and groups plus the coolest tips to keep your seniors wanting more. Most of all, your seniors will KNOW that they want YOU to do their senior session. All of this information and more will come to you in a laid-back and fun atmosphere. YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS THIS! KEVIN BRAUN "FINDING THE LIGHT" Kevin is sponsored by Millers. This hands-on class will discuss finding the "right" light while doing on location portraits. Kevin will show how to find good lighting and how it is more important to find the lighting than it is to find the background. How many times have you had a customer talk about the perfect background only to get there to find horrible lighting? Topics will include: Scouting locations Making the best of a bad lighting situation. Tips to control lighting Eye enhancement tips(before the shot) © Professional Photographers of the Ozarks, Inc.