The First Album The first official album cover for my “Off The Record” project has been completed and was unveiled today – appropriately enough – in London during my program at SWPP. I decided to start the project off with an iconic album cover from a British band that helped define 80s music – Dur...
Anyone Remember Records? The era of the vinyl LP is pretty much behind us. Sure, there are a few die-hard collectors and DJs who still covet records, but by-and-large, the music industry has left them behind. Remember when you were a kid and you got a cool new album for Christmas? It was always ob...
I am excited to be a part of the PROSPER eConference Summit January 14-23. This summit brings together 15 of the brightest minds in the industry — leading photography experts who will share proven strategies, real-world techniques, and hands-on tools designed to help you: • Attract, close, and thril...
Don’t get me wrong- there are certainly days when I long for the “good old days” – when we used film and people didn’t stare at their phones all day. Technology can certainly be a nuisance. However, sometimes it comes in pretty darn handy! OFF TO THE ARCTIC This week I was scheduled to speak in Mi...
Back Where It Started Fifteen years ago, I joined the Dallas Professional Photographers Association. I didn’t really know anyone there and was just learning the ropes of photography. I knew so little, that I didn’t realize how far I had to go – if that makes sense. In hindsight, it turned out to ...
Every year, I teach a darkroom class to 8th graders at The Westwood School in Dallas. Although it is truly a dying art, I think there is still a lot to be learned from the whole development process. You have to work to get a nice image and can’t just shoot 1000 shots and hope to get a good one. Whi...
I get a lot of emails asking which Photoshop filter plugins I use on my images. By far, my favorites are the Topaz filters. I like the fact that they offer easy-t0-use presets, but also allow you to go in and fine tune the look as much as you want. I don’t really endorse too many photography items...
Guest Post by Brian Testa From a Renewed Bingo Setting to Instant Photo Sharing Capabilities Social media has already made its presence felt in the photo industry with more technologies that cater to portability and ease of access. Although the DSLRs are still a must for professional shutterbugs, ca...
Last year I wrote a post about the Death of the Point and Shoot where I talked about how the Point-and-Shoot camera was going the way of the dinosaur. I mean, really- when was the last time you saw someone shooting with one? It makes sense really. Why carry along an extra camera when you can just us...
This project has produced some very emotional stories, but this is one you won't forget. Here is Marsha's story.
A Week Of Inspiration I just returned from Altanta after spending the week at Gwinett Technical College judging at PPA’s International Photographic Competition. Every year, judges from around the country get together for a week to judge the best photography from around the world. It is truly an ex...
Read moreIs there a photographer out there who doesn’t want to get better? Isn’t everyone looking for the ultimate learning platform for photography? Well, Trey Ratcliff of “Stuck in Customs” fame may have just found it! A few weeks ago, I was introduced to a new learning community called The Arcanum. Th...
Read moreReady to get your learn on??? I’ll be doing a presentation tomorrow for the 2016 Digital Art Summit. My program is on “Growing as an Artist” and there are plenty of other presenters doing some amazing programs as well. You have the option of just purchasing my program or they have some packages th...
Read moreIt is that time again. Time to take on a huge charity venture to help some kids smile. My son Dean is helping me promote again this year, so here he is to tell you more…. WHAT IS IT? Operation Smile provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children...
Read moreOk, I’ve fallen a bit behind in my blogging, but had to take a second for a “shameless self-promotion post.” Several years ago, I started a YouTube channel to share tips on photography, Photoshop, etc. It started out as just a fun project and just continued to grow. Recently, the channel reached ...
Read moreJust returned from a fun weekend in Yakima, Washington where I judged images at PPA’s Western States District Image Competition. If you’ve never entered photographic competitions, you are missing out on one of the best educational opportunities available. It truly forces you to hone your craft and ...
Read moreIt is back- Celebration of Smiles 2017! Every year, we do free portraits to support Operation Smile. For a donation of merely $25, we photograph you and give you the digital file. No strings attached. For every 10 we do, enough money is raised ($250) to pay for a child to have surgery. What a de...
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