Business Bootcamp - Seattle
Erin and I spent the last 3 days in class learning all about the business of photography from Liana Lehman. Liana is certified by the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) to teach accounting and business skills to photographers… not an easy task, teaching business skills to artists is something akin to herding cats into an orderly formation… We spent 22 hours in class in two days and I found myself constantly thinking “Can’t we just go take some pictures now?”
So yesterday, on day 3, as a reward, we did just that. Here are few quick images of our new friends: classmates, teacher, and the resident dog Kiesha…
Liana glances up from her computer…
The whole group looking over Liana’s shoulder as she edits some images and shows off her famously simple workflow. 
Kristin smiling as I sneak a headshot with the long lens.
We all took turns getting headshots taken by Liana. Erin and I got ours done together too, I can’t wait to see those and post them in the bio section!
A crazy scene with a bunch of cooped up photographers shooting each other… 
Erin and I both hit it off with Julie Watts, she’s able to talk motherhood with Erin and old cars with me (we both own quirky Porsches). I got a bunch of good pictures of her, she’s expressive and fun so it was easy…
On Tuesday night the whole group went out to dinner at Jai Thai in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. We had a blast…
Just a few more of the group, I wish we’d had better weather and more time so we could have gone outside and done some more, but it was cold/rainy and several people had to leave quickly to go to the airport and/or beat the traffic home. Erin and I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon in Seattle shopping and hanging out, so we didn’t beat the traffic, but that’s OK.
And last but not least, Kiesha, the dog that made sure we all stayed awake by running around the house and barking loudly at random intervals…
I’m so glad we both went, it was money and time well spent…
~Bill
That was quite the intense weekend, I’m still recovering from all of that thinking!!
Had the best time chatting with you guys, and yes, I want copies of all of those images of me! lol
Yes, it was intense! And really it still is now that we have a better road map to figure out our business plans for the coming year (and years). Of course you can have those pictures, I’ll email you a download link. Have a great weekend! ~Bill
Bill and Erin,
I am so glad that both of you came. I LOVED the workshop. Can’t wait to get together in Olympia sometime soon.
Dinea
I’m so sad I missed it, but I am definitely looking at buying the DVD’s. It’s good to know we have some wise business folks at the Tacoma PUG now. Woohoo!
Dinea, yes we should plan another Olympia area get together.
Airika, LOL, I think the Tacoma PUG already has quite a few wise business folks… but I’m glad that Erin and I are a bit ‘wiser’ than before…