Every once and a while in the group, we like to offer a program that is more business oriented. This month we’re bringing in Bill Parsons, a 20+ year veteran of the Dayton Police Department. While this may scare off some of you with questionable pasts and outstanding parking tickets, I don’t think you need to worry about anything. I mean it’s not like he’s from the IRS :-0. I first met Bill during a day long program on the topic about which he’ll be speaking and I learned a lot about how to be more effective when dealing with clients. I’m excited to put these solid techniques to use in consultations when I’m trying to get a bride to hire me, during a wedding when I’m trying to settle down a stressed out bride, and in sales meetings where I’m trying to sell a large canvas instead of an 8×10. Bill has scaled down the program for us and will share the following:

• The Ten Laws of Persuasion that describe the essential motivators of behavior and how to use these embedded traits to persuade people to do virtually anything we want them to do in very subtle ways.
• The Dual engine of persuasion and how both are used in conjunction with one another to cover all of your persuasion bases to satisfy your client’s needs & wants.
• The Foundation of building rapid rapport.  Rapport = trust and without trust it is virtually impossible to get people to do anything, this block will cover the verbal & nonverbal ways to build rapid trust and get your client trusting you in record time.

These three topics are the foundation of persuasion and are a logical place to start, as all other techniques and tactics spring from understanding these three areas. 

If you’ve ever said “I’m a terrible sales person”, this program is for you.  If you’ve ever been frustrated with a client because the client just seems to be ignoring the advice that you’re giving them to make their session better, this program is for you.  If you just seem to want to go to this program but you can’t figure out why, it’s because I already went to it.  See you there!

In 2007, Jim received the ASP Gold Medallion Award from the American Society of Photographers for his Loan Collection album entry “Messengers to the Creator.” His album was also chosen as Album of the Year by Professional Photographers of America. In 2008, Jim was the first to receive the ASP Gold Medallion Award twice for his album entry “The Otter Family”.
In 2009, Jim & Deb received the ASP Regional Medallion Award for their multi-maker album “Great Coastal Brown Bears” Their entry scored a 100 at the Mid-America Regional Conference.
In 2010 Jim received a 100 for his album “Yellowstone: Backcountry Journey” at the Mid-America Conference. His was again the recipient of the Regional Medallion and the Canon Par Excellence Award.
In 2007, 2008 and 2009 Jim won Photographer of the Year at Professional Photographers of Indiana.
He has held the Indiana Digital Imager of the Year title 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
In 2003, Jim won the Photographer of the Year title at the Mid-East States Regional print exhibit in Columbus, Ohio.
He is a three time Photographer of the Year at the Indianapolis Professional Photographers Guild.
Jim is also the recipient of the Imaging Excellence Award from Professional Photographers of America for over 13 Loan Collection Images.
Jim has placed in the Top Ten Indiana photographers the past eleven years.
Jim’s image “Majestic” was selected to receive the Foveon Award at the 2001 Mid-East States Regional Convention, then was selected to be a part of the American Society of Photographers’ Photographic Hall of Fame. Majestic was then selected to appear on the 2001 Loan Collection Book cover.
He is a four time winner of the Professional Photographers of Indiana Platinum Award for the highest scoring image.
In 2004, 2005 and 2008 he received the ASP State Elite Award for the highest scoring image.
Jim is a nationally approved photographic exhibition judge for the Professional Photographers of America.

Bio and Program Description
Prior to opening his portrait, wedding and commercial studio in 1988 Jim taught elementary school for 14 years. Jim began making the transition from film to digital in 1995. This was long before digital instructors, digital cameras and affordable scanners. Files were being scanned by service bureaus, manipulated and a new negative made for traditional printing.
He is fortunate to make his living as a portrait photographer, a dream come true. It is no secret, however, that his true passion is nature photography. He loves the challenge of the elements be it sub zero weather, snow, poor light, wind, rain, sweltering heat or insects. He cherishes his time in nature telling the story of animal behavior that most people rarely get to see.
Jim is dedicated and passionate about wildlife photography, patiently waiting for animals to share their life with him in the wild. It is his vision to capture and share the beauty of wildlife and nature with others.
Jim will demonstrate his postproduction Photoshop techniques that will make your images rival others. He will take you through the deep recesses of Photoshop. If you know Photoshop well enough to get around, but aren’t using many of the advance features, this program will prove invaluable in raising your awareness and skill level to new heights. The latest insider tips will teach you how to create and edit images with expert results. Learn how to apply techniques to real-world situations.