Do you feel pressed for time and always on the move? You're not alone--it's a common occurrence when you're a small business owner (especially a photographer). That's why we at PPA like to share new perspectives in how others handle different business situations, including how to make use of the more mobile tools.

Take, for instance, the Apple iPad^® or other types of tablet computers. Such devices can help you become even more efficient in carrying out your daily business practices, whether you download apps or synch to software you already use. 

Use It for Business
"The iPad is perfect for showing prospective clients examples of your work," notes Mark Levesque, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, of Studio Mark Emile. "The portability, screen size and excellent image rendering make you happy to show images that you can easily zoom into and reveal incredible detail. It's much more effective than carrying around a portfolio of prints or showing images on a smartphone."

Now, you probably already know that such a tablet can be great for displaying your images to clients, but are you aware that it can be an effective tool for managing your business (and more)?  Its versatility in your photography business could be extremely high...especially when you consider the multitudes of applications available.  Read more here.

In a world of ever-changing technology, merging old and new can be challenging. As photographers, you know this well. Film to digital. Smartphones and tablet computers for business and personal life. All the new social media sites you are trying to use the right way. There's a lot going on!

In the all these changes and updates, though, did you remember to ensure your credit card processing system is running as smoothly as ever?

It may not be in the front of your mind, but this is common place for concern in the credit card processing industry, especially with many businesses having switched to digital or IP (internet-based) phone services. For example, if you have bundled services--phone, cable and internet combined--or subscribe to an internet phone service (Voice over IP), such as Magic Jack or Vonage, it is most likely digital. The thing is, updating phone service like that might have caused compatibility issues with your existing credit card terminal (if you have one). Read more here.

Lighting is one of those basic, but truly necessary, photography skills that spans all specialties. Whether you photograph babies or seniors, weddings or sports, the way you light the subject makes a big difference in the end result. And it is much more difficult than it sounds. Take, for instance, wireless TTL (through the lens) flash technology. It truly is an art AND a science.

Luckily, Mike Fulton, Cr.Photog., of TriCoast Photography has become a "kung-fu" master of this type of lighting. Even better for you, he's able to share simple, fast and effective methods of capturing images with this technology...without all the techno-geeky talk. Just watch his PPA webinar, "TTL Wireless Flash Tips and Tricks Using Canon and Nikon Flash Units" (April 12, 4pm).

Fulton started using wireless TTL flash when Canon first introduced the basic TTL flash units. A former crime scene investigator, Fulton seemed to be constantly working at night, where he had to photograph the evidence while preserving the scene. To do so, he walked through the scene once, placing flashes in areas where he needed light, and walked back out in the same steps as he entered.

Adobe has a rich collection of video tutorials on Adobe TV and a channel dedicated to Digital Imaging. www.tv.adobe.com. Here are some that aren't to be missed:

• Everyday Timesavers Series: Photography with Julieanne Kost
  Six videos exploring how different functionality in Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2 save time and make your workflow more efficient.
• The Complete Picture with Julianne Kost  
  This series of 12 videos does an in-depth exploration of Photoshop CS3, Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2 features.

Enhancing Images While Saving Time
June 17, 2009 - 3:00pm EST
with Tony Corbell, Cr.Photog.

Yes, you want to enhance your images to bring out their best qualities even more...but image editing often siphons away valuable time. Tony Corbell, internationally known for lighting seminars and workshops, is here to help make your work life better. Watch and learn as he shares his time-saving digital workflow tips, featuring dynamic image editing tools from Nik Software. Follow Tony as he showcases retouching, creative styling, corrective techniques, and more. Rapid-paced and in-depth, this Webinar proves how you can use popular products to optimize image quality AND save your most valuable commodity: time. PPA members can register for free by clicking here.

If you haven't already upgraded your web browser to Firefox 3, you might want to consider it. E-week's editors recently named it as one of their top 10 products of 2009. It is simple enough to be familiar and easily used by the casual web user, and with its array of add-ons and customizations, it can be a very powerful tool for the adanced user. But don't take my word for it.

E-weeks editors say, "with the release of Firefox 3, Mozilla cemented its place at the top of the Web browser pile."

"The latest release of Firefox hit all of the standard browser notes, with improved security, usability and customization options. However, some of the biggest improvements were under the covers, especially in offline capabilities and the browser's ability to integrate with and take advantage of next-generation Web technologies."

Read the whole article: The-Top-10-Products-of-the-Year/1/

Read the review of Firefox 3 on e-week

Want to try firefox for yourself? Go to getfirefox.com

Dear PPA Member,

Are you absolutely certain that the images from your most recent jobs are safe? What if your computer was struck by lighting, your external hard drive crashed, or your studio or home burned to the ground? There are few things that can mess up your day (and your business) as much as a data loss. Read more about data loss and how to prevent it in this week's article, Data Loss...You might be next.

You don't think it can happen? The operative word is "when"--not "if"--you will experience a hard drive crash. This year PPA's Indemnification Trust, our unique malpractice protection program, will have helped 400 members who experienced a data loss in conjunction with an assignment. This is double the number of data loss claims handled by the Trust just last year. Fortunately for PPA members, the Trust is in very sound financial shape and is there to help.

Of course, the best thing to do is avoid the problem. Can you imagine telling a bride that you had a little computer glitch and lost all the wedding images? Or telling a commercial client that you'll have to do a time-consuming re-shoot? Clients expect that you, as a professional, will care for their images. Think of the negative word-of-mouth advertising such a problem could bring.

Taking care of clients means taking care of their images. And remember, when data loss and other heart-stopping upheavals happen, PPA is here to help take care of you.

Al Hopper,
Director of Membership