Michael Lichter will present a free program on "Staying Creative while Specializing" this Friday, May 2 in Frisco.

We live in an increasingly image-rich society with a demanding public that has come to expect easy and affordable access to these images. Competition among photographers and image providers has not helped the situation. Can we somehow abate the slide in fees and rates that has whittled away at our industry or do we need to re-evaluate who we are and what we do as photographers, and the business itself?

Michael Lichter, a 3-year past president of ASMP Colorado, has been a commercial photographer for over 30 years, 25 of which have been out of the same Boulder studio. From the beginning, he photographed his passion for custom motorcycles for editorial clients, but considered himself a generalist. It wasn't until ten years ago when he focused on this passion that his business changed and grew in unexpected ways. The work has since expanded to include niche marketing of stock photography, 8-coffee table books, calendars, a poster line, exhibitions of limited edition prints, and commercial advertising work. Michael’s sponsored website attracts 100,000 visitors each month and he is often called on as an "expert" in the field for radio, television and newspaper interviews or to curate exhibitions.

The growth in Michael's business occurred during a period where the business of photography has seen many changes and challenges. There have been steady advances in digital equipment, stock photography is being sold in new ways, the cost of doing business continues to rise, and there has been downward pressure on pricing from the business community and the economy in general. In this presentation, Michael will show examples of his work and explain how he has weathered the storm (often with the help of ASMP) to get to where he is today, shooting what he enjoys as he travels cross-country and on several trips overseas each year. Steve Temple, who has worked full-time for Michael for ten years, will be available to answer questions, particularly with regard to the transition to digital workflow and the websites, which he handles.

If you are just breaking into the field, come learn from another photographers’ experience. If you're an old-timer, come add your insight into ways to keep our industry vibrant. It’s tough out there on the highway - and a new paradigm may be needed to survive.

www.lichterphoto.com
www.lichtereditions.com
www.lichterstock.com

When: Friday, May 2. Refreshments 6pm, program 7-9pm
Where: Summit County Community & Senior Center Hoosier Room
151 Peak One Blvd., Frisco, CO 80443 (map)
Cost: Free for everyone!

Read the article about the event in the Tuesday issue of the Summit Daily News.

June 6 - Legendary photographer Howard Schatz presented by ADCD and ASMP. Stay tuned for details.