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    • December 12, 2024
    • 6:30 PM
    • Fork n' Pint -On Cass Lake- , 4000 Cass Elizabeth Road Waterford, MI 48328
    Register


    • February 18, 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
    • RSM Photographic, 4914 15 Mile Rd. Sterling Heights, MI 48310
    Register

    Capturing the Essence of Dance Photography

    with Robert Meek


    Discover the art of showcasing the talent of your next athlete with incredible imagery.

    Robert Meek, a 37-year veteran of dance photography, will guide you through multiple lighting setups, posing techniques, and special effects that will elevate your dance and sports photography. With his expertise, you'll learn how to capture the dynamic movements and intense emotions of dancers, transforming your photos into captivating works of art. Robert will provide you with the skills and insights needed to bring out the best in your subjects, making your work truly stand out.

    This event will allow for hands-on participation, so bring your cameras, we will be using Godox Lights so if you have a trigger for your camera, it may be beneficial to bring it.

    Register early as space is limited.

    Members are free. Guests must register and pay in advance. Register early for a discount. No refunds or onsite registration.


    ABOUT ROBERT MEEK

    Robert Meek, a distinguished photographer based in metro Detroit, brings 37 years of experience to his craft, specializing in portrait and commercial photography. His passion for photography ignited during his college years, culminating in a certification from Oakland Community College. In the 1990s, he founded Robert Meek Photography, amassing a portfolio of notable commercial credits, including work with Goodwill Industries, McCann Erickson Advertising, Somerset Mall, Michigan Health Care Corporation, and Cattleman’s Beef. His impressive body of work has been featured in numerous publications such as the Troy Portfolio, ATG Integrator Magazine, Detroit Women’s Metropolitan Magazine, and the Detroit Metro Times. He also gained recognition as a listed photographer for Productions Plus and various modeling agencies.

    Currently, Robert operates RSM Photographic in Sterling Heights, where he focuses on senior portraits, competitive dancers, family portraits, and professional headshots. His studio has been honored with the ClickOnDetroit Vote 4 The Best "Best Photographer" award and has consistently ranked in the top 5 in subsequent years. Adding to his expertise, Robert holds a commercial certification as a drone pilot from the Federal Aviation Administration, incorporating aerial photography into his offerings.

    A committed community member, Robert volunteers annually with Neighbors United, contributing his skills to create a calendar for the #walkfortheRED event, which supports Michigan firefighters and their families battling cancer. In recent years, Robert has embraced a more creative direction, collaborating with young artists to infuse his work with innovative and energetic styles, further enriching his diverse portfolio.






    • May 12, 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
    • tbd
    • 50
    Registration is closed

    Evening Presentation:

    The Headshot Side-Hustle -

    With Gary Hughes

    This is an evening workshop and precursor to tomorrow's full day class.  You can receive a discount by signing up for both workshops - do that from the SEPARATE Merit Class registration form.


    Portrait and wedding photographers, even really successful ones, often have the same problem: the slow season.

    What if you could build another source of income that could keep your studio busy all year?

    What if you could take advantage of the high demand for headshots without hurting your boutique studio brand?

    In this program, you will learn:

    -    How to craft a headshot brand and make it grow

    -    The different types of headshot jobs and how to price them

    -    How to communicate with B2B clients and speak their language

    -    Simple and effective marketing strategies

    Whether you plan to grow an existing headshot brand or start something new, this class is a perfect primer to get you on the right path.

    Register early. Space is limited. Attendees must register and pay in advance. No refunds or onsite registration.


    ABOUT GARY HUGHES:

    As the child of photographer parents, it is ironic that Gary Hughes's professional life included everything but photography until life led him back to the path for which he was ultimately destined, photographer. In 2008, he and his wife, Julie, founded Hughes Fioretti Photography, and, in the years since, have grown their business by making a name for themselves as THE place to get headshots in Central Florida.

    Aside from running a studio in Winter Park, FL, Gary is also in demand as a photography educator and travels often, teaching his methods to photographers all over the world. His main focus as an instructor is to empower photographers to create the type of business that sets them free to live the kind of life they want.

    Gary’s work has been featured in publications like Forbes, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World, while his educational articles have appeared in Professional Photographer, PetaPixel, Huffington Post, and Canon Learning.






                   


    • May 13, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    • tbd
    • 40
    Registration is closed

    Volume Headshot Master Class 

    with Gary Hughes

    10:00 am - 1:00 pm

    1:00 - 2:30 pm Lunch

    2:30 - 6:00 pm


    Volume Headshot Masterclass

    Do you ever notice the photographers posting all those big headshot jobs on social media and wonder, how do they get that kind of work? How do they pull it off? Or maybe you’ve done some team and event headshots and you want to book more of it and refine your process. This is a workshop you do NOT want to miss.

    Gary Hughes and his team shoot 7,000 headshots a year, and he is going to spend a full day telling you exactly how he pulls it off.

    In this full day workshop you’ll learn:

    -    Creating a B2B brand that businesses will respond to

    -    Crafting a website that will convert big leads into clients

    -    Marketing methods to bring in big clients

    -    How to bid for, book, and onboard corporate clients

    -    Shooting, organizing, and delivering team and event headshots (LIVE SHOOT)

    -    How to KEEP your clients once you have them

    This is an incredible opportunity to learn from a photographer who is booking and shooting this work on a daily basis. You will get real answers to the important questions and zero fluff. Find out how to get organized, make more money, thrill your clients, and grow your business in a single day of education.

    Register early. Space is limited. Attendees must register and pay in advance. No refunds or onsite registration.



    ABOUT GARY HUGHES

    As the child of photographer parents, it is ironic that Gary Hughes's professional life included everything but photography until life led him back to the path for which he was ultimately destined, photographer. In 2008, he and his wife, Julie, founded Hughes Fioretti Photography, and, in the years since, have grown their business by making a name for themselves as THE place to get headshots in Central Florida.

    Aside from running a studio in Winter Park, FL, Gary is also in demand as a photography educator and travels often, teaching his methods to photographers all over the world. His main focus as an instructor is to empower photographers to create the type of business that sets them free to live the kind of life they want.

    Gary’s work has been featured in publications like Forbes, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World, while his educational articles have appeared in Professional Photographer, PetaPixel, Huffington Post, and Canon Learning.


                          


    • June 17, 2025
    • 6:30 PM
    • TBD

    Annual Awards Ceremony

    Please join us for an evening of fellowship and celebration! Catch up with old friends and meet new members, while looking forward to the upcoming membership year. 

    6:30 Festivities Begin 

    7:00 Dinner (cash bar available)

    8:00 General Membership Meeting and Awards Ceremony

    Meet the newly appointed 2024 DPPA executive board and directors.

    Show your support for fellow members as they receive service and competition awards, including the 2024 Photographer of the Year!

    Everyone must be registered to attend. Registration ends after June 15th. No walk-ins or late registration.

Past events

November 30, 2024 On Location: Holly Dickens Festival Photoshoot
November 19, 2024 DPPA Photographic Competition - 2024
November 09, 2024 DPPA Zoom Meeting: Pre-Competition Image Review and Critique
October 16, 2024 PPA Merit Class: Wham B.L.A.M.!!™ - Breathtaking, Luminous, Artistic Masterpieces - with Rosalind Guder
October 15, 2024 B.L.A.M.!!™ - Sculpted Lighting for Impact!! - Evening Workshop with Rosalind Guder
October 09, 2024 DPPA Pre-Competition Image Review and Critique
September 24, 2024 Unlock the Magic of Photographing Reflective Surfaces: by Dave Scott
June 11, 2024 Annual Awards Ceremony
May 22, 2024 PPA Merit Class: Creating Between Light and Shadow - A "Hands-on" Portrait Workshop, with Carl Caylor
May 21, 2024 Evening Presentation: Mastering Compelling Images for Clients and Competition, with Carl Caylor
May 19, 2024 DPPA Photographic Swap Meet
April 16, 2024 Photoshop Foundation with Emphasis on B&W Photography: by John Campbell
March 19, 2024 Event Lighting Using On and Off Camera Flash: with Paul Stoloff
February 20, 2024 Portfolio Building Collaborative Themed Photo Session, "Rosie the Riveter": with Robert Meek
January 16, 2024 Evening Presentation: Scenic Painting - Magic of Theater.... What The Heck Does It Have To Do With Photography? With Kip Shawger M.Photog.
December 05, 2023 DPPA Lifetime Member Appreciation & Holiday Party
November 14, 2023 DPPA Photographic Competition
October 17, 2023 Evening Presentation: DPPA Member to Member Demonstrations and Discussions
October 03, 2023 DPPA Board, Committee, Member Vision and Planning Event
September 26, 2023 DPPA Members Only: Image Review and Critique
September 20, 2023 PPA Merit Class: From Concept to Composite - Crafting Imaginary Realities - with Amber Damour, M.Photog.
September 19, 2023 Evening Presentation: Beyond Reality - Exploring the World of Photography Composites - With Amber Damour, M. Photog
June 20, 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony
May 16, 2023 Evening Presentation: Introduction to AI Photography with Marina Shipova
May 16, 2023 PPA Merit Class: Captivating Storytelling Photography with Marina Shipova
April 18, 2023 Evening In-Person Presentation: How to Get Started in Volume Photography, by John Ransom
March 28, 2023 [DATE RESCHEDULED to March 28th] Evening In-Person Presentation: Make It or Break It Lighting, by Kari Douma
February 21, 2023 Free Evening Presentation and Social Meetup : Wildlife - In and Out of Africa, with Ron Conigliaro
January 17, 2023 Evening Online Presentation: Putting Your Best Paw Forward with Pet Photography by Nicole Begley
December 06, 2022 DPPA Holiday Party
November 15, 2022 Photographic Competition
November 09, 2022 Image Critique & Portfolio Review
October 26, 2022 Evening Presentation: Conceptualizing Storytelling Imagery With Amber Damour
October 26, 2022 PPA Merit Class: Creating Painterly Storytelling Imagery with Amber Damour, M.Photog.
October 03, 2022 DPPA Members Only: DPPA Special Edition Image Review
September 20, 2022 Evening Presentation: Making a Merit Image with Rich and Christie Newell
September 20, 2022 PPA Merit Class: Fine Art Maternity and Newborn Photography Workshop with Christie Newell
June 21, 2022 Annual Awards Ceremony
May 17, 2022 On Location: Dequindre Cut Photo Walk with Edelyn Westwood
April 19, 2022 Evening Workshop: Composition and Perception in Visual Art
April 19, 2022 DPPA: Meet up for Dinner
March 15, 2022 PPA Online Merit Class: Metamorphosis from Photography to Art with Judy Reinford
February 15, 2022 Evening Online Presentation: The Craft of Photography and the 12 Elements Beyond Competition with Bryan Welsh
January 25, 2022 Evening Online Presentation: World Photography - Off the Beaten Path with Ron Conigliaro
November 29, 2021 DPPA Holiday Party
November 09, 2021 Print Competition
October 19, 2021 Evening Presentation: Before, After... How to Get There with Carl Caylor
October 19, 2021 PPA Merit Class: On Location Workshop with Carl Caylor
October 18, 2021 Evening Online Event: Image Critique & Portfolio Review
September 21, 2021 Evening Presentation: Architecture and Interiors with Randy Van Duinen
September 21, 2021 PPA Merit Class: Architectural Photography, Post-Processing and More with Randy Van Duinen
June 15, 2021 Annual Awards Ceremony
May 18, 2021 On Location: Photography Workshop
April 20, 2021 Evening Online Class: Portrait Lighting and Posing with Adam Carroll, M.Photog., Cr., CPP
March 16, 2021 Evening Online Class: Workflow and Marketing with Real Estate Photographer Karen Thaemert, Cr. Photog, CPP
March 16, 2021 PPA Merit Class: The Real Scoop on Real Estate Photography with Karen Thaemert, Cr. Photog, CPP
February 16, 2021 Evening Online Class: Photoshop TNT - Get Blown Away by Some of the Deep Dark Secrets of Photoshop with Ed Westwood, M Photog.
January 26, 2021 Evening Online Class: Tax Training for Photographers with the Michigan Department of Treasury - Part 2
December 15, 2020 Online: Holiday Party
November 17, 2020 Online: Photographic Competition
October 20, 2020 Online: Image Critiques
September 15, 2020 Evening Online Class: A Tale of Two Wedding Styles with Sam Sarkis and Ray Anthony Iavasile
June 16, 2020 Annual Awards Ceremony
May 28, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
May 21, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
May 19, 2020 Online Class: The Portrait Sales Presentation with Ron Nichols
May 14, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
May 07, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
April 30, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
April 29, 2020 Online Class: Making More Profit Designing Wedding Albums with Sam Sarkis
April 23, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
April 21, 2020 Online Class: The Tale of Two Products with Carl Caylor
April 17, 2020 Online Class: Workflow for Competition Prints with Kelly Dobson
April 16, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
April 09, 2020 Online Class: Photoshop Tips with Ed Westwood
March 17, 2020 Cancelled / Evening Presentation: The Senior Model Program They'll Pay You For with Jenn Lewis
March 17, 2020 Cancelled / PPA Merit Class: Create a Full Service Experience and Get Paid for It with Jenn Lewis
March 06, 2020 Image Competition Series: Great Lakes PhotoMax & Image Competition
February 18, 2020 Evening Presentaton: Tax Training for Photograpers with the Michigan Department of Treasury
January 28, 2020 Evening Presentation: Lights, Camera, Action, 1-2-3! Creative Lighting Workshop with Claude Jodoin
December 10, 2019 Holiday Networking Event
November 12, 2019 Image Competition Series: Local Image Competition
November 04, 2019 Image Competition Series: Image Critique & Portfolio Review
October 15, 2019 Evening Presentation: Modern Headshot with Emma Burcusel
September 16, 2019 Evening Presentation: Shooting On Location with Fuzzy Duenkel
September 16, 2019 PPA Merit Class: On Location Workshop & Evening Presentation with Fuzzy Duenkel
September 11, 2019 Image Competition Series: New to Competition (Webinar with Carl Caylor)
June 18, 2019 Annual Awards Banquet
May 21, 2019 Outdoor Flash Photography at Edsel Ford House
April 16, 2019 Marketing and Social Media for Photographers / Album and Folio Print Competition
March 19, 2019 Exploring Mirrorless Cameras
February 19, 2019 Tips on How to Go Pro
January 15, 2019 Portfolio Building Shoot Out
December 11, 2018 Holiday Networking Event
November 20, 2018 Print Competition
November 13, 2018 Sam Sarkis-Lighting and Posing
October 16, 2018 Senior Sports and Composites--Mike Osborne
September 18, 2018 Justin Haugen-Mastering MagMod, Getting Big Results Out of Your Small Kit
June 19, 2018 2018 Awards Ceremony / Banquet
May 15, 2018 Lisa Langell - Stop Documenting, Start creating Beautiful Images of Nature
May 14, 2018 Lisa Langell - Stop Documenting, Start creating Beautiful Images of Nature
April 17, 2018 Mike Price -
March 20, 2018 Marisa Miller
February 20, 2018 Kelly Dobson - Rethinking creativity as a skill
January 23, 2018 Robert Hall - Lighting Under pressure
December 13, 2017 Holiday Networking Event
November 21, 2017 DPPA Print Competition
October 17, 2017 James Schmelzer
September 19, 2017 Sherry Hagerman - Light It Up ~ The Road to Epic Weddings
June 20, 2017 2017 Awards Ceremony / Banquet
May 16, 2017 Kathy Falls - Old Masters Techniques are Still Revelant & Album Competition
April 18, 2017 David Humphrey - Posing for Profit - Seniors - All Day
March 21, 2017 David M Deutsch - Post Production Print Effects & Tips
February 21, 2017 Trish Logan - Bringing the Big Guns to your Business with School Photography & Folio Competition
January 17, 2017 Amber Henry - The Inspired Wedding
December 03, 2016 Detroit Parade Company Photo Walk
November 15, 2016 DPPA Print Competition
October 11, 2016 Melanie Anderson - The Senior Experience - ALL DAY
September 20, 2016 Claude Jodoin - Lighting for Fun and Profit
August 23, 2016 Amy Feick - Competition Basics
July 19, 2016 Outdoor Model Shoot
June 21, 2016 Awards Ceremony
May 17, 2016 Album Competition and Angela Plackowski Lawson - "Pet Photography 101"
April 19, 2016 Mark Zucker "From Mildly Successful to Wildly Successful"
March 15, 2016 Folio Competition, Kirk Voclain - Coolest studio in Town with Senior Portraits
March 15, 2016 Camera Cleaning
February 16, 2016 All Day Workshop "Photography - Soup To Nuts" with David Duetch
January 19, 2016 WOW Workshop with Sam Sarkis - "Perfect Posing and Lighting Techniques for Wedding Photographers"
December 15, 2015 Holiday Social Party / Print Critique
November 17, 2015 Print Competition
October 20, 2015 Anna Venhaus
September 15, 2015 Michael Mowbray
August 18, 2015 Workshop - Hands on
July 19, 2015 100th Year Anniversay / Social Picnic
June 16, 2015 2015 Awards Ceremony / Banquet
May 19, 2015 Lindsay Adler - Fashion Flair for Portrait and Wedding/Creative Retouching
April 21, 2015 Lora Yeater - Follow Your Heart
March 17, 2015 Landon Day - Get In The Fast Lane - With Speed Lighting
February 17, 2015 Mary Bortz - Distinctive Black and White Character Portraits
January 20, 2015 Rick Trummer - "You May not Want to Hear This"
November 18, 2014 Print Competition
October 21, 2014 David Hakamaki - Running a Successful Home Based Photography Studio.
September 16, 2014 Ken Sklute \ Canon Explorer of Light