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Member Spotlight November 2010
Greg Utton - Utton Photography, LLC.

http://uttonphotography.com

Several months ago, Bob Coates asked me to prepare a write up for the "Member Spotlight".  I would rather have a root canal than do this.  Even checked with my dentist to see if he had any openings.  Nope, so I guess I'll finally do it.
 
With the downturn in the economy, I decided it was time to at least semi-retire and start doing more of the things I enjoy and photographing what I want to photograph.  The questionnaire I received just doesn't fit very well, so I'll ignore it (...how's that for a response Bob?).

Since being semi-retired, I have spent the last few years working with NILMDTS.  Now I have been conducting Super Mondays, training classes, photo safaris, and teaching at South Mountain Community College.  It's fun to pass on my confusion to new photographers.  I have big plans for classes and safaris (using speed lights, urban grunge, HDR, coffee table albums, life style portraits, etc.) for next year.

In addition to that, I've had the opportunity to explore other areas of photography for new challenges including 360x180 degree panoramic photography.  I'm currently working with the gaming industry preparing high quality photographic scenery for radio control flight simulators.  I'm working with people in Canada, Germany, and the UK.  The time differences, and language differences are really interesting for video conferences!

Initially, I joined AZPPA for the education and getting to know other photographers so I could become are real photographer, rather than just a camera owner.  I knew I wasn't sharp enough to do it by myself and needed help.  And I received it in spades (...that means a lot of desperately needed help).  The presentations, from both local and imported speakers, have been absolutely invaluable in my development.  The presentations included everything from photography, to Photoshop, business, and marketing.  If nothing else, you get learn how much you don't know.  They have been absolutely invaluable.

During one of my recent classes SMCC, I was asked "what steps a person should take to become a professional Photographer".  My answer: "The very first thing to do is join AZPPA.  That is where you start."