Thanks to all the vendors, speakers and attendees who made Skip’s Summer School 2010 a great success. The second-annual conference held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas drew hundreds of photographers to learn, share, celebrate and grow. We asked for your feedback and you said you want us back, so we’re working hard and fast on securing our 2011 program dates. Keep your browser pointed here for the annoucement of Skip’s Summer School 2001.
UPDATE: The early-bird signup discount has been extended until August 1, 2010!
Click here to register for Skip’s Summer School August 8-11, 2010.
Special Early Bird Extension of the $239 cost – now extended to August 7, 2010, providing you register on line!
The Background on Skip’s Summer School!
Ever notice how there’s virtually nothing to help you focus on marketing, your skill set or just to help you recharge your battery in the middle of the summer? All the major conventions are in the first or last quarter of the year. Skip’s Summer School is designed to create a series of programs to help you realize the full potential of new technologies, social media through Blogs and Twitter, fine tune your photographic skills in lighting, composition, exposure, diversify your skill set and think about new ideas in marketing and self-promotion.
Most important of all, many of the program ideas for this year’s Summer School came from suggestions following last year. That’s going to make 2010 even better!
Everyone, including our speakers, is coping with the challenges in today’s economy. There’s one unified goal from the entire Skip’s Summer School Team – to help you find new ways to strengthen your business and revenue for the future.
Programs and Speakers
It might be hot in Las Vegas in August (actually last year the weather was terrific!) but we’re out to make it even hotter! We’ve brought together an incredible team creating the strongest lineup of photographic educators in the industry.
This year’s theme is about DIVERSITY! We want to help you with the skills you need to deal with the challenges in the economy and break you out of the mold of being a “one trick pony”. So, it’s about visualization and creativity, children’s portraiture, pet photography, high school seniors, social media, marketing and business and of course lots of great ideas on the wedding market.
In just two and one half (2 ½) days you’ll hear new ideas from Scott Bourne, Joe Buissink, Jonathan Canlas, Tony Corbell, Kay Eskridge, Kevin Kubota, Bobbi Lane, Cliff Mautner, Stacy Pearsall, Dane Sanders, Jasmine Star, Vicki Taufer, Kirk Voclain, Jerry Weiner and coming in from Australia, Yervant!
Scott Bourne: Previsualization
Scott Bourne is known for his marketing and social media prowess, but he also happens to be a wildly-successful nature and wildlife photographer. His work has been published all over the world. In 2009, Scott made one of the most commercially successful photographs of his career. In a way, it took him 13 years to capture that image. In this program he’ll share how he made that image. He’ll also show you how previsualization impacted his life and his work and teach you the secrets of seeing an image before you even pick up a camera.
Joe Buissink: Wedding Photography from the Heart
It’s the title of his new book as well and Joe’s going to help get your creative juices flowing by learning to see the images through your mind’s eye. Relaxed posing, natural light, incredible composition and an amazing inner peace throughout the process are Joe’s signature.
Jonathan Canlas: Weddings Lead to Diversity
One of Jonathan’s trademarks is developing a relationship with not only the bride and groom, but their families. Quoted in a recent interview, “As the bride plans to start her family, she knows to call me when the contractions are three minutes apart and I’m at the hospital if they want me there!” It’s all about having a diverse skill set with the ability to photograph the wedding, the growing family and even some commercial work as the couple’s business interests grow.
Kay Eskridge: It’s Not ‘Just Another’ Marketing Plan!
As one of Phoenix’s most popular family photographers, Images by Kay is known for their creativity. It’s not just about portraiture, but all the elements of being involved in your community that help build your reputation. From expanding into Boudoir Photography to the “Golden Years” Senior Citizens’ market, Kay’s become an expert at helping photographers understand how to build, market and sell new concepts in portraiture. You’ll leave this program with a whole new energy level and perspective on how to reach a more diverse target audience!
Kevin Kubota: The Power of the Project
There is one simple way to improve your photography, break out of a creative rut, fill your portfolio with dynamite images, love your job, and draw the perfect clients to you. You need to create projects that help recharge your batter all year long. Kevin’s passion for projects that help keep him and his staff motivated has become legendary!
Cliff Mautner: Creating Texture, Dimension and Mood in Wedding Photography
Cliff is all about helping you develop a technique for weddings that allows you to photograph in just about every lighting situation. You have to know your gear, your clients and your skill set. This is all about learning to work with the all the variables outside your control. You have to know the right lens for the right situation, how to convey your thought process to your clients and develop the confidence you need to separate your work from everyone else’s! This is about making your work consistently outstanding and being comfortable in every shooting situation.
Stacy Pearsall: Optimism, Re-invention and Success
Stacy Pearsall is the most decorated and award-winning female combat photographer in U.S. history. However, the wounds she sustained in combat forever changed the course of her photographic career. Stacy will share her remarkable stories and images of war and demonstrate how reinventing her photographic talents helped launch a new and successful studio business. Pearsall’s extraordinary journey of beating the odds is sure to revitalize the optimist in all of you.
Dane Sanders: Developing Your Core Strengths
Summer School 2009’s most motivational speaker returns as the opening program on Sunday night. A year later and Dane will be going to even more depth on the philosophy behind FastTrack Photographer. He’ll help you develop the tools for discovering your core strengths and a foolproof plan to build a recession-proof, competition-proof photo business in the 21st Century. And, it all starts with understanding why you need to throw out the old rule book and get on the “Fast Track!”
Jasmine Star: Maximizing Marketing with Minimal Cost
We know you’ve got all the money you could possible need for marketing…Yeah right! In just a few short years, Jasmine Star’s marketing efforts have made her one of the most sought after and popular wedding photographers in California! Her efforts in Social Media have become legendary. Here’s your opportunity to learn new ways to maximize your exposure, build brand awareness and do it all with a minimum outlay of cash. This is about you redefining the most important aspect of your business – YOU!
Vicki Taufer: Diversity and the Children’s Market
From one of the strongest marketers in photography comes a program that looks at ideas on creating a new demand for children’s photography, pet photography and establishing yourself with top-of-mind-awareness with your clients. It’s all about giving your work fine art appeal and learning to exceed your customers expectations – you’ve got to make yourself habit-forming!
Note: Due an unplanned conflict, Vicki Taufer will not be available. Her time slot will be filled by Sarah Petty! We’re incredibly lucky that Sarah was available and will be talking about the same general topics as Vicki. For more information about Sarah visit http://bit.ly/9wOPe9.
Kirk Voclain: It’s Not Your Father’s Senior Shot
He’s one of the most creative photographers in the country, but the passion and energy he puts into working with high school seniors is astounding! Kirk will share ideas on putting energy into your senior shoots, techniques for lighting and posing and marketing yourself to this fast growing and important segment. You don’t need to lock in an entire high school to build a reputation and create a revenue stream with the senior market. You just need a handful of kids who love your work!
Jerry Weiner: Business Tips Without Pain
If you’ve ever read any of Jerry’s business blogs you already know he’s an expert on all the things photographers hate to stay on top of – those key aspects of tracking your business performance. Well, we’re going to take five key business functions/measurements and put them into 15 minute presentations – easy to understand and even easier for you to implement! You’ll finish each day with a new idea or two on how to better run the “store.”
Yervant: Weddings, Albums and Creativity
Yervant will share the signature techniques in capture, image manipulation, output and album design that have created his reputation as one of the finest wedding photographers in the world. It didn’t happen overnight, but his ability to continuously evolve has kept his images fresh, taking full advantage of everything technology has to offer. You’ll learn the key reasons why he continues to win award after award for his albums and prints.
Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane: The Lighting Lab
Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane have developed their reputations based on years of understanding lighting. This year they’ll bring their expertise to the newest Summer School feature, The Lighting Lab! Open from 9:00am – 12:00 and 2:00 – 5:00 pm August 9 and 10, attendees will have an opportunity to essentially customize their own help with lighting questions. The format is completely unstructured, giving you a chance to learn from the very best on the most relevant challenges. They’ll be set up with at least two sets in an adjoining room to Skip’s Summer School and ready to answer any questions you might have.
Click here to register.
Skip’s Summer School Schedule
Sunday, August 8, 2010
3:00 PM Badge Pick Up and Registration
3:30 PM Sneak Peek Support Conference
7:00 – 7:30 Introduction and Welcome: Skip Cohen
7:30 – 9:00 Dane Sanders
Monday, August 9, 2010
8:00 – 9:30 AM Scott Bourne
10:00 – 10:15 Jerry Weiner
10:15 – 11:45 Joe Buissink
11:45 – 1:00 Lunch Break and Exhibitors Available
1:00 – 2:30 PM Sarah Petty
3:00 – 3:15 Jerry Weiner
3:15 – 4:45 Jasmine Star
5:00 – 5:30 Scott Bourne
5:30 – 6:30 Speed Networking – an experiment in some fun chaos!
Evening: Open
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
8:00 – 9:30 AM Kevin Kubota
10:00 – 10:15 Jerry Weiner
10:15 – 11:45 Stacy Pearsall
11:45 – 1:00 PM Lunch Break and Exhibitors Available
1:00 – 1:15 Jerry Weiner
1:15 – 2:45 Jonathan Canlas
3:15 – 4:45 Kirk Voclain
4:45 – 7:30 Dinner Break and Exhibitors Available until 5:45
7:30 – 9:00 Yervant
Wednesday, August 11, 2009 Exhibitors available 8:00 – 11:00 am
8:30 – 10:00 AM Cliff Mautner
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:45 Kay Eskridge
11:45 – 12:00 Skip Cohen
Note: While it’s unlikely, please be aware that the schedule is subject to change slightly
Sneak Peek: Speaker and Sponsor’s Corner
All of this year’s sponsors and most of the speakers will have their own small exhibit in booths around the perimeter of the ballroom, where all programs will be presented. Take advantage of “Sneak Peek” on Sunday afternoon from 3:30 to 7:00 PM to see new products from all of this year’s sponsors and speakers.
It’s better than a trade show – it’s a mini support conference with Sneak Peek and exhibitor hours each day at noon and for one hour at the end of the day. Plus, many of the representatives from each company along with the speakers will be available to answer your questions often throughout the day.
All Summer School programs will take place on the third floor of the MGM Conference Center.
Coffee and Lunch Breaks: We’re sorry, but in order to keep the cost down on this exciting program, coffee, lunch or dinners will not be provided. However, the MGM will be providing their two for one entrée and drink card, good at numerous restaurants and bars within the hotel. In addition, we’ve provided ample time for you to visit the food court in the hotel at lunch time.
Program Costs
The cost for each attendee is $279 and we will cut off registration and not go beyond the maximum capacity. We want to make sure everyone has a seat! The room will be set up classroom style.
The early bird discount has been extended through August 7th, providing you register on line – Skip’s Summer School for just $239! It’s the biggest bang for your buck in professional photography! Fifteen speakers plus 50% off registration for WPPI 2011!
SPECIAL BONUS: Every Skip’s Summer School attendee will receive 50% off their registration for WPPI 2011!
Click here to register.
Lodging, transportation and meals are not included, however, the MGM Grand has put together a special Skip’s Summer School rate of just $79 per night.
Note: As of mid-July the $79 rate is no longer available. However, the MGM has put together a package for Skip’s Summer School attendees at $85 with free in room wifi, normally a $14.99 per day charge.
The hotel room block will fill up fast and there are no guarantees on the room rate after mid July. So, book your room early by calling 1-877-880-0880 and ask for the Skip’s Summer School rate using code SSS005.
Policy Reminders
Speakers:
Although unlikely, speakers are subject to change without notice. In the event that a speaker is forced to cancel his/her program, a speaker and topic of the same expertise and relevance will be substituted.
Cancellation/Refund Policy:
Cancellation requests must be made via email to info@mei500.com by July 8, 2010, and will be subject to a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations after July 8, 2010. Persons who register and fail to attend will not receive a refund.
Special Assistance:
If you require special assistance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please write to info@mei500.com by July 8, 2009. Should you require a wheel chair or mobile cart please contact the MGM bell desk directly.
Smoking:
The MGM Conference Center is a non-smoking environment.
Cell Phones:
Please shut off or silence your cell phone during all scheduled programming.
Video-taping and photographs:
No video-taping or photographing of presentations is allowed without express permission by the speaker.
Sponsors:
Albums Inc www.albumsinc.com
Asukabook www.asukabook.com
Azura Albums www.azuraalbums.com
B&H Photo Video www.bhphotovideo.com
Big Folio www.bigfolio.com
Boda Bags www.goboda.com
DWF http://www.digitalweddingforum.com/
Fujifilm www.fujifilmusa.com
GhostRighters www.GhostRighters.com
GoingPro www.GoingPro2010.com
Graphi Authority www.graphicauthority.com
GraphiStudio http://www.graphistudio.com
H&H Color Lab www.hhcolorlab.com
Jill-e Designs www.Jill-E.com
Kubota Image Tools www.KubotaImageTools.com
Marathon Press www.marathonpress.com
Marketing Essentials International www.mei500.com
The MAC Group www.macgroupus.com
Midwest Photo Exchange www.mpex.com
Nik Software www.niksoftware.com
OnOne Software www.OnOneSoftware.com
Photodex www.photodex.com
PhotoOne Software www.photoonesoftware.com
PhotoFocus www.photofocus.com
Pictage www.pictage.com
PWDlabs www.pwdlabs.com
Simply Canvas www.simplycanvas.com
SmugMug www.smugmug.com
Tamron www.tamron.com
TripleScoop www.triplescoopmusic.com
WHCC www.whcc.com
Click here to register.
Diversity: This Year’s Skip’s Summer School Theme
In this tough economy most photographers try and shoot whatever comes through the door. Your business may have been focused exclusively on children’s photography, for example, but if a client loves your work and asks if you’d photography their daughter’s wedding are you going to say “Sorry, I don’t do weddings!” Weddings aren’t for everybody, nor are children, pets, high school seniors etc. but there are two ways to diversity and help keep your business strong.
First, you don’t want to be a “one trick pony”. You want to be as diverse as you can be, so that you can handle every request that comes your way. Second, develop a relationship with another photographer whose skillset compliments yours. This will give you the ability to refer business back and forth to each other.
Diversity is critical to your growth and survival and there’s no theme more appropriate for next summer in Las Vegas, August 8-11. Topics covered will include weddings and album design, portraiture: children’s, family, high school seniors and pets, social media, business/marketing and photojournalism. A new addition for next year is the “Lighting Lab” with multiple hands-on programs each day taught by the magicians of light themselves, Bobbi Lane and Tony Corbell.
The speaker line-up for next summer is pretty amazing…
Scott Bourne, Joe Buissink, Jonathon Canlas, Tony Corbell, Kay Eskridge, Kevin Kubota, Bobbi Lane, Cliff Mautner, Dane Sanders, Jasmine Star, Vicki Taufer, Kirk Voclain and Yervant. A very special new addition to the Summer School faculty is Stacy Pearsall.
Stacy is the most decorated and award-winning female combat photographer in U.S. history. She will share her remarkable stories and images of war and demonstrate how reinventing her photographic talents helped launch a new and successful studio business. Her extraordinary journey of beating the odds is sure to revitalize the optimist in all of you.
Other additions will include short business snipets each day from the Guru of Biz himself, Jerry Weiner. He’s done some terrific guest blogs on business applications here at Skip’s Photo Network and we’re working on short easy to understand techniques you can implement as soon as you return home.
The MGM Grand Las Vegas, is home once again for Summer School. They’ve guaranteed a terrific $79 rate using the code SSS005, which is now open. They’ll also be providing a two for one dining card similar to last year’s program and a $25 per room per stay entertainment/dining credit. Plus, we’ve ramped up the WiFi in the “classroom”, so that you can multi-task and stay in touch with home base and your business throughout the program.
We’re planning on registration going live mid to late February with an incredible early bird bonus. So, while it might be hard right now to think about what you’re going to be doing next August, think about diversity, creativity, networking and what you need to expand your skill set.
Summer School was never this fun, this cool or for that matter this “hot” when you had to go as a kid! More information will be available here soon as well as at skipsphotonetwork.com.
On August 16, 2009, photography industry leader Skip Cohen defied the odds. He started a new mid-summer workshop series called Skip’s Summer School. Skip only gave the industry 60 days notice. He scheduled a photo lecture/workshop in one of the worst economies on record. Skip entered an already crowded field of photo workshops, seminars and lectures with an unproven conference that nobody ever hear of.
And it was a huge success!
Find out why hundreds of professional photographers from around the nation converged on Las Vegas in 2009 to learn from the best, network, and get their batteries recharged, and find out how you too can attend the next Skip’s Summer School in August 2010.
Stay tuned.
