Seminars & Speaking

Can’t-miss Seminars for WPPI 2012

by Brian Smith on January 24, 2012

in Seminars & Speaking

I’m really looking forward to my FIFTH straight year speaking for Sony at WPPI in Las Vegas. It’s one of my favorite photography trade shows because the whole show has such a positive vibe. In addition to the talks I’m doing at the Sony Booth, I will also be giving a platform talk on the ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at 8am Tuesday, February 21st.

Great crowd at 'Secrets of Great Portrait Photography' with Brian Smith WPPI 2011

Great crowd at 'Secrets of Great Portrait Photography' WPPI 2011

Here’s my list of of can’t-miss seminars to see at WPPI 2012:

Sun, Feb 19, 2012 – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
So You Really Want To Be a Wedding Photographer?
Speaker: Cliff Mautner
Cliff Mautner, one of American Photo’s top 10 wedding photographers in the world, WPPI Grand Award winner, Nikon spokesperson and 30-year pro will talk straight about what it takes to succeed in this insane business, including insights about business, lighting and a lifetime in an ever-evolving industry. Cliff will share his work ethic, style of shooting and tell you how to develop your own. He’ll also share a ton of mistakes he’s made along the way, so you don’t repeat them. Be prepared to be inspired and educated in his straightforward, honest east coast style!

Sun, Feb 19, 2012 – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Creative Portrait and Retouching Techniques
Speaker: Lindsay Adler
Creativity in your images extends into your Photoshop techniques. This class will help you take your creativity to another level and make your images even more eye-catching through your Photoshop techniques. In this session you will learn essential retouching techniques as well as a variety of tools to add a creative flair to your images in Photoshop. Learn essential retouching tools, retouching plugins, and the best way to approach your retouching workflow, including blemish removal, body reshaping, and feature enhancement. Understand how to add textures to your images, add borders, adjust coloration. And see a wide range of other beautiful and creative retouching techniques.

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Aperture Intensive
Speaker: Sara France
Apple regularly sends Sara around the world to train photographers in using Aperture, and now it’s your turn. In this program, she takes you through Aperture from start to finish, walking you through the workflow process while giving you tips and tricks along the way. From download, to adjustments, to album design, to export, Sara shows you all the basics and all the things you never knew were possible with this powerful program.

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 – 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Lab Printing with Lightroom: Color Management and Step-by-Step Workflow
Speaker: Andrew Darlow
Photo labs offer an array of products for the professional photographer, but one thing always remains constant—for great results, you’ve got to color-manage your system and prepare files properly. In this two-hour lecture, an award-winning author and photographer, Andrew covers the proofing and printing process for a range of lab printing products, including digital c-prints, canvas prints and press-printed products using a step-by-step approach. Learn how to set the resolution of images, inexpensively color-test lab products, batch-process images and more.

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
New Secrets of Great Portrait Photography
Speaker: Brian Smith
Celebrity portrait photographer Brian Smith will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years capturing the faces of the famous, infamous and unknown as a top magazine portrait photographer. He will discuss his approach to editorial and commercial assignments from concept to final images, and detailing his approach to lighting and problem solving on productions both small and large. He will share secrets about how to quickly capture the personality of the people in your photographs and will also discuss how personal projects can be used to generate editorial and commercial assignments.

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 – 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Telling Stories in Pictures
Speakers: Alan Weiner
We’ve all heard the term “wedding photojournalism,” but these days, it includes all different types of photography. At its core, photojournalism is the telling of a story through pictures. Alan spent 20 years working as a contract photographer for The New York Times, telling stories with his camera. Now, he applies the same tools he honed as a news photojournalist to tell the story of hundreds of brides and grooms. Come hear his approach!

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
How Knowledge of Cinema Storytelling Has Influenced Photography and Album Design
Speaker: Amina Moreau
Stillmotion knows that storytelling techniques aren’t really taught in post-secondary photography programs. As a part of a photo and cinema team, Amina has taken inspiration from the world of filmmaking and applied it to her stills. Cinema is about lifespan, sequencing, time-shifting, transitioning and creating an emotional response that photography often lacks. The principal goal of this seminar is to teach attendees how to apply a moviemaker’s eye to their photography and album design so it’s no longer about capturing memories your clients can see, but about creating sequences they can feel.

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Using Social Media Strategically: What Works vs. What is Just Noise
Speaker: Me Ra Koh
We are going to dive into what type of social media benefits a photographer’s business the most.  Do you need a static website if you have a blog?  Do you spend your time on Facebook and forget about a blog?  How important is Twitter to growing your business?  Or, do you already take advantage of these platforms and still don’t get the traffic you are looking for?  The question isn’t whether you need one platform over the other, but what is the purpose of each and will it help you meet YOUR specific business goals.  As a busy mom, business owner and photography expert for The Nate Berkus Show, hear Me Ra share what she’s found that makes sense for photographers in the social media world vs. what is noise.  Whether you are just launching a new business and trying to book clients or you’re an established pro wanting to expand your brand, Me Ra is going to leave you excited and empowered with a whole new juicy set of social media tools to grow your business, make you money and most of all, save you TIME!

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 – 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
New Social Media for Next Generation Photographers
Speaker: Jack Hollingsworth
New and Social Media is upon us. In full force. In every direction. If you snooze, you lose. It’s that dramatic. It’s time to start thinking like a next generation photographer and not only explore, but exploit every single marketing tool and technology available to you.  Come and listen to veteran photographer, social media coach and consultant Jack Hollingsworth, speak on why he passionately believes that it’s the greatest time in history to be a working photographer.  Inspirational topics will include:  what social media channels work best for photographers, how to brand, market and promote yourself in a crowded marketplace, how and why iPhone photography is changing the game, and the top 10 resources and guides to help you become a marketing success.

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 – 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Storytelling in Stills & Motion
Speaker: Deanne Fitzmaurice
Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Deanne Fitzmaurice will show how personal projects in the Digital Revolution can spark your creativity. She will discuss how she gains trust and access in challenging situations. With a forward-thinking approach to visual storytelling, Deanne will also discuss how she is using HDSLR video and audio to enhance the narrative of her stories. Some of the stories Deanne will show include her Pulitzer Prize winning story of an injured Iraqi boy and a multimedia piece about a Circus Sideshow performer at Coney Island.

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When: Thursday, January 19, 2012
Time: 7:00pm until 10:00pm
Where: Hotel 43, 981 Grove Street, Longitude Room, Boise, Idaho
Cost: $15 General Admission, $10 AIGA, $5 Student, $0 ASMP

Description: American Society of Media Photographers Presents Brian Smith ‘The Future of Editorial Photography’ and ‘Turning Personal Photography Projects into Profit’

Pulitzer Prize-winning celebrity photographer Brian Smith will tell the story of his innovative personal book project, Art & Soul. Combining photographs of celebrities with their thoughts about art, Art & Soul demonstrates how photographers can creatively explore new business models to stay profitable in a changing market.

Brian, the president of Editorial Photography and an American Society of Media Photographers member, will also report on the latest developments in magazine photography, explaining how to maximize creative and commercial rewards while avoiding bad contracts and stagnant rates.

Seminar Topics:

• What you need to know about editorial that nobody told you
• How the shift to online content is affecting rates
• How to get and keep the attention of photo editors and art directors at top magazines
• How production value can make your work stand out
• How to charge properly for digital processing
• How to maximize re-licensing, syndication and reprint revenue
• Best strategies for a slow economy

Bring cash for sponsorship raffle items!

Sponsors: Scottevest & Bryant Ideas of Idaho

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Speaking about Personal Projects to ASMP SFL

by Brian Smith on November 21, 2011

in Seminars & Speaking

Brian Smith will speak about the process he developed for this personal project shooting celebrities for his book ART & SOUL and how he made this personal project profitable as a great example on how photographers need to think about exploring new business models in this changing market with little or no rules still established.

WHEN: Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7PM. Doors open at 6:30PM
WHERE: Barry University, Fine Arts Building, Room FA130 – 11300 Northeast 2nd Ave Miami Shores, FL
COST: FREE, so please spread the word about this event among your peers and see you there!!

ASMP South Florida
ASMP SFL Find A Photographer Search

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Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil where I’m speaking today about the ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at Estudio Brasil. Looking forward a fun and lively discussion about portrait photography with all my new Brazilian friends…

Brian Smith at Estudio Brasil 2011

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APA PHOTO ASSISTANT BASIC TRAINING

Sony Artisan of Imagery Brian Smith is teaming up with APA New York Chapter Rep and Photographer Tony Gale to present Photo Assistant Basic Training, developed and offered for years by APA Chapters.

Get a major head start on a career in the photo industry.

With panel discussions, equipment demonstrations from industry experts, and hands-on training, attendees will come away with the essential knowledge and confidence to build your own Pro Assistant reputation. Acquire a comprehensive understanding of professional assisting behavioral guidelines, including contemporary set-etiquette, and discover how this valuable training will get you more call-backs – more repeat clients, more work.
Master Assisting Professionalism. Get booked solid.

Saturday, November 12 & Sunday, November 13

Day One
Kicks off with the popular “Assistant Panel” which includes experts on working as a photo assistant. Get real world answers to all questions from the attendees. Following the panel discussion will be exciting live software and equipment demonstrations with industry reps from Sony, Profoto, and Adobe. Learn from the pros. Industry reps will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Day Two
Full on, hands-on workshops with much of the gear an assistant will most likely encounter on the majority of professional photo shoots. Many aspects of assisting will be explained in great detail, i.e. strobes, hot lights, flags, scrims, set etiquette, the assistant kit, tips on getting work, billing, and how to deal with the dreaded cancellation. Following classroom discussion and demonstrations, participants will work along side the Pro Photographers to discover crucial pro assisting skills.

Separate registration for each day, required.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm each day
Day 1 – APA Members Free, Non-members $40
Day 2 – APA Members $40, Non-members $80

Early registration is recommended because space is limited. APA SF has an event admission no refund policy. APA Members must pre-register for Day 1 even though it is free for members. Your membership must be current on the event dates to be entitled to the member rates.

REGISTER HERE:
There is an additional ($3.19 or $5.39) Eventbrite fee
Join the APA and Save on Event Admission fees! APA Assistant membership is just $125 AND APA Student membership is just $55. APA helps you get more work and we have dozens of valuable benefits, including the APA Pro Assistant sections of the APA National Business Manual.

 

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I’m very excited for the chance to do a completely updated presentation of the ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at this year’s PhotoPlus Expo on October 27th in NYC.  PDN’s PhotoPlus Expo is the U.S. version of Photokina – it’s a trade show and learning experience. I’ll pass along all my tips about photographing people and shooting great portraits.We had a full house last year and this year’s talk will be even better with lots of new photos and tips.

Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

Speaker: Brian Smith
sponsored by SONY
Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, NYC – ROOM 1A23

Seminar Description: Celebrity portrait photographer Brian Smith will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years capturing the faces of the famous, infamous and un-famous as a top magazine portrait photographer. He will discuss his approach to editorial and commercial photography assignments from concept to final images, detailing his approach to lighting and problem solving on productions large and small. He will also share his secrets for working quickly to capture the personality of the people he photographs. Finally, Smith will discuss how personal projects can be used to generate commercial and editorial photography assignments and to allow your personal style to evolve and grow while generating assignments you love to shoot.

Register for PhotoPlus Expo before 10/25 for discounts to seminars and free admission to the tradeshow.

In addition to this seminars, I’ll be speaking and doing shooting demos along with all of the Sony Artisans at the Sony booth on the PhotoPlus Expo trade show floor – Booth 818

Photographer Elliott Erwitt

Photography Legend Elliott Erwitt photographed for 'Art & Soul'

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ARTS & SOUL at BOOKS & BOOKS TONIGHT!

by Brian Smith on October 20, 2011

in Seminars & Speaking

Art & Soul book signing at Books & BooksBrian Smith — Art & Soul: Stars Unite to Celebrate and Support the Arts
Location: BOOKS & BOOKS
265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, Florida
Start: 8:00 pm Oct 20 2011

Meet Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Brian Smith as he speaks at Books & Books Coral Gables on Thursday, October 20th about the making of ART & SOUL. A book signing will immediately follow his talk.

ART & SOUL (Filipacchi Publishing, $40) is a large-format glossy coffee-table book, featuring intimate portraits of celebrities from the entertainment industry including TV, music, film and stage. The stunning images, shot by Pulitzer prize-winning photographer Brian Smith, are accompanied by personal testimonials from each artist expressing the importance of the arts in our culture and the positive impact it has on our lives.

The notes – in each artist’s own handwriting – range from whimsical to weighty, but all offer insight into the individual’s background and how the arts shaped their lives. The book also contains a foreword by a celebrated public figure involved in this cause.

Celebrities photographed for the book include such luminaries as: Anne Hathaway, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington, Adrien Brody, Zooey Deschanel, Adrian Grenier, Patricia Arquette, Tony Bennett, Tim Daly, Joe Mantegna, Amanda Peet, John Turturro, and many more.

The book was created in partnership with the Creative Coalition, the premier public advocacy charity, founded by prominent figures in the entertainment industry. It is an important part of a campaign to focus national attention on the need to ensure that arts in America thrive and flourish.

A terrific gift, Art & Soul also helps to support the arts, inspiring future generations of creative artists and improving our lives.

ORDER ‘ART & SOUL’ FROM BOOK & BOOKS

Order ART & SOUL from Books & Books

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Action-Packed Month Starts Today

by Brian Smith on October 14, 2011

in Seminars & Speaking

My next month is N-U-T-S!

Nuts in a good way like everything together at once – in a very good way. I’ll be making two West Coast swings, three trips in New York and flying down to Brazil. Hope to see you all somewhere along the way, but if I seem a bit punchy, my apologies in advance…

October 14, 2011: ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY ‘Future of Editorial Photography’ San Francisco
October 15-16, 2011: PHOTO ASSISTANT BASIC TRAINING – APA San Francisco
October 20, 2011: BOOK & BOOKS: Coral Gables, Florida ART & SOUL BOOK SIGNING
October 23, 2011: SONY DIGITAL DAYS – KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Unique Photo – New Jersey
October 25, 2011: SONY STORE – NEW YORK: ART & SOUL VIP BOOK LAUNCH
October 27, 2011: PHOTOPLUS EXPO ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’
October 27-19, 2011: PHOTOPLUS EXPO – Sony Trade Show Booth: Featured Speaker – New York
November 2, 2011: SONY STORE – CENTURY CITY: ART & SOUL VIP BOOK LAUNCH
November 2, 2011: W HOTEL WESTWOOD: ART & SOUL EXHIBIT & BOOK SIGNING
November 9, 2011: ESTUDIO BRASIL 2011 – Sao Paulo, Brazil
November 12-13, 2011: PHOTO ASSISTANT BASIC TRAINING – APA New York

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APA PHOTO ASSISTANT BASIC TRAINING

Sony Artisan of Imagery Brian Smith is teaming up with APA New York Chapter Rep and Photographer Tony Gale to present Photo Assistant Basic Training, developed and offered for years by APA Chapters.

Get a major head start on a career in the photo industry.

With panel discussions, equipment demonstrations from industry experts, and hands-on training, attendees will come away with the essential knowledge and confidence to build your own Pro Assistant reputation. Acquire a comprehensive understanding of professional assisting behavioral guidelines, including contemporary set-etiquette, and discover how this valuable training will get you more call-backs – more repeat clients, more work.
Master Assisting Professionalism. Get booked solid.

Saturday, October 15 & Sunday, October 16
LEFTSPACE STUDIO: 2055 Bryant Street – San Francisco

Day One
Kicks off with the popular “Assistant Panel” which includes experts on working as a photo assistant. Get real world answers to all questions from the attendees. Following the panel discussion will be exciting live software and equipment demonstrations with industry reps from Sony, Profoto, and Adobe. Learn from the pros. Industry reps will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Day Two
Full on, hands-on workshops with much of the gear an assistant will most likely encounter on the majority of professional photo shoots. Many aspects of assisting will be explained in great detail, i.e. strobes, hot lights, flags, scrims, set etiquette, the assistant kit, tips on getting work, billing, and how to deal with the dreaded cancellation. Following classroom discussion and demonstrations, participants will work along side the Pro Photographers to discover crucial pro assisting skills.

Separate registration for each day, required.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm each day
Day 1 – APA Members Free, Non-members $40
Day 2 – APA Members $40, Non-members $80

Early registration is recommended because space is limited. APA SF has an event admission no refund policy. APA Members must pre-register for Day 1 even though it is free for members. Your membership must be current on the event dates to be entitled to the member rates.

Upcoming Events:
November 5 & 6: APA PHOTO ASSISTANT BASIC TRAINING – ATLANTA with Matthew Jordan Smith - Sony Artisan
November 12 & 13: APA PHOTO ASSISTANT BASIC TRAINING – NEW YORK with Brian Smith – Sony Artisan

REGISTER HERE PLEASE
There is an additional ($3.19 or $5.39) Eventbrite fee
Join the APA and Save on Event Admission fees! APA Assistant membership is just $125 AND APA Student membership is just $55. APA helps you get more work and we have dozens of valuable benefits, including the APA Pro Assistant sections of the APA National Business Manual.

APA Assistant Basic Training

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Come hear about the ‘Future of Editorial Photography’ when I speak at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco on Friday October 14, 2011. Students from the Academy of Art University swept the top 2 spots in the 2011 EP Education Grants so I’m looking forward to seeing the work of the future of the Industry.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011
TIME: 11:30AM-1:00PM
‘FUTURE OF EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY’
ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
625 SUTTER STREET, STUDIO 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Sponsored by Editorial Photographers

We have a special Door Prize from my good friends at PhotoShelter

Brian Smith speaks at the Academy of Art University: San Francisco - October 14, 2011

 

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