I take the opportunity to get into the OT salutation , to wish the very best for all of you Prodiggers. It's been quite a learning experience to just participate and exchange info and it is going to be much better in time.
Networking is definitely the solution. I would like to add to whatever personal wishlist every one may have in mind, to add the awareness of networking and to take the decision to join the photographer's asociations and trade organizations, specially those that stand for your type of work and help pushing things in our favor. As much as we strive to develop , enhance and perfect the methods and techniques to be able to provide only the best in terms of quality, just the same we have to strive to enrich our business methods, strategies of negotiation and other business skills that are as important as the rest of our duties, for a healthy survival. Full recognition of the importance of copyright and Intellectual Property rights is vital for our long term standing and cooperative efforts between organizations is also vital and it depends entirely on us, on our capacity to understand these values and to act positively about this. There is currently a white paper under discussion among major photography groups, to try to develop a common ground for the definitions and terminology asociated with Licensing, the granting of rights to third parties and the major importance of having common definitions, terms and concepts troughout the different countries, for a more effective billing. I understand that , at least in Europe, the AOP and a Spanish photographers organization have already this proposal in their hands( I am currently helping the Advertising Photographers of America, APA with the translation into spanish to send it to other spanish speaking countries), and most possibly it will reach other european groups. I cordially invite everyone belonging to any such organization to join in the discussion of such paper and ellaborate whatever proposal that may enhance the reach and power of it, for the benefit of all. Also those organizations who have not yet received the proposal may contact Chief APA Advisor and former President , Jeff Sedlik ( [EMAIL PROTECTED]) to request it. This may become the first succesful attempt to make global decisions regarding our business and it only depends on ourselves... Networking is key to our success. Above all Digital wishes, and first in my list, I wish you all more and more effective networking capabilities for the coming years. My very best regards to all and nonetheless, thanks for a great digital year!!. Jorge Parra. =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
