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So, what’s it going to be this time? Not enough time? Not enough money? Are you too busy to spend a couple of days learning how to perfect your craft, whether it be an vocation or avocation? When it comes to improving your work, there can be no excuses.

Can you imagine a greater collection of photography teaching talent than what STC has assembled for its March seminar in Miami? In addition to a stellar group of professional photography instructors, including Jarmo Pohjaniemi, Byron Newman, Ric Moore and Alex Bravnicar, long-time Playboy Art Director Tom Staebler is making a one-time special appearance to share his practical views on what photographers need to do in order to be noticed and then assigned by art directors and photo buyers. And Gary Cole, Playboy’s Photography Director for over 30 years, will also be in attendance to help attendees focus on what they need to do to become better photography professionals.

Perhaps you think you can’t afford to attend this seminar (even though the cost is extremely reasonable). The question you should be asking yourself is whether you can afford not to attend. STC has a proven track record of helping photographers improve their skills, improve their business and get published. If you want to join that group, join us in Miami on March 22-23, 2014.

I know from my past experiences with the STC community how dedicated all of you are to improving your skills and your opportunities for success as photographers. So submit your images and ideas and leave your egos at the door.

We’re going to be trying something a little different at this next STC seminar, something that we hope will prove valuable to all attendees. It is a round table discussion during which I will chair the STC group of mast photographers as we critique work and/or business plans of five designated photographers.

If you will be attending, please consider submitting a minimum of ten images and/or a description of your business plan/photography ambitions to us. We will select five photographers to review during our 90-minute round table critique.

Thin-skinned personalities need not apply as the discussion will be candid and practical. All seminar attendees will be invited to participate in this free-wheeling conversation. The point is to make each attendee more aware of the realities of the marketplace, the importance of focusing on a business plan that makes sense based on each photographer’s talent and situation.

~Gary Cole

About Gary Cole

Gary Cole has been the Director of Photography for Playboy Enterprises, Inc. for over 30 years. During that time, he has managed the acquisition of all photography for Playboy and supervised photographers and production staff, studios, film and digital labs and photo archives. He has established and maintained relationships with leading photographers from around the world while managing an $8-million annual budget. Gary has extensive experience in approaching celebrity TV and film talent and negotiating agreements, as well as being involved in all creative aspects of Playboy Magazine. Gary has twice been included in American Photo’s list of the 100 Most Important People in Photography.

He’s worked with most of the world’s foremost glamour and fashion photographers including Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts and countless others. He has also produced fashion and glamour shootings with hundreds – perhaps thousands – of models and celebrities, including Cindy Crawford, Elle Macpherson, Stephanie Seymour, Raquel Welch, Farrah Fawcett and countless others. This is your opportunity to learn the business side from the very best and the brightest.

Photography is so much more than just a camera and taking pictures.”

One of the most overlooked areas in photography is the business aspect of running your own studio. Photographers, being artists for the most part, are not usually blessed with a core of business and financial wisdom necessary to establish and maintain a profitable net income.

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