Akron Photowalk

Note: I first wrote this message while flying from Akron to Vegas a week ago for a job we had. Just now had a chance to revisit it, so here it is.

I realize as I am flying from Akron to Vegas on a Friday night just how hard it is to keep current with a blog and messages. I must say that I envy and respect those that find the time to write daily. I wish that was the case but running a business and working on relationships with loved ones and grandkids seems to take a big bite out of my daily routine. I’m not complaining just stating some facts.

Some time ago I wrote that this group is your group and to that extent I really would love to see others write blogs and updates on Facebook. I am finding that there are a number of events and happens open to photographers in the area and it would be great to let others know about them.

The next thing we have going on is a special walk that will take place on June 12th at Summit Racing. It will be a day of having an oprporunity to photograph some amazing cars! It is also a way to get the word out about the Photowalk group since we will have a tent set up and be handing out information. Right now we have 12 signed up. Sure would be great to have some more take part. i do have to have a list of people taking part ready by June 8th so if you want to take part please send me an email.

I also wrote about the opprunities that are out there to give back to the community by volunteering to do photography on a volunteer basis for some of the non-profit groups in the area. I had the chance a few weeks ago to do that for the Alhemizers Group of Akron at their annual gala event. I had a great time, got to meet some amazing people and was able to deliver over 200 images for their use.

We will be writing more about these opporunities in the next month so keep checking back. We are very fortunate in that one of our new walker, Bobbi K, has over tweleve years working with volunteers and non-profit groups and has offered to act as a contact for some of the groups in our area that would love great photography but can’t afford it.

Many of us actually met for the first time a year ago on a walk through the flats of Cleveland while taking part in an International walk staged by Scot Kelby and his organization. I just heard recently that an announcement will be forthcoming very soon in regards to the next International walk. Keep checking back, if it happens we plan on being part of it. If, for some reason, it doesn’t happen, we plan on doing more walks. Enjoy this beautiful weekend and please take a moment to stop and honor all those that have given of themselves to make it all possible.

Here’s your last chance to sign up for the Photowalk that will take place at Summit Racing on June 12th. During this event there are some pretty hot cars from around the country! Summit is providing us with a tent where we can hang out and also hand out information about the group, what we are doing and hopefully get others to sign up. However, it doesn’t stop there. All shooters will be able to provide the images they love and Summit will be putting then on a special page on their website. But wait, it doesn’t stop there! They also plan on sending out some of your favorites with a story to some of the local media so there’s a chance you may be published! Sounds like a win-win situation. If interested send me an email but I have to know no later then June 4th so I can get information to them.

At our last gathering people were asking for more, so here’s your chance. It’s a little different, we won’t be walking the streets of Akron or other locales this time. We will be photographing some of the hottest cars from around the country gathered at the next Super Summit being held June 12th at Summit Racing in Tallmadge. Check out all the details in my first post about the event. If this is going to happen we need at least ten signed up. I will let you know when we need to make a firm commitment to Summit Racing. To those that have signed up already, thanks, perhpas you even know others who may enjoy this one!

As Photowalkers we are blessed! We get to hang out with other photographers shooting areas we otherwise may never get to and then enjoy the experience together!

It’s important that we share our gifts with others. There is an event starting this coming week called “Charity Fest”. It’s where photographers have the ability to give back to their community by working to create or take part in a community affair or event that otherwise may never get good photography. It can be done individually or as a group. I am making a challenge to the group! What charity event can we get involved with that otherwise may go undocumented! Time is short so send your ideas now! Look forward to hearing from you all!

Now that we’re almost two weeks from the last photo walk, life again start taking over and interest in the group starts fading. Will it just so happens that one of our walks, Nan, works for Summit Racing and has made us one amazing offer. On June 12 Summit will hold their annual Super Summit event. It is an event that attracts car buffs from all over the country. If this is going to happen we need to hear from you Soon. This may not be for everyone but if you enjoy seeing amazing cars up close, you’ll love this event. Here are the details:

Here is my idea (these notes are directly from Nan):
Super Summit is June 12, 9 AM to 5 PM at the store in Tallmadge. No awards this year, so we expect show cars to come and go all day long. The group can stay all day, or pick a few hours. All customer and show car parking is on site, though it might be smart to have the photo walkers park with Summit Racing staff on the grass or across the street at the designated church.

Summit Racing can provide a 10′ x 10′ tent stocked with bottled water as a muster and rest area for the photo walkers. If you want, you can share info about the group from that tent too — show car owners may be interested.

Summit Racing will post the work with photo credits on its website in a story about the event. We’d also like to pitch a story about the photographers and their work to local media.

The photographers own the photos. Summit Racing owns the attendees’ photo releases. So, we don’t expect to see the work used in any other company’s advertising. If we are interested in using an image for advertising or PR beyond posting it on our site and in the story I mentioned, Summit Racing will negotiate a payment for that use with the photographer. If a car owner wants to buy one of the images, we’ll attempt to connect the owner with the photographer.

Those are the details. Could be fun and could be a way to spread the word about future walks. We want to make this your group; taking ownership of what happens for the group makes it stronger and more diversified. We look forward to hearing from you.

First I wanted to say thanks to all you showed up. With the possibility of rain you never know what the turn out will be like. The day started out gray and ended with rain but it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of anyone. In all we had around 40 people show up. What was really exciting to see were the few families that brought their children and pets along. Loved seeing that!

On another note, turns out there were a few ;people who signed up but were somehow left off the sign in sheet. To those I apologize. I can say it was computer/database error but the reality is very simple, it was my error and I will work to do a better job of it in the future.

Now that the second walk is over we are looking for suggestions for future walks. Please send us all you have. We want to make this your group so the more you take part the more that becomes a reality.

Also, I got some flak (rightfully so) for not updating the blog more often. While I’d like to be able to do this every day or week, sometimes life and work get in the way of fun projects like this. So here’s a thought, if any of you would like to write a blog message please do so. You can either send it to me in an email or an attahed document. I will make sure you get credit for what you’ve written. Of course we’d want it to relate to the walks or other things photographic since that’s what we’re all about.

One last note, To those that came to dinner at the Lockview, I mentioned that the Joesph Saxton Gallery in Canton was holding a local competition. if you’re interested, here’s the link for more information.

http://www.josephsaxton.com/competition

That’s it fo now. Look forward to hearing from you all.

Cheers,

It’s Friday the 12th and thought I’d let you all know that we now have 32 signed up for the walk. If you are interested in joining us you may want to do so soon since it looks like we’ll fill up long before the April date!