MEET THE ASMP SOUTH FLORIDA (ASMP SFL) BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A NEW BOARD FOR A NEW DECADE

Dear members: just take some minutes to get to know your Board of Directors in the ASMP South Florida Chapter.
It is so interesting that now we have Board members under 40, an interesting input of fresh, young energy, providing new approaches to business and marketing, while still being lucky to count on the experience and knowledge from Board members who have helped the chapter for more than 10 years, and still feel the drive to keep helping and advising us.

It is just wonderful to also count with the presence of two women, ASMP members, working with us at the new Board. It is the very first time in years that women take the initiative and decide to join our efforts on the Board, and I personally thank them for this!

This team is working hard on producing a series of events that we hope will create a sparkle for motivation, inspiration and a refreshed feeling of community that we need to rebuild. We will keep you posted on these matters, and soon!

Without further a do, here is your ASMP SFL Board:

Meet Board Member and current President, Jorge Parra:

I have been an Advertising, Fashion and Fine Art photographer for over 24 years. My career dates back to my time and life in Venezuela, my country of origin. Fast forward, and since 2005 I have relocated myself and my family to the US, and have been living and working in Miami, rebuilding my career from scratch in an altogether new market for me.

Since my arrival in 2005, I got involved with the local SFL Chapter, under the leadership of Matt Pace, one year later was appointed Board Member,

2 years later I became Vice-President, and now my time has come to lead the group, assisted by a great team of new and young Board members, while gladly accompanied by the experienced fellows who keep their energy and determination focused on helping the SFL Chapter. Just recently, I have been invited to join the Advisory Board for Visual Arts Trends of the Arts Institute of Ft Lauderdale. I am also an active member of the Editorial Photographers Group.

Some of my work can be seen at my main website:
www.JorgeParra.com
And if you are in the mood to follow my train of thoughts, just visit my PhotoBlog, at :
www.PureVisualEnergy.com
My FaceBook page is:

www.facebook.com/jorgeparraphotography

"As a creative photographer, I specialize in transforming people, places and things into objects of desire for Advertising, Editorial and Fine Art Exhibitions. My blend of Fashion, Beauty and Fine Art Photography diffuses the line between personal and commercial work to create compelling visual messages, and I have fun doing it!"


Jorge Parra.

Meet Board Member: Matthew Pace. First Vice-President

I am a Corporate and Food photographer, based in Miami, South Florida, I shoot "People in Places" and "The Taste, Place, and Face of Food" for clients in the food industry. My background came from editorial, working with the LiaisonAgency and Getty Images both in New York. My travels have taken me everywhere exposing me to the to a myriad of situations that challenged and broadened my skills.That rich experience was the school that helped to make my career.

I have been with ASMP for 15 years serving as Board member,Forum Moderator,Program Director,President .Currently I am Vice-President and moderator of my own group "Fine Art Photographers" at LinkedIn Groups .. Through it all, I have met some of the finest photographers who I now call friends.

Work can be seen:www.matthewpace.comwww.matthewpacefood.com

blogs:www.matthewpacephoto.blogspot.com www.matthewpacefood.blogspot.com

.."for me the camera is a passport allowing me access to places and lives, opening doors often inaccessable to most;a privileged trip welcomed and relished.With it I become witness,confessor, confident, and admirer of subject and place...From it,I accept the responsibility to the present and to the record for the future.Stealing a moment and holding it forever,as a portal to the future's past, making we photographers, thieves of time."

Meet Board Member: Aaron Ansarov. Second Vice-President

Aaron Ansarov spent 15 years in the US Navy as a magazine and combat photographer. After traveling the world and telling visual stories in both peacetime and war, Aaron retired early and transitioned to commercial life. Aaron has quickly made South Florida his home and enjoys the most challenging of assignments. After all, with a background like his, everything else is a day at the beach.

Aaron's work can be seen at: www.ansarov.com

He is also the Founder and President of a new photo agency consisting of this generation's TOP military based photographers.

Their work can be seen at:
www.legionphoto.com

Meet Board member: Tom Salyer. Chapter Treasurer

"I'm a Miami based multimedia photographer and producer that blends my experience as a corporate photographer, creating environmental portraits of real people on location with my ability as a photojournalist capturing events as they unfold through traditional photojournalism, with a keen ear for storytelling sound.

After working as a staff photographer with United Press International covering international news events inthe 1980s, I've been freelance for the past 20 years, an ASMP member since 1993 and chapter board member since 1998.

My work can be viewed at www.TomSalyer.com and www.MiamiMultimediaPhotographer.com"

Meet Board Member: Sandy Levy. Membership Chair.

Sandy was a photographic hobbyist starting about the age of 8, learning darkroom technique from his Dad. Sandy graduated from the University of Miami in 1968, studying photojournalism under the direction of Wilson Hicks, the first photo editor of LIFE Magazine. Since graduating college in 1968, Sandy has been a full-time professional photographer first working as a newspaper photographer and since 1971, in business for himself as a free-lance advertising photographer. Sandy has extensive Television, film and newspaper experience prior to founding Visual Impact Photography in 1971 including Chief Photographer for The Miami Beach Sun-Reporter Newspaper and a film cameraman for a local TV station. Since 1971 when opening Visual Impact Photography, Sandy has specialized in studio photography, primarily large format. Sandy has expertise in all types of panoramic photography, up to and including 360 degree on one piece of film or digitally.

Sandy also now specializes in high-end digital online virtual tours with clients such as Cunard Lines for the Virtual Tour of the Queen Mary II, the Miami-Dade College, The Miami-Dade Resources Recovery Facility, The Florida State College: Florida School of the Arts, and a number of industrial sites and professional offices.

Having wide experience in 3D still photography, Sandy currently holds a United States Patent on a 3D viewing process for large display transparencies.

Sandy has been active in a number of professional photographic organizations and is a member of The Professional Photographers of America, The American Society of Media Photographers and has served for many years on the Board of Directors of the South Florida Chapter of The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP). Sandy is also Membership Chairman of ASMP.

Meet Board Member: Alexia Fodere. Secretary and Events Coordinator.

Alexia is a Miami-based Photographer, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, specializes in portraits, architecture, and photojournalism.

Initially trained as a photojournalist, working for the Miami Herald with some of the best photographers and photo editors in the industry.

Her work has been published in The New York Daily News, Wall Street Journal, Sun Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Chicago Tribune, Virginia Quarterly Review, Architectural Digest, Florida Design, Elle Décor, The Swiss Press and the Associated Press among others.

Alexia's work can be seen at her main site: http://omegaeye.com/

Meet Board Member: Benjamin Rusnak

Benjamin Rusnak is a humanitarian photojournalist. Since 2000, he has documented poverty in the Caribbean and Latin America as staff photographer for Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development agency in the United States, based in Coconut Creek, FL. He brought a decade of newspaper experience to telling the stories of those in need in the developing world.

His work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year International, the Best of Photojournalism, the International Photography Awards, the New York Photo Awards, Photo District News, the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, the Alexia Foundation and the China International Press Photo Contest. In 2008, Rusnak tied himself for first place to win the prestigious Gordon Parks Award. In 2009, his exhibition of Dreams & Tempests premiered as part of the citywide festival, Atlanta Celebrates Photography. In 2010, Rusnak was honored with InterAction's Effective Assistance Award for humanitarian photography. Learn how to help: www.foodforthepoor.org

See more images: www.benjaminrusnak.com

Meet Board Member Scherley Busch:

Scherley Busch is best known for her documentary photography and editorial portraiture. Her photographic career spans over 20 years in advertising, annual report, fine art, architectural/interiors, journalistic/event photography and portraiture. Her passion for visual communication has recently expanded to involve multi media assignments.

Selected by Art in Public Places to exhibit her fine art photography in Miami International Airport and Tallahassee Artport Galleries, Scherley’s honors also include invitations from Florida Governors Crist and Chiles to exhibit in the state Capitol and Governor’s Mansion. She has also been recognized by the Florida State Attorney General for her portrait contribution to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame; exhibited a one woman show in the United States Senate Russell Rotunda, Washington, D.C.; and received ADDY awards for her commercial photography.

Scherley has lectured at the University of Miami and Miami Dade Community College. Her work appears in national and international magazines and in corporate advertising as well as in private and public art collections, galleries and museums. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, attended the University of Salamanca, Spain and New York University.


Scherley's Website: scherleybuschstudios.com

Meet Board Member Joe Woolf:

I got my first camera when I was 5. I first used the darkroom when I was 14. I was fascinated with the idea of painting with light.

With a BFA from RIT and 10+ years of experience, I am able to achieve creative vision and quality for each of my clients. Because of my love of photography, it shows in my work.


Joe's website is: www.woolf-photography.com/

Meet board member David Ramos:

I grew up in South Florida, and still live in Hollywood between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. I love this area and like to share it with all of my friends, old and new. I have been taking photos since 1986, ever since I took my first photography class. I discovered I have a passion for it and I that I love to create images to share and enjoy with others. With digital technology my wife and I have rediscovered the photographic medium and have surrounded ourselves with others that use photography to express their creative vision, and have entered a new phase of self expression.

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" We live here, we shoot here, Find us here"

www.findaphotographerflorida.com

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Thanks everyone!!

The ASMP SFL Board.

SOUTH FLORIDA ASMP CHAPTER PRESENTS: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING SEMINAR WITH CLARK DEVER .

Hi everyone!!.

Hoping you enjoyed your summer and are ready to work hard after Labor Day, we would like to update your information regarding our coming activities.

Next September the 16th,  at 7 PM, ASMP SoFla will present the first seminar of the season: Social Media Marketing,  with Clark Dever, exploring the opportunities for business that we can derive from our Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin accounts.

A must-see event for everyone!

Clark Dever shares his in-depth knowledge of Social Media Marketing

during this engaging presentation. Do not miss this opportunity to

learn how to build your brand with the social web. Clark talks about

the strategy behind the practices; while teaching by example in this

exciting seminar.

Seminar Topics:

-Learn how to build your business utilizing Facebook ,Twitter and  Linkedin.

-Receive a brief primer on Social Media etiquette and grammar.

-See how you can automate parts of your Social Media marketing and

integrate it with your existing web presence.

-Learn about tools and resources that make Social Media Marketing

easier and more effective.

-Find out how to leverage your existing mailing lists to automatically

locate your best clients.

-Learn how to monitor and increase the conversion rate of your Social

Media Marketing efforts.

Buffalo, NY photographer Clark Dever is best known for his Twelve

Hours in a City project. Utilizing only Twitter, a Facebook Fan Page

and an “All-You-Can-Jet Pass,” Clark and his crew flew over 65,000

miles around the United State during September 2009. Effective use

ofSocial Media led to the project being featured on CNN, Time.com,

ABC, World News Tonight and in an internationally published article

by the Associated Press.

Clark will also be available for a limited number of private

consultations. To find our more and book your time today, please

visit:

http://www.clarkdever.com/photo/consulting/

Clark's presentation will be at the Arts Institute of Ft Lauderdale,

 starting at 7 PM

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The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

1799 S.E. 17th Street.

Harbor Walk Room # 215.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-3013

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/fort-lauderdale/Default.aspx

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Directions from South to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale – Harbor Walk Building:

I-95 north to SR 84 (Marina Mile), Exit east

Continue east to US1/Federal Highway

Turn left on US1 and continue approximately ½ mile to SE 17th Street

Turn right at SE 17th Street – continue past the 2nd traffic light (Cordova Road)

Turn right immediately before the sign for The International Culinary School and The Chef’s Palette Restaurant

Parking is available on the first, second and third levels.

The elevator will take you to the 2nd Floor.

Directions from North to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale:

I-95 south to Davie Boulevard, Exit east

Continue East to US1/Federal Highway

Turn right on US1 and continue about ½ mile to SE 17th Street

Turn left on 17th Street

 continue past the 2nd traffic light (Cordova Road)

Turn right immediately before the sign for The International Culinary School and The Chef’s Palette Restaurant

Parking is available on the first, second and third levels.

The elevator will take you to the 2nd Floor.

Please stay tuned for upcoming events we are working on. We will be posting detailed info about new ASMP SoFla events we are preparing for the entire season, hoping we manage to provide information, education, Hands-on participation, networking and funfor our members.

IN a separate message you will receive info about upcoming events from the

"Friends of ASMP South Florida" Program, definitely an interesting added value for our members.

ASMP SoFla Board.

Hotwire-Digital, a "Friend of ASMP SoFla" invites to the Hasseblad MultiShot event in Boca Raton

Join Hotwire-Digital for a full day of hands-on learning about Hasselblad
Multishot technology used by Fine Art Reproduction in the world's most
prestigious museums and art galleries and top landscape and
architectural photographers.

See for yourself how entrepreneurs and not-for-profits can use this
technology from masterpieces to architectural interiors (used by the
National Smithsonian Museums,Modern Museum of Art, and the
National Archives and Records Administration for accurate
 preservation and faithful reproduction.)

These informative learning sessions are designed to inspire and
 expand your creativity.

 - choose from one or all on Saturday, September 18th, 2010:

11:00-1:00	Moving Beyond 35mm An introduction to Hasselblad medium-format camera systems
1:00-2:00	Fine Art Reproduction and Giclee printing Dan Coya
2:00-4:00	Multishot Technology John Williams
4:00-5:00	Broncolor Lighting
5:00-7:00	Open Shooting Hands-on

NOTE:

Where:

Marc Hickman Studios 
1050 NW 1st. Ave. # 15
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Registration is required, but attendance is no charge

http://hotwire-digital.com/boca-raton-hasselblad-event

This is a creative community-based event, please forward
 to friends and colleagues who may be interested.

---

Norah Silva

Hotwire-Digital

(561) 350-8910

Research - http://www.hotwire-digital.com

Shop Securely - https://store.hotwire-digital.com

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Just remember, this is not an ASMP event, this program is created

and developed by the “Friends of ASMP South Florida”, who are 

cordially inviting our membership to get together, interact and learn,

in our quest for a better local community.

Stay tuned for more information about this program, which will also

bring special discounts and offers from local Photo businesses, 

and more exchanges with other Organizations in South Florida
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ASMP South Florida Board.

Message from ASMP General Counsel Victor Perlman: Protest the new 1099 Requirements

Dear ASMP Members and Small Business Owners:

One of the provisions of the new healthcare reform legislation will significantly impact the administrative burdens of your business unless the IRS changes it. 

As of now, starting next year, if you pay any person or corporation more than $600 in a year for goods or services, you must report that to both the IRS and the entity or person whom you paid. For example, if you bought a new camera or lens for $1,000, you would have to report that on your income tax returns and issue a 1099 to the company from which you made the purchase. Fortunately, there is now an exemption for credit card transactions, but that doesn’t apply if you paid by cash or check.

The good news is that the IRS has asked for comments from the public. Please copy and paste the sample letter,available a the link below, edit it as you choose, and email it to Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov. Please be sure that the subject line of your email says Notice 2010-51. Please note that the emails must be sent by Sept. 29, 2010.

We understand the government’s desire to track cash transactions, but the current system would impose an unacceptable record-keeping and reporting burden on small businesses like yours.

 Full message and sample letter at this link:


http://bit.ly/9KvGjH

Thank you for your support and your membership in ASMP,

Victor S. Perlman

General Counsel and Managing Director

INTRODUCING THE "FRIENDS OF ASMP SOUTH FLORIDA PROGRAM", AND THE FRIENDS-SPONSORED EVENTS FOR THE END OF SUMMER

Dear South Florida members,

 We hope you enjoy the new strategic alliances we are building in South Florida, in order for our SoFla ASMP Chapter to get more dynamically involved with local events, organizations, groups and companies, hereby branded as the “Friends of ASMP South Florida Program”, which will allow us to develop a stronger visual community, bringing more exposure and visibility to ASMP SoFla, and providing more local member benefits.

In this very first occasion, we have a round of interesting seminars for end of August and early september, coming from our friends from the Hollywood-based Professional Photographers Guild of Florida (PPGF), our sister organization, led by our ASMP General Member, Robert Stolpe.

http://ppgf.com/

 and from from Fotomission, a non-profit organization which has dedicated many years to help finding homes and parents for kids in foster care programs, and is now producing a series of seminars and workshops, to gather more funds for such amazing activity. Fotomission was founded and is led by Chendo Perez, yet another of our ASMP South Florida General Members.

http://fotomission.org

 EVENTS FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER:

The Professional Photographers Guild of Florida, is inviting us for August the 18th at 7:00PM for a seminar about Lighting methods of the glamour era, introducing the Old Hollywood Clock System, and it’s applications to contemporary lighting.
 The presenter is Miami photographer Jorge Parra (current President of ASMP South Florida), and the conversation on the 18th will set the stage for a future hands-on lighting workshop, dates still to be announced.

 All details in the links:

http://www.meetup.com/The-Professional-Photographers-Guild-of-Florida-PPGF-COM/calendar/13873360/ 

For the end of August , Fotomission has a seminar on Color Management and Digital workflow, and for early September there is a great workshop on Digital Printing, both of which may be of interest to many in the community. Details on the Fotomission site: -Color Management and Digital Workflow: Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 10:00AM to 4:PM with a break for lunch

http://www.fotomission.org/workshops/color_management/index.html 

-The Digital Printing workshop: Saturday, September 4, 2010 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM with a break for lunch

http://www.fotomission.org/workshops/digital_printing/index.html

Just remember, these are not ASMP events, these are programs created and developed by the “Friends of ASMP South Florida”, who are cordially inviting our membership to get together, interact and learn, in our quest for a better local community. Stay tuned for more information about this program, which will also bring special discounts and offers from local Photo businesses, and more exchanges with other Organizations in South Florida.

We are in conversations with several companies and studios to make them “Friends of ASMP SoFla”, in order to generate additional benefits for our local members.

Cheers!

ASMP South Florida Board

The " Light of Florida" Project travels to China: Exhibition and Award.

Hi everyone!!


It is with great pleasure that we can announce to our membership and the entire photo community that our project called " The Light of Florida" ( LOF) is moving full speed ahead, and we have great news just arriving from China.

This time, thanks to our contacts with the Chinese photographic organizations, fostered and fully developed by our Board Member Tom Salyer, and our General Member Nancy Brown, we were invited to participate in one of the biggest Chinese Photo Festivals, called "Quinghai Three Rivers Photo Festival", Quinghai Province, Xining, China, and for the occasion, we chose to submit the images that our South Florida members ( and some Central Florida members) submitted for the LOF project.

The pics here, sent by Tom directly from China of the opening ceremony, the premises and Exhibition Halls, speak for themselves. However, the Juror Panel of the Festival picked the Light of Florida Exhibit as the winner for " Best Thematic Show", amongst thousands of images from all over the world, so our sincere congratulations go to all ASMP South Florida Members, as we all can proudly showcase this award as a group effort, which we must continue to push forward. Our extended congrats to ASMP Central Chapter too!

The poster in the image above is the announcement of the ASMP Light of Florida Exhibition and below you see Nancy Brown picking up the award on behalf of the Chapter.

As you may recall, our first attempts to fulfill our plan to have a printed "Light of Florida" book during all of 2009, encountered the financial problems we all are aware of, putting the entire project on hold.

It was the decision of the Board in full to not stop and fight adversity, as to finally manage to fulfill our goals, and even though we are still on the process to make it happen, we feel we are getting closer and closer, and the South Florida ASMP Chapter will eventually have it's LOF Book.

To that effect, and in order to offer an opportunity to all members who did not participate in the first round of images, and to all the many new members of the Chapter, we will issue a call for action to submit more images soon, so stay tuned to your email account, as you will receive an official note of this invite, with the details.

For the moments, let's enjoy the images and the great news Tom and Nancy are sending us from China, and feel free to spread the voice about this fine award the ASMP South Florida Chapter and all it's members have just received!! Below you will see Tom and Nancy with a translator, during a walk through the exhibit.

MANY THANKS TO TOM AND NANCY AND CONGRATS TO ALL SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER MEMBERS!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK FELLOWS!!



Jorge Parra
President
ASMP South Florida

The Light of Florida goes to China

It is an exciting prospect to share our images of Florida with the Chinese people. I participated in the group show that went to the 2nd annual Photography Festival in Duyun, Southern China. It was a wonderful experience and the show had strong international representation. The headliner from the United States was Ansel Adams, and we had an outstanding group of work from our members. Below are some photos from the 2004 show.













Chairman Mao's Daughter opens the show in 2004

There are obvious concerns about the Chinese lack of respect for copyrighted work and their history is not good on this topic. We can only trust our counterparts at the Chinese Photographers Association to respect our rights and only use the images for prints in the exhibit for which they are intended.













One of the exhibit spaces in Duyun


I would strongly urge anyone who has the chance to go to the show to attend and represent our group in person. It will be a very worthwhile experience and great travel adventure.













The Crew:
Glen McGlaughlin, Jesus Arenguran, Nancy Brown, Tom Salyer, DK and Dennie Cody and Jillen Lippincott

Paul Morris
Morphoto Inc.
www.morphoto.com

“The Light of Florida travels to China”- Deadline approaching

Great news for our South/Central Florida Members!

We have been working on finding the best options and promotion for our great project “Light of Florida” (LOF) which we started last year.

We are happy to announce that we have been invited by..

Qinhai International Photo Art Festival

to submit the Light of Florida Project for a print exhibition in China: the 2010 China (Qinhai) Sanjiangyuan International Photographic Art Festival in Xining —- the capital city of Qinhai province, China.
Date: July 20 to July 23, 2010

Participants in the original project may see the work that was originally selected by our judging panel, http:/www.lightofflorida.com

We are invited to submit around 80 images, and that is our goal. So that the LOF project is well represented in the event, you may select up to 3 images from your original submission. We wish to represent the project, with the book is a separate entity.

Now, what do we need from you?

In a main folder named (______your name_________)

(1) We need to gather Hi Resolution files with proper metadata. Image size should be no less than 11x14 inches @ 300 DPI, file format should be JPEG with the best possible compression (10-12). Photographers are encouraged to submit 2-3 Hi Res files from your original submission and/or images that are already present on the website.

(2) A Rich Text Format of your bio named (Your Name/ BIO / Image Descriptions ) a brief 2-3 sentence of your bio,include website or contact info…

EG. # (filename)= Lakeside,Florida..7am..a quiet area where bird lovers find Egrets..
#(filename)= Tarpon Springs,Florida ..10am, where Greeks used to sponge fish but now own restaurants.

These digital files will be delivered to China, to be printed and mounted there (no cost at all for us) for the exhibition. Again, there is no cost for us to run this exhibition!!



DEADLINE: We have a tight schedule for delivery of those files, so please, make this a priority in your schedule. April 1 , 2010 FINAL DEADLINE.

Images can be uploaded via FTP to our server (using programs like Fetch, Cyberdog, PureFtp, or even Firefox). Create a folder with your full name, add your images in that folder and upload it.

PLEASE, remember to add all necessary Metadata to properly identify and protect your work. Any work with no info/contact will be rejected. The Chinese ask for NO OFFENSIVE images…bear in mind respects to their culture.

For those who may need help with metadata information, please visit www.dpbestflow.org for full info and details.

FTP instructions:

ftp.findaphotographerflorida.com

user name ” asmpmembers “

password ” floridalight ” ****

Note: Do NOT use the quote signs to log in.

Image size should be no less than 11x14 inches @ 300 DPI.

NOW READ THIS>>>>

The Festival Organizer will make pictures and mount them for the exhibition. The pictures and CD will not be returned to the sender. The Organizers understand that the copyright belong to the authors. The Festival Organizers have no right to use these pictures without getting approved by the author.

Legal Stuff: (don’t get scared; it’s to cover us and them)

By submitting my images to this exhibit, I am agreeing to having my images printed for exhibition purpose, and also usage as promotion for its purpose by the Festival and promotion by our local chapter. I warrant the I am the original sole creator and copyright owner of the images rendered, that they are not subject to any transfer of copyright to another, and have proper release wherever a release is needed and does not infringe or otherwise violate any copyright,trademark or trade name of another.

I indemnify and hold ASMP, its LOF committee, and the Festival harmless from any misuse by them or by another party. I further indemnify ASMP, its LOF committee, the Festival and its organizers against any expenses (including attorney fees and costs),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or filed action, suit or proceeding, based on a claimed violation of warranty above.

We will keep you posted on more news about LOF as it appears. We will keep pressing hard on the Book part of Project and take advantage of this exhibit and contacts to do so. We are thrilled to have the exhibition in China becoming a reality, as it will also help us reach our goals for this great project.

Coverage from this Exhibit we will use on our Blog and promote its usage to our email promotion of “Find us Here” reaching out to art buyers, editors, agencies. It will enhance our membership and draw great attention.

There is an opportunity for those of you who wish to attend the festival and also partake in a 7-10 day photo trip organized by the Festival Organization. More info should come soon on the costs… Let us know who would like to attend.

Our deadline for submission of the Project's images is approaching. Please take action now!

Thanks for your prompt cooperation!

Light of Florida Committee

ASMP South Florida Member's Spot Light: Sandy Levy

Member's Spot Light: Sandy Levy

Introducing our first ASMP South Florida Member's Spotlight: Showcasing your best project, be it a portfolio work, editorial publication, advertising campaign, social awareness job or fine art project.

Please enjoy our first SpotLight for Miami photographer Sandy Levy, in his own words:

I would like to talk about a very touching moment as a result of photographing kids waiting for adoption for the Heart Gallery of Broward.

What happened was that a child named Cleveland was one of the kids that I photographed several months ago for the Heart Gallery. I shot Cleveland, just a week or two before he turned 18, he was adopted.
This is particularly special and critical because: Once a child turns 18, they are no longer in the program and are considered adults. Then they are more or less on their own. It is quite unusual for a child that old to get adopted. In some extreme cases, they end up in the streets.

Barbara Schechter Executive Director of The Heart Gallery of Broward County pulled me aside at an awards presentation event on Oct. 14, and told me that my photo was responsible for Cleveland's new Mom becoming interested in adopting him. Obviously Barbara was very pleased and frankly, it really gave me a very warm feeling as well, as this was also very special for me.

Barbara contacted me a week or two later asking if I could be at the courthouse when the official adoption took place in the Judges chambers. She told me she would understand if I could not be there, but she hoped that I would be able to go. Of course I accepted and I did not mind taking a camera.

The reason that Cleveland's adoption was rushed in the judge's chambers before National Adoption Day was that by Nov. 15, Cleveland would be over 18 and therefore ineligible for this type of adoption.
Cleveland and his Mom also thanked me privately and that was very nice to hear. In addition, Cleveland would possibly like to become a photographer. I found out he is already an accomplished amateur photographer as he proudly showed me some of his photos.

I must say that the feeling of satisfaction knowing that an image that you make was in some way at least partly responsible for a difficult-to-adopt child to find a family, is quite amazing and wonderful.
I told NBC 6 that I cannot recall another photo assignment that was as personally satisfying to me in my 40 years as a professional photographer. Not monetarily satisfying of course, but personally satisfying!.

You can find more information about Sandy Levy and his photographic work at his main website:

www.levyphoto.com

You can also find more info about Sandy and all our shooters in our ASMP's South Florida Chapter, by visiting our Local Search Engine, Find a Photographer, in the link below:

www.findaphotographerflorida.com

"We live here, we shoot here, find us here!"

Kind Regards!!

New South Florida Find a Photographer Website

We are now ready to launch and promote our new South Florida search engine, our new Find a Photographer.

Please take a look at our new website

www.FindaPhotographerSouthFlorida.com

And spread the word about our dedicated engine, covering ASMP South Florida Chapter members in good standing.

We are getting ready to make large scale local, regional and national promotions for this website, as part of the revamped marketing plan strategy we are setting up to bring more business to our members.

We will keep using our slogan, " We live here, we shoot here, find us here", as part of the promotional efforts we are pursuing.

Stay tuned for more info, as we will soon be unveiling a new totally rebuilt website for our South Florida Chapter, and also a new website, fully dedicated to the " Light of Florida" Project.

Our very special thanks to our Board members Paul Morris, Joe Wolf and David Ramos for their commitment to make this new websites a reality. Great job guys!

Best wishes to all

Jorge Parra