 Click on the banner above to listen to this outstanding podcast!  Screen shot of the final image from AaronVan's lighting technique video. It's only 18 minutes - take the time to upgrade your technique in lighting food. by Skip Cohen Anybody can take pictures of food and beverages. I see images all the time, especially from event photographers, but the challenge isn't in clicking the shutter; it's understanding lighting and how to make the food "craveable!" It's all about knowing how to cross the line into the feeling of fine art by utilizing all the skills of great lighting and composition. Meet AaronVan, a true artist in the world of food and beverages. At a time when the pandemic has restricted so many different specialties within imaging, food photography has never been in greater demand. Think about all the restaurants that, before the pandemic, never needed photographs of their favorite dishes. Needing to offer carryout service and outdoor dining, opportunities abound to meet the needs of a whole new target audience - restaurant owners. I met Aaron on a phone call with a Platypod project. Then, we expanded the conversation in this podcast. He's great to talk to, and the passion for his work comes out loud and clear right from the start. From a college course in photography as a freshman, he developed a long list of skills over the years. And a twenty-year career in advertising, gave him an outstanding understand of relationship building, which we talk about during the podcast. I've written in the past, "You can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it!" Well, on Aaron's about-page, he wrote: It has been an amazing journey of growth, love and passion, and food! Every shoot is a chance to push my skill and work with other passionate artists and producers. There is nothing quite like walking into a shoot, throwing on some music, setting up the lights and preparing to tell another craveable story of food for my clients. Whether food photography is in your future or not, AaronVan needs to be on your radar. Why? Because no matter what you usually photograph, sooner or later, you're going to need to raise the bar on your skills in closeup and lighting. Watch the short video he created below, and you'll understand so much more about what it takes to make your food and beverage images craveable. You'll also find his class on food photography at Kelby One a terrific investment in expanding your skillset. Missed any of the past "Beyond Technique" podcasts? They're all just a click away at Photofocus.com and included conversations with some of the most respected artists and educators in imaging today. The "Beyond Technique" podcast is thanks to Platypod!Platypod's presence in social media never slows down. Check out the Platypod blog for a never-ending stream of great content and wander over to their Facebook page, and check out Instagram too. Sign up for the FREE newsletter every month too. Chamira Young is the Editor/Publisher, and every issue shares stories featuring at least three artists and how they're using Platypod. And recently, Platypod's added two new cost-saving bundles for close-up photography, featuring the new LumeCube RGB Panel Pro! Plus there's FREE shipping in the U.S. on all orders over $100.
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 Click on any image above to listen to the podcast!  by Skip Cohen One factor that makes the photographic industry such an incredible career field is people who simply give back - all the time! In this new Beyond Technique podcast, Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis joined Chamira and me for a conversation about surviving the pandemic, continuing to grow your skillset through education both online and off, getting your business back on track, and even a little about the challenge of working with your spouse. Bobbi and Lee have made it a point to be the very best in their individual areas of expertise, as well as being a couple. They're proof that hyper-active kids grow up, get married and get jobs! LOL Actually, having spent a lot of time with the two of them, it's like hanging out with Peter Pan - they won't grow up! And there's the secret to their success as artists - they never stop experimenting. There's an expression I've shared a few times in the past, "Growth only happens outside your comfort zone!" In the podcast, Bobbi talks about things she started doing in the pandemic, especially experimenting with macro photography and flowers. Last week she shared the image on the right on her Facebook page. Remember, Bobbi and Lee never do anything halfway. With the image, Bobbi wrote: Dahlia, this morning. Fujifilm XT4, 80mm macro, f/2.8. Sigh...they are so beautiful! Bobbi and Lee need to be on your radar. Follow them individually at their respective websites: Bobbi at bobbilane.com and Lee at varis.com. Looking for a one of a kind travel and photography experience? Join them with a click on the banner below.  The "Beyond Technique" podcast is thanks to Platypod  Click for more info Platypod's presence in social media never slows down. Check out the Platypod blog for a never-ending stream of great content and wander over to their Facebook page, and check out Instagram too. Sign up for the FREE newsletter every month too. Chamira Young is the Editor/Publisher, and every issue shares stories featuring at least three artists and how they're using Platypod. The inventory blowout of the Multi-Accessory kit at 50% off and Free with the purchase of the mainline of primary products is just about over, and will only be available while supplies last. Click on any of the thumbnails below for more information. Are you a GoPro user? Then check out the new Ultra Action Cam Bundle! The bundle pricing gives you additional savings with some terrific accessories to help expand your creativity. The star of the accessories is a super solid and sturdy aluminum GoPro compatible tripod mount (with comfortable plastic handled locking bolt) featuring a unique tool-free 12-click-stop turntable to allow repositioning even when used without the micro ball head (see video).   Click on any image above to listen to this great podcast with one of the industry's most favorite artists and educators! by Skip Cohen Roberto Valenzuela joins Chamira and me on this "Beyond Technique" podcast. If you've ever had the opportunity to watch Roberto teach, you know he never holds back. In fact, one of my favorite lessons I picked up from attending one of his programs many years ago was, "Practice doesn't make perfect. What if you're practicing it wrong?" Roberto never slows down, working to expand his skillset. He's constantly experimenting and stepping outside his comfort zone to capture unique images for every client. We covered a lot of ground in this podcast:
The "Beyond Technique" podcast is thanks to Platypod Platypod's presence in social media just keeps growing. You'll find a never-ending stream of great content on the Platypod blog, and then check out the images being shared on Platypod's Instagram and Facebook pages. Sign up for the FREE newsletter every month too. Chamira Young is the Editor/Publisher, and every issue shares stories featuring at least three artists and how they're using Platypod. Just click on the banner to the right to sign up. The inventory blowout of the Multi-Accessory kit at 50% off and Free with the purchase of the mainline of primary products is coming to an end, and will only be available while supplies last. Click on any of the thumbnails below for more information.   by Skip Cohen Monica Royal joins Chamira and me on this "Beyond Technique" podcast. She shares a lot of great insight into her journey as an artist. Just click on any image above to link to the podcast. If you think about the challenges we've all shared through the pandemic, Monica's specialty is perfectly in line with the need to hunker down. I've always appreciated is the way she brings photography and fine art together, as she takes each viewer on a journey into a world that's right in front of us, but rarely seen. We covered a lot of ground in this podcast:
The "Beyond Technique" podcast is thanks to Platypod You'll find a never-ending stream of great content on the Platypod blog, all with images being shared by talented artists from around the world. Platypod is your tripod's best sidekick and can take your creativity places that tripods just can't go. Sign up for the FREE newsletter every month too. Chamira Young is the Editor/Publisher, and every issue shares stories featuring at least three artists and how they're using Platypod. Just click on the banner to the right to sign up. Plus, while supplies last, they're doing an inventory blowout of their Multi-Accessory kit at 50% off and Free with the purchase of their mainline of primary products. Click on any of the thumbnails below for more information.
Click on any thumbnail above to learn more about that product in the Platypod store. As always, we couldn't produce this podcast series without the nonstop support from the team at Photofocus.com. They never slow down in their support of the photographic community. Check out all of their podcasts and an incredible archive of great content, growing more and more every day! Just click on the banner below and take advantage of one of the very best resources for photographic information!   Click on any image to listen to another great podcast! by Skip Cohen J. B. Sallee is no stranger to SCU. We've shared so many of his guest posts, an episode of "Why?' and different programs he's been involved with since starting this blog eight years ago. He's one of the most diverse portrait artists in your industry, and his track record, especially in WPPI Print Competition, is becoming legendary. But the fun of a podcast series like this is about what's ahead for the future more than things the guest has done in the past. Even through the pandemic, JB's not slowing down and talks about how he's maintaining relationships with his clients and building a foundation for a successful new year. I met JB at the very start of his career, presenting him with the Hy Sheanin Scholarship at WPPI many years ago. Over the years, he's not only grown his skill set as an artist but as an educator. Right now, he's focused on a brilliant post-pandemic workshop with his Campfire series, essentially an overnight summer camp for adults focused on raising the bar on the quality of your images while still maintaining physical distancing and safety. We covered a lot of ground in this podcast...
The Beyond Technique podcast is thanks to Platypod. You'll find a never-ending stream of great content on the Platypod blog, all with images being shared by talented artists from around the world. Platypod is your tripod's best sidekick and can take your creativity places that tripods just can't go. Plus, while supplies last, they're doing an inventory blowout of their Multi-Accessory kit at 50% off and Free with the purchase of their mainline of primary products. Click on any of the thumbnails below for more information.
Click on any thumbnail above to visit the Platypod store. As always, we couldn't produce this podcast series without the nonstop support from the team at Photofocus.com. They never slow down in their support of the photographic community. Check out all of their podcasts and an incredible archive of great content, growing more and more every day! Just click on the banner below and take advantage of one of the very best resources for photographic information!   by Skip Cohen Two more great podcasts in the pipeline, thanks to Platypod and Photofocus. And both are with guests who offer outstanding insight to help you through the challenges you're dealing with right now. Take the time to click on the two banners below, grab a cup of coffee and then just kick back and listen!  Shep Hyken: I share a quote every morning on Twitter. Several years back, I quoted NYTimes best-selling author Shep Hyken about Customer Service. Well, Shep replied, and it's so rare I get a response directly from the author. Since then, he's joined us on podcasts, I've been a guest on his show, and SCU has even shared a few links to his website. Shep's specialty is Customer Service, and you'll notice I always capitalize those two words. Why? Because they're the most critical component of any business! And Shep's an expert, lecturing worldwide and helping companies focus on creating the very best level of service. In this new podcast, we covered a lot of ground. It's so relevant, especially with today's challenges created by the pandemic. Here are just a few of our discussion points:
And With Levi Sim...  Levi Sim: In 2009 I launched a summer program called Skip's Summer School. Levi Sim was one of the attendees and was just getting started in his career. Over the years, he's become one of the most recognized personalities in photography. He's an ambassador of goodwill and support for the professional photographic community. Over the last ten years, he's the guy with the bow tie and brown fedora at any convention. He's a photographer, writer, educator, podcaster and has spent most of his career in imaging, asking other photographers and manufacturers, "How can I help?" A few months ago, Levi made a considerable change in his career - staying with his love for imaging, he joined Utah State University as their lead photographer. So working for a full-time employee is a significant change from freelance. In this new podcast, Levi shared a lot of great insight into the challenges and benefits of giving up being a freelance artist and moving into the academic world. Here are few of the topics we talked about in this podcast:
Click on any of Levi's images above to listen to the podcast! The Beyond Technique podcast is brought to you thanks to Platypod. They've got some incredible savings going on right now, but only while supplies last. For example, there are only twenty of the Ultra Essentials Kits left for holiday savings. Click on any of the holiday bundles below for more information.  A BIG thanks to the team at Photofocus.com for their never-ending support of the photographic community. Check out all of their podcasts and an incredible archive of great content growing more and more every day! Just click on the banner below and check out one of the very best resources for photographic information!   by Skip Cohen Beyond Technique is a podcast that's meant to be just a little different than our regular "Mind Your Own Business" show. While each episode highlights another guest's work, my co-host and I have had some great conversations about everything that happens beyond the technique of capturing an image or building a business. Chamira Young and I have hosted over one hundred podcasts since our first one together in March 2017. With each guest, I've been delighted at their insight and willingness to share so many different aspects of their journey. And equally impressive is their passion for the industry and helping other artists stay focused at a time through the pandemic when fixed focus is often close to impossible.  Mike Peters: Although there's probably nothing he can't photograph, Mike's best known for his street photography. It's a topic we've never really discussed much with past guests. He's also a testimonial to one of the most fun aspects of this industry – the friendships. Mike and I met through Panasonic's LUMIX Ambassador program, and I'm a big fan of his work. In Mike's bio on his website, there's a statement that describes his love for being a storyteller: I believe that all photographs should make a connection so that you, the viewer, can feel something familiar or imagine a story about the photograph. Mike is the ultimate storyteller capturing our imagination and the personality of his subjects with just one image. It's a skill set that goes far beyond the technique of just pointing your camera and clicking the shutter. Click on the banner above to listen to his podcast, and his website is just a click away!  Moose Peterson: Although Moose and I have known of each other for many years, we'd never met until Photoshop World three years ago. When you think of outdoor/wildlife photographers, his name is always at the top of everyone's list, but so is his role as an artist, writer, podcaster, and educator. Along with his wife Sharon, his passion for photography started forty years ago when they went into business. Moose and Sharon have dedicated their lives to education and protecting our wild heritage, the lands, and the critters. In 2008, Moose added aviation photography to preserve our aviation heritage and the freedoms they protect. Moose is one of the most diverse artists in our industry, with a standard of never compromising on the quality of his images or his relationships with his students, readers, listeners, and associates. Click on the banner above and enjoy the diversity in the insight he shared with us and stop by his website to enjoy his galleries! "Beyond Technique" is Brought to You By Platypod Stuck thinking of a creative holiday gift idea for the photographer in your life? Platypod's Holiday Specials are going on right now, but only while supplies last. Click on the banner above to meet the entire product line, and check out the limited-time holiday savings. And if you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity every day. A big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their technology, marketing, and business skills. Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.  by Skip Cohen When Chamira Young and I relaunched Beyond Technique last year, we wanted to focus on more than just capturing great images, or running a successful business in photography. Each guest has shared a lot of great insight, but the pandemic created a new challenge - artists have had to ramp up their usual marketing skills and find better ways to reach out to their communities. Cindy Harter Sims joined us in this episode, and she's all about inspiration and especially relationship building. She's no stranger to the SCU spotlight and has repeatedly shared great content and the ideas she's implemented to secure her business. But with the pandemic, she did something unique - she reached out to her community and asked for help. Relationship building over the years has been a significant building block to Cindy's business and her role within the industry. In fact, it's how I met her many years ago at a Skip's Summer School conference. Cindy doesn't collect business cards - she directly participates with and supports the people in her growing network. Please take the time to listen to this podcast. Cindy held nothing back as she discussed her quest to keep her business alive and, at the same time, continue to give back to her community. She's busy, even doing newborn and infant photography, all while staying true to the rules of physical distancing and safety. And click on any of the favorite images I grabbed from Cindy's website to visit her galleries!  Click to view in the SCU Lightbox Beyond Technique is brought to you by: Programs like Beyond Technique can't happen without great industry support. Platypod believes in education and helping artists find new perspectives, not only with their cameras but their overall skill sets in marketing and business too. If you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity every day. And if you're stuck with ideas to expand your own creativity, wander into the Platypod store. You'll find some unique kits like the new Ultra Essentials Kit, now on sale. A big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their technology, marketing, and business skills. Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away. 
     Click on any image above to listen to the podcast on Photofocus.com or iTunes.  by Skip Cohen When Chamira and I started this series, we had no idea the diversity of the topics we'd talk about with each new guest. In this new episode, Sherry Hagerman joined us to talk about one of the most important challenges facing every artist - continuing education. Sherry's no rookie for understanding the importance of education, networking, and building a solid skill set. We've known each other for over ten years, first meeting when she was an attendee at the summer program I used to do, Skip's Summer School. She believes in education and walks the talk on her never-ending quest to expand her own skills. She's also no stranger to the SCU blog with guest posts, an episode of "Why?" and multiple spotlight images. Chamira, Sherry, and I talked a lot about education, and especially the changes for 2020 with the ClickCon show in Chicago. Originally scheduled to kick off August 9, due to the pandemic, it was postponed until August 2021, but that changes little in the ClickCon teams approach to great education. ClickCon Nation launches on August 9 and will be a monthly series of online educational programs featuring some of the finest artists and educators in the industry. Click on the banner below to link to the ClickCon Facebook page, and start following the news as more details become available. And see more of Sherry's images by visiting the Allusion Photography website. Just click on any of her photographs in this post.  "Beyond Technique" is brought to you by... Programs like "Beyond Technique" don't happen without great industry support from companies who believe in the craft, like Platypod. Just like their strength in giving artists a different perspective, we're hopefully doing the same thing with each podcast. If you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity. And if you're stuck with what to get Dad for Father's Day, (or yourself) - wander into the Platypod store. You'll find some unique kits like the new Ultra Essentials Kit, now on sale. Just click on the banner to the right. A big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business. Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away. Images copyright Allusion Photography. All rights reserved.  
     Click on any image above to listen to the podcast! by Skip Cohen Almost three and a half years ago, Chamira Young and I did our first podcast as co-hosts on "Mind Your Own Business." Since then, we've added two additional podcasts, "Beyond Technique" and "Tamron Recipes." With each guest, we've learned something not only about their journey but about creativity, passion, and diversity. Charles and Jennifer Maring joined us on this podcast. We've been friends for many years, going to my early days at Rangefinder Magazine and WPPI. They're no strangers to SCU. We've shared videos and posts involving Panasonic, where they're both LUMIX Ambassadors, to great content on lighting with Profoto. Charles and Jennifer may well be two of the most creative and diverse couples in imaging today. While best known for their work as wedding artists, they have incredible depth in so many different aspects of lifestyle - photography, music, art, even cooking and decorating. They also walk the talk with three diverse outlets where they share their work, combined with ideas to bring more quality and creativity to your life: MaringVisuals.com - TogetherinStyle.com - Together in Style – on Youtube. The fun of "Beyond Technique" is in its purpose: helping you get to know the movers and shakers of the industry beyond their ability to capture stunning images. But it's still fun to share photographs, as I have below, from their galleries. These images demonstrate one common denominator with everything Charles and Jennifer do - they never compromise on the quality of everything they do. "Beyond Technique" is brought to you by... The Beyond Technique series is brought to you each month, thanks to Platypod. Just like Platypod's strength in giving artists a different perspective, we're hopefully doing the same thing with each interview. If you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity. Wander into the Platypod store, and you'll find some unique kits like the Ultra Essentials Kit, now on sale. Just click on the image to the right. A a big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business. Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.  Images copyright Maring Visuals. All rights reserved.
   Click above to listen to this podcast!  Click for more info on Amazon by Skip Cohen Working together with Photofocus, we started this series six years ago. I had no idea how many talented artists and content-rich interviews we'd be sharing. Author, photographer, educator and podcaster, Larry Becker joins Chamira and me, and the timing couldn't be more relevant. Even before the pandemic, we were all meeting and appearing more in online forums. Well, the pandemic changed everything, and now your real estate in cyberspace has incredible value, but only if you use it right. Larry's new book, Great on Camera, was just recently published. It was in the works long before the coronavirus was an issue, but to have it available now is perfect. We're all spending more time on camera, and just like the quality of your website headshot as a photographer, you need to present the best possible image. In this new podcast, Larry shares a lot of good insight into his career, and especially the importance of capturing a great first impression and holding it! Larry's love for the craft and helping photographers and business owners is unbeatable. Now's the time to take advantage of fine-tuning your skills and make the most out of the downtime. Listen to the podcast and then pick up Larry's book, so you always look great on camera. I grabbed two of Larry's videos from his YouTube channel to share below. Visit his YouTube channel for more videos and learning how you can raise the bar on your presentation style.
 Click on the banner to listen to the podcast. by Skip Cohen With all but one episode of "Beyond Technique," we've always had a guest. However, this time around, Chamira Young and I wanted to host a very different kind of conversation. We tried to pack as many ideas as we could in our 30-40 minute window to help you think about being proactive in your business right now. The pandemic has left us all with the look and feel of a deer caught in your headlights. But as the reality of the new norm of social distancing and anxiety sets in, too many artists have taken the directive of "shelter in place" to mean everything in their lives, including their business, marketing, and skillset. So, Chamira and I took a shot at packing in a dozen or so ideas for you to consider doing during this downtime. They're not unique, and they clearly take up time...but time is what we've all got. There's an ongoing argument between the media, the CDC, the politicians and "doom and gloomers" over whose crystal ball is more accurate in how long this is going to last. It doesn't matter; we've all got to do everything to protect ourselves and our families for an extended period of time. The silver-lining in these difficult times is there's so much you can be doing to raise the bar on your skill set, stay involved in your community, build a better blog, plan your marketing programs for when things get better, and the list goes on and on. Just remember one crucial thing - you're not alone. We're all in this together, and this has always been an industry where we watch each other's backs and share ideas. "Beyond Technique" is brought to you by... The Max-Macro Bundle Beyond Technique brings you a different perspective each month about business, imaging and sometimes even life. It's a lot like Platypod's goal to keep giving photographers a different perspective and more creative tools to their skillset. From the Ultra and Max Platypods to great accessories like the new goosenecks and multi-accessory kit, they never slow down on developing new products. Right now the Max-Macro Bundle is one of their very best sellers and is on sale. Fine-tuning your skillset in macro and closeup photography is ideal during the downtime at home. As always a BIG thanks to Photofocus.com for sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business, Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.  Click on the banner above to listen to the podcast on Photofocus or iTunes!  In March 2017, Chamira Young and I started co-hosting podcasts together. We've presented over one hundred episodes of great conversations with some of the most talented and passionate artists and educators in imaging. Last summer, we relaunched Beyond Technique with the intent that it would be just that - beyond the normal parameters of photography and even business. Steve Brazill joined us this week for a completely new direction and well past what all of you consider technique. He's known as the "Razz" on KCAL FM in California, but that's only one hat he wears so well. In addition to being a well-respected radio personality, he's a LIVE music photographer and hosts what's become one of my favorite podcasts Behind the Shot. Steve shared so much great information with us that we decided just to let the clock run longer than usual because music photography is unique. From relationship-building to knowing the rules, Steve pulled no punches in sharing his experiences over the years as an artist. Like so many of us, his love for photography started with photographing his family. Steve's no stranger to SCU. He joined me for an episode of "Why?" last October with the image on the right. Until he told the backstory, I was convinced it was Mick Jagger! Steve's galleries are a kick to scroll through. I grabbed screenshots of a few favorite images. Click on any one of them to visit his website and to put Behind the Shot on your radar - click on the banner below.  "Beyond Technique" is brought to you by... Click to visit Platyball.com Thanks to Platypod, the Beyond Technique series is bringing you a different perspective each month about photography and life. It's a lot like Platypod's goal - giving photographers a different perspective and adding more creative tools to their skillset. From the Ultra and Max Platypods to great accessories like the new goosenecks and multi-accessory kit, they never slow down on developing new products. Check out their Kickstarter campaign for Platyball. They've literally turned a standard in imaging, upside down! And a big thanks to Photofocus.com for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business, Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.  Images copyright Steve Brazill. All rights reserved.  
    Click on the banner above to listen to this remarkable podcast.  Click to visit the Platypod website. When Chamira Young and I relaunched this series last summer, we wanted to bring you topics out of the ordinary with guests who are extraordinary. Even though we love the podcasts we've done in the past, we wanted "Beyond Technique" to be different. Inspiration, new ideas, and sharing unique concepts while stepping away from the technique of capturing images was our goal. Thanks to Platypod, the "Beyond Technique" series is bringing you a different perspective each month about business and life. In fact, it's a lot like Platypod's goal - giving photographers a different perspective and adding more creative tools to their skillset. Suzette Allen joins us in the December episode, with a topic perfect for wrapping up 2019 and even better to kick off the new year! Most of you know her as one of the industry's leading educators. She's a photographer, artist, educator, author, blogger, and a great friend to so many people in the industry. The story of how she got started isn't very different from most of yours. What changed was a horrific accident that became an incredible journey of hope, focus, dedication, and spirituality. I've known Suzette for a long time, but what I appreciate the most about our conversation on this podcast is her ability to stay candid, open, and honest about what she went through. She holds nothing back, which is a big part of what makes her such a great instructor and friend! I grabbed screenshots of some of my favorite images from her galleries. Click on any one of them to visit her website, blogs, and make sure she's on your radar! She and her husband Jonny are both LUMIX Ambassadors, and you'll find them both at a long list of workshops and convention programs throughout the year. And, check out her YouTube channel. There are 400 different videos covering a long list of topics, each there to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images and the support you give your clients. "Beyond Technique is brought to you by...We're proud to have Platypod as an SCU partner. Their products are giving photographers the ability to be more creative and capture images from a different perspective. From the Ultra and Max Platypods to great accessories like the new goosenecks and multi-accessory kit, they never slow down on developing new products. And a big thanks to Photofocus.com. Always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business, Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.  All images copyright Suzette Allen. All rights reserved.        Click to view in the SCU Lightbox by Skip Cohen Gareth Rockliffe is a good buddy, and he's currently on the road in New England. I caught up to him on a text the other day, and just for the fun of it, he sent me the image above. I love the power in this image and the way Gareth's choice of black and white, composition and technique, pull you into the photograph. There's another piece of the backstory that's special for me personally. I lived in Boston for many years, and this is captured up north in the Rockport area at Lanes Cove, Cape Ann, MA. I asked Gareth for the "gearbox" and exposure triad, and he sent me the text below:   Click to hear the podcast I love the "old school" comment. Going "old school" is like those favorite recipes we have for so many different things we enjoy, especially in classic cooking! "Old school" always works! Gareth is no stranger to SCU. Check out his July podcast on "Beyond Technique." He shared a lot of great insight into the spirituality of life and imaging. And his website is just a click away.  Click on the banner above to listen to the new podcast.  Click for more info by Skip Cohen Throughout our careers, if we're lucky, there are projects here and there that become unique and very special. The Beyond Technique podcast is one of those for me. There are hundreds of podcasts featuring artists talking about their style and technique, but with Chamira Young's help, we've gone beyond that...beyond the technique of the craft. The series was put on hold for a few months, but it's back with a vengeance, relaunching in August. It's now here full time with a new episode each month, thanks to Platypod! And, coincidentally our guest this month is also one of their Ambassadors, Jay P. Morgan. But, while Podcast is mentioned briefly, this new podcast is about education, mentoring, and Jay P's growth to becoming one of the leading educators in professional imaging. You'll find his Slanted Lens series jam-packed with videos to help you raise the bar on the quality of your work. Even better is meeting him at a conference. If you see him on the speaking platform, run, don't walk to grab a seat. Jay P is a talented artist, educator, writer, and filmmaker. He shared a lot of wisdom on this podcast. Click on any of Jay P's images below to visit his website. It wasn't easy narrowing down my favorites to share in this post. And, if you want to get a feel for Jay P's role as a leading educator, watch the one-minute video below and then subscribe to The Slanted Lens! It's a kick to have him join us on Beyond Technique!  From Jay P's "Classic" Collection, and one of the first photographs introducing me to his work, back in my Hasselblad days. 
   "Beyond Technique" is brought to you by... Click for more information If you haven't checked out Platypod lately, visit their website, follow their Facebook page and especially put their Instagram page on your radar. There are always new products coming, and each one is designed to help photographers and videographers expand their creativity. Platypod doesn't just manufacture some of the best-designed accessory products in imaging - they provide solutions to different challenges to help you raise the bar on the quality of your work! A BIG thanks to Photofocus for the platform for both Beyond Technique and Mind Your Own Business! Check out both series along with the InFocus Interview Show. You'll never be disappointed.
 It's time for you to meet Kevin Kuster and Watts of Love. Just click on the banner above to listen to this podcast. In January 2018 we kicked off the year with a great podcast series, sharing insight into the business and marketing of photography with some of the most respected artists in the world. The sponsor for the series, while liking the concept, decided they wanted to do something different on their own in 2019, and the series was put on the back-burner. Working together with my co-host Chamira Young, we decided recently it was time to bring back the series and "Beyond Technique" is off the back-burner. And the heats turned up to HIGH with great guests and insights that go well beyond the business of photography. This week Kevin Kuster joined us with some incredible insight into how his career has progressed and the importance of giving back. "Watt's of Love" is changing people's lives, and in the process Kevin Kuster's ability to be a phenomenal storyteller is in the spotlight. As I said in my intro on the podcast - "He's changing the world one light at a time!"  We're excited to introduce you to Gareth Rockliffe and a podcast filled with insight in the way photograph and live our lives. And if you missed our first podcast in the relaunch of the series, check out our podcast with Gareth Rockliffe. Just click on the banner above. This episode is clearly beyond technique!
Catching up on a phone call a couple of months ago, Gareth mentioned an idea he's had about the spirituality of imaging as it blends in with the way we live our lives. "We start our lives in "P" mode, and as we get older, we spend the rest of our lives trying to get out of it!" As kids, we're all pretty much put through the same process. We're given a foundation to live our lives by including always coloring within the lines. As we get older, we start to pursue other interests, ideas, and ways to live our lives. As we gain more experience, we also challenge the system, often coloring outside the lines. Gareth is a talented artist and writer. I hope as his conversation did with Chamira and me, he'll get you thinking about how to enrich your life and take more time to step out of "P" mode! A big thanks to Photofocus.com for the platform to share great insight provided by these terrific artists. Check out all of the podcasts on Photofocus - you'll never be disappointed!  Click on any image above to listen to this new podcast! by Skip Cohen The Beyond Technique podcast became a favorite right from the start when we launched the first one in January 2018. When the focus on business changed with the sponsor earlier this year, we put the series on the back burner. A few weeks ago we decided to bring it back and crank up the volume! This first new episode is especially relevant because the topic is so unique. It all started with a friendship with fine art and landscape photographer, Gareth Rockliffe. He's no stranger to SCU having been part of the Photodex series Building Your Business in 2015 and an episode of "Why?" two years ago. Catching up on a phone call last month, he mentioned an idea he's had about the spirituality of the craft as it blends in with the way we live our lives. "We start our lives in "P" mode, and as we get older, we spend the rest of our lives trying to get out of it!" Now, take a second and think about that statement. As kids, we're pretty much put through the process of learning to color within the lines. We're taught to appreciate/respect the "system," and do things in ways that are expected of us. As we get older, we start to pursue other interests, ideas, and ways to live our lives. Gareth is a talented artist, writer, and shared a lot of wisdom on this new podcast. And, I hope as the conversation did with Chamira and me, he's about to get you thinking about how to enrich your life and take more time to step out of "P" mode! Click on any of Gareth's images below to visit his website. I pulled a few of my favorites to share in this post. His galleries are stunning and no image is ever captured in "P" mode or for that matter the way he lives his life. What a kick to have him join us on Beyond Technique! A BIG thanks to Photofocus for the platform for both Beyond Technique and Mind Your Own Business! Check out both series along with the InFocus Interview Show. You'll never be disappointed. 
   Click on the banner above to listen to this podcast.  At the start of each Beyond Technique podcast, my co-host, Chamira Young, always shares the same opening line..."Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level." I've been thinking about that statement and defining the next level. As artists, all of you are working to raise the bar on your skill set and the quality of images you capture and present, but there are so many choices in goals for the next level, and that's what I appreciate about the team at PhotoShelter. They're helping you present your images in the best way possible, but their dedication doesn't stop there - the next level for one photographer might be to build stronger brand awareness, while another needs to diversify or share better content. All along the way the PhotoShelter team is there to help, right down to live phone support with the best customer service team in the industry! Adam Mowery joins us in this new podcast, and he's an artist constantly striving to hit that next level. His passion couldn't be easier to understand - it's all about life. There are a couple of lines in his bio I want to share: Adam is an adventurer, creative thinker, and constantly pushes life to the limits. He will never be caught "status quo." To Adam, creativity is a lifestyle not just a means to an end. One look at Adam's galleries and you're immediately hit with his love for the outdoors, people and photography. His images capture the look of fine art, lifestyle and here and there even a whimsical moment. Obviously, there's nothing Adam can't photograph, but his images are mostly about his passion for the outdoors and people. Lots of people are doing podcasts these days, but we couldn't be prouder of the quality of artists sharing their insight into their journey in imaging. A BIG thanks to Adam for sneaking in the time to join us on this new episode of Beyond Technique, and sharing a lot of great insight into relationship building, pursuing your dreams, diversity in imaging and lessons he's learned along the way. Visit Adam's galleries with a click on any image in this post, and make sure you look at his collection of tear sheets. It's one thing to capture great lifestyle and adventure images, but another to see the diversity in how they're used in editorial and advertising. And, we always love to thank the team at PhotoShelter. Every day they set a standard for the services and products they offer each client. They never slow down in their dedication to the artists they support and their focus on customer service.  Images copyright Adam Mowry. All rights reserved.    
   Click to listen to this insightful podcast. Julie Dermansky shares a lot of great insight into her life as a photojournalist.  With each new podcast in the Beyond Technique series, our guests have shared some remarkably candid insight into their life as a photographer. For my co-host, Chamira Young and me it's been an incredible experience as each photographer has given us a tiny peek into their life as an artist. It's all thanks to PhotoShelter and their never-ending quest to help photographers raise the bar on the quality of their presentations and their business. Julie Dermansky joined us on this podcast. Although there's nothing, Julie probably can't photograph, her passion is story-telling and capturing the reality of life. She shares her thoughts on how she connects with her subjects, captures the emotion they're feeling at the time and builds each relationship. Years ago I attended an awards ceremony where the legendary portrait photographer, Monte Zucker, received recognition for his work. On the same platform, that day were several photojournalists who had captured images from 9/11. I remember Monte paying tribute to the photojournalists by saying, "I have the best job in the world. I capture the fantasy of life, the way it should be. But you guys capture life the way it is." Well, Julie captures life the way it is and has developed a style where she builds relationships and uses her camera to tell each story. Her images tug at our heartstrings and create awareness for life most often outside the one many of us live. A huge thanks to Julie for joining us on this podcast. You'll notice when you look at her galleries she spends a great deal of time traveling from one crisis to another. However, she also manages to capture the beauty of wherever she is and the personality of her subjects. She's developed the ability to tell each story in a way her subjects appreciate. Check out Julie's PhotoShelter galleries with a click on any of the images in this post. Thanks to the team at PhotoShelter, the services and products they offer each client, and their incredible focus on customer service, Julie, along with her peers are presenting their work in a way that leaves each of us wanting to see more!  All images copyright Julie Dermansky. All rights reserved.  
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"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
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