What In the World is Going On?

Things are pretty screwy, if you ask me. And I bet a lot of us are trying to get a sense of the enormous changes we’ve all had in how we do business, where we find clients, and where our industry is headed.

We decided that one of the most helpful things we could do at CCA this year is to address this head on. Following Ken Whitmire’s advice, we’ve asked for help from within our membership. And so we are enormously happy that Tony Corbell has agreed to lend his wisdom. He will be leading a discussion about how we can do more than react to change, but that we actually play a significant role in helping our industry thrive in the years to come.

“The State of The Industry”
Tony will take us through a look at the photographic industry as it is today, where we came from and where we are headed. As technology has become such a driving force in the marketplace, the typical client/photographer relationship has changed and will never be the same. We must understand that the words “digital photography” need to be simply “photography” once again. We, as respected leaders of our industry, must embrace technology, uphold the standards by which we are governed and celebrate the new world of photography. There will be time for Q & A and general discussion based on the topics covered. Expect a lively and informative discussion.

I can’t wait. How about you?

Wow!

As of this moment, there are nearly 60 people who are planning to be at CCA Quebec in June!  Quite honestly, I’m stunned.

It goes to show how much this group means to all of us.  People are going to no small effort to be there this year.  I’m sure the venue will be amazing. I know the town will be inspiring to all of us artists.  But mostly, what is coming across to me is that we want to be with each other because we need each other.  It’s not just sentimental words to say that we have lifelong friends in CCA.  It’s true.

We haven’t just gone to pretty places together. We’ve flown across the country to dance at weddings, and to celebrate big achievements in our industry (see CCA recent Facebook posts).  We’ve mourned together for those we’ve lost over the years.  We’ve stayed at each other’s houses, and we’ve stayed up late into the night encouraging each other when we’ve been down.  After all, that’s what friends do.

You may remember this video from Clay Blackmore.  I think it’s a wonderful tribute to friendship for us all.

Michael Thomson’s FREE French Lessons for Quebec…

As co-leaders of the Quebec trip, Greg and Sally Rademacher thought they should learn some French – they wanted to master such important phrases as  “Il y a une toilette près ici ?

Michael’s brief training session was so helpful to Greg and Sally that we thought we’d give you a chance to brush up on your French as well.

And remember, if you don’t Parlez Francaise, no worries.  With the Simones and Michael Thonpson in Quebec, I’m sure we will get along just fine.

Here’s some great news, too!  The Frontenac Chateau was kind enough to let us keep 5 rooms for a little longer so that those of you who were on the fence can jump over to the French side and come to Quebec.   Call me directly if you’d still like to register.

April

805-208-1823

Quick Answers to Important Questions

Some of you have asked some great questions about the trip.  I hope this helps you all:

Dates:  June 17-22.  We suggest you “get out of Dodge” before Saturday, June 23rd, as there is a pretty wild city-wide party that starts that day. Think Mardi Gras.

Registering:  Use the form to the right of this blog to register for the trip.  DO NOT CALL THE HOTEL DIRECTLY.  We have negotiated great rates.

Deadline to register:   We are hoping to have a few extra rooms for those of you who simply can’t commit for a few more weeks.  I CANNOT MAKE ANY PROMISES AT THIS POINT that you will be able to stay with us at the hotel.

Need a roommate? Either post something on the Cameracraftsmen Facebook page, or send me an email. We’ll help you to find someone.

Prorate:  We are doing all we can to keep the prorate as low as possible.  Quebec is such a beautiful city with so many small restaurants.  We want you to experience the lovely little french restaurants with smaller groups of friends, so we only have a few meals planned together for the entire group.  You’ll love how this impacts your prorate.

Getting Around:  Quebec is a teeny tiny city, and there will be just 2 bus trips. There will be taxi service provided for those who can not easily walk where we will be going.

Clay Blackmore and i thought it would be fun for you to take a walk down memory lane to the Memphis trip a few years back.  I love that he put this together. Thanks, Clay!

If You Don’t Read Any Other Blog From Me, Read This One.

Hi everyone,

I feel a bit badly that I’m emailing you twice this week.  I even resorted to using an obnoxious headline to get you to read this today.    But there are a couple of things that I need to remind you about NOW:

1.  You need to get your registration in by December 31st if you’re going to Quebec!  Download the form (using the right sidebar on this page), type in your info and email it back to Dick, or to roger-gervais@rcgtours.ca.    IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY DOWNLOADING THE PAGE, PLEASE CALL  ROGER IMMEDIATELY. Roger assures me that the form is working properly.  His phone number is 800 563 7248

2.  If you DON’T get registered in time, you probably won’t be staying with us at the beautiful Frontenac.  And THAT will be a real disappointment for us all. The hotel has asked us to release the rooms we will not be using.

3. And here’s your bonus for getting your registration in:   I asked Carol Andrews-Jensen to say a few words about Cameracraftsmen.  She wasn’t with us in St. Augustine.  I think you’ll enjoy what she has to say.

Have a Joyeux Noël, mes amis!

Avril

Ever Wonder Why You Were Invited to CCA?

I got to thinking the other day about why you go to CCA every year and why CCA is so important to you. But here is a different spin on the same question:

Why did you get invited in the first place?   Seriously, what makes you so special?

Does it occur to you that you’re an integral part of Camracraftsmen?   The members wanted to include people who they respected, who they saw as leaders in our wonderful industry, and who they wanted to spend a week with every year come rain or shine.  And they asked YOU.

So, while you ask yourself who YOU get to see, and what YOU get to show off in the Print Exchange, you  might also ask yourself who in CCA might be really hoping to see YOU.  Perhaps they’ve had a really tough year, and need you to encourage them.  Maybe someone has really grown creatively and needs to be reaffirmed.  Perhaps they need your leadership, or to hear your latest business success story.

You who are CCA members should be both humbled and proud to be a part of CCA.  And you can expect there will be plenty of ways for you give AND to take from your friends in Quebec, 2012.

Thanks again, Greg Rademacher, for this charming image from Quebec.

A bientot…

Avril

Thanks …

This being Thanksgiving week,  I was thinking that I should ask CCA members/spouses to post the names of Cameracraftsmen who have had a significant influence on their lives. Then it occurred to me that a public thank you is a lot different than a personal one. It’s not so much about all of YOU knowing that Lesa Daniel has encouraged me, but that she hears it from me in a personal way.

Cameracraftsmen has been a source of inspiration and encouragement for me, and I’m not even a member. Nevertheless, I have CCA friends, mentors and “heroes of creativity”, who don’t have any idea how important they are to me.

This is Thanksgiving week. It’s when Americans are supposed to remember who and what they are grateful for. Are there people (photographic artists or other friends) who’d be encouraged by a personal email, phone call, or (wow, how unique!) a hand-written note from you this week? Tell them.

And, if you don’t have anyone in CCA who you feel that way about, you need to be rethinking why you are in the group to begin with. I hope that’s not too harsh.

Have a wonderful, grateful Thanksgiving – all year long..

Avec la gratitude,

Avril

Bonus Blog!

Wasn’t it great to hear from Ken Whitnire on my blog a few weeks back?  Well, today we have a special Bonus.  That means you don’t HAVE to read this one. But I bet you won’t be able to resist.

After posting his video, Ken had a few more things to say.  I thought I’d pass them along to you.  Read his comments, and then post your own thoughts at the bottom of the page.

Thank you, Ken.  I have much to learn from you.  I think we all do.

No question that Wales was a great meeting.   You brought back some memories.   Aside from the wonderful tours, the historical sites like Lacock Abbey, Bath, the castles, and the little “Book Town”; there were, as always, those little “additional happenings” that linger forever.   One such incident, a rented carload of us decided on a little side trip to the Stone Hinge, which hadn’t been included in the itinerary.   We arrived after hours and it was locked up tight.  “No one ever gets in after closing time.  It’s a much too delicate, historical archival site.”   

Except we had Clay Blackmore with us.   He and a couple other fast talkers convinced them that we had previous permission from the higher up bureaucracy to do some official photography after hours, when there wasn’t so many tourists.   “Word was supposed to have gotten here an hour or two ago.   Must be a glitch in the new computer internet systems.”   I still marvel at it.   Five photographers, laden with tripods, cameras, lenses, etc., had that world famous archival site all to themselves for about twenty minutes as the light faded down.

And that little tavern we stopped at;…….The best beer in all of Europe!   Just ask Bob Stewart.   I know he remembers it fondly.   And, those narrow roads through the country side, driving on the left, meeting fast moving British “Sterling Moss” drivers in the dark; probably a good thing we had relaxed with the beer.

The Mexico trips were equally exciting, and it would be hard to beat the Alaska cruise.   I’m ready for that again, anytime.

Certainly, an exotic location is a good draw for attendance.   That shouldn’t be our reason for attending, though.   It should be a bonus, the icing on the cake.   The primary reason for attending is that we mandated ourselves (beginning in 1905) to get together yearly (twice yearly in the beginning), to collaborate ideas, and discuss and study the state of the profession, where it is going, and how we are going to help lead it there.… And, oh, any small countryside taverns or pubs up there?

Ken

Thanks, Greg Rademacher, for this unusual image from Quebec.  On one of my next blogs, I need each member’s 10  favorite Cameracraftsmen images….ever.  Won’t that be a great little slide show?

A bientot…

Avril

Notice who’s missing?

I asked Mark what Cameracraftsmen trip he wishes he hadn’t missed. He immediately said Wales. For one thing, we’ve never been to Wales.  And, it was hosted by  Ron Turner and his lovely wife, Barbara -That in itself makes me a little sad, because we weren’t there to enjoy her and get to know her better.

From what we’ve heard, it was a pretty unforgettable experience.  I’ve seen old photographs from the trip, with great people like John Howell.  Remember how much he loved to dance?.

I hope the trip we are planning to Quebec will be remembered as something pretty incredible too, and for similar reasons:  Uniquely beautiful destination, general merriment, friendly competition, and those spontaneous conversations that come to mind years later because they were just what you needed at that moment and time.

I bet some of you were wondering why I posted this group photograph from the Wales trip.  I’ll tell you why:  it’s because Mark and I are missing, and we are a bit sad about that.

What about you?  Will YOU be in the group photo in Quebec 2012?  Will you be walking around the quaint little town with people who’ve grown dear to you through the years?

Ken Whitmire Weighs in on Quebec…

Some of the first people who let us know they’re coming to Quebec were the Whitmires. I love that about Ken! Apparently, he hasn’t missed very many meetings over the years.

I got to wondering why CCA is so important to Ken, so I called him. He answered in a quick video (boy, Ken talks fast. He had a lot to say in 3 minutes!). I loved his response.

What about you? Why do YOU go?

Speaking of Quebec, it’s time for you to get registered. If you are going to Quebec, it’d be really helpful if we knew you were serious about going. Signing up is easy. I promise. Use the link on the sidebar of the blog.

See you there, mes amis.
Avril.