Leading Online Photography Services Provider Announces Final All-Star Line-Up of Speakers and Shooting Workshop Presenters for Annual Gathering of Pictage Members and Partners;
Conference Highlighted by Large-Scale Charity Photo Shoot for Hurricane Katrina Victims
Pictage, Inc., the industry’s leading provider of online image hosting, printing, marketing and ecommerce solutions to professional photographers, announced it will host its Partner Conference 2009, Nov. 3-5, 2009, at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, La. The annual gathering is expected to draw the largest contingent of members and partners ever in the company’s 10-year history. Beyond its many sessions focused on the business aspects of professional photography, the unique, three-day event will also celebrate and explore the artistry and imagination of the medium through the conference theme, “Dream. Create. Inspire.”
In addition, Pictage also released the conference’s full program agenda, which features an impressive line-up of speakers, including world-renowned photographers Joe Buissink, Denis Reggie, Kevin Kubota, Mike Colón, Me Ra Koh, David Beckstead, and Gary Fong. Other well-known photography luminaries will serve as topical session presenters, and lead shooting workshops offering practical, real-world instruction and insight.
“Pictage’s Partner Conference 2009 is a distinctive, immersive, and highly personalized experience for professional photographers, and a carefully designed gathering which brings together industry leaders to share the inspiration, practical knowledge, and hands-on expertise needed to manage successful photography-based businesses,” said Jim Collins, chief executive officer of Pictage, Inc., and an avid photographer himself. “More importantly, attendees will obtain these perspectives directly from their peers and others with a vested interest in their success: industry professionals who share their passions, dreams, challenges, accomplishments, and above all, an intense affinity for the medium and the craft. In the end, this conference is about furthering the unique culture of professional photography, and enabling attendees to further ingrain themselves into the diverse, imaginative fabric of the photographic arts.”
Pictage’s Partner Conference 2009 will conclude on Thursday, Nov. 5, with the largest and most exciting community service initiative ever undertaken by the company. In the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of families from New Orleans and neighboring Gulf Coast states saw their homes destroyed, along with many of their most prized personal possessions. Many families lost arguably their most valued treasures: family photographs. Inspired to remedy this loss, over 100 professional photographers attending the conference, along with representatives from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will come together to shoot free portrait sessions for more than 200 impacted families, and replace their family photos with new, priceless memories. After the shoot, each family will receive a disc of their professionally produced photographs, followed by a package of high-quality archival prints to be delivered to their home a few weeks later.
Conference Agenda and Schedule of Activities
Pictage’s Partner Conference 2009 begins Monday, Nov. 2, with early registration and a welcome mixer, and then officially kicks off the following morning with a keynote address from Collins entitled, “What Does Dream, Create, Inspire Mean to You?” Following Collins’ session, attendees are free to choose from any number of presentations and shooting workshops depending on their specific areas of interest.
Intriguing sessions range from Carlos Baez’s incredible workshop on lighting techniques, to a presentation from Jeff and Erin Youngren regarding authenticity, to Jason Aten’s perspectives on best practices for starting a business. Additionally, Kevin Swan, Nathan Holritz, Shaun Austin, and Mike Larson will host a special two-day version of the KISS Wedding Books Get Simple workshop, which focuses on all facets of a photography business, including marketing, shooting, post-production, product selection, and sales. An exciting addition to Pictage’s Partner Conference line-up, Kubota will oversee his well-respected Lightroom workshop on revolutionary workflow strategies. Finally, Fong will lead an interesting discussion on the state of the industry, based on his professional experience with operating one of the most financially successful photography studios ever.
Before, in between, and after these scheduled sessions, conference goers will be able to network with other photographers at cocktails receptions, luncheons, and even a special Pictage-organized Tweet-Up during Tuesday’s evening activities led by well-respected photographer Scott Bourne.
Attendees may review the complete conference agenda, speaker biographies, and schedule of activities at http://pro.pictage.com/community/ppc/neworleans/schedule.shtml.
Conference Registration and Pricing
Registration for Pictage’s Partner Conference 2009 is open to all photographers and strategic partner representatives. The cost for current Pictage members is $200.00, while non-members may attend the conference for $250.00. The conference registration process may be completed by visiting http://pro.pictage.com/community/ppc/neworleans/index.shtml#hotel, and then clicking on the Register Now button. Space is limited, so attendees should register now to secure their conference participation.
Sponsorship and Exhibition Rates
For its Partner Conference 2009, Pictage has secured tremendous support from major professional photography industry sponsors and exhibitors, including AsukaBook USA, Bananas EDU, Canon, COUTURE BOOK, Dare Dreamer Media, Dolores Ann Events, FolioMojo, GOBEE, KISS Wedding Books, Kodak, Kubota Image Tools, Leather Craftsmen, liveBooks, Marketing Essentials International (MEI), Phat Doctor Designs, ShootDotEdit, ShootQ, Simply Canvas, Tafota, WPPI, and Zookbinders.
Additional sponsorship packages and exhibition space are still available at attractive rates. Interested companies should contact Lisa Allen of Pictage at lallen@pictage.com.
Hotel Accommodations
Pictage’s Partner Conference 2009 will be held at the beautiful Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, an InterContinental Hotels Group property located at the gateway of New Orleans’ world-famous French Quarter on the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets. Attendees may secure room reservations by calling 800-972-2791, or by visiting http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/cwshome/DPRD-7T3J83/MSYLA. Additional hotel information may be found at http://www.astorneworleans.com.
About Pictage, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Pictage, Inc. is the industry’s leading provider of online image hosting, printing, marketing and e-commerce solutions to professional photographers. Serving more than 8,000 practitioners nationwide, Pictage offers photographers freedom from every angle by serving as their complete, one-stop business partner and resource for online viewing, marketing, sales, and printing of professionally produced images. The company’s broad range of services and products are designed to fit within a professional event photographer’s workflow; significantly reduce the time and effort needed to present, market and sell images and photo products to clients; and increase photographer revenue. Most importantly, Pictage gives professional photographers the power and flexibility to efficiently manage their respective businesses, and continue making favorable, lasting impressions with their clients. For more information, please visit http://www.pictage.com.
Contacts:
Caddy Marketing and Communications for Pictage, Inc.
Keith R.
Pillow, 805-389-1815
keith@caddymarketingonline.com
or
Pictage,
Inc.
Scott Anderson
Senior Community Manager
310-525-1584
sanderson@pictage.com
