Photography from Nicholas Viltrakis: PhotoMentorGroup

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Photo Pro Expo 2015!!

The Photo Pro Expo was last week and if you missed it I feel sorry for ya...

Held at the center of the universe in Covington KY's convention center...

There was plenty of seating for the huge crowds like above for Lindsey Adler.

Also it was a great time for the industry leaders to get together and talk shop... or whatever.

The learning and fum was in abundance! Jim Schmelzer was amazing with lighting and posing!

#1 selling author, Roberto Valenzuela captivate the room with his wit

and insight!

(1.6 seconds F22 hand held)
Here's the lucky group from Crayons to Computers with the new cameras afforded by the Photo Pro Network! This year the total donation was $10,000!

Portrait artist and Olympic sailor Peter Hurley was there! BAM!

Jim Schmelzer once again...

And the Photo Pro Expo! The best place in the world to try out enormous glass!

Celebrity photographer Michael Grecco wow'd em with keen insight and inspiration!

And what expo awards night could go by without a mention about super team Higdon? I started a petition that next year we just mail them the awards and we can all save a hotel room expense...

And did I mention it was a beach theme?

Paul Goodman figured it out.

Saturday into the morning hours we held the first ever Midnight at the Oasis shoot! More on that later. Above is pictured the amazing Phillips Mitchell.

And this man, Frank Wilson was my partner in crime for most of the weekend. Whether it was teaching the kids from Crayons to Computers to the Celebrity Guest Photographer booth for Westcott, Frank was there! THANKS FRANK! YOU ROCK!

This is an overhead shot creepin in on Phillips Mitchell's model freezing concept!

(photo by Tiffany)
And you know I had a good time.

Even my cousin Holly was there!

And you know the attendees had a good time!

I also need to send a shout out to these beautiful ladies, Natalie and Amanda! They were loads of fun! An of course, the one who chooses not to be photographed, Tiffany! Thank you ladies!

One of the best parts of the convention weekends are the expo shootouts!

I'm somebody!

This one is Roberto Valenzuela and I have a post next week about my shootout Sunday morning!

And last but certainly not least a HUGE thank you to Mr. David Ziser (who was only 18 days out from open heart surgery and still kicked butts all weekend long!!!!) the beautiful Mrs. LaDawn Ziser, and Mr. Randy Fraley!

Of course this post can't possibly sum up all 1400 images from the weekend! SO for a full list of speakers and itinerary click here:
PhotoProExpo 2015

Next year is ready to register! Until then click here and be sad you missed it

Please don't hire me! I'm not the photographer for you.

Well I'm off on another photographic amazing wedding adventure at the Breakers 5 star hotel in Palm Beach Florida so I thought I'd get the blog post out of the way this week with a thought on differentiation. I read a lot of posts on social media of other photographers telling other photographers they aren't photographers. This to me seems like a waste of time and exposes their clients to negativity. Who wants to hear that? Not me. Probably not your clients either. Why not take the opportunity to tell your clients how you are different and better instead of badmouthing others or lamenting?

This week I thought I'd share a post I created after a potential client went with a "newer" photographer offering "more stuff" for less money. I hope you find this humorous take informative and not negative. Type to you after this 14 hour day!

(this is just the entrance to the hotel)

Please don't hire me! I'm not the photographer for you.

I'm not the kind of photographer that's easy to deal with.

I ask a bunch of questions all the time about what you want. I'll make timelines and backup plans just in case. Who cares? I even irritate the locations by going there before the shoot to make sure I know what I'm going to do, my gear works there, where the best locations are, if they have any rules I have to follow, and to see how long the drive time is. I'll make sure I have a good idea of exactly what you are looking for and being asked all those questions is irritating, I know.

Another reason you shouldn't hire me is that I'm not the cheapest. It's annoying when photographers pay taxes, and anticipate the cost of doing business, get insurance for the gear and liability. That's so unnecessary. I also buy expensive software to perfect the images. Please don't hire me! I will absolutely charge you for the level of service I bring. What's more my prints cost more because they are on archival paper that holds color forever. You should definitely go with another photographer that is cheaper.

You REALLY shouldn't hire me because I finish all my images. I know you don't care what the images look like. You don't care if they have a good color balance and density. You probably don't even know what that means, right? I know you don't want a photographer that looks at every image make sure they are awesome. You just want the jpgs straight out of the camera on a DVD, I know that... You shouldn't hire me. I stink at that.

In closing, dear potential customer... PLEASE DON'T HIRE ME. I care way too much. I do way more work than you want. I'm not the cheapest and I bother you asking how to make you happy way too much.

If you still need someone I can look on Craig's list for you or ask some of my friends with nice cameras.

Thank you for understanding.

Nicholas

2013 Kelby World Wide Photowalk - Cincinnati

This year once again I got the pleasure of leading a Scott Kelby World Wide Photowalk for 2013!!

This is my amazing group! Special thanks to Michaels' McIntire and Zero for coming out for the event!

The ominous clouds of rain continuously threatened our walk this year so I decided to play it safe and reserve time at Krohn Conservatory. That way if it didn't rain we could walk outside, but if it was pouring all day the botanical gardens would be a safe interesting dry place!

So when Saturday October 5th came and there was no rain we began our journey at the fabulous conservatory and ended up at Eden Park's Overlook for a spectacular finish!