While JD is constantly adding new products to our ROES catalog, we also update older products. Occasionally a client tells us that they still see old artwork when looking at updated products.

Sometimes the ROES program just behaves strangely, and there doesn’t seem to be anything you can do to fix it.

The solution in either case is to clear the ROES cache. Here’s how:

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JD Photo Imaging is co-sponsoring the PhotoPro Expo February 2-5 in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio (just across the river. The expo includes 16 of the best pro photographer speakers in the country, as well as the largest trade show in the midwest this year.

Rarely does a photographic educational opportunity this exciting (and in our backyard!) ever happen. We feel it is so important, in fact, that we’ve decided to become a co-sponsor of this event. Do to our sponsorship, we are able to offer you a discount coupon worth $120 savings to attend all sessions and free 1-day expo passes.

The 16-speaker line up is, in our opinion, the best of any convention for 2012.  It includes Photoshop guru Scott Kelby, wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis, Pulitzer Prize winning legend Vincent LaForet, marketing genius Sarah Petty, high school senior shooter phenom Kirk Voclain, and NYC fashion photographer Lindsey Adler. Read about each speaker.

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Almost every client wants their digital image files nowadays, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they want the high-res originals to reprint.

In fact, most clients are simply looking for low res digital images to display online.

Instead of fighting this trend (and losing business), you can use this to your advantage by offering clients a CD of images “perfectly sized for Facebook, for cell phones, or for sharing with friends.” Then using Photoshop, follow the steps below to quickly build a folder of re-sized images you can email or burn to a CD.

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Here are some pro photographer tips I’ve come across over the last few weeks.

Got any you’d like to share? Leave them in the comments below.

1. If you’re doing an all day wedding, take a full change of clothes and get changed just before the reception/dinner. It’s an absolute godsend to kick off the second part of the day in fresh, clean clothes – especially in summer, or if you’ve spent the morning running around after people outside.

2. Get closer. At a military photography course, they called it “using your bipedal zoom.”

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Betsy Finn, one of our young and talented clients, will give a talk entitled “Getting Technology to Work for You” at the Mid-Michigan Professional Photographer’s Association meeting on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7pm. For more information, visit their website or contact Tina Timmons at tina@mich1.net.

Betsy is known locally and nationally as both a gifted speaker and a photographer who has combined her love of photography with her business and marketing sense, especially as it relates to technology and online marketing. She generously shares this information with other photographers on her LearnWithBetsy.com blog.

Prior to founding Betsy’s Photography, Betsy studied at Michigan State University and Hope College, where she earned a B.A. in Business Management and Photography. She has continued to further her knowledge through attending continuing education seminars and conferences offered by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Detroit Professional Photographers Association (DPPA). In 2010, she received a Photographic Craftsman degree from PPA.

Print Competitions are being held across the midwest in the next month. On the calendar I see:

• Oct. 17th PPWM Album Design Competition
• Oct. 25th PPNO Print Competition
• Nov. 8th MTPPA Print Competition
• Nov. 14th MMPPA and PPO Print Competitions
• Nov. 15th DPPA Print Competition

I encourage you to enter one or more of these competitions. Here’s why:

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Get ready for an island adventure at PPM’s Fall Training Camp, October 9-11, 2011 at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island! More information or registration here.

The ever popular hands-on, up-north weekend retreat is back for another year. Join your friends for a fun filled, relaxing getaway on beautiful Mackinac Island.

The theme of the weekend is “shooting on-location weddings, families, couples etc”. The emphasis will be on

• How to analyze a new location and determine the best way to photograph there.
• How to choose the best settings, lighting, time of day, etc.
• How to make portraits that encompass the environment and venue where the portraits are being taken.
• How to approach a “destination wedding” location.
• How to photograph a family that may be vacationing at a special location that they would like to have highlighted within their family portrait.
• How to photograph a couple or senior portrait session that magnifies the setting where they are.

Even the party/banquet/reception on Monday night is to be a learning experience for attendees as to how to photograph a wedding reception at this beautiful destination resort.

The Sept. 12, 2011 Not Even If You Beg online Rally was a huge success. For those of you who missed it, or for attendees who wish to watch it again or pass it on to colleagues, the on-demand Rally is available as a downloadable video. You must register (free) at JD’s 3Lenses.com portal to view the video.

Kirk explained why not enough people choose you, and what you can do about it. Think your photography is great? Through a series of visual exercises, he shows you why in today’s market, even great photography isn’t enough to attract customers.

The video is definitely worth your time.

Rod Gleason will conduct a SNAP Family Portraiture workshop  from 2pm till 7pm on Monday, September 26th in Lansing, MI. The workshop is sponsored by the Michigan Triangle Professional Photographers Association.

Rod will focus on working with posing, lighting, working with large groups and how to select the landscape that frames your portrait. Photographers are encouraged to bring cameras and be ready for a good time with outdoor family photography. See more of Rod’s work here.

SNAP stands for Shoot. Network. Apply. Profit.   SNAP was created to give photographers more opportunity for education but in a hands-on format.  Each SNAP is a full day centered around a speaker or certain subject.  If  you decide to become a member after attending a SNAP (within that year) MTPPA will put $100 towards your membership.  They are small in number so that you get the most out of it.  It’s also a great way to work with other photographers and learn from each other.

The cost for MTPPA members is $50.00, or $150.00 for non-members. Register is limited to 15 photographers. Click here to register or to see some of Rod Gleason’s work.

The new fall season of workshops hosted by your local professional photographer’s associations is fantastic.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about children’s portraiture, family portraiture, social media, seniors and models or commercial photography some of the best photographers in the country will be available in September to inspire you with new tips and techniques.

JD is also joining in. On September 12th we hosted Kirk Russell in the first of a series of marketing “rallies” for professional photographers, and on September 26th we’re hosting a full-day training seminar at the lab featuring Michael Timmons, who will teach you how to enhance your images using Nik, Topaz Adjust, and Lucis Art software.

If you’re ready to take your photography – or your business – to the next level, you need to make a commitment to yourself to attend as many of these workshops as you can.