We want to thank everyone for their feedback regarding the WPS facebook page.  This has been a very difficult discussion for both us and our members.  After listening to your feedback and having a lot of internal discussion about the future of the the group, we've decided to open a new group for the WPS.  As the old group cannot have its name changed, we have a new group waiting for you to join:  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewpscom/

This new group is OPEN (which means your friends and possibly clients WILL see what you post).  The forum remains the best place for private conversations and to post information that can benefit ALL members long term.

We will be generating member only content, offers from wonderful vendors, and of course, the yearly workshop and possible additional workshops available ONLY to WPS Members.  WPS membership is ONLY granted thru membership on the WPS webpage - www.thewps.com.

We look forward to seeing you on the new group!  

Be sure to check out the WPS calendar and sign up for an hour long chat session with Karen Boardman, the WPS IP attorney.  She'll be discussing copyright briefly as well as going over the WPS privacy policy as that's been a hot topic as of late.

Make sure to RSVP here!

http://weddingphotographicsociety.com/index.php/calendar/event/47-chat-with-an-ip-attorney/

The WPS is honored to open up the 2013 Roots Workshop Registration page! As always, we've got a few early bird tickets available. We've undergone a major overhaul of the workshop this year. Of course, it's now a workshop format. This is not only a name change but an entire mentality change of such a great educational opportunity. Instead of 3 days of speakers talking "at" you, we're going hands on and not only will there be educational speaking, there will be plenty of hands on experience, working directly with speakers and other talented photographers. We're creating individual shooting areas to use both during the speakers talks and during "free" time. We are providing lighting gear for these shooting areas so you'll have a wonderful opportunity to work with different lighting setups - both traditional and unorthodox.

We are keeping the same mentality of placing importance on business education as well as shooting. You can see the below schedule for an early peek at the workshop layout. Keep in mind this schedule (not the speakers) MAY change and will certainly be updated as we lock in the last two speakers travel arrangements.

More information to follow!

The link for registration is below:

REGISTER FOR THE 2013 ROOTS WORKSHOP HERE

Sunday 8/4
8:00 AM Registration WPS Staff
9:00 AM Welcome WPS Staff 9:30 AM Workshop #1 PENDING
12:30 PM LUNCH
2:00 PM Workshop #2PENDING
5:00 PM Open shooting
8:00 PM Social Hour
9:00 PM Adventure Shoots & Shots


Monday 8/5
9:00 AM Workshop #3 John Michael Cooper
12:00 PM LUNCH
1:30 PM Workshop #4 Dalisa Cooper
4:30 PM Open shooting
5:30 PM Cornerstones of photography
7:30 PM Dinner
9:00 PM WPS Party - Open to all WPS members

Tuesday 8/6
9:00 AM Workshop #5 IP/Copyright Attorney/Karen Boardman
12:00 PM LUNCH
2:00 PM Workshop #6 Jason Domingues
5:00 PM BREAK
5:05 PM Closing Remarks
5:30 PM Workshop ends
7:00 PM Decompression dinner (Open to all Workshop Attendees)

The legendary Mike Bayley and his son turned a projection sales (PS) meeting into a mini-workshop. Several WPS photographers from different parts of the triangle to listened to the pros speak on how we can generate more revenue.

The evening started off with a pot luck dinner. The delicious buffet included pizza, ribs, buffalo wings, triple chess dip, beer, soda, and how can we forget the delicious home made cupcakes. After everyone was full Mike took over started his conversation with his photographic beginnings which influenced on how he sales to clients. Bayley currently uses an older software for his PS meetings (because it still works) however, he recommends people get the Pro-Select software.

Bayley stated that PS meetings can be held at a studio, if you have one, or at the comforts of the clients home. The most important part of PS meetings is to have everyone who makes a (financial) decision in the family needs to be there. And prior to the meeting, inform them that you will help them go through the ordering process. He later showed us his system and how it has worked successfully for many years. Bayley highly encourages us to utilize PS.

The meeting ended near 10 p.m. due to all the great information provided by Mike and multiple photographers in the room contributing to the conversation. This was an amazing meeting and thank you Mike for welcoming The WPS into your studio!

See you next month Raleigh WPS!

We've been hard at work behind the scenes to perform a total revamp of the annual WPS Convention. Each year, we solicit feedback both right after the event and then periodically throughout the year so we can put together the best possible event for all of our members.

This year, we have performed a complete overhaul of the convention. So much so that, in fact, we are no longer calling it that. Based on all the feedback we have received from you, we have changed the format to get rid of the "convention" and recreate it as a true "workshop". In other words, we are going back to the "roots" of the WPS which is education, networking and helping each other grow personally, professionally and selflessly sharing with each other.

The workshop will feature a simplified schedule with longer class times. Each speaker will spend part of the time on true education (classroom) then move to a full hands on demonstration where you get involved as well. That's just one of the numerous cool things we have planned.

We'll be posting the full schedule shortly but here are a few particulars:

Date: August 4-6, 2013
Location: Carolina Inn
1 room, 2 screens
Numerous shooting stations with full lighting gear provided

Here are a few teasers on what we are working on:

Legal (including hands on contract customization)
Lighting (numerous lighting scenarios with hands on shooting using numerous lighting sources - all provided)
SEO (yep, we're trying to get an expert in)
Well known fashion & commercial photographer (no, won't tell you who just yet)
Plenty of "open time" to do your own shooting individually or in groups with the speakers participating.

*Please keep in mind these are the things that are still in the works. When they are locked in we will say so.

We'll be posting a link to purchase tickets soon. As always, we have a cap on the convention attendees and there will be a limited # of "trust' tickets that are going to be a STEAL with this years lineup.

Hey everyone!  It's that time of year where we are announcing the dates for the next WPS convention!  We've heard your comments loud and clear from previous conventions and, this year, we are making some changes that promise to make this the best convention yet.

Until we can get the formal announcement out, we'll let you get excited about these few teasers:

1 HUGE room
Less talking, more shooting & learning
Great speaker lineup
Same awesome sponsorships

CONVENTION INFORMATION:

Dates: August 4th-6th, 2013
Location: Carolina Inn (tentative)
COST: TBA

More information to follow soon!