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Wsyn·er·gy
-- 1.An interaction of two or more people or entities or forces
which results in their combined efforts making an effect which
is greater than the sum of the individual efforts of the entities.
2. A cooperative collaboration and interaction among groups that
creates an enhanced result that has greater effect than any result
obtained without the collaboration and interaction.
But
what does synergy have to do with the Equine Photographers Network?
Just
read on....
The
Equine Photographers Network (EPNet) had it's beginnings in a
desire to bring together the many professional photographers who
had been participating in an online discussion group for Equine
Photography. This discussion group had attracted well over 100
members from all levels of the business including amateurs and
all aspects of equine photography were being discussed rather
thoroughly. There was an emphasis in the discussion group on business
concerns including standard business practices, integrity and
internet presence & applicability to the field as well as
many important concerns of the professional equine photographer.
It was apparent from these lively discussions that many, pro &
amateur, needed more information, education & assistance with
the business aspects of photography. And it was also apparent
that this loose connection of so many through the discussion group
was a very good thing, sparking some great results of the group's
synergy in addressing so many aspects of this business.
The
creator of the discussion group, Carien Schippers, a seasoned
pro with great vision, had the idea to create a internet directory
for these pros, some of whom had no internet presence. In this
directory, they could be easily found in a simple internet search
for "equine photography" or "horse photographer".
Most importantly, the EPNet would be a place to not only showcase
the photographers but also to support them with information &
assistance in business matters and to further professionalism
and creativity through the synergy created by the group dynamic.
Once
the idea for EPNet was floated in the discussion group, many contributed
ideas to enhance the EPNet site and those good ideas multiplied
resulting in a great synergy. The ball began rolling and hasn't
stopped since.
A
great logo for EPNet was designed by Deb Barone, a founding member,
and the site went live in April 2001 including a gallery of images
from many of the photographers listed in the directory making
it a visual delight for all viewers. Photographers were listed
from all disciplines & breeds and from all over the world
as well as covering nearly every state in the US.
Almost
simultaneously with the launch, one of the founding EPNet members,
Wendi Ross, began organizing an all Equine Art Show, "Images
of Equus" for EPNet members, at her gallery in Kalama, Washington.The
show was a great synergistic success with dozens of beautiful
entries from members all over the world.
The
EPNet site was launched with a page of links and resources which
was included to help anyone searching for more information on
copyright, photography, equipment and other resources. Also included
was a "Prepare for the Shoot" page, included to help
photographers & clients alike prepare for a successful photo
session. Quickly there followed a copyright statement for the
site which was another collaborative effort and was added to clarify
the general position of equine photographers on copyrights. Both
pages were the result of more of that magic synergy of EPNet members.
A
message board that predated the discussion group, also created
by Carien & dedicated to posting jobs & opportunities,
was linked and incorporated as the EPNet Jobs board for viewers
to post needs for show photographers, stock requests, stallion
shoots, and so on. A member's only board was also added to keep
EPNet members up to date on job listings/photo needs resulting
from requests direct to EPNet from all corners of the world (South
Africa & Switzerland being a couple of recent examples) and
to keep them abreast of the latest plans for and updates to the
EPNet site.
By
midsummer of 2001, plans were underway to start an e-newsletter.
Founding member, Rebecca Baucus, took the job as Editor and others
pitched in to help add the synergy to this project. The idea for
the newsletter was twofold: help educate clients & photographers
in the business of equine photography while sharing inspiration
and to promote the EPNet members by having them contribute to
the regular features. The newsletter launched in September 2001
and has continued to be a success with every issue.
The
EPNet site now holds the archives for many old issues of the newsletter
with excellent articles written by pros that are both informative
and inspiring. This resource can be used by anyone, from brand
spanking new equine photographer to client to seasoned pro, to
learn more about so many important aspects of the business. One
of the things so many of the "seasoned" founding members
have said time and again is that they want to be there for the
new pros entering the field, to help them avoid some of the mistakes
so many of us made when we began and there was no association
or network of pros to lean on or inspire us. In short, they want
to offer the synergistic advantages of EPNet to everyone interested
in this profession.
Also
in our first year, EPNet became a corporate member of the American
Horse Publications association and because of that affiliation,
our members are receiving increased job & stock requests from
the myriad of members of AHP. The EPNet logo was printed on decals
for members' vehicles & is available for members to display
on their websites. The EPNet gallery pages have expanded with
the near triplefold increase in membership to over 130 members
from the original founding members. New options are now available
to provide comprehensive portfolios through EPNet for those who
do not have their own websites.
The
captivating front page EPNet slide show & gallery pages are
changed frequently and display stunning images bringing viewers
back again and again just to keep up to date on the latest incarnation.
Gallery pages are themed so that there is something for everyone,
one of the reasons that this site is like no other when it comes
to horse photography.
The
EPNet's website, maintained by Morgen Kilbourn of One-Horse Productions,
now comes up first or second in nearly every web search done for
equine photography and members are daily receiving inquiries from
clients who find them through the EPNet. The site can be called
successful if you measure that in numbers -- it has received well
over 2 million hits since going live in April 2001. EPNet is also
listed on most of the major horse sites with a direct link. The
actual EPNet directory section has just been made available in
.pdf printable from a link on the site to provide viewers, such
as show managers and publishers, a hard copy to keep on their
desk for reference. This directory is also available in a printed
version that may be distributed at equine events by anyone interested
and the latest project underway is making the directory even more
user friendly by cross referencing alphabetically. A committee
of EPNet members - more synergy at work - is now compiling a compendium
of standardized business forms for equine photography that will
be available to all members and provide a good basis for each
member's individual paperwork needs. We even have an attorney,
Bert Krages, who has agreed to help with those tough legal questions
and as a practicing attorney, skilled photographer and published
author, he is a great resource. Other cooperative projects are
being discussed and will be implemented as the group continues
to grow.
Today,
that original online discussion group has grown to nearly 400
participants and a separate Pro group has also been formed so
as not to bore the advanced amateurs still in the large group
with too much of the business aspect of our work. The Pro group
numbers nearly 100 and has only been in existence for 7 months.
Both groups post dozens of messages daily to great discussions
about.... what else, equine photography, and the passion for this
business that has brought all of this into being.
The
synergy continues at EPNet and there is nothing but blue skies
with great lighting ahead for our collaborative efforts. The product
of the parts REALLY is greater than the actual sum - proof of
the definition of synergy.
Kathleen
Wattle
www.captivespirit.com
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