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2009 AZPPA Convention May 17-18, 2009
Don't miss it!! Convention Info Download Convention Registration form
AZPPA Membership Benefits
Did you know that for less than $17 a month, as a member of the AZPPA, your benefits include:
• AZPPA Forum. Share Ideas, Sell equipment. http://arizonappablog.com
• On-line Membership Listing on the AzPPA website accessible to fellow members
• Free Monthly Meetings on Photography Educational and Business topics
• Free Studio Tours - but wait there's more.....
Check out why you should choose to Be an AzPPA Member here
President's Message - April, 2009
Dear Members and Prospective Members:
This coming month brings some very important events for our membership. Of course there’s our State Convention with all of its tremendous offerings including great programs, print competition, and thousands of dollars in prized being auctioned and raffled off. But also during convention is our Annual General Business meeting where we hold elections and make any amendments to our bi-laws. It’s very important to have membership participation at this meeting; after all, these things can have a direct impact on the future of our association.
With that in mind please take time to read about the members nominated to hold positions on next year’s board.
Wendy Newman, President
“While a few months ago I prepared myself and our membership for the end of my term as President, I now find myself running for a second term. This reconsideration came about for many reasons, but first and foremost was for the best interest of the association.”
“We have made tremendous strides in strengthening our organization and I have a lot of ideas on how to continue that growth and carry us even further next year. It seems that another term will provide the time necessary to do that and to better prepare a fairly new board on what it needs to know to carry on. I am extremely excited about the members running for the board this next year. Their commitment and enthusiasm are contagious and have renewed my energy to continue. But even more than that are the tremendous skills and background that each one of them has that perfectly complement the needs our association has in areas such as event planning, marketing, and finance. “
“I look forward to another year as President; however you may see and hear less of me as I delegate more and let others get more experience handling various aspects of leadership within the AzPPA. Below you will find each nominees statement as to their interest in serving on the board and what skills they bring to the table to help the board and the association.”
Shelly Fields, Vice President
“In 2005 my husband and I moved to Arizona after being “native Californians” our entire lives. I was a “hobby photographer” using primarily black and white film and printing my own prints in the darkroom. The year before moving from California I begrudgingly made the move to digital. It didn’t take me long to realize the benefits of digital photography with my favorite subject matter which is pets, and within a few months I was totally hooked. “
“After moving to Arizona, I became more and more involved in my pet photography and decided I wanted to get serious about it so I looked for a local photography association. I literally stumbled upon AzPPA during my search and decided to check it out. My first meeting was scary…”what was a pet photographer going to gain from the organization that seemed to be populated with wedding and portrait photographers?” It only took me another meeting to figure out that the organization had much to offer to me and any other person that was serious about their photography.”
“Being a member of AzPPA has literally been the best thing I ever did. I have taken my passion to a professional level and became certified last year. I know I could not have accomplished all that I have had I not become a member of AzPPA. I am passionate about the organization and feel that my passion combined with transferrable skills from my other life (my degree is in Recreation and Community Services with a minor in marketing) will continue to benefit the organization as I transition from the Secretary position to the Vice President position with the AzPPA.”
Rochell Planty, Secretary
“My husband Jay and I own Rockin R Meetings & Events, LLC. I’ve been a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) for over 17 years in the hospitality industry. I became involved with photography during high school and my interest in photography continued through college and eventually became a division of our event business two years ago by offering event and green screen photography. I have been a member of the AzPPA for a year and have greatly enjoyed jumping right in to meet other members through volunteering at visiting seminars to help with set up, community service, assisting with the student committee and attending the outstanding education programs offered monthly and through the Fall Fest. I’ve had the opportunity to share my Certified Meeting Professional skills with the AzPPA Board in assisting with the site selection for the Fall Fest and new home for the monthly association programs and convention. There is a saying that you only get out of it what you put into it. I truly believe that in order to increase knowledge, meet industry colleagues and give back to the association you have to get involved. I feel I could share my talents and skill with the Board and association by being a part of the leadership team. It would be an honor to serve on the 2009-2010 Board.”
Darren Stevenson, Treasurer
“As photographers, we wear so many different hats; from business owner to artist to marketing director to finance manager. And all the while carving out time to sharpen our technical skills like lighting, composition, and post production.”
“That’s a lot and doesn’t even scratch the surface; which is why the Az PPA is so important. Having the Az PPA provide a structured path through the chaos that accompanies our wonderful trade is invaluable. And I truly believe that with a strong sense of community, like the one created by the Az PPA, we will collectively move our trade forward by leaps and bounds further than any one of us individually could move ourselves forward. “
“This is the very reason I am excited to serve on the Board; to be a part of the engine moving our photography community forward.”
Bob Coates, Director
“I feel that I bring a calming influence to the Azppa board. Having served on the board for numerous years and as an officer and Past President there's a historical perspective my serving brings to help keep some continuity in the association. In addition, the number of years in the industry working at a national level giving programs at PPA and WPPI and other PPA affiliates has given me contacts that allow for some programming options that Azppa could not otherwise afford. I play well with others too! I look forward to continuing to serve Azppa.”
Monica Maxwell, Director
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” –Author Unknown.
“This has been my motto for the past 4 years and I truly believe I am doing what I love. I have been involved with AZPPA for about 3 years. I first entered as a student photographer and in this short period of time have moved from student photographer to professional and have formed Maxwell’s Photography. I am currently working toward my degree in Digital Imaging at Mesa Community College. I am a photographer who wants to be the best and I know by wanting to be the best I need to surround myself with the best and AZPPA does this for me. With this being said, AZPPA has done so much for me and I only want to give back and I feel that by being re-elected to the board I will be able to do for the association what it has done for me.”
Ivan Martinez, Director
“I am very interested and feel that I could contribute to the organization based on my experience as a member photographer and as a former marketing and advertising professional.”
“Last February, after 18 years of corporate life, I decided to pursue a career as a professional photographer. I officially started my business on June of 2008. It has not been easy and it has required a lot of personal and family sacrifices. I have come to rely on professionals organizations such as AZPPA and PPA National for advice and information. The value I have gotten from being involved with these organizations has been priceless. Having had this experience gives me a strong and valid story to help sell and promote what AZPPA has to offer. I have been an active member in the organization. I have attended almost every monthly meeting and have volunteered to help in some of AZPPA events such as the Halloween free portraits for our troops. I am currently working on getting my certification and have signed to take the test in May during our state convention.”
“Although, I am a fairly new photographer and have a great deal to learn, I have a solid understanding of advertising and marketing which I believe AZPPA could benefit from. In less than one year I have managed to do commercial, family portraits, and event photography. I look forward to being a candidate for the 2009 AZPPA board.”
Sara Goodnick, Director
“AZPPA has had a tremendous and positive impact on my photography career. Nothing else even comes close. It is a treasure chest of knowledge and information for both professional and aspiring professional photographers.”
“In 1999 I decided to make a career of photography instead of just playing with it as I had done for the past 22 years. Several years passed in great frustration as I tried to figure out how to raise the quality of my work to professional standards. Luckily, I found an article by Lori Nordstrom in one of the mainstream photography magazines in which she stressed the importance of PPA and also her state PPA organization in her own development. Now I knew where to look for the help I needed. Finding AZPPA was a dream come true. The classes, seminars, studio tours, camaraderie, and new friends are invaluable assets to membership. Because I have gotten so much from this organization, I feel it is time to give something back by offering to serve on the Board of Directors.”
“Previous relative experience includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Arizona State Horseman’s Association, 1996-2002, three as Secretary, and two as President. ASHA represents over 200 members, and supports a one billion dollar industry in Arizona.”
Jim Walls, Director
“In a few short years, I have gone from being a tentative newbie to Certified and winning print merits! Its been an incredible journey. I would not have believed it possible back when I joined, that just 4 years later, new members would be asking ME for advice. I still have to pinch myself when that happens.”
“I think I've only missed one meeting since I joined, so I do have a history of showing up, and I enjoy learning at every opportunity. I also enjoy the friendships I've made with other board members, and am always impressed at the devotion they show to the cause of the AZPPA.”
“I am happy to continue running the print critique for as long as you ask me. This has been a great learning experience for me, so helping out is as much a pleasure as anything.”
Kathy Mohr, Director
“I believe in this organization. As a board member I feel that I can offer my skills in photo shop and graphic design. I love photography and feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunities to experience the fundamentals of this field. I am very interested to learn more of what this association is all about.”
Serving on the board is both an honor and a responsibility. Each of these individuals is committing to attend board meetings and to do their part to help make decisions for our organization and to support the organization by volunteering to serve in areas of need. Please be sure to get to know these nominees and encourage and congratulate them on their decision to run for the board.
In your service,
Wendy Newman, AzPPA President 2008-2009
Arizona PPA members Forum - Discussion - Equipment for Sale - Assistants - Forum
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