Miche's Commentary

EPOCA LAUNCHED; PROCRAFT PHOTOBOOKS COMING; CUSTOM ALBUM LAYOUT AND DESIGN SOON!

2008-06-02T08:59:00.019-06:00

As usual, the last few months since returning from WPPI have been a big blur, full of activity and excitement! What’s been keeping us busy? Here’s a recap …

Album Epoca Launched

I’m very proud to report we have successfully launched Album Epoca and have been busy getting new clients familiarized with the line and the software. The Epoca website is now live and available for registration, software downloads and to view pdf proofs of albums. While the Epoca site is directly linked to the design, production and manufacturing facility in Italy, our Tech Support team, located here in Cleveland, Ohio, has been buzzing! Our team is helping our clients with any and all issues pertaining to the software and design implementation. Plus, we have created online tutorials to help get everyone familiar with the different functions of the Epoca software. Click here check them out.

New Line of ProCraft Photobooks and Accessories

Speaking of what’s new and exciting, Albums Inc. is lauching a new line of photobooks and accessories designed exclusively for professionals. This new line came after 12 months of research and investigation on how to provide a professional level, press-printed product to our clients. Quality, ease of design and service were the primary objectives. The ProCraft Photobook line will be available in the next few weeks on the albumsinc.com website. You will be able to browse the line, download the free design software and submit your order through a newly designed section of our website. Only the most popular photobook products will be available at first, with new additions coming later in the summer. Our goal is to create a line of quality photobooks that will be immediately useful for the professional, adding new designs and collections over time that will bring out the best in your photography.

Custom Album Design Coming Soon
And now for what’s REALLY new and exciting! Our team here is working on launching a new website that will offer custom album layout and design! I’m so proud and excited to be announcing this new initiative. We have a fantastic group of young, talented designers, lead by our Art Director, Ray Jasinski. We’ve been brainstorming and believe we can really push the creative edge by combining your outstanding photography with our amazing design and albums. The big advantages for you? Less work. Faster turnaround. And a spectacularly designed product that will really set your business apart! So stay tuned for the big launch!! There will soon be a new site, a new name and a new way to offer your clients the ultimate in photography, design and packaging!

WHEW!

2008-04-01T09:45:00.010-06:00

What a whirlwind couple of weeks it has been! Just back in town from WPPI, as I’m sure many of you are as well. From the looks of it, many people had a very busy, successful show. Although I wasn’t at the show very much, due to running around coordinating our Album Epoca launch event, La Dolce Vita, and DK and Mouse’s very first program.

From everything that I saw and heard about, WPPI was a rousing success. The Albums’ booth was busy with new friends and old, catching up, seeing what was new or just stopping by to say hello. As did many exhibitors at the show, we had lots of new products that we were excited to share – especially with Album Epoca being the newest and most exciting addition to our product lines. We had a whole extended family from Ricione, Italy with us for the Epoca launch. Emiliano Liverani, the Brand Manager, and Andrea Minietti, the Marketing Director, flew a long way to be there to support our staff, as did Ivan, Alberto and Walter. It turned out to be a great week and we received a lot of positive feedback. It just took a whole weekend to catch up on my sleep! (click on the photos to see more detail)

Within days, we will be launching the Album Epoca software and website, which will be a comprehensive community for clients. From the site, registered users will be able to view the unique Epoca offerings, download the free software and view useful tutorials, among other things. We are feverishly working on two continents to bring this product line to photographers who want to offer their clients a quality, professional product, with more choices and options for today’s trends. Most importantly, we have teams of customer service representatives, graphic designers and technical support people here in the United States to help photographers get exactly what they want from the Epoca line. Over in Italy, lab specialists, print and manufacturing experts and dedicated in-house software developers are supporting us.

In addition, we have tons of new products from Renaissance, Tap, Nik Software (very exciting!!) and many more.

As for DK and Mouse, I am exceptionally proud of their WPPI debut. We had a great turnout for their program on Wednesday morning. The response from attendees was positive and most appreciated the boys’ laid-back attitude, their practical and inspired advice and their approachability. Mouse and DK loved that after the seminar people stopped them to talk and came up to them when we were out and about. It was a new and positive experience for them and for me. Sometimes I take it for granted that I get to work with them on a day-to-day basis. Looking at their presentation, I was awed by just how cool and super talented they both are; it makes me very proud of the work we have done together. Plus, I was blown away by the huge amount of time they both spent developing the program over the preceding eight months. A giant debt of gratitude is also owed to Linear Creative’s Mike Councilman, whose design magic enhanced their work, Kartal Peel, who created the custom play list of music and Tim Smith, who is another gifted mix master. Young talent at its finest, I tell you!

Despite all the excitement at WPPI, it’s good to be back home. I’m looking forward to being around for a while, especially since my crew in Marketing moved into a second set of offices. We are co-locating with Linear Creative, our creative partners, in a new space that is a huge old Victorian house in Lakewood. Linear will be assisting with tech support and design services for our clients. So far, it’s been fantastic having a group of young, talented, energetic creatives all working together. Their fearless leader, Ray Jasinski, is at the helm and we hope their services will be a huge benefit to those of our clients who are looking for a way to enhance their business and designs. As for me, I’m just stoked I get to come to work everyday!

Hope to see you soon!!

Ciao,
Miche

It's Been a Whirwind!

2008-02-21T10:52:00.006-06:00

It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog, but it was a busy fall and 2008 has started with time just flying by! So much has happened since we took off for NYC for the Photo Plus show and it’s all been great! We had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people at the show and see lots of old friends, too. One of my main objectives at the show was to meet with several potential new partners. As many of you know by now, we’ve just published the 2008 Albums Inc. catalog. At 374 pages, it is chock full of new and useful products. Each of our existing vendors has added new products, both custom and ready made, with today’s needs in mind for the professional photographer. Lots of colors, new materials, sizes and designs are all there within the pages. And yes, 374 pages are overwhelming, but that is what our staff is here to do – MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU! So please call us to let us know how we can help you!

We’ve also included all of our custom products in the catalog this year for the first time ever. Although we were one of the first companies to have custom products, many of our clients did not realize how broad our custom offering is. We have wonderful lines from Renaissance, Jorgensen, Maxima, Tap, LAD, and a brand new line, Album Epoca.

Album Epoca is the single most exciting addition to our line for 2008. We met with the principles from this Italian company for the first time at the Photo Plus show. After our initial meeting at the show, my father and I were off to Italy to finalize our exclusive partnership. Album Epoca combines the very best of photographic quality (silver Halide) and press printed albums to create a complete product line that will meet the demands of today’s brides. This uniquely packaged line creates a concept allowing you, the professional photographer, to deliver everything your client is looking for in customizable packages. And it’s affordable, too! Knowing how your clients are looking for the most that they can afford, Album Epoca can offer them the very best, while still allowing you to be profitable.

The line includes bridal and parents albums, along with a full line of accessories, such as friend’s albums, calendars and more! And to top it all off, Album Epoca offers its own album design software and it’s FREE! Andrea Manietti, one of the company owners, and Emiliano Liverani, the brand manager, came to Cleveland to train our entire staff. Everyone had a blast learning the software and, no kidding, were designing albums within 30 minutes. We held a design contest among the staff and needless to say, the competition was heated! We felt it was important for all the staff to have hands on experience designing with Album Epoca software just to show them how easy it is to use. The end result of the contest? Everybody loves both the software and the line! Later in the week, we hosted a sneak peak open house for about 40 photographers in the area and had a wonderful evening with resounding praise for the software and the product.

The official launch of the Album Epoca product line will be at WPPI in Las Vegas. We will be hosting a special launch party there for Album Epoca entitled “La Dolce Vita”, so please RSVP if you are interested in attending. The event is by invitation only, as we have space for only 100 advanced RSVP guests (only 2 guests per invite please) at the Diamond Lounge at Bally’s, so please RSVP to one of the following no later than March 1, 2008.

RSVP TO...

Miche Cardello at mcardello@albumsinc.com or 440-343-3281.
Brenda Harper at bharper@albumsinc.com or 714-465-6582
Kathy Biegel at kferra8437@aol.com or 631-834-4919

It will be a fantastic event with lots of surprises in store! Plus, don’t miss our new platform program with Thomas and Doug at WPPI!!! They have been hard at work on their debut program. For more information, click here.

Please contact your Albums Inc. representative for more information on Album Epoca or any of our new products for 2008. And don’t miss the new issue of Albums Inc. 360, out now!

Ciao,
Miche

Greetings from balmy Cleveland, Ohio!

2007-10-10T09:20:00.000-06:00

It’s been mighty busy around here as of late. I’m sure most of you all are experiencing the same as we head into fall, although the weather makes it feel like summer -- especially since I was up too late last night watching the Indians beat the Yankees in the ALDS!

Around here we’re busy preparing for the upcoming issue of AI 360, which is sure to be a great issue with a sneak peek of the new products coming out in 2008. As I’ve mentioned before, we are constantly working with our vendors to bring the best products we can find to our customers. That being said, I hope everyone will be pleased with what we have coming out in the new catalog and with its new design.

It’s also that time of year when we’re busy preparing to go to the Photo Plus East Expo in NYC. It’s one of my favorite places to go, especially in the fall. The PPE show was the very first tradeshow that I went to when I began my career over 12 years ago. I can still remember how excited I was to have a chance to go the show. It was my first trip to the “Big Apple” and I’ve been in love every since. Back in those days, I spent my time at the show going to all the seminars and programs. Sitting and listening to some of the finest photographers and artists, like Sam Merrill and Katrin Eismann, just blew me away! I remember walking in the entrance and seeing Douglas Kirkland and just being awestruck! And then, seeing all the booths and all the happenings on the show floor, whew, I was a kid in a candy store! When I wasn’t in seminars, I was helping to write orders at our booth. That first day, by the end of the day, I was hoarse from talking and utterly exhausted. Now mind you, I still managed to see the bright lights of Times Square that night, but it was certainly more excitement and work than I had ever experienced. For a kid straight out of college, it was a big deal.

This year, I’m bringing Thomas Cook and Doug Kiley to the show with me. They’re the two commercial photographers that I have worked with for almost 10 years. Affectionately know as DK and Mouse, these two gifted photographers shoot all of the Albums Inc. work that you see. From the catalog and ads to the website, you name it, they shoot it. Mouse and DK will be speaking for the first time at WPPI 2008, so they’re coming to NYC to see what PPE has to offer. They’ve got a loaded schedule of seminars, plus they will be on hand to meet our clients. I’m hoping to get the chance to see some of the programs with them this year, as I miss not getting to experience that part of the show. We’re super excited to have them on board to present a new way of thinking when it comes to both the old school and new school philosophies about photography.
I’m glad to say that even after 12+ years, I still feel the same excitement when I think about PPE. I can’t wait to experience seeing old friends, the hustle and bustle of the show floor, and the bright lights of the big city. Most of all, I’m fascinated to see all the changes going on in our industry.

Can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next!

Ciao,
Miche

Hello, everyone!

2007-09-10T07:47:00.000-06:00

Whew, hard to believe summer is just about over. Seems like we were just getting started! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve had a chance to write and as most of you know, it’s been busy around here! And we are lovin’ it! As of this past Monday, August 27, 2007, Albums Inc. is the new home of WN Albums. All of us here at AI are ecstatic to welcome our new clients to the family. I had the opportunity to meet some of our new friends down in Orlando, Florida, at the FPPA Show this past weekend. It was a great turnout and a job well done by the FPPA staff and committee, especially Luis “Mellow Lou” Melendi.

Kathy Biegel, my sister, Nicole, and I were crazy-busy the entire show. It’s fantastic to see both old friends and new at what was the start of the fall shows. It totally makes my day when someone passes the booth, smiles and says, “We buy everything from you guys, we love you,” or “I’ve been a customer for 20 years.” Talk about music to my ears!! As of today the girls are off to New England for the PPANE show and I’m staying home to sink my teeth into the new 2008 AI catalog.

I’m so excited about some of the new products that are coming out in 2008, as well as making the catalog more user friendly. Rather than organizing the catalog by manufacturer, this coming year we are combining all custom and ready made catalogs into one book that will be chock full of innovative, quality products. People love our catalog, but I must admit, many also are overwhelmed by how much we have to offer. One of the most frequent statements I heard over the weekend was, “Gosh, there are so many albums out in the market today, I don’t even know where to start!”

I agree with everyone who uttered this comment. Things have changed drastically in the past 3-5 years, and now everyone is selling albums. Variety is a good thing, but I can see how it can lead to confusion for many. So, to those folks who asked what makes AI different, as many did, I explained that it’s up to us to help them sort through all of the information, evaluate their individual needs, and help them find the right fit. More often that not, we are able to find a perfect fit with one or more of our 11, 000 products. Even if we don’t have what someone might be looking for, I’m always happy to steer a client to one of our friendly competitors.

That’s just what we do at Albums Inc. And after 34 years, we are thrilled that we still get to do it!

Ciao,
Miche

What Makes a Pro a “Pro”?

2007-08-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Recently, I’ve been thinking a great deal about what makes professional photographers “professional photographers,” primarily because of a series of ads by Nikon for their new D 40 camera system. The premise of the ads is that the D 40 is such a great camera, it enables the average person to achieve great images. Well, I wonder. It’s a compelling campaign platform, though. For the average consumer to be able to take great snapshots of their life to share with family would be really cool. Even for someone who is just passionate about taking pictures, the message is exciting. Right?

Well, then I got to thinking about how this might impact the professional photographer, many of who are struggling with the effect digital has had on their business and their lives. For consumers to have access to better and better cameras that produce images with quality astonishingly close to professional levels is just plain scary. The rise of the “prosumer” is something that has caused great concern, particularly for many wedding photographers. It’s tough out there! We hear all too frequently about how one of our clients lost a wedding to a cousin, friend, or DJ who has the same camera, but charged a minimal fee to shoot a wedding -- and then just handed the bride a CD!

So, what is it really that makes a professional photographer different from a prosumer? Well, many things. First and foremost, the professional has a gift for making good images great. The real professional understands how a multitude of things, including lighting, posing, environment, etc., will make or break a shot. They understand the technical aspects of photography that “Uncle Joe” doesn’t even begin to know! And most of all, professional photographers have a rare gift for seeing what many of us don’t. It’s that gift that makes them different.

I’ve grown up in this business my whole life. I’ve been surrounded by amazing photographers and understand a considerable amount about photography. Over the last decade, my career as an Art Director has added to that knowledge. However, I am not a photographer. I’m passionate about photography, though. Simply put, if you handed me a Canon Mark III, it would take me a year to figure out all the amazing things I’ve heard it can do. More importantly, even if I knew how to take advantage of its remarkable features, would I be able to produce amazing images? I probably could pop off some decent images, and I’m sure the image quality would be excellent. But amazing? Not this girl. I just don’t have the gift that other people have to see the extraordinary. Put the same camera into someone else’s hands, like Helmut Newton, and now you have astounding images that people will marvel at.

The same theory applies to other arts. I might have all the tools, like canvas and paint, but the odds of me creating a Picasso are slim to none. So I think I’ll stick to my day job. And in the mean time, my admiration for those amazingly talented professional photographers continues to grow.

Remember, it’s not what you’re holding in your hand that makes the difference; it’s the vision, talent and passion you bring to each and every shot.

Ciao,
Miche

Just back from NYC and San Diego, folks!

2007-07-06T13:42:00.000-06:00

My father and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Album X manufacturing facility in Port Chester, New York. Album X manufactures the Renaissance and Renaissance The Book album lines that we have been proud to represent for many years. Although I have visited Album X before, they have moved their RTB production from Soho in Manhattan up to Port Chester so that all of their albums would be made under one roof. Terry Huang, the owner of Album X, provided us with some insights on what his team is working on in preparation for 2008. New products and software updates for their design software, Soho Styler, are well underway. Needless to say, they have some wonderful things planned for their product lines, which will hopefully be well received by photographers. As the pioneer of the modern wedding album, RTB has continued to make beautifully designed, quality albums.
As we toured their facility, I kept thinking that if most photographers could see the time it takes to make these albums, they would certainly understand why they are considered one of the best lines in the world. It also struck me that many people may not realize that they truly are made by hand, one at a time. Album X uses old world binding techniques, handed down from generation to generation to ensure quality and craftsmanship. For example, it takes over 18 precise hand folds to wrap the 4 corners of each album cover! The number of quality control stations that each album goes through in the manufacturing process is also amazing. Every step of the way, the product is reviewed to make sure that only the best goes out the door.

At Albums Inc., we make it our business to find the best for our clients. As a professional, your photography deserves the best packaging to showcase its
beauty and timelessness. That’s what we believe in, and that’s what we
deliver at Albums Inc.
Ciao!
Miche

Thank Goodness for Professionals!

2007-05-31T11:33:00.000-06:00

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been off the road, and I must say it’s nice! Traveling to different cities and seeing customers and friends is always great, but you know what they say about home -- there’s no place like it! Now that I’m home and back in the office, we’ve started to focus on new projects here at Albums Inc. -- like the 2008 catalog, new ads for the magazines, upcoming schools, etc.

One of the best parts of my job is working with amazing creative talents like our art director, Ray Jasinski. Ray is responsible for all of the design here at AI, from the catalog and 360, our new online newsletter, to the website. Ray is able to take all of what is crashing around in my brain and make it gorgeous! I have so much that I want to tell people about my company and the products that we provide, and Ray helps me do that in the most creative way possible. He starts with nothing on a page, but then he begins to sketch out my thoughts and ideas, and before I know it he’s turned them into amazing layouts. Nancy Minter ties in the copywriting -- very important as I have lots to say and sometimes try to say too much! Nancy and Ray keep me together when it comes to creative here at AI. They’re professionals, and every time I meet with them I come away inspired and ready for the next project.

I’m often out of the office during the week. It’s not that I’m not working, it’s that I’m at my home-away-from-home, TRG Studios. TRG is the largest commercial photography studio here in Cleveland, and my favorite place to be when I’m not at AI. TRG has been the exclusive provider of all commercial photography for AI for over 8 years. They shoot the majority of the catalog, the website, all of our ads … you name it, they shoot it. Over the years, I’ve seen some amazing work come out of TRG for some of their other clients, like Moen, Things Remembered and Sherwin Williams. The photographers and digital artists at TRG blow me away with their mastery of the technical side of things and their incredible creative vision. My two primary photographers, Doug Kiley and Thomas Cook, are like brothers to me. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from them over the years and am still in awe of what they come up with. They take what starts as a simple idea rolling around in my brain and turn it into a beautiful piece of art. After nearly 12 years of photographing Albums Inc. product, my challenge is how to make it look fresh and current. I’m really proud of the creative work we’ve done here at Albums, but I’m always striving to do better.

I just spent almost a week in the studio with Thomas shooting some of the new album samples for 2007 from Renaissance and Kambara. Aside from having a blast as usual, we got some amazing images. Ray sketched out some roughs from my ideas and we went to work. We built some great sets, including a bamboo garden, a Zen reflecting pool, and a beautiful bath scene. Now you may be asking, what the heck does this stuff have to do with albums? Well, we think that our photographers will appreciate these beautiful images. It’s worth the effort! At first, I wasn’t sure how well the bathroom scene was going to work. I thought I might be reaching a bit too much. After all, a photo album in a bathroom? But Thomas went to work and the final image, shown below, is, as usual, a beauty.
My point is, there is so much to be gained from hiring a professional. I value the professionals I have the privilege of working with everyday. From my designers and writers to the photographers I use, I rely on their vision and talent. Yes, it’s an investment. But it’s absolutely worth it! We do it all because we want our customers to have the best. And without a doubt, my crew is the best!
Ciao!
Miche

WOW tour and Beyond....

2007-04-27T08:54:00.000-06:00

Greetings, friends! I’m just back from the city by the Bay (San Francisco) after the WOW Tour, and I have to say, it’s one of my favorite places to visit! With us on this leg of the tour were Curt Littlecott, Kavan Lee, and Hanson Fong. As always, Curt brought his brand of high voltage fashion/wedding fusion photography to a pumped up group. We were honored to have a true master join us for the first time in Hanson Fong, who was accompanied by rising star, Kavan Lee. Kavan and Hanson share a wonderful student/mentor relationship, and brought a daylong program to a group of both veteran and novice photographers. Though it was his debut speaking engagement, Kavan was a true professional. He talked a lot about the business side of running a successful studio. His advice? By making the most of your time with clients, utilizing package pricing, and focusing on your communication skills, you can positively impact your bottom line. He also illustrated how age-old principles in lighting and posing techniques can make all the difference in the world in today’s digital marketplace.

Speaking of just that, the master, Hanson Fong, really drove that message home. Hanson spent considerable time sharing what he has learned over his stellar, 30-plus years in photography. Aside from his astounding talent, what struck me the most was how much he relies on his technical ability and real world knowledge of classic portraiture. According to Hanson, lighting and posing are key to capturing beautiful, saleable images. ‘Capturing an image that’s going to blow away the client is not something that happens in Photoshop. Setting up the shot and getting it right in camera is what separates the great images from the merely good ones. Having that ability is essential in today’s competitive climate. During the seminar Hanson broke it down to the basics, demonstrating with hands on posing and lighting instruction for the attendees. According to Hanson, these simple, yet critical skills are more important than ever, and the foundation for being a true professional photographer. Hanson and Kavan both realize that today’s photographers are competing in a market against “Suzy Soccer-mom” and “Uncle Harry.” Holding fast to the fundamentals is crucial to surviving their impact.

Now that tradeshow season is over, we’re beginning to think ahead to next year already at Albums Inc. My focus will be preparing the 2008 catalog, and stocking it full of the products that our clients are looking for to run their businesses. It’s always a challenging task, but one that I take very seriously. So, if there’s something out there that you’re looking for, drop me a line and let me know. Or send me an email at mcardello@albumsinc.com.

We’re always here to help you find what you need to stay on top!

Ciao, Miche

A Changing Industry....

2007-04-24T04:03:00.000-06:00

Whew! What a whirlwind this last month and a half has been! I’m just back in from WPPI in Las Vegas and I must admit, it was non-stop! Each year the show season gets busier and busier, with this year being no exception. Certainly WPPI has become an important stop on the circuit for vendors and photographers alike. This year everyone was expecting a record crowd, and from the looks of the registration desks on Monday morning, WPPI got exactly what they were hoping for – lots of eager photographers clamoring to get inside!

For those exhibitors who were at the show, show season is always hectic and crazed, but also a lot of fun. I must admit that as a company known for distributing albums, this year was quite a challenge. Back in the good old days, Albums Inc. was one of only a handful of album companies at the trade shows. At this year’s WPPI, I believe we were one of over 50 companies showing albums! This would include labs and manufacturers as well. Not that competition is a bad thing -- it can be a good thing for all of us. However, what really struck me this year was that sometimes, too much of anything can be well, too much! At the shows, I spend a considerable amount of time just listening to people, directly or indirectly. So I couldn’t help but sense that many of our clients and friends are simply overwhelmed! So many choices and so much to consider! From purchasing equipment, such as cameras, lenses, printers, hardware and software… to decisions involving studio management, lab fulfillment, and album design … the to-do list never seems to end. And by the time people make it around to all 50+ album companies … whew, major confusion!

I spoke with several photographers who just didn’t know where to start. Even if they have been offering albums for years, things today are noticeably different. From flush mounted to peel and stick … do-it-yourself to having someone else do it all … most photographers are confused about which options will best meet their needs. To illustrate the point, here are some of the most frequently asked questions I heard at WPPI: So how do I order a flush mounted book? Do I put it together or do you? Can you show me all your digital albums? How do I design an album? Does it come with software? Which software is best to use, there are so many options?! Why should I buy an album from you all when I get can it from the manufacturer? Why are these albums so expensive and what makes them better? What’s the difference in quality between press-printed photo books and photo quality albums?

Unfortunately, there’s no one easy answer. And certainly no one solution will work for every photographer’s business. What I can say is this: choose wisely! As a professional, you want your images to be displayed in a manner that conveys your craftsmanship and artistry. There are many good album companies out there today, some of which are our competitors. The bottom line is that the albums you buy should stand the test of time, in the same way that your images are intended to stand the test of time. Quality craftsmanship should be paramount when making your purchasing decision, but it isn’t the only thing to consider. Customer service should be equally important. Choosing a business partner (which is what a vendor should be) who will stand behind you and the products you buy is huge. It’s also helpful if your partner is experienced enough, and knowledgeable enough, to help you sort through some of those tough-to-answer questions. I’d like to think that at Albums Inc. we provide that for our customers. Keeping you behind the camera is our top priority, and we want you to know we’re behind you every step of the way. So let us know what we can do to help -- because that’s what we’re here for!

On another note, it was my pleasure to host a wonderful group of friends and clients for a dinner party at Tao. We invited some of our speakers, clients, and supporting vendors to join us in an evening of great food, wonderful wine, and even better conversation. It’s always great to catch up and enjoy some much-needed R&R. Here are some fun photos from the evening! Enjoy!

Ciao,
Miche

Michelle and Patrick

Brian (Park Ave. Studios) and Elissa (Davison Photography)

Kavan and Selma

Brenda and Lisa

Brenda and Kathy

Welcome to Michelle's Albums Chat!

2007-04-16T12:22:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the AI 360 blog section! Here at Albums Inc., we've always prided ourselves on our relationships: the relationships that we have with our vendors in the industry; the relationships between our employee owners; and, most importantly, the relationships that we have with you, our valued clients. I've grown up in this industry and I'm proud to be one of the many second-generation employees of the AI family. So, the AI blogs are a modern, technology-induced means of keeping those relationships strong. Especially today, when change is all around us, it's good to share, discuss and stay current with what's new and now!

In the last several years, we've all seen a tremendous amount of change in our industry: some good; some maybe not so good; and some we're not quite sure whether it's good or bad just yet. We have also seen astounding innovation in technology, which has been both part of the evolution and revolution shaping photography today.

I have the distinct pleasure of meeting and having wonderful relationships with many of our industry's best and brightest talents. From industry legends, like Hanson Fong, who I just met, to Kavan Lee, an emerging talent, I get to meet some amazing and inspiring artists. My job here at AI takes me to many events across the country. National events, such as Imaging USA (yes, I got stuck, too) and state events, like TPPA/Southwestern Convention in Arlington, Texas. Even across the pond to the mother of all shows, Photokina. Through all of my travels, I'm always struck by all of the wonderful people I meet and the amazing relationships that have come as a result.

One of our latest adventures at Albums Inc. is the 2007 WOW tour. Our very own west coast "sunshine" ambassador, Brenda Harper, came to me with the idea of doing an educational tour. Okay, so I must admit, I was a bit hesitant at first, but after listening to her and recognizing that photographers are hungry for information on how to navigate the changing tides of "digital photography"...well, I thought, what the heck, let's see what we can do to help. So, after hopping a plane to Los Angeles, I met with a group of local California photographers and had a round table discussion. The goal was to bring real, practical knowledge on everything from marketing and branding... and Photoshop (the kind that does not involve spending 20 hours designing!!)... to running a studio from a-z and, at the end of the day, still be PROFITABLE!! We tried to bring together new talents, like San Diego photographer and Lensbabiologist, Lisa Smith, to Master Photographer and internationally renowned legend, Hanson Fong. The WOW tour began on February 26, 2007 in North Hollywood, California at Calumet's state of the art center. WPPI 2006 Grand Photography Award recipient Curt Littlecott gave a daylong class on everything from album design to marketing a successful studio. The second day Oscar Afsahi taught his mastery of Corel Painter to a group of photographers. What impressed me about both Oscar and Curt was how everything they taught came down to the very practical idea of making it work for your business. Or in other words, how to meld the art and craft of photography into a profitable business model in today's rapidly changing landscape.

WOW is starting out in California and runs through September of 2007. Along each stop, we'll be sharing part of our adventure with you through photos and fun stories (like having cocktails after Curt's seminar became a sighting of Al Pacino!!). And if all goes well, we might take WOW across the country in 2008!! My travel companions, Brenda, Nicole (my assistant and sister), and Patrick Bates, our co-sponsor from Bay Photo Lab, and I sure had a blast! We met some awesome photographers! It was fantastic to see people excited and engaged, talking and sharing what it is they love about what they do. I gotta tell you, it was great to be a part of that!

So, with that, my friends, I'll sign off. My next adventure takes me to Las Vegas for WPPI, Atlanta, Georgia for SEPPA, and then to San Francisco for the second session of the WOW tour. I hope to see some of you along the way!

Ciao,
Miche Cardello