“THE ART OF BUSINESS IN THE BUSINESS OF ART”

Tom Walter

Tom’s career in photography began as a love affair – literally.  Working as a business and financial planner, Tom met his future wife Cheryl, who was working for a local photographer.  They bought the studio, went into business together, and got married – in that order.  For 19 years they have grown Stone Garden Studio into a solid studio business that has survived a location change, a name change and several downturns in their local economy.  Their “division of labor” is a major factor in the studio’s success.

Tom is a St. Marys, Ohio native with a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.  He has operated a business and estate planning practice in addition to Stone Garden Studio and has 9 years of experience in the technology field.  As a hobby, he coaches – high school and junior high levels.  In 2004, he completed the Approved Business Instructor class at the PPA offices in Atlanta, and he is currently working toward his Craftsman degree and Certificate of Business Management.

The Art of Business in the Business of Art -Program information

Few industries have gone through such drastic change as the photography industry.  The conversion from film to digital capture not only changed how professional photographers do business, but with whom professionals are competing for business.  The digital age also brought a new required skill set in computer technologies – from photo enhancement of images to web site development for advertising and marketing.  Heap on top of that a couple economic recessions, a flood of new photographers, and there are a lot of “established” photographers looking for gainful employment.

Tom will recount and discuss a spectrum of decisions that his studio has made to keep it successful and growing.  From photography techniques to targeting a market and basic business structure and development, this program will cover ideas that worked (and maybe a few that didn’t).  Business based pricing and pitfalls to profitability will give anyone attending some solid concepts for consideration in their own business.

This is a program you do not want to miss!!

See y’all on January 4th!!