PUBLICATION CENTER

Diversification can be good for business, particularly when you're looking for avenues that will grow your business and its revenues. A fun, efficient way to gain some of the photography skills and marketing ideas you need to diversify is to attend the 2009 WPPI Convention & Trade Show at the MGM Grand Hotel & Conference Center in Las Vegas in February.

Promoted as an event for editorial, commercial, nature, portrait, and wedding photographers, WPPI 2009 kicks off with a pre-show EDU-Convention on Thursday, Feb. 12, featuring in-depth Master Classes, the Business Institute, and All About Schools program.

Then, after the Canon-sponsored welcome reception on Sunday, Feb. 15, the WPPI Trade Show convenes Monday, Feb. 16 through Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Held in association with Rangefinder and After Capture magazines, WPPI 2009 will feature 130+ courses and special events, including a WPPI Town Hall Forum on The Future of Photography. The discussion will be led by a panel of top photographers, as well as executives from Zookbinder’s, Fujifilm, Canon, Nik Software, and Miller’s Professional Imaging.

The full conference registration includes a choice of more than 70 Platform classes, including several sessions geared toward new forms of marketing.

The Platform Classes will include sessions on lighting and posing, as well as updates on software that can help you deliver better work in less time.

LexJet’s technical director, Tom Hauenstein, will talk about Image Print 7.0 for Epson printmaking.

Colin Smith will discuss new features in Photoshop CS4, and Chris Orwig will talk about Lightroom 2.0.

Canon PrintMaster Eddie Tapp will show how to use specialized Photoshop techniques to redefine your final image creations. He’ll discuss how to achieve the imaginative effects and superb print quality that will impress your clients while creating a productive workflow.

Here are just a few of the topics to be covered in the Platform classes:

New Media Brand-Building in the 21st Century: Ron Dawson and David Jay will explain how to use blogging, video, social networks, and other forms of new media to build your brand.

Managing a Diverse Portfolio of Business: Terrell Lloyd will talk about how he has taken his wedding and portrait business from part-time to full-time and expanded it to include professional and college sports as well as corporate, product, and commercial photography.

Inexpensive Marketing for Photographers: Bob Coates will talk about different ways to get your name and face in front people without spending a bundle on advertising.

Being Black-and-White in a Saturated Market: Canon PrintMaster Parker Pfister will suggest how to set yourself apart in today’s market and explain why it’s important to improve your skills in all aspects of your photography business.

Modern Day Marketing Techniques: Catherine Hall will discuss new-age marketing for wedding photographers, including publishing, viral marketing, and differentiation. She’ll also teach strategies for preventing fear from hindering the growth of your business.

For full details on the program, visit www.wppionline.com.

And, while you're there, stop by LexJet's booth (527) and take advantage of show-only specials, including 30 percent off the entire Sunset line of photo and fine-art papers and canvas, LexJet's Water-Resistant Satin Cloth, and Photo Tex, an adhesive-back fabric that can be used in a variety of profitable specialty applications, including wall murals and creative cut-outs.

Bring your image files to the LexJet booth for a hands-on demonstration of the latest wide-format professional photographic printers and find out how printing in-house yields new business, lower costs, and greater profit potential. For more information and to arrange a demonstration, contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538.