APA Midwest has partnered with AIGA Chicago to bring you this Connect4Success event that explores the relationship between Designer and Photographer. Projects reach their greatest potential when all contributing members challenge each other to go further and create beyond their current abilities. At this event, we’ll take a closer look at the dynamic working relationship between designer and photographer.

Designer, Rick Valicenti of Thirst/3st and Photographer, Tom Vack will reveal into the creative process that occurred over their most recent print collaboration for custom luxury furniture designer and showroom presence, Holly Hunt. Printed on Sappi Fine Papers at none other than Classic Color here in Chicago. The actual beautiful 64-page catalog will be the subject of the entertaining evening and each attendee will receive a copy courtesy of Sappi and Classic Color.

All chapters of APA National are creating Connect4Success events in June 2013 to encourage members to connect with others to further their business.

Speakers:
Rick Valicenti, Thirst/3st
Tom Vack, Photographer
Holly Hunt, Holly Hunt

Tuesday, June 11, 2013
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Open Secret Studios
401 N Racine
Chicago, Illinois

Tickets:
$10 Students
$15 AIGA Members
$15 APA Midwest Members
$40 Non-Members

Register Now

About Rick Valicenti
Rick Valicenti is the founder and design director of Thirst/3st, a communication design firm devoted to art, function, and real human presence. He has been influencing the design discourse internationally since 1988 and is a leading presence in design as a practitioner, educator, and mentor.

The White House honored Valicenti in 2011 with the Smithsonian Cooper-­Hewitt, National Design Award for Communication Design. In 2006, he received the AIGA Medal, the highest honor of the graphic design profession, for his sustained contribution to design excellence and the development of the profession. Valicenti is a former president of the Society of Typographic Arts (STA) and is a member of the AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale) since being invited in 1996. In 2004, he was recognized as a Fellow of the AIGA Chicago.

Over the past 30 years, Valicenti has publicly presented his work through lectures, workshops, and critiques on the design industry to more than 100 professional and college audiences on five continents. He has edited a 356-­page monograph on the Thirst work titled, Emotion as Promotion, published in 2005 by the Monacelli Press.

Valicenti and Thirst/3st work is included in the permanent collection of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the 2006 Triennial, Design Life Now; the Art Institute of Chicago; and the Library of the Museum of Modern Art. The work continues to advance the public design discourse while pushing the boundaries of graphic and intermedia design.

About Tom Vack
Born in Chicago 1948. Studied Architecture and Design at the University of Illinois Chicago Circle 1966-1969. Self taught in photography. Worked in Chicago from 1970-1984. Working predominantly with Graphic Designers such as Rick Valicenti, Joseph Essex, Jilly Simons, Robert Petrick, John Greiner and Gene Bellini. Has lived and worked in Italy and Germany for 25 years. Working for designers such as Michele De Lucchi, Ingo Maurer, Philippe Starck, Ron Arad and Marc Newson, and for companies such as Magis, Luceplan, Driade, Leica, Emu, and Sharp.

About Holly Hunt
A native of Texas, Holly Hunt describes her design-centric business of showrooms and product for interior designers, as a business of 10,000 details. If we believe Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers, it also takes 10,000 hours to be really good at anything. So, Holly has been very busy for 27 years in the business of interior design and vows to stay at it until she gets it right! Holly leads HOLLY HUNT, the company, as President and CEO and is intimately involved in design and creative work.

In 1983, Holly began in the interior design business by buying a small showroom in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, which she filled with the best-of-class luxury designer collections. She subsequently expanded her reach into all major U.S. markets. The HOLLY HUNT brand has become the premier design and distribution entity for high end interior furnishings in the country. She has often been credited with raising the bar in interior design showrooms. Home & Garden magazine recognized HOLLY HUNT as the Top Showroom in their Best of the Best awards three years in a row. The award was voted on by interior designers across the U.S.

As an arbiter of refined taste, her eye for what is now and what’s next has led to her success. Today, the company designs, produces, and presents collections of furniture, lighting, textiles, leather, and continues to represent the best of designer collections.

Holly resides in Chicago where she serves on the board of the School of the Art Institute and the National Council of the Aspen Art Museum.

Tremendous thanks to AIGA members, Robyn Paprocki and Brendan Shanley and APA member Morgan Blaul for making this event happen.

Sponsors:
Sappi Fine Papers
Classic Color
Open Secret Studios

© Mark Katzman Photography // 2011 Commarts Photo Annual Cover

Mark Katzman is a visual storyteller and advertising photographer who hails from St. Louis and travels the country on assignment and personal projects.

Katzman’s talent and hard work lands him cherry assignments with brand name advertising agencies. The resulting work usually finds its way onto the pages of Luerzer’s Archive, Communications Arts, and PDN. For example, the above image for Advocate Health Care was selected for the cover of Communication Arts 2011 Photography Annual.

Even with much deserved success – seven years ago Mark decided to narrow his visual style and developed a ‘Singular in Vision’ concept. This concept has allowed Mark to establish a foothold in an overcrowded marketplace and allows his images to speak with one voice. But staying true to the Singular in Vision concept is not without its challenges especially when a killer image is made and it’s not within the gamut of the ‘Singular’ concept.

This event is a great opportunity to learn real world techniques on developing your own visual voice from a photographic master.

Event Details
Date: May 30, 2013
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Apple Store, 679 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Admission: Free

Sample Work

What the heck is a Success Team?

Great question – Success Teams are small groups of 5-7 photographers of varying degrees of capability who mentor each other to help achieve business goals. As small business entrepreneurs we often find ourselves on an island without the ability to communicate with other photographic professionals. APA Success Teams solves this problem. Success Teams stimulate dialogue among thinking, proactive, committed APA Emerging and Professional level photographers, encouraging team members to share ideas, experiences, successes and challenges, as a means of fostering individual and collective achievement. Additionally, Success Teams meet regularly to:

• discuss their business goals
• get support from one another in overcoming obstacles
• learn from one another about how to make their business more successful

The following video (TRT 3:20) put together by APA Los Angeles does an excellent job highlighting the benefits of being part of a Success Team.

If interested, APA LA Success Team video part 2 is here.

Here’s what other members are saying about how APA Success Teams have helped them achieve their creative and business goals:

I was part of a success team for a little over 2 years. Over that period, my business gained focus leading to a surge in client interest in my work. The team helped me get in a regular habit of setting goals and reporting back about my progress. Seeing how other photographers were handling similar situations has helped me better navigate my estimating, marketing and client relationships.

Some of the things my team has talked about and shared: equipment, estimates, client calls and treatment statements, blogging and social media strategies, portfolio and website reviews, adding new work to our portfolios, business goals, industry trends and marketing strategies.
Callie Lipkin Photography

This is a really great program that greatly benefits anyone willing to put forth the effort to participate. I started out as a semi reluctant member, pulled in at the request of a colleague. Within 30 minutes I realized that this could grow my career exponentially, and it certainly has. Anthony Nex

If you are interested in joining a Success Team just show-up for the informational meeting on Thursday, May 23 at 7:00PM. Listen, learn and decide if a Success Team is right for you.

If you have any questions about the meeting please contact our local Success Team Coordinator – Lindsay Gallup.

Lindsay Gallup | email
407 N. Elizabeth, Studio 208
Chicago, IL 60642
312-491-1133

© Debra Weiss, All Rights Reserved

On Wednesday, May 22 Creative Consultant Debra Weiss presents: How to be your Own Best Rep.

With or without representation, it’s still your career to manage and control. Now more than ever there are just too many photographers and too few reps. Many photographers believe that in order to be successful they must have representation, however the landscape is rapidly changing due to the internet and social media. While a good agent can help make a difference, there are no guarantees. Even with representation, photographers must always take an active part in shaping and maintaining their career.

Creative Consultant Debra Weiss with guests will entertain and inform while discussing the following:

• The cost of having an agent
• Expectations – What’s realistic, what’s not.
• How to get meetings and what to do once you’ve got them
• Getting the work you want
• Understanding negotiation
• Formulating a career plan.

Guests include Photographers, Eric Klein and Ted Tamburo with Senior Art Buyer, Susan Hattan, Ogilvy.

This program is geared toward any photographer at every level, who wants to have a better grasp on how to run his/her business more efficiently and effectively.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Time: Reception 6:30P / Program 7:00P
Location: Prairie Production, 1314 Randolph, Chicago, IL 60607
General Admission: $35.00 / $45.00 at door
Trade Association Members: $25.00 / $35.00 at door
Full-time Students in a degree program at an accredited school with current ID $10 at door only.

Register Now

Early registration is recommended.

This program is brought to you at a special rate – thanks to generous sponsorship by Yodelist. Attendees will receive a 15% discount off the Yodelist annual subscription cost.

Free Appetizers, 15% off Beverages

Bring your appetite, our bar night location has extremely tasty food and take advantage of a sizable discount on quenching your thirst after a tough day on the job.

Details

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Time: 7P-?
Location: Delux Bar & Grill
Address: 669 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60642 (corner of Milwaukee & Sangamon)

APA Bar night just got better. We encourage everyone to call Dodd Camera for your next rental, and tell ‘em APA sent you.

© 2012 Krysta Williams

APA Midwest is hosting our annual agency art buyer portfolio review on Thursday, April 25 at Tom Maday Photography studio. This is your chance to get up close and personal with gatekeepers to the creative department. Do your homework and treat this as an interview. You’ll have 15-minutes with your hand-selected art buyer, so make the best of your time. Get educated regarding your chosen art buyer: review their firms website, investigate their Linkedin page, and if you’re an over-achiever commit some of this information to memory. This is your chance to go big and get invited to pitch new business.

Reviewers

• Michael Bilbrey, Leo Burnett
• Antionette Rodriguez, mcgarrybowen
• Karen Tisel, VSA Partners
• Emily Hoskins, Upshot
• Lisa, Kunst, Leo Burnett
• Christen James, Energy BBDO
• Meghan DeBruler Pearson, Ogilvy & Mather
• Susan Hattan, Ogilvy & Mather
• more art buyers to be announced soon

Event Details

Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: 7:00P-9:00P
Location: Tom Maday Photography, 2141 W North Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 | Map
Admission: $25.00 APA Professional and Emerging Level Members only

Register Now

APA’s 2nd Annual Short Video Competition is underway and will be taking submissions from April 8 through May 26. This is an open call for entries from anyone who has a short video from 60-seconds to 5-minutes in the can. Over $15K in cash and gear up for grabs; not to mention 15-minutes in the spotlight for the winners. Entry fees are reasonable and if you’re an APA member darn reasonable.

Featured above is 2012 Best in Show winner from David Clifford, titled lucky. To get all the details on this years competition click here.

APA Midwest continues The Big Picture event series on April 9 to a sold-out audience. The Big Picture is an intimate roundtable discussion series developed by APA Midwest to connect agency creatives and PRO level APA photographers. The goal – enjoy drinks and dinner in a comfortable atmosphere and learn more about the issues effecting each industry and discuss ways to collaborate and produce a better creative product.

Our April 9 event will be hosted by Callie Lipkin and will be moderated by Linda Levy from The Workbook. The agency creative guest list includes:

• Liz Miller-Gershfeld, Energy BBDO
• Emily Hoskins, Upshot
• Kirsten Kuhlman, Digitas
• Bob Faust, Faust Design
• plus other industry creatives

Here’s feedback from our last Big Picture event:

Karen Blatchford, Executive Art Producer, DDB
I had a wonderful time and thanks for including me! It’s nice to be in a room with art directors, designers, photographers and other art producers discussing trends and issues that we’re all having. No matter how long you’re in this business there’s always new things to learn! Collaborating is a great way to problem solve and the environment was cozy and inviting! Thanks again and let’s shoot some print!

Thomas Chadwick, Photographer
It was great to meet new people in our business and have an open discussion about topics that affect us all. The table discussion was a nice way to put people at ease and get conversations moving, giving people a space to feel comfortable and able to share. It was a good mix of Art Buyers, Art Directors, Graphic Designers and Photographers.

If you are a Pro level APA member and are interested in hosting or being invited to an upcoming Big Picture roundtable please send an email to Steven Brooks.

The Big Picture roundtable event series is sponsored by:

Born in Arkansas, Miller was the child of an Army officer who was posted throughout the world. As a result he acquired an outsider’s eye, which serves him to this day as a photographer and human observer.

In 2005, he began photographing people and their animals at county and state fairs in Indiana. Over the next four years he created a body of work documenting the unique subculture that inhabits fairs, resulting in the publication in 2010 of Fair Culture, a photography book published by the Historical Society Press.

“My interest in fairs was connected directly to a feeling that I had missed this very thing I was seeing – people from small communities whose identities were in part provided to them by their culture and environment. It’s a far different thing than having to create one for yourself, which I had to do, and am still doing. My subjects were all individuals and unique, and they also came from this clearly defined world that was put on display every year at these gatherings of like-minded people.

“I didn’t try to explore their journey and struggle so much as document the ritual created to put their culture, and themselves, on display. The photographs have been described as clinical, and I agree that they are. I didn’t want to romanticize fair culture, I wanted to simply document it, but in a way that spoke to my feelings about it as well.”

In addition to his personal interest in the subject matter, the project gave Miller an opportunity to create a body of work on a single theme, over time, one that would also provide enough material for a book. He didn’t want to self-publish it, something that is certainly possible now for artists; he specifically wanted to create a collection of images that someone else – a book publisher – would want to publish and distribute.

Miller will discuss:

• Initiating a project with the end use pre-determined, and the risks that entails.
• How to identify a project worthy of your time, effort and resources.
• How important is it to define a project carefully before you begin?
• Should an artist focus attention on one area of interest, or spread it out over lots of different, divergent subjects and techniques?
• How important is a photographic style to a project?
• What is a photographic style?
• How to present your idea to a book publisher in a way that has a chance of interesting them in publishing it.
• How much money can you make doing a fine-art book? (Spoiler alert: little)
• If there’s no money in it, why are you doing it then?
• What has been the result of having a photography book published?
• How does it serve your personal ambitions and your economic needs?

Selected Images

Harold Lee Miller has a journalism degree from the University of Arkansas. He worked as a newspaper and magazine writer and editor for 10 years before opening an advertising photography studio in 1989.

His interest in photography began in 1972, when he was invited into his high school’s darkroom, and first saw black-and-white photographic prints developing in a tray. The magical quality of that process hooked him, and he began taking photographs at first just to have something to develop, but over time became attracted to the possibilities of creating perfection within a frame – images that were carefully composed, exposed, and presented, which is another way of saying, gaining control over a small part of his world.

Since that time, Miller has struggled to reconcile his need to make a living shooting photographs for assignment, and his need to create images that are entirely his own. The struggle continues daily.

Event Details

Date: March 18, 2013
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Apple Store, 679 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Admission is free

The business world is changing at internet speed. How many times has the project needed to be delivered “yesterday?” Given the hyper-frenetic business environment APA Midwest had an idea; let’s slow things down, take an evening to relax, reflect, and reconnect the old-fashion way – over dinner and drinks. The best news – APA Midwest is making all the arrangements. We’ll be assembling four to five thought leaders from the agency creative community and pairing them with Chicago’s leading professional photographers. The purpose to learn more about the issues affecting each industry and discuss ways to collaborate and produce a better creative product.

The first event in the series will be the evening of February 19th at Lindsay Gallup’s photography studio featuring buyers from area agencies and Pro level APA photographers.

This event is sold out. Please read below to join us at our next event on April 9.

Our next Big Picture roundtable is scheduled for April 9. If your a Pro level APA member and would like to attend please email Steven Brooks.