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2012/2013 Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

AZPPA 2011/2012 Board
Officers & Directors

Dan Hammel, Executive Director - M.Photog. Cr. ABI. Fellow, SWPP. United Kingdom
Dan is an award winning photographer and lecturer serving the photographic industry for over 30 years and is Past President of AZPPA. His programs on business and marketing have helped motivate, stimulate and educate photographers all over the country. Hammel has won many awards for print competition and was awarded Arizona Photographer of the Year in 2004. He is proud to have earned 8 Fuji Masterpiece, 3 ASP State, 3 Kodak Gallery awards and the PPA National Award for Service. lchammel@aol.com

Rochell Planty - Past-President
Rochell Planty along with her husband Jay are the owners of Rockin R Meetings & Events, LLC. Rochell is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with over 18 years in the hospitality industry.

She became involved with photography during her high school years. Her interest in photography continued through college and eventually became a division of the business by offering event and green screen photography. Rochell shared “there is a saying that you only get out of it what you put into it. She truly believes that to increase knowledge, meet industry colleagues and give back to the association which is providing you these opportunities you have to get involved.”

Rochell has previously served on the Board as a Director and Vice President. She is honored to be able to continue her leadership experience and serve as the 2011-2012 AzPPA President. rochell@rrmeetings.com 623-594-6641 http://RRmeetings.com"

Ivan Martinez - President
My first introduction to the art of photography was in high school in Venezuela where I was born.  One of the faculty members, Colonel Martinez, loved photography and created a small photography club.  We met once a week to go over the fundamentals of capturing developing an image.  We did not have very much to work with as far as equipment went; but we had a great deal of interest and curiosity about making pictures.  That love for the craft stayed with me through the years. Every time I could, I would be taking pictures. 

In college I took 2 years of photography as electives.  I was putting twice as much time in the dark room as I was putting on my business and marketing classes. I eventually had to put photography on hold so I could complete my business and marketing education.  Photography through the years was a hobby. 

After close to 20 years of working in corporate America, in advertising sales and new media, I decided to start my own business and pursue photography as a profession.   I have relied on organizations such as AZPPA to expand my knowledge of the photography business and improve my craft.  I have also had the privilege to work and learn from several established photographers. The knowledge and encouragement I have received from other photographers has helped me get to where I am today.

I look forward to being part of the board and to contribute to the organization that has been very helpful on my development as a professional photographer. ivan@ivanmartinezphotography.com 602-708-0136 ivanmartinezphotography.com

Bob Zimmerlich-CPP Vice-President Bob along with his wife Connie joined AzPPA and PPA in 2006 as aspiring photographers and through the encouragement of fellow members and learning from all of the educational opportunities available they opened their residential studio ClickChick Photography in 2007.

An amateur photographer since the age of 17, Bob has been the owner of a successful software business for nearly 30 years and his technology background has allowed him to embrace photography in the digital realm.

Bob was awarded the AzPPA Top Ten Photographer award in 2010 & 2012, is a recipient of the AzPPA Artisan award as well as the Fuji Masterpiece Award, and has previously won 1st place illustrative print at state competition as well as merited prints at state and national competition levels.

AzPPA has been instrumental in allowing Bob to fulfill his love of photography and continues to be inspired by the high level of professionalism, friendships and creativity among it's members. Bob served on the AzPPA Board during 2008-2009 and is honored to have been elected to the 2011-2012 Board. bob@clickchickphotography.com 480-748-9401 www.clickchickphotography.com

Melinda Kolker - CPP Secretary-Treasurer After about 10 years of working in information technology departments for various health insurance companies, I discovered life art (aka scrapbooking). I loved the idea of adding stories to the images I was creating. After a few years of taking photography classes and reading photography and art books, more and more people at work were questioning why I was in such a technical and corporate job when it was clear that I needed to be creative. I enrolled in a graphic design program at the Art Institute of Phoenix and eventually figured out that I really wanted was to create images and use my graphic design skills to take them to the next level.

I joined AZPPA and opened byMelinda Images & Design in 2008. I have learned so much through AZPPA and PPA sponsored training and events. I can’t imagine how photographers can get their businesses off the ground without the support of AZPPA and its member community.

I recently set up a dedicated studio space in the guest house at our rented home. I am excited to see how this impacts my workflow, sessions, and my business. I specialize in high school senior portraits, but also provide family portraits, business/political headshots, event photography and sports photography. www.bymelinda.com www.bymelinda.com/blog
602.628.8019

AZPPA 2011/2012 Directors

Connie Zimmerlich – CPP The arts have always been a part of Connie’s life. She studied Dance beginning at age 5, played the clarinet and majored in Dance at Adelphi University in New York. She was fortunate to teach dance and baton twirling for 25 years. One summer about 7 years ago, after many years of enjoying photography as a hobby, Connie and her son, Brian, enrolled in a photography class. She had been searching for a new creative outlet and discovered that photography was the answer. Her thirst to learn more brought her to PPA and AZPPA. Connie has served on the AZPPA Board and is acting Membership Chairperson.

In addition to her photography business, Connie works with her husband, Bob, in their software business. Once her two sons graduated from high school and Mom’s Taxi retired, there was time to explore and grow a photography business.

Connie was awarded AZPPA Top Ten Photographer 2012, Certified Professional Photographer Print Award and recipient of AZPPA Artisan Award.

She feels very grateful for the education and friendships that she has formed as being a member of AZPPA and PPA.

connie@clickchickphotography.com 480-748-9401 www.clickchickphotography.com

Jim Walls - CPP. Originally from Great Britain, Jim and his wife Jane have made Arizona their home for over 15 years.

With a background in engineering, Jim was able to put his theoretical knowledge to better use with an artistic flair behind a camera. Jim and Jane were thrown in to professional photography when asked to photograph their daughter's dance recital in 2005, and the rest, as they say, is history.

With the help and encouragement of some great photographers and now friends in AZPPA, Jim has progressed from being a complete newcomer in the field of professional event and portrait photography to a Certified Photographer and print competition winner! It's been an incredible journey, and one that would not have been possible without the benefit of AZPPA membership. Jim can still remember his first AZPPA meeting when he tentatively asked an established professional "How do you know when you're a professional?" to which he received the now-obvious answer, "Well, are you charging for your work?!" and then proceeded to receive some very valuable advice about running a business.

Jim has been a member of AZPPA and Professional Photographers of America (PPA) since 2005, and is delighted to be able to give back to the association by returning to serve again on the board of directors as Print Competition Chair. info@fourwallsphoto.com 480-499-FOTO (480-499-3686) http://www.fourwallsphoto.com

Thomas Cheswick, Cr.Photog.
Tom is a past-president and long time dedicated volunteer to the association. He was awarded the PPA National Award for his meritorious contributions to professional photography. The AzPPA also presented him with the Crystal Apple Award for his years of service to the association. Tom has been named “Wedding Album Photographer of the Year” three times by the AzPPA.

Tom is excited to be back on the board and is looking forward to working with fellow board members.

Tom and his wife, Francine own a very successful photography studio. They specialize in wedding photography, but also love to photograph high school seniors and family portraits. You can visit Cheswick Photography at www.cheswickphoto.com Tom can be reached through email at tomcheswick@cox.net

Lisa Schaaf - Lisa is the most junior studio owner on the board, launching her business in August 2009. She joined the AZPPA as an aspiring business in June 2009 and has never looked back. She firmly believes education is the key for a successful business. As someone still is creating her niche and photographic style, Lisa brings a “new business” perspective to the board. She specializes in senior pictures but also photographs families, boudoir and the occasional wedding.

Lisa attends 4-6 seminars/workshop across the country each year to improve her photography skills and refine her business model to reflect those changing skills. She is a member of the National PPA, WPPI, SPA Artists, and UPPPA. She is honored to be a part of this year’s board. Lisa@pgphotographyaz.com, www.pgphotographyaz.com, 623.703.9904.

Robin Wittman
I have always loved photography. When I was a child, I wanted cameras instead of toys... (Still do!). I love the fact that a moment in time is captured forever. I have primarily focused on nature photography and landscapes until a couple years ago. I joined AZPPA at the urging of my friend Dave Weingarten. It was the BEST thing that I have ever done. The education that I have received over the past 3 years is immeasurable. The education has given me the confidence to proceed (in baby steps) towards my dream of becoming a professional photographer.

In the past 3 years, I have bought studio lighting, set up a studio, launched a website, and learned about the Business of Photography. While not able to support myself full time as a photographer, I am working towards that goal.

I have a masters degree in Leadership, and would like to repay AZPPA for what they have given to me by serving on the board of directors. I pledge my time, commitment and hard work to help keep this the BEST of all the state organizations. 480-268-9655 wittmanphoto@gmail.com
rwittmanphotography.com

David Lloyd - CPP
David began his professional photography career in 1975 as an Electronics Engineer in New Product Design at the Vivitar Corp. where he designed Electronic Flash and Color Darkroom equipment. He was awarded the Crystal Eagle for outstanding achievement and holds a US Patent in Electronic Flash. David studied Photography at Art Center, College of Design in Pasadena and West Coast School of Photography at the University of San Diego. David's career in Electronics also included the design of high speed motion picture cameras at Photosonics and a long tenure in Aerospace design with Teledyne, Librascope, Litton and Lockheed Martin.

After a two year Military assignment in Okinawa, Japan, David worked as a Lighting Gaffer at NBC in Burbanc, CA where he began his fascination with the character of light and the photographic image. Inspired by his Uncle, Julian B. Ely, Staff Photographer of Stars and Stripes Newspaper in the Pacific Rim, during WWII, David's interest and evolvement in photography has continually grown.

He resumed his career as a professional photographer in 1997 in the Central Coast of California, photographing Weddings, high school seniors and Family Portraiture. He has also taught Digital Photography and Digital Workflow at Colleges in California and most recently at Scottsdale Community College. David is a long time member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Professional Photographers of California and a recent member of AZPPA, since 2008. David has received several Meriting Prints from WPPI and Gold Coast PPA.

Though the association and encouragement with members of AZPPA, David studied for and was awarded the title of Certified Professional Photographer. (480) 284-5516
david.lloyd@mac.com
www.davidlloydphoto.com www.digitalweddingblog.net

David is an award winning, local Phoenix photographer who has over 30 years of photography experience. He earned his BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in New York then began his journey west.

His background extends from photographing commercials in Chicago, car companies in Colorado, and a 15 year partnership with Arizona Highways Magazine. David currently owns his own studio specializing in high school seniors, however, his clientele also includes families, engaged couples, and fashion models. Not only is he passionate about his craft, and the products and services he provides, but also about the relationship and experience he creates with each client.
davidhsmith20@gmail.com http://www.davidhsmith.com http://www.davidhsmithblog.com