PMA and CES Announce Colocation at 2012 International CES

PMA announced on May 4, 2011 a partnership agreement with the CEA, owner and producer of the International CES, to move the September 2011 PMA International Convention and Trade Show (a.k.a. CliQ 2011) to colocate at the 2012 International CES, which scheduled for January 10-13 in Las Vegas.

According to a press release distributed by PMA, PMA@CES will offer industry-specific content and display products representing all aspects of digital imaging, including the educational programs that PMA is known for.

“PMA colocation with CES creates a great opportunity for our combined audiences to learn from each other, grow, and take full advantage of the integration and connectivity of personal content (in the form of digital photography) and home entertainment,” said Ted Fox, executive director, PMA. “This convergence will expand with continued enhancements to camera phones and tablets.”

Gary Shapiro, president and CEO for CEA said: “This collaboration will significantly enhance the 2012 International CES digital imaging product offerings for our retail and other audiences,” adding, “Technology is speeding the rapid convergence of digital photography and home entertainment systems. The breadth and scope of digital imaging product offerings that PMA will now bring to CES will complement and further expand the extensive growth of CES in this product category.”

According to Fox, “Our agreement [with CES] is an excellent example of two trade associations coming together to constructively and proactively address challenges and provide new opportunities.”

— D.B.

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PMA Launches CliQ and the CliQworld.com website

It seems there’s a new photography tradeshow in town. Well, its actually a rebranded show. The Photo Marketing Association’s annual show, which had previously been for the trade only, has now been rebranded from PMA 2011 to CliQ 2011.

The CliQ show, which runs from September 8-10, 2011 in Las Vegas will feature presentations from well known photographers, workshops by industry experts, photo walks, seminars and the world’s largest annual photo trade show. The CliQ 2011 tradeshow will feature interactive zones, spotlighting technology, tips and techniques in these major areas: the Shooting Zone, Mobile Zone, Software tutorial Zone, Innovation Zone, 3D Zone, and Video Zone.

According to Ted Fox, executive director and CEO of PMA, the show organizers, “The PMA convention will continue to offer the same leading-edge programming for the retailers, custom framers, studios and chain stores.” He adds, “PMA members will recognize classic convention features, like the DIMA Printer Shootout, the DIMA Photo Book Showcase, Retailer Hot Picks, Photographer Hot Picks, DIMA Innovative Product Awards, and the Official Business Session.”

The GoingPro Bootcamp photography business seminar will also be featured at CliQ 2011, designed to assist the aspiring pro gain the knowledge and business know-how needed to be successful. In addition to graduates of photography programs, a growing number of soccer moms, or what PMA calls Jennifer, the Gen X mom, are becoming more educated about photography and becoming part time shooters. With the recent addition of the somewhat recently formed Professional Wedding and Studio Photographers Association International (PWSPI) to the PMA family, the association has expanded its reach to the pro photographer and videographer. PWSPI was founded by industry veterans Skip Cohen and Scott Bourne.

The mainstay of the Photo Marketing Association is the retailer and lab owner segments that make up a large part of their membership. The association plans on providing a lot of content on the cliqworld.com website that ties site visitors back to their local dealers, for both educational opportunities as well as a marketing tool.

The first three days of the CliQ tradeshow, September 8-10, will be open to the trade only, which includes professional photographers, imaging retailers, lab owners and custom framers. DIMA and other regular pre-PMA show programming will be offered as usual. A day-long educational program for photographers will be held on September 9, and the GoingPro Bootcamp will be held September 10-11. The show floor will be open to enthusiasts only on September 10.

CliQ’s more than just a show

According to the press release, CliQ is a community, united by passion for still and motion images. It’s the source for all things photography and all levels of photographers; featuring industry news, product reviews and more. CliQ creates direct dialogue between manufacturers, retailers and photographers to help them learn, discover and share. The website cliqworld.com will present all that’s happening in imaging. “CliQ is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week commitment on the part of the association to provide content and tools for everyone involved in photography, from consumers to aspiring pros, to retailers and professional labs,” says Fox. The CliQworld.com website offers how-to articles, news, an event calendar, contests, information about CliQ 2011—with more to be added in the future.

Why Photographers Need to Stay in School

I want to quote part of an article entitled Education Never Stops by Skip Cohen, president of Marketing Essentials International, that was printed in the June 2009 issue of Rangefinder Magazine.

“‘Years ago at a Nick Vedros seminar, I sat down next to Don Blair, who was 71 years old at the time and still recognized as one of the leading portrait photographers in America. I was shocked to notice Don feverishly taking notes on some of Nick’s lighting techniques. ‘Don’t you know this stuff already?’ I teased. ‘Are you kidding?’ he said, ‘This guy is giving me a ton of new ideas!’”

Wow. I knew what a wonderful teacher, mentor, and inspiration “Big Daddy”? a.k.a. Don Blair has been to hundreds, probably thousands of photographers in his career but I hadn’t assumed he attended the classes given by others. I figured, when you got to the pinnacle of your career you never looked back. I was wrong.

What amazes me then, is, if such a photographic icon as Don Blair realized at the age of 71 that he would benefit by continuing his education—then why don’t pros half his age (at that time) realize this?

I can’t tell you how many photographers I’ve met who think they know it all, who think there’s nothing left for them to learn, who think themselves above their peers.

Till the day you die, you’ll find yourself presented with new things you never knew before—business and marketing tips, capture and post production techniques. Only you can decide you want to refine your vision, re-craft your techniques, renew your enthusiasm for photography—by educating yourself. Whether it’s self-exploration or seminars and workshops—even opening a book and trying what you’ve read—all of these things can and will lead you to become a better photographer or a better businessman or woman.

There are a wonderful myriad of educational opportunities… just look at some that I’ve come across:

Long Island Photo Workshop – August 3-6, 2009 – Smithtown, NY – Instructors are Vincent Versace, Dave Black, Gary Small, Fay Sirkis, Janice Wendt, and Hanson Fong – www.liphotoworkshop.com.
Skip’s Summer School – August 16-19, 2009 – Las Vegas, NV – Instructors are Bambi Cantrell, Skip Cohen, Tony Corbell, Ron Dawson, Robert Evans, Jim Garner, Jerry Gihonis, Mitche Graf, Matt Hill, Kevin Kubota, Charles and Jennifer Maring, Dane Sanders, and Ken Sklute – www.mei500.com.
There are dozens of PPA affiliated workshops and one day seminars offered throughout the year. Check the website at www.ppa.com for more.
Renegade Photo Shoots are unique and different Photo Edu-Experiences. Recent Renegade Shoots earlier this year included City Shoots, Shoot with the Stars, Sip and Shoot – look for more events to be announced soon – www.renegade-pr.com
Like to fly? Check this one out – September 27-30, 2009 – Half Moon Bay, CA – Instructors are Dirk Karsten and Chris Golson – A photo workshop set in the San Francisco Bay Area that will include a photo shoot aboard a Zeppelin in flight and trekking through an ancient cedar forest – www.chrisgolson.com/workshop
Sandy (Sam) Puc’ leads many workshops during the year – check her website for dates and locations – http://samspros.com
Eddie Tapp – Workshop in Iceland – August 16-22, 2009 – Check the website for other seminars and workshops as well – www.eddietapp.com
Antartica with Art Wolfe – Nov. 30-Dec. 10, 2010 – Check the website for other workshops as well – www.artwolfe.com
Santa Fe Workshops www.santafeworkshops.com
Palm Beach Photographic Workshops – www.workshop.org
Lepp Institue Workshops – www.leppphoto.com
Maine Media Workshops – multiple dates throughout the year – www.theworkshops.com
Barnstorm – Eddie Adams Workshop – Oct. 9-12, 2009 – (portfolio review required to be selected to attend) – www.eddieadamsworkshop.com
National Geographic Photography Expeditions – offered throughout the year – check website for locations around the world and dates – www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/triptypes/photography

Tradeshows that also offer educational sessions:

PhotoPlus Expo – October 22-24, 2009– NY, NY – www.photoplusexpo.com
WPPI – Mar. 4-11, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – www.wppionline.com; and this year WPPI goes on the road to four cities throughout 2009. Check the website for exact dates.
Imaging USA – Jan. 10-12, 2010 – Nashville, TN – www.imagingusa.org
PMA – Feb. 21-23, 2010 – Anaheim, CA – www.pmai.org

Can’t afford to travel? Webinars allow you to sit at your computer and learn. Most are Free. Webinars include:

Webinar Wednesdays (as of this writing, dates are set for the summer) – Kevin Kubota – www.kubotaimagetools.com/webinar_schedule.html
The Bogen Café series of free webinars cover a variety of photographic topics. An upcoming webinar is Adventure Sports Photography: Round Table with Adventure Photographer Michael Clark – Friday, July 17, 2009, 2- 3pm EDT – www.bogenimaging.us/webinar/
Artistry Webinars with Corel Painter Master Karen Sperling where you learn how to turn photos into paintings using Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter – www.artistrymag.com

This is just the tip of the iceberg. My point is, whatever your photographic niche, educational opportunities abound. Open your eyes and mind and your experiences will last long after these events are over.

— Diane Berkenfeld

• Big Daddy was the nickname that Don Blair, who passed away a few years ago, had. He will be fondly remembered by all those, including myself, who knew and learned from him.