Every Tuesday I go off in search of something helpful from Tamron's archives. There's a ton of great information, especially when it comes to supportive "how to" content. This is the slow season for so many of you and the perfect time to hone in on your skill set. I can't think of a better topic for this Tamron Tuesday than to share the link to the FREE pdf download on portraiture from Tamron's Andre Costantini. Just click on the cover for the download.

This little gem is loaded with great tips, a trademark of not only Andre's but all the members of Tamron's tech team. He's an educator, artist, writer and shares some terrific points to help you raise the bar on your portraiture.  

Tamron, not only makes great glass, but they're committed to helping you become a better artist. Obviously their e-books are meant to introduce you to Tamron products, but they've done it in a way that's loaded with great material. This e-book was introduced two years ago, but there's a whole new series about to start. 

If you're going to be at WPPI in two weeks, wander by Tamron's booth (441), meet their tech reps for yourself and have a cup of coffee with any one of the industry icons who will be in their booth each day!

About Andre (From the Tamron e-book)

Andre Costantini is a photographer, filmmaker and educator.   Andre's approach is enjoyable, engaging and informative. He has taught photography seminars throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and has written articles for Studio Photography and Design and Shutterbug. Clients include American Repertory Theater, Discover Channel, Criterion Collection and Tamron USA, just to name a few.

Andre needs to be on your radar. Follow him on Facebook and check out the images on his site.

One of the biggest reasons to attend any major convention is to meet more photographers, especially the ones who are the "movers and shakers" of the industry. Well, Tamron is making it easy for you to meet eight of the very best and they've got the perfect venue with the Tamron Cafe!

Tony Corbell, Courtney Dailey, Michael Gilbert, Jay P. Morgan, Hernan Rodriguez, Monica Royal, Jonathan Thorpe, and Erik Valind. Here's your chance to chat with Tamron pros over a cup of espresso, cappuccino, café latte or chai latte at the Tamron Café located right in the Tamron booth. You couldn't ask for a better atmosphere to just get to know these incredible artists and they'll be rotating through the cafe every hour throughout the show.

Swing by Tamron for special offers during WPPI. Plus, you've got eight of Tamron's authorized retailers exhibiting at WPPI this year!  Check out Tamron's lens line at any of these exhibitors: Adorama Camera, B&C Camera, B&H Photo, Midwest Photo Exchange, Samy’s Camera, Silvio’s Photoworks, Unique Photo, Woodland Hills Camera.  

Last on the list, but certainly not least, are Tamron's Tech Reps. You may have met some of them on the road last year during Tamron's Tailgate Tour. Well, they're back on the road again this year and they'll be in the booth at WPPI. Here's your chance to met some of the most passionate artists in the industry and find out how they can help you raise the bar on the quality of your own images.

Put booth 441 on your "dance card" and make it a point to swing by and build your network with Tamron's help!

See you in Las Vegas!

Intro by Skip Cohen

For years I've been writing about one of the most important reasons you should attend every convention you possible can: meeting other photographers and building your network. Today's Tamron Tuesday post is a prime example.

At PhotoPro Expo in Covington, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, two weeks ago we were doing an SPTV broadcast for the two days of the trade show. One of my guests on the show was Jillian Bell from Tamron. While I've known and worked with Jillian via email and phone calls for the last two years, we've never had a chance to just talk about her photography.

The video piece below is short, but think of it as a teaser to what you'll get if you meet Jillian in person while she's teaching and has a camera in her hands. Tamron is about to kick off another year of their Tailgate Tour and they'll be all over the United States. Videos, websites, etc. are all terrific tools but NOTHING beats actually talking with a great artist directly.

Tamron's booth was busy all the time this week at IUSA and many of the conversations weren't just about great glass, but attendees getting an opportunity to build their network with some of the most talented and diverse photographers in the industry today. Next month they'll be at WPPI...Don't miss the opportunity to expand your network. All it'll take will be a walk through the booth and a few handshakes!

Jillian should be in your network. You'll find her on Facebook, Twitter and a regular contributor on Tamron's blog.

A funny sidebar to the interview above...my next guest for a full segment, was Tamara Lackey. Well, after talking with Tamron's Jillian Bell, I just couldn't get my brain in gear and introduced Tamara as "Tamron" Lackey. It must have taken me at least four attempts and Tamara has been a friend for years. It's not like I don't know her name. My brain was stuck in a Tamron mode. Tamara finally declared that instead of Skip she was going to start calling me "Skype".

...and that's the challenge of live programming! It's so hard to get good help. LOL