Professional Photographer - USA (2019-12)

©GREGORY DANIEL PORTRAITS AND KYLA RENEÉ PAINTINGS

The holidays are my busiest time of year

both in the studio and personally. Somehow,

I always get it all done—the orders for cli-

ents, the framing, the shopping for holiday

presents for everyone, and the decorating.

It’s a time of year I refer to as barely orga-

nized chaos. There might be a day or two

(or even five) that I feel stressed, but for the

most part, I truly enjoy it.

Back in the old days, we had to order wall

portraits by the first of December to have

them ready for holiday delivery. Now even

last-minute clients get their orders because

pro labs can turn them around in just a few

days or even overnight. I am very thankful

for that because it enables me to say yes to

last-minute clients.

Some more of the things I’m grateful for

this year:

My family and my PPA family. My family

has been extremely supportive this year given

the duties and travel I’ve taken on as PPA

president. FaceTime calls let me see my

grandchildren even while traveling. And I’ll

admit that I make my husband, Tony, put my

dog Zeeva on FaceTime as well.

My PPA family is always there for me, too,

even more so this year. The PPA Board of Di-

rectors and staff are my photography family.

We enjoy and respect each other. Like sib-

lings, we don’t always agree on everything

right away, but we end up supporting each

other in the end just as families so often do.

I appreciate that PPA committee members

and volunteers give up time to ensure that

members have the best association, great ed-

ucation, the integrity of image competition,

enhanced skills, and sound ethics guidelines.

New friends. The friends I’ve made across

this country and around the world have

inspired me and pushed me to be the best

I can be. This year I’ve traveled to several

countries and many state affiliates, where

I’ve made great new friends. We may speak

different languages, but we can all bond over

the language of photography.

My clients. Without them, my career

would just be a hobby. Of course, I’m grate-

ful for the income and the opportunity to be

an independent entrepreneur, but I also get

to meet incredible, inspiring people. Each

new client has a story to share. Each return-

ing client gives me an opportunity to watch

their family grow and build a long-term re-

lationship. I’m thankful even for high-main-

tenance clients. Problems really are just op-

portunities to do things differently and grow.

There are little things that I am very

thankful for as well:

• Good & Plenty: my all-time favorite candy.


• Though I dislike exercise, I’m thankful I
  can still run so I can work off the Good & Plenty.


• Autofocus lenses.


• Movies and TV for comedy and down time.


• Art museums
  And so much more.
  But I am most thankful for you, PPA mem-
  bers who are out there every day working to
  be the best you can be. You are here because
  you understand what it takes to be both a
  great image-maker and a business person.
  Have a holiday season full of success, hap-
  piness, and good health. •

102 PPMAG.COM

PERSPECTIVE

(^)
THROUGH THE LENS OF PPA
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
by Audrey Wancket, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
CRUNCH TIME