Member of the Month
The Special Non-specialist:
Bob Coates

By Linda L. May

Sedona, Arizona, is known worldwide for its spectacular red rock mountains, year-round mild climate, and high-energy magnetic vortexes. Tourists and artists from all over the globe flock to this cultural mecca, located in the central part of the state about 120 miles north of Phoenix. Sedona is also an extremely popular site for destination weddings, of which Bob Coates, owner of Bob Coates Photography, takes full advantage.

Of course, Bob prides himself on "specializing in not specializing." Diversity is his watchword. While weddings provide the bulk of studio revenues, Bob also shoots a variety of other work, including commercial, real estate, product, tabletop, jewelry and all types of portraits.
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Studio of the Month

Australian Style Maker Creates Wedding and Editorial Art: Michael Cook

By Margaret Lane

Wedding and fashion editorial photographer Michael Cook dwells in Queensland, a rather small market when it comes to fashion capitals of the world. "Some very good fashion shooters have come from Queensland, but most photographers, stylists and artists looking to make it in the fashion industry inevitably relocate to Sydney or overseas," says Cook. "I didn't want to make a permanent move and needed to find a way to financially support myself here, while still filling my passion for fashion photography.

Cook has had an eye on photography, specifically fashion photography, for most of his life.
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Business Landscape
Deducting Employment Expenses

By Fred S. Steingold

Come tax time, you'll want to deduct as many business expenses as you can. There are many deductible expenses related to having employees. To make sure you don't miss any, read on.

You can, of course, deduct the money you pay to your employees for their services. Typically, this will be the gross amount of your employees' paychecks for the year. You can also deduct bonuses and commissions, and vacation pay and sick pay that isn't covered by insurance.
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In the Studio & On Screen
Quick Tips

By Larry Brownstein

[Editor's note: Sometimes it's the little things that can save you from big headaches. This month, we've collected a few quick tips from Rangefinder and AfterCapture contributor Larry Brownstein.]

Highlight Recovery

One of the frustrations with digital photography is the limited exposure latitude of the sensors. Fortunately, most RAW converters can help to retrieve highlights as long as they are not clipped too much. With Adobe Camera Raw, you simply drag the Exposure slider to the left and the software interpolation does a good job of filling in blown highlights, especially if two of the three channels were unclipped.
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Member News
Important News for WPPI Members

• The deadline for the 16x20 Print Competition is Friday, February 8th so there's still plenty of time to participate. Visit www.wppionline.com/competition for instructions and online entry forms.
  
  
• Registration for the March WPPI 2008 Convention and Trade Show is fast approaching and registration is well under way. Please check our website, www.wppionline.com, to sign up for scheduled master and platform classes, as well as mark your calendars for parties and other events. Remember to book your hotel rooms. The rates are the same as last year: $129 for Bally's (discount code SBWAP8) and $159 for Paris (discount code SPWAP8). We will see you in Las Vegas!
  
  
• Rangefinder and AfterCapture editor Bill Hurter recently gave the commencement address at Brooks Institute on December 21, 2007. There were 130 graduates from Brooks' four departments: Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production, and Graphic Design. Hurter, a Brooks alumnus, also gave the commencement address 20 years ago.
  
  
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