Celebrate with me...

I just competed the last of the requirements to earn my Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America. Special thanks to the folks at the Professional Imaging Group of Eastern North Carolina who had me speak for them in New Bern a couple of weeks ago, earning me the final "merit" in my journey. Woo-hoo!

I'll officially gain my new title and more alphabet soup to go behind my name next Spring. If you're having trouble knowing what title to use for me, I'll happily answer to either "Majesty" or "Hey You!"
____
Photographic Craftsman, (Cr. Photog.) = One of the highest recognitions for speaking, writing, or mentoring on photography; positions the photographer as an authority in the industry. -Awarded in recognition of service to the profession as an orator, author, or mentor.

Company's Coming

Couple of months ago the Central Guild Chairman for the Professional Photographers of North Carolina called and asked if I would be one of 3 studios in the area to participate in a special event for the Central Guild Seminar. He wanted me to host a tour of my studio, and be on a panel to speak at a round table discussion about "Being a Sucessful Studio" or something like that. First, I told him with the economy like it was last year I wasn't feeling particularly sucessful. But he wanted me anyhow.

The Central Seminar is in High Point this time (woo-hoo! I get to sleep in my own bed.) and we expected 10 or 15 people for the tour, 25 max. This was a pre-convention event for the folks who arrived a day early, and it hadn't been done before.

Boy were we wrong.

Can you imagine 64 photographers crammed into my studio? 64! You shoulda been there--oh wait, there wasn't room for you! It was unbelieveable! I was standing on furniture in the camera room to talk to the group, and it was standing room only. I wish I had been thinking clearly enough to take a picture.

The round table discussion at the restaurant was great, and we could have gone on for a lot longer had the restaurant not closed. There's one great side-effect of this, my office is now temporarily clean! Yea! Oh yes, and I get one step closer to having my Photographic Craftsman degree.

I'm off to classes today, and a Board Meeting this afternoon...I'm gonna be one tired puppy when this convention is over.