Announcing PUSH 2018!
Image Credit: Greenwood PhotographyThis announcement is one I have been dying to share with all of you! I cannot believe this is coming for a fourth year now and I am still just as nervous as when I first announced it! This conference is my baby. It means everything to me and I am so grateful that I get to share my dream with all of you for another year. I am not going to lie, I still get very nervous hoping you want to be a part of this. It is always scary when you put yourself out there but if you don’t do it, you cannot grow. And I am a firm believer in growing and keeping your fears in check.This year, as in previous years, I relied heavily on your feedback to create my ultimate speaking team. I listened to the topics you wanted covered and did my absolute best to bring them to you. I poured over the surveys from PUSH 2017, listened on your Facebook polls in the group and ask the PUSH alumni what they wanted. Every year I am excited for what is to come. The PUSH speakers the last three years have been the absolute best in the industry and I am grateful to call each and everyone of them my friend. I am constantly in awe of their artistic ability. And to be able to gather 12+ of them at a time each to put under one roof is what makes this conference so special for me.After each year’s conference I feel like my family has grown. This year I know it will grow exponentially. We have become a larger and tighter PUSH family. Crazy I know. It is still surreal. I know it must sound that way to anyone who has not attended the last three years, but to the lucky 50 each year, we left stronger, energized and knowing we had each other’s backs and will continue to do so. It was in every sense of the word…a family.Am I nervous putting my dream back out on display for year 4? YES. But I truly believe in the power of community and education. We are growing stronger and making this industry stronger along the way! This year expect even more ACTIONABLE and IMPLEMENTABLE items than ever before for your business! And expect the topics to reflect where the industry is currently moving.Push 2017 Behind The Scenes Video By PUSH Alumni and Videographer April Massad PUSH 2017 was one of many conferences I have attended throughout my career, but it was one of my faves! It was such an incredible group of artists, collaborators, entrepreneurs, and experts in multiple fields. The speakers were top notch and open and available to all of us. I loved the community at PUSH and can't wait for next year.-Desiree Suchy
The PUSH conference was exactly what I needed! I was very nervous about attending, I am not a full time photographer. I am a high school teacher and business owner. I focus on photography during the summer and fall. I was not sure if my skills would even be close to the same level as the other attendees. Within 24 hours, I felt comfortable and welcomed. I was able to learn from talented and skilled speakers. My favorite part of the conference was the outdoor shooting session. It was so fun to work with models, try different poses and watch other photographers work. I walked away from the conference with new friends and knowledge regarding color theory, posing, editorial photography, fashion photography and so many other topics. I am so glad I went to the conference, I hope to attend again! - Corban Van Dam
"Push 2017 was AMAZING!!! I will be the first to admit I was very apprehensive to attend not because I didn’t think I would learn valuable information but I tend to be an introvert and feared entering a situation not knowing anyone. I am proud to report I put my big girl panties on and made the flight from Houston to Indianapolis. This was without a doubt one of the best decisions I have made for my business! I was welcomed with smiles and made friends I still talk to on a regular basis. The information over the three days was exactly what I needed to come home with a fire under my tail! I started brainstorming and implementing aspects from the conference the day I got on the flight back home and have not stopped. It is hard for me to think I was so close to not attending because of my fears. This conference is exactly what my business needed and I am so very thankful for all the hours of work and the exclusive selection of speakers that were chosen. Thank you to Vickie and each and every speaker! I am forever grateful for your dedication to making this industry the best it can possibly be!!!" -Chantal Erickson
"I believe that if I am asking clients to invest in me, I should also be investing into my own education. But there are so many options for photography classes and conferences, that it is easy to sink money into products that won't give me a positive return on my investment. PUSH is a conference with HEART and BITE. Not only did the speakers share tangible and valuable information that I will be implementing into my business model and workflow for months, but they were open and approachable; more than willing to give me specific, one on one feedback. I am grateful to have found my way to PUSH 2017... I will put it in my budget to come back in 2018."-Lymarie Jackson
I attended PUSH for the first time this year. I had never attended a big photography conference, only small workshops. But I set a goal for myself every year, and this year it was to get out of my introverted-comfort-zone and meet other photographers while learning about my niche. It was overwhelming for a introvert, however the conference was so well organized and planned that I had zero stress. When things run smoothly, like PUSH does, it makes every participant gain more than the knowledge provided by the speakers and presenters. It makes the participants comfortable enough to truly engage with the presenters and learn in the most comfortable atmosphere. I truly appreciated that Vickie thought through the speaker line up to make it contain the most relevant topics to our specialty. PUSH gave me action items to change my business for the good, and made me feel like I have the tools to stand out in my community as the best senior photographer. -Valerie Ott
The Push Conference was so beneficial to me and my business. I loved having a wide range of speakers. Having the variety from different portions of the photography world really opened up my eyes to some new possibilities for my own business. I also came away with some new photographer friends, and that to me is invaluable!-Nicole Spangler
"Thank you so much for an amazing experience and I hope to see you next year! This was my first flight, first time traveling by myself, and PUSH was my first conference. I didn't know what to expect when I walked in, and I was majorly nervous and shy being around all the celebrity photographers we all know and love. It was amazing learning from everyone who I've been inspired by for years, and I left with so much advice and knowledge to better my business. I know I have to put in the work to succeed and I'm so glad I was able to grab a seat to the conference. It also was amazing to be around people who just got you. Being from an extra small town, I do not have any friends to talk about photography or understand the struggles, so it was great to make several friends and actually meet some in person! PUSH was definitely one of the best investments that I could've done for my business!"-Ben Johnson
PUSH literally blew me away! After seventeen years in the industry I was a little skeptical, but my expectations were exceeded by leaps and bounds! The conference was very well put together, catered to all levels, classes were organized, and everything stayed on track. I won a couple goodies in the silent auction, they’ve already bumped my business up to the next level! I’ve noticed a great difference in my recent shoots and the images I’m producing. It’s incredible that a few days away at a workshop can change so much within your business and you’re daily life, PUSH was the rejuvenation I needed! Aside from the bundles of knowledge, I also gained new friendships and memories that I will cherish forever! I plan on PUSH being an annual educational tool for my business and a mini vacation to spend time with like minded (fun) professionals. Can’t wait for next year!-Brittany Baldwin
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed my PUSH experience. It was my first time, and I know that It will NOT be my last. The instructors were all wonderful, friendly and so eager to help.I was given ideas that I can implement into my business to make it so much better! I learned about pricing for success, social media marketing, implementing video, posing....the list goes on and on. I was inspired in every class! I also thought it was genius to have a "Teen Panel" to ask questions. What a great way to get to understand and know our target market!I have been to many seminars and photography expos before, but I have to say, I got the most out of PUSH. Thank you for setting up such a wonderful fun experience, and helping take my business to the next level.-Kelley Howe
"This was my first year at PUSH. I was so excited to finally be able to go this year and learn from all of favorite Senior Photographers. At first I was extremely nervous because everyone is so talented and top notch. I felt very intimidated. Those feelings were squashed immediately when I met the speakers, Vickie and all the photographers who came to learn, like me. Everyone was so incredibly welcoming and down to earth! I learned more from the speakers at PUSH than I have learned at any other photography conference I've been to before. I walked away with more confidence, more friends and connections, and more motivation to get my photography business on the right track. Thank you Vickie for putting on this amazing conference! For those photographers on the fence about going next year, take the leap! You won't regret it!"-Leah Pobanz
The Details…PUSH 2018 will be held at the same location as in years past. The Inn At Depauw in Greencastle, IN is the perfect setting for us to freely create. The hotel will be locked down for only PUSH attendees again this year (and yes those of you who stayed in Depauw’s Town homes located across the street will have that option as well). It makes this event more intimate. The hotel and town homes were the perfect creative bubble for 2015, 2016 and 2017!Combine the hotel, location and all of these elements…-50 Attendees-Exclusive content from our instructors that they have not spoke on elsewhere.-4 instructors for two nights of After Hours Pods-2 nights of outdoor shoots-Teen models-Charity Auction-PUSH Image Awards-The PUSH Society-Exclusive education one day early (July 8th) for those who will be attending their 3rd PUSH Conference-Evening networking and bonding while after hours pods are available-Lunch and Dinner each night of the conference from our sponsors-Swag from our favorite vendors-And so much more to be announced!
You will be pushed beyond you comfort zone in all aspects of business from pricing, video, marketing, posing, senior models, editorial components, styling and so much more. We have put together a team of amazing speakers all invested in helping your business. Each one of them has a very specific topic and course created for you to incorporate into your business.
Who will be speaking at PUSH 2018?That is the big question right? You may have scrolled quickly to this part just to see! Again, I am grateful to have the best lineup for 2018. This speaking team is phenomenal and I am so proud to call each of them my friend. I know they will put their heart and soul into PUSH 2018. For complete information on our speakers please visit the website HEREDani Diamond-10 Steps To Mind Blowing PortraitsDani Diamond is a firm believer that ambition will make you a much better photographer than talent ever can. In this class Dani will walk through all the steps it takes to create amazing portraits. These are skills anyone can learn with time and practice. You don't need to be born talented to create art, you just need some passion.
Latasha Haynes-The Heart Of The Matter: Getting Back To Your WhyBeing a photographer is hard. There are so many competing voices constantly telling you what you should be doing, how you should be doing it and how you should feel about all the things you are doing. The comparison game is rough and it’s easy to let those voices become louder then your vision, your passion, your own dreams. We are often left feeling drained, frustrated, tired and uninspired, but more than that, we start to forget the reason we fell in love in the first place and we can't hear the very voice that brought us to the love of the art in the first place, our own.Over the last 3 years, I really struggled with connecting to my own love for photography and hated everything I created. I have really done some serious soul searching and am finding my love and passion for photography again, and can confidently and proudly stand on my vision and my vision alone, regardless of what’s trending or what other say I “SHOULD” be doing.My hope is to help you get back to your reason “why.” To fall in love with photography again, the way you always imagined and to re-ignite your desire to be the best artist, photographer, and “YOU” that you can be.
Christina Ramirez-Model Teams: A Shift In PerspectiveModel teams are not dead, but so many struggle to make it work. Are you working with a team who is not excited to be out there shouting your name from the rooftops? Are you spending more money on your team then what they bring in for you? Do you feel your model team "isn't working"? There are so many ways to run a successful model team, just like pricing there's no right or wrong way, however there are ways to create a buzz, ways to ensure your team is out there planting seeds in their conversations at school and bringing business back around for you. I'm going to go over how I started with just one senior model and in just 5 years received a whopping 334 applications in just 2 days. I will talk about how I run my model team now and the shift that occurred which changed my view on *how* my team works that generates constant leads.
Mario Masitti-From Social To BookingProfessional educator and photographer Mario Masitti will take you on a journey to harness your social media efforts with the intention of increasing your bookings. This class will break down the fundamentals of our why on social media, identifying the three key elements that every social platform has. Based on a completely unconventional style of teaching, we’ll reverse engineer the booking process from start to finish. We’ll break you out of your comfort zone and begin looking at your brand as a media company and how this will carve an incredible advantage for 2018 & 2019.
Audrey Woulard-Bridging The Gap In Between: How To Use Tweens To Grow Your Senior BusinessIt’s time to explore the often-forgotten and under appreciated market of tweens. This demographic of kids ages 10-14, represents an annual market of 200 billion dollars. A highly impressionable demographic that has the power to influence their parents beyond the capacity of the average photographer’s imagination is primed for exploration! These tweens are also future seniors!In this program with Chicago photographer, Audrey Woulard, you will explore a rapidly expanding demographic that absolutely adores pictures, but is often overlooked by most photographers. She’ll show you how to become an expert in attracting this demographic, appealing to their parents, and how to bridge the gap between this young age and senior photography. She will walk you through the importance of building the relationship early because this demographic will be your next senior model crew! If you’re looking to stand out and offer something different from the competition, then this is the program for you!
Nicollette Mollet-Creating The Ultimate Fashion Shoot ExperienceWith my background working in the Dallas Fashion Industry, I have developed a way to bring the fashion shoot experience to the every day senior.During my workshop, I will touch on all the aspects of my work that bring to it that fashion look, making sure every image is magazine-cover material.
Sean Brown-Marketing: Making Way For A New GenerationIf you hadn’t noticed, there’s a new generation in town. As a generation where the real and digital world are one and the same, how are we as photographer’s adapting to this and communicating effectively with our potential clients? What can we do to make sure that we are telling stories and creating a brand experience that this new generation wants to be a part of? In this course, we’ll be covering what is working today in marketing to this new generation – not worked previously, but what is working today to keep your schedule filled and making sure your business stays in the forefront of people’s minds. We’ll also go over what you can be doing to leverage your brand to create marketing content that resonates with your future seniors and keeps your brand fresh and relevant in an ever-evolving industry.
Jackie Palmer-Planning A Concept For VideoWe will walk thru a film concept from start to finish. We will interview a Senior to see what her interest are, her passions and likes then create a concept for a shoot. From planning wardrobe to shooting, this will an be exciting 2 hours of making a concept a reality.
Britney Jeanine-How To Prosper In Business And BrandingAs a young 22-year-old graduate of Georgetown University, Britney Jeanine set out to run the hottest event planning business in Washington, D.C. But she quickly learned that just making it as an entrepreneur wasn’t enough. Over the years, Britney has journeyed through many phases to find her passion and purpose and pivoted eight times before she built Britney Jeanine & Co., a visual brand studio based in Orlando with a passion for ideation. During her presentation, Britney will share her personal story of how she built a profitable business and the ups and downs, frustrations and financial challenges that came along with it. If you’ve played the comparison game, branded yourself in a way that isn’t true to who you are or made investments that were the wrong fit, Britney’s presentation will show you how to define your unique skill set and fast-track your way to a prosperous and profitable business.By the end of her presentation you’ll discover:How to say yes to the things that matter mostHow to maintain confidence through the ups and downs of businessHow to better balance your personal and professional lifeHow to brand an irresistible business that'll attract the right peopleHow to work less BUT make more
Tara Rochelle-Posing And Styling For An Editorial EdgeIn this class, I’ll show you some tips and tricks on how to not only pose your seniors in a nontraditional way, but also how to incorporate simple style techniques to give your sessions an editorial edge. Get tips on where to shop, what to buy, and how to make it all come together for a polished yet edgy look.
Lisa Marie Prang-Intro To Instagram Marketing With Lisa Marie PrangEver wondered how to organically gain followers and grow your brand?Maybe you are struggling with finding the right theme?Starting from the ground up, I will explain how to build a profitable brand centered around Instagram that reaches into other forms of social media. I will also share my personal experiences in cross-promoting to reach new audiences, brand collaborations, and much more. The tools are at your fingertips, come learn how to make them work for you!
Brooke Daniels-Being a Boss Lady and A Super MomThere is one common challenge we can ALL relate to... How to better balance our family life with our work life. It's not always easy trying to juggle a successful business and also maintain our role as a rockstar parent/spouse/partner. Something's gotta give and the struggle is WAY too real! Can I get an Amen?!?! As a mamma to two littles ones and a wife to a husband who travels more than he's home, this is the topic I am most passionate about and is near and dear to my heart. I cannot wait to share with you some strategies that will help your business thrive at a higher level, help you earn MORE money, work LESS hours, and have more peace in your home. We will break down what really matters most, how to eliminate distractions, conquer comparisons, learn how to maximize your earning potential with each client, and how to reignite that love for photography which might have become lost over the years. I will share with you some of my top selling secrets for in person sales and also a few tips which have transformed our home and my business from a place of chaos and stress, into a true blessing. I am beyond honored to be back at PUSH for the fourth year and cannot wait to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones!
The PUSH Society…
The PUSH Society was designed to reward our alumni who attend 3 or more PUSH Conferences. Each PUSH Society member will gain access to exclusive classes the day before PUSH kicks off! They will be learning in small intimate groups about topics that will not be taught at PUSH for the year! And the only way to gain access to these exclusive classes is to come to 3 or more PUSH Conferences! The PUSH Society will take place July 8th.
The speakers for this year’s PUSH Society…
Christina Ramirez-Exclusive Styled Shoot With ChristinaChristina Ramirez will be doing an exclusive styled shoot with our PUSH Society members! Come watch her shoot, build your portfolio and so much more.April Massad-{Insta}ntly Incorporating Video Into Your SessionsApril will show you how quick and easy it is to incorporate video into your sessions without any additional camera equipment! She will even take you through editing a quick insta video! You will go home, not only with the skills to do your own videos, but also with a video to post announcing your new skill to your market! April will be using models from Christina's styled shoot to show you on the fly exactly how to incorporate video in this hands on course.
After Hours Pods…
Image Credit: Greenwood PhotographyWe will have two evenings of After Hours pods so you can get your learn on or hang out with your friends! Jen Bertrand, Nicollette Mollet Tara Rochelle and Thomas Nguyen will be instructing and working with you!
Four-time PUSH instructor, Jen Bertrand, is back leading the evening after hours pods. This time, she's teaming up with Nicollette Mollett to maximize the learning experience with a High Key + Low Key Challenge. Join these two studio powerhouses as they break down their approaches to both High Key and Low Key images with one and two light set ups in this hands-on shooting class.Tara Rochelle and Thomas Nguyen will be teaming up for a fashion duel. We will have a mini runway set up with wardrobes on both sides for the two to style models and then teach you posing!This year's After Hours Pods will definitely be something that PUSHES you beyond your comfort zone and will leave you with actionable tools to implement into your business.
More Details…Additional info for Push:When: July 9, 10 & 11Where: The Inn At Depauw, Greencastle, INWho: 50 Lucky AttendeesRegistration will begin Monday September 18 at 11 am eastern time. We will provide complete details on how to register along with the complete PUSH schedule on Friday!Price: $1695 (registration only…meals-except where listed, transportation and hotel are not included)Want more details? Visit the website by clicking HERERestrictions and fine print…*There will be a 40 mile protective radius from zip code 46135-you cannot live, shoot or market to clients within or have a business within this radius.*If you own or work for another senior blog, senior/teen focused social media site or magazine, you will not be able to attend.*Not responsible for weather, acts of God, flight delays, etc. we make every accommodation possible but note that things are subject to change. There are no refunds.
I can’t wait to meet our 50 lucky attendees as space will be super limited to this conference! Come hang out, shoot, build your portfolio and learn with these amazing speakers!To grab your seat click HERE!See you in July!xoxo,Vickie