Stuff I Wish I Knew Sooner ~ Keith & Holly Howe

Come join us for a evening of photographic education... weather you're turning a hobby into a business or a business into a better money maker. Keith and Holly Howe have run a succesful award winning business for over 4 decades, they will be sharing their knowlege of their wins and losses tthat they have experenced over the years.

PPAGKC will be hosting the Howes on Monday August 21, 5:30 pm ~ 8:30 pm at h&h Color Lab in Raytown Mo.

Keith and Holly Howe opened their studio in 1980 in North Platte, NE. Prior to that Keith worked for Denny’s Photography in Kearney, NE. After five years in a downtown location they purchased a 100+ year old convent and moved the building to a commercial location. It has served as their home studio since 1985.  They photograph all types of photography.

Keith Howe is a Life Member of PPA and of PP of Nebraska. He has the National Award, the Honorary Fellow of Photography degree, Diamond Fellow degree and holds the record for the most print awards in Nebraska.  He was named Nebraska Wedding Photographer of the Year an unprecedented 9 times. Additionally he was Photographer of the Year 4 times and Senior Photographer of the Year twice along with several Artist of the Year Awards.  The Novice of The Year Award for NE  (coincidently the only state award he never won) is named in his honor for his extensive work mentoring new photographers.  He has received the Gary Jentolf Award from PPA for service to associations.  Together with his wife he was awarded the Dave Swoboda Service Award by GKCPPA.  Keith is a Master Photographer, Master Artist, Master of Electronic Imaging, Master Wedding Photographer and Photographic Craftsmen. He was the first photographer to ever earn all five of those degrees. He holds many Kodak Gallery Awards, Fuji Masterpiece Awards and several GIA finalists. In the past Keith was a councilor representing NE, served on nominations and elections committee for PPA and most recently served on the JRC. 

Holly Howe is a Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman. She also has numerous print awards including many Top Ten and Top Five Master Photographers, Kodak Gallery and Fuji Masterpiece Awards, Wedding Photographer of the Year and had a print selected for display at Photokina in Cologne Germany.  She was  Fellowship Award Chairman for the Professional Photographers of Nebraska. She conceived, created and directed the PPN mentor program. She is a Diamond Fellow of Photography from PPN, the highest state degree.  Holly has written numerous articles on business, marketing and pricing for The Professional Photographer magazine. She is also  a recipient of  the PPA National Award, Life Membership PPA and PPN and  the Honorary Fellow of Photography from PPN. She currently serves as the PPN representative to the PPA Council.   Together with Keith she was recently appointed the print competition chairman for PPN.

Program info

Stuff I Wish I Knew Sooner

Starting a photography business can be overwhelming. Even years into it, there are still new things to learn all the time. For the morning of our program we will talk about  some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Like -

How to handle an upset client

How to ask for payment

Prints or files

Beating Burnout

Overcoming fear of failure

Value of entering competition

Why not to compete on price

Creating value/perception of value

The value of variety

Return on Investment

Plus any questions you have about ANYTHING to do with owning a business. We might not be able to tell you what to do, but we sure can tell you our screw ups so you at least know what not to do.

Posing and Lighting

From the basics to the advanced posing and lighting. Don’t be limited to available light  and “lifestyle’ photography. Having the tools of lighting and posing gives you more options in challenging situations. We will show you how to light families, seniors, kids & couples.  You will learn simple adjustments that turn an image from a snapshot into a portrait. We will show you how to deal with challenging subjects.  Like how to pose a heavy subject to their best advantage or what to do with a  very thin person.  Posing refinements, like what to do with hands.  How to take one  simple prop and use it in multiple ways. The quality of work is elevated by the photographers understanding and control of light. Our hope is that you will go home with the tools to improve your work the very next day.