This is my Mar/Apr President’s Message published in “The Photographer” magazine.

“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know. ~Michel Legrand

There is always more to learn. I have been a photographer for more than 20 years, and there are so many things I still want to explore. In the last year, I have taken classes on Selling Fine Art, Photoshop, Lightroom, Wildlife, and Light Painting. I just attended my 11^th Imaging USA, and came home inspired for new things to come this year. Texas School is coming soon, so there are even more things to learn!

What about you? Did you enjoy Imaging USA? I attended for the first time in Nashville in 2015, and I knew I was hooked from the first day. So much energy in one place! So many photographers in one place! So many possibilities in one place!

More educational opportunities await you at TPPA throughout the year. Visit https://tppa.org/events, and mark your calendars now. Some registrations are already open!

• Register now for Texas School. There are 33 classes and seven pre-cons to choose from, and some are still available if you are ready to take the leap (no fear, remember?). Check out all the amazing classes at www.texasschool.org. Do you need a technical class such as lighting or Photoshop? Do you need a marketing class? Do you need a creative class like painting or compositing? There is a class for everyone! And so many new friends are waiting to meet you!
• TPPA spans a wide area, with members from across the United States. We have scheduled Webinars to bring more education directly to you. Check out “What’s New in Lightroom?” and keep an eye out for some fabulous full-day webinars coming soon.
• If you need some downtime this summer to rest from all the new things you have been working on, join TPPA in Kerrville for Summerfest. I hear Sabrina Casas and Dawn Muncy are wonderful speakers, and the pool is the best place to be in the evenings.
• There are also new events in the works, so follow the events page and social media for the latest news.

Print Competition is a different type of education. It is not a class in itself, although watching the live streaming of the judging will teach you many things, but preparing your images, having them evaluated, and receiving judges’ critiques will give you a better understanding of what makes an exceptional image. Print Competition changed my life and made me a much better photographer. Even on frustrating days, I knew I was learning and growing. Whether you are seeking to earn a PPA degree or just see how your images are received by your peers, I encourage you to try it.

• Need to know where to start? Reach out to me, and I would be happy to help you. So would any other Master Photographer or competition judge.
• Need a mentor or someone to take a look at your images before you are confident enough to enter? I know there are many judges that would be willing to talk to you.
• Need to know more about TPPA’s annual competition? All the details are here: https://tppa.org/annual-image-competition/

I challenge you to start or continue your learning journey this year. Make the investment in education to make you a better photographer! Enter your first print! What do you have to lose?!

Take the Challenge: Learn Something New.

I cannot wait to see what you accomplish! Share with me at Shawna.Hinkel@gmail.com.

Shawna Hinkel, M.Photog., CPP

TPPA President