Come See Rebecca and Michael Speak at Imaging USA 2009!

When I started Limelight Photography on April 1, 2006 my three main goals I wanted to accomplish within three years before March 31, 2009 were:

#1 Create a successful and respected photography business that could support me and my family.
#2 Be published in Brides Florida and The Knot.
#3 Speak at a national convention and be in a leadership role and mentor other photographers.

We just found out this week that Professional Photographers of America will be sponsoring Michael and me and we will be speaking on a panel with Scott Kurkian, Chief Financial Officer of PPA for Imaging USA on January 13, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ.

So I have officially accomplished all three of my main goals within my timeframe. Now that we have done this, Michael and I are sitting down and evaluating our goals for the next three years.

Are you serious about your photography business? You can’t afford to miss Imaging USA! This photography convention is hosted annually by Professional Photographers of America. Imaging USA! was in Tampa in 2008 and we are headed to Pheonix, AZ for the 2009 convention.

We have many photographers ask us tips on how we have created a business out of doing what we love. The answer is we are blessed to be using the talents God gifted us with, a lot of hard work and help from Studio Management Services along the way.

Check out our program:

Successful SMS Studios: A Panel Discussion
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Sponsor(s): Professional Photographers of America

Hear how these successful photographers turned their businesses into incredible profit centers…even during a difficult economic time. Discover their secrets to operating growing, profitable photography studios despite rising competition and the slow economy. Their experiences and advice will give you great ideas, and a Q&A session will allow you to interact with those who experienced a turnaround firsthand.

Panelists:
Eric & Shawna Anundi
Jeff & Allison Rodgers
Prem Mukherjee
Edward Zemba
Rebecca & Michael Zoumberos

Moderator:
Scott Kurkian

The program I the most excited to attend is the unveiling of the new Benchmark Survey. The most recent 2005 Studio Financial Benchmark Survey Analysis served as a great guide for us to determine if our business was on track or not.

2008 Benchmark Survey Unveiled: What It Takes to Succeed
Monday, January 12, 2009 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Many photography business experts agree that the industry is experiencing one of its most challenging periods due to increased competition, rapidly evolving technology, and changing consumer values. Come see how many studios are enjoying record profits in spite of this chaotic environment. Unveiling the findings of Studio Management Service’s 2008 Benchmark Survey, business guru Ann Monteith reviews the strategies that highly profitable studios are using to manage their businesses. The new survey identifies key financial standards that distinguish the outstanding results of “best performers,” as well as how those standards have evolved since the first SMS benchmarks were published in 2006. In addition, you’ll learn business principles/strategies to create financial success and the importance of managing the delicate relationship between session volume, pricing, selling, and workflow.

Speakers
Ann Monteith

For the full schedule of programs and events visit imagingusa.org.