www.phototherapists.com

Susan Baraz was a founding member of Focus on AIDS, the largest global fine art photography benefit, which, since 1987, has donated over 3 million dollars to AIDS organizations. She serves as the Co-Chair of The Lucie Awards, and as the Head of Judges for the International Photography Awards — the most prestigious award honoring masters in photography. Baraz is an active panelist and portfolio reviewer for APA, ASMP, Palm Springs Photo Festival, Art Center College of Design, Academy of Art University, Otis Art Institute at Parsons School of Design, and the Arles and Perpignan photography festivals. Additionally, she has served as an exhibition curator and book editor at The Museum of Tolerance, Washington DC, the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum, the International Photography Awards and on various fine art galleries nationwide.

Rhoni Epstein and Susan Baraz are partners in www.phototherapists.com. The name of their company resonates with both commercial and fine art photographers who have profited from their vast historical and visual knowledge of photography and their deep understanding of the creative process. Rhoni established Rhoni Epstein Associates, Photographers' Representative and has successfully represented renowned photographers since 1975. An Associate Professor at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA, Rhoni is considered an expert in marketing and for the past twelve years has taught a required branding and marketing course for all graduating Photography + Imaging students. Rhoni is an instructor, portfolio reviewer, judge and moderator for photography events including: International Photography Awards, Palm Springs Photography Festival, Art Center College of Design, Academy of Art University, Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, UCLA, Brooks Institute of Photography, PhotoExpo, Advertising Photographer of America, Art Directors Clubs, Graphic Designers Guild, Society of Media Photographers. She is a member of the Adbase Advisory Panel. Quote, "I always have time to look at one more photograph."

Working Style:
Good enough is not good enough for us!
If your images do not project who you are and what you have to say in a remarkable way, we will work with you from inside out to make this happen. Consultations include identity branding, effective web sites / web based marketing, custom designed portfolios and wall worthy self promos. Our backgrounds and knowledge are formidable. We are relentless in discerning what images will be superior to your competition. We work with both commercial and fine art photographers. Your final presentation will be unparalleled. The phrase we have never spoken is, "It will do."

www.burnsautoparts.com

Leslie has been professionally involved in the creative industries since 1992. In the course of her career, she has been a studio and marketing manager for photographers, a business manager and producer for an interactive design firm, and an organizational dominatrix for an advertising agency (imagine combining an AB with a traffic manager and add a dash of AE). After repeated suggestions from photographer friends that she become a rep, she launched Burns Auto Parts on the world. She named her company after her grandfather’s old business (he really did sell auto parts) partly because she appreciated the irony in it, and partly because “Leslie Burns Reps” sounded too much like a bad tabloid headline. In 2004, she gave up the repping side of her business to focus on consulting with photographers.

In addition to her other duties, Leslie has written a gazillion articles on creative business issues, authored chapters in both the 2003 and 2006 Photographer’s Market as well as the upcoming edition of the ASMP Business "bible," and published her own photo biz book. She also writes a regular column in Picture magazine, produces monthly Creative Lube podcasts, and is the featured Marketing presenter at ASMP's Strictly Business 2 events.

Working Style:
Leslie's working philosophy is a mix of research into psychological issues facing creative professionals and the reality of marketing in the 21st century. She approaches each client as an individual, with specific needs, wants, and targets to reach. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions in her world. Working with Leslie means involving both data and instinct, experience and gut feelings, resulting in plans and tools which are best for that particular client and no other. At the beginning of a project, Leslie sends worksheets to her clients to get a foundational understanding of where the creative is, has been, and wants to go. From there, she develops a plan of attack. For specific tools, she has vendors she can suggest to help grow the team as needed. After the project is complete, she encourages clients to stay in touch to help them stay on the desired path. From the first worksheet to the final discussion, clients know that they are getting truly personalized and well-reasoned advice for their creative business.

Purchase Leslie's newest educational marketing video Websites: Your Most Important Tool.

www.chatterboxenterprises.com

Louisa Curtis is a creative consultant based in New York City. After spending a number of years in the commercial photography industry, she formed Chatterbox Enterprises to offer photographers a variety of creative consulting services ranging from portfolio, web site, and image reviews to customized marketing packages. She now works to help photographers refine their vision, target their appropriate audience, and create and implement Internet-driven business plans. Her work experience includes Archive Magazine, The Black Book, photo representatives Watson & Spierman, PDN PhotoServe, IPNStock and ADBASE. Besides her creative and marketing consulting for photographers, Louisa also works as an event coordinator, panel moderator and seminar speaker. She has been involved with many events over the years for both APA and ASMP.

Working Style:
"I look, I listen and I talk for a living. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I help to make the wheel run more smoothly." Louisa says. Louisa’s creative consulting and marketing services are designed to help photographers at all stages of their careers. Whether you have been in business for many years or are just starting out, she will help to steer you in the right direction. Her consulting services range from website and portfolio reviews, to major image overhauls and editing, marketing and promotions as well as creative brainstorming for new work and personal projects. Louisa also offers individual services such as creating mailing lists, preparing estimates and negotiating fees. Her consulting services can be purchased either by the hour or as a custom-tailored package. Fees will vary, so call or email for rates and more information.

www.cpotts.com

Carolyn Potts is committed to helping photographers succeed in today’s market. In her 25+ years as a Chicago-based artists rep, Carolyn Potts turned portfolio presentations into purchase orders. Having successfully sold top talent -- working in all niches -- to national and international ad agencies, designers and publishers, she’s proven to her clients that she knows how buyers think and what they're looking for.

Part rep, part artist/creative director, part educator, and part technical consultant, Carolyn provides customized and effective solutions for the experienced photographer who's ready to be guided to the next level of their success. With a working background in both fine art photography and graphic design, she is passionate about the field and its’ possibilities. Her consulting and coaching techniques will help you:

• Create your overall marketing plan by addressing the “who? what? when? where? and how?”
• Implement your plan...step-by-step, and...
• Become inspired, and hold you accountable to meeting your goals, so you can escape “roller-coaster marketing syndrome” and learn how to become your own best rep.

Working Style:

• Helping photographers understand 21st-century marketing techniques that help them define and reach their target markets — sometimes uncovering a profitable market they’d never considered.
• Empowering the not-so technically inclined with straightforward, easy-to-understand technical advice; i.e., there’ll be no “geek speak.”
• Providing portfolio editing and web site analysis for seasoned professionals who need career-revitalization, as well as those seeking a move up into national/international assignments.
• Integrating new media promotion (e.g., Web and email) with traditional print promotion.

Go beyond a better-looking promotion. Strategic planning, portfolio editing, creative and technical direction, combined with just the right amount of compassionate butt-kicking that can lead you to increased business and career satisfaction.

For your next short- or long-term project, call Carolyn. To see if you click, schedule a free 20-minute, introductory consultation today.

www.suzannesease.com

The arts are in Suzanne Sease’s blood. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University while two generations before her were employed in the arts. So when she was asked to pioneer the art-buying department at The Martin Agency, she felt capable to handle the task. As the only art buyer at The Martin Agency for years, she had the opportunity to work with photographers and illustrators at all levels in their career. The department grew and she had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest photographers and illustrators in the World. When she decided to leave Martin to pursue freelance opportunities, she was given the wonderful opportunity to work with other advertising agencies like Kaplan-Thaler and in-house corporations like Capital One and Best Buy. All these wonderful opportunities gave her a wide variety of experiences. She uses those experiences to help her photography and illustration clients find their market and present themselves in the most professional manner.

Working Style:
My consulting style is based on my experience as a Senior Art Buyer for international ad agencies and an in house corporation and being the target of photographers marketing efforts. I use that experience, on what caught my eye and called in portfolios, to estimates that work and the best business practices for a successful career. I hired the best, award-winning photographers in the world and smaller, lesser known photographers from all over the country. As a consultant, I am a photo editor, working with your images, paginating and sequencing, to create a more concise presentation for your website, mailers and portfolio. With the number of photographers out there, the competition is fierce and the assignments are less. All these efforts are so important. How do your marketing and presentation efforts compare to your competition?

www.sosastone.com

Amanda Sosa Stone has a degree in photography from the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies. With the understanding that she did not want to become a photographer she moved to New York City, after graduation, to pursue a career in the industry. Amanda studied under Elyse Weissberg, an industry icon, who was a photographer's representative and creative consultant. With the knowledge that she gleaned from working with Elyse, Amanda went to work in the advertising industry as an art buyer.

Amanda worked as an art buyer for Foote, Cone & Belding in New York City. In January 2005, Amanda left FCB to pursue a freelance-consulting career, and now travels frequently to appear at seminars and consult with photographers nationwide. She is also the founder of an online resource guide called ShootinFlorida.com, and continually strives to raise the bar in our industry.

Working Style:
Amanda is the type of consultant you hire when you are ready to put the fire under your tush. She is a firm believer in marketing yourself with consistency and persistence. In a consult you will review, where you were, where you are and where you want to be. She reviews the work/content and the current presentation you are using. You will be guided on developing your presentation to meet your goals. Along with presentation, you will work with Amanda on marketing (which is key) and how to create an annual campaign. You will be provided with a recap so you have a list to get started.

Amanda is now offering a new service both through herself and through her partner Agency Access. It’s a service that helps promote the ease of your marketing. To find out more visit her website or call her to set up an interview.

www.monicasuder.com

Monica Suder, a Creative Consultant and Certified Coach, works with the photographic community. She assists image-makers in realizing their creative identity and increasing their earning potential. Her clients are advertising and corporate shooters who need to balance their creative and financial goals, celebrity shooters looking for their true calling in life, editorial and fine art photographers ready to make real money and find more lucrative markets.

Monica brings to the table over 25 years of hands-on experience in the photo industry. She has won awards as a respected national photo editor and director of photography, and has worn many other hats along the way, both in New York and San Francisco: producer, art buyer and marketing consultant. As a photo-editor, she worked at Magnum Photos, Time-Life, Rolling Stone and Outside Magazines. Beginning in 1997, Monica combined her skills and tools as a coach with her many years of expertise in the photography industry. Monica has been closely involved in the development of APA’s innovative national Success Team Program since 2004. She has been a guest lecturer at the School of Visual Arts in NYC and has lectured and taught at other photography schools. Monica is a member of the Plus Advisory Council (Picture Licensing Universal System), Women in Photography, Fotovision, CameraWork and the International Coach Federation.

Working Style:
As a creative coach, Monica will help you

• define your creative identity and explore new, more lucrative directions for your work
• build new portfolios and websites based on your identity or brand
• develop personal projects, creating new opportunities and acquire better clients

As a business coach, Monica will help you

• clarify and implement your goals and keep you on track
• improve your communications skills and time management
• focus on the big picture in your career and life
  

As a consultant and photo editor, Monica will

• assess your work and edit your portfolios, web galleries and promotions 
• help you develop innovative business and marketing strategies.

heartstormingnews.blogspot.com
610-438-5707

Ian Summers has been a lot of things: art director, creative director, painter, poet, investigative journalist, think tank operator, teacher, and publisher, to name a few. Ian was Creative Director for The Black Book, Leber Katz Partners, and Random House and has taught at Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, and New School for Social Research. He has lectured on creativity at many colleges, including Syracuse University, UCLA, and The Portfolio Center. He has written 14 books and he has had three solo shows of his paintings in the last 2 years.

He synthesized all the things that worked in his career and developed Ian Summers' Creativity Workshop. Summers' philosophy, known as Heartstorming, encourages his clients to bring what they love and what matters to them into being. Since 1987, thousands of creators, wishing to grow, do what they love, and prosper, have participated in one-on-one coaching, seminars, teleconferences and individual and group workshops. His coaching services include: creative direction, portfolio analysis and picture selection, advertising and sales promotions, customized seminars and trainings, public speaking, copywriting, and art direction.

Working Style:
I believe in diversity. I believe photographers and other artists can present a variety of imagery. They can create this AND that rather than this OR that. This can only work when a photographer gives up marketing the content of his or her pictures and instead, markets the ways they see. My clients discover the thread of vision that stitches their work together.

I share experiences, knowledge and alternatives and help artists make their own discoveries. I help my clients discover and rediscover who they are and why they exist. My clients learn to use new tools, set priorities, and create and implement plans to manifest their passions.

Please call with your questions. The first hour session is complimentary. It allows us time to get to know each other and to see if Heartstorming is right for you.

917-767-7206

Allegra Wilde has more than 20 years of experience as a Branding and Creative Consultant to artists, photographers, and art-based businesses, as well as advertising, editorial and fine art marketplaces. Allegra provides extensive consultation to photographers, illustrators and designers on creative and marketing issues such as creative direction, securing representation, portfolio development, editing, marketing, and image selection for promotion. Additionally, she consults with photography agents on branding, business development, building photographer talent and marketing. Allegra is a recognized photography industry authority on agent/artist relationships, marketing for artists, and image trend forecasting. For the past 4 years she has critiqued the final student projects (both General Studies and MFA Program) at the International Center of Photography and has been a guest speaker at the School of Visual Arts, NYU, and Parsons. As an independent consultant, Allegra also advises a wide range of businesses, political campaigns, and individuals on branding and visual strategies.

Specialties:
Strategic Visual Branding and Identity, Agent
Procurement for Talent, Presentation Skills, Sales
Training, Picture Editing, Marketing, Creative
Direction, Agent/Talent Dispute Resolution and
Arbitration. Consulting on an hourly or per project basis.