Get those images ready, image competition is coming!! For those who have been waiting to test some images or looking to try image competition for the first time, mark this date down in your calendars, November 17th, 7:00PM.
Information you need to know:
Members (DPPA & PPofM must register as DPPA members)
Non-Members:
We are looking forward to another year of great images! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: mari@photographybymari.com or (248) 790-2512. Now get working on those images!
Join us for dinner, great conversation, and networking at The Black Label Tavern in Livonia before Tuesday’s class!
Everyone is welcome to attend this casual meet-up. Planning to join us for the class afterward? Be sure to register in advance.
The class will be held nearby at PROCAM Detroit.
Time: 4:30 PM Location: The Black Label Tavern Livonia Address: 34110 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150
Cybersecurity for Photographers: Protecting Your Business, Images & Clients
Photographers spend years building their businesses, portfolios, client relationships, and reputations—but today, protecting those assets requires more than insurance and backup drives.
From phishing emails and fraudulent inquiries to compromised accounts, payment scams, image theft, and AI-driven impersonation, photographers face a growing range of digital threats. And because our businesses rely heavily on email, social media, online galleries, cloud storage, electronic payments, and publicly accessible portfolios, we can be particularly vulnerable.
The good news? You don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert to better protect yourself and your business.
Join DPPA for an informative and practical look at the cybersecurity and fraud risks facing photographers and creative professionals today.
PART I Drawing from FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reporting, real-world examples, and photographer-specific scenarios, this program will help you recognize potential threats, understand where your business may be vulnerable, and take practical steps to protect your work, clients, and livelihood.
PART IIDuring this program, we’ll explore:
Throughout the program, real-world examples will demonstrate how seemingly small security mistakes can lead to lost accounts, stolen images, financial losses, damaged client relationships, and significant disruptions to a photography business.
Who Should Attend?If you send invoices, accept electronic payments, store client photographs, maintain an online gallery, use social media, work from cloud-based platforms, travel with equipment, or simply have a public-facing photography business, this program is for you.
In other words—most of us.
You don’t need to understand every technical detail of cybersecurity. You do need to know where your vulnerabilities are, how to recognize the warning signs of fraud, and which everyday habits can make it significantly harder for someone to compromise your business.
You’ll leave with a better understanding of today’s digital risks and practical, actionable steps you can begin implementing immediately to help protect your business, your clients, your images, and your reputation.
About Joe Weisbrod
Joe has been enthusiastic about photography for most of his life, first picking up a camera at the age of 11 and never really putting it down. Over the years, he has continued to grow both creatively and technically, participating in well-known workshops and conferences such as Photoshop World, Out of Chicago, ICON Group, KelbyOne, Adobe MAX events, ImagingUSA, and the Southwestern Michigan Council of Camera Clubs (SWMCCC). He is also an active member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), reflecting his lasting admiration of the craft and its practitioners in the photography community.
He holds a Master of Science in Information Systems from the University of Detroit Mercy and is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) through PPA. His professional career began with 15 years at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, followed by 25 years at DTE Energy, where he was an Information Technology specialist with NERC Certification (North American Electric Reliability Corporation). This strong technical background has shaped his methodical and detail-oriented approach to photography, blending technical precision with artistic creativity.
Now retired, Joe can now engage in photography on a primary basis, bringing decades of experience, curiosity, and a genuine love for the art form. His journey reflects a balance of technical expertise and creative exploration, allowing him to connect with fellow photographers at all levels.
Don't forget about our pre-class meet-up!
Everyone is invited to join us at The Black Label Tavern Livonia for dinner, conversation, and networking before class.
Join us for dinner, great conversation, and networking at Fillmore 13 Brewery in Pontiac before Tuesday’s class!
The class will be held nearby at 7 North Studio.
Time: 4:30 PM Location: Filmore 13 Brewery Address: 7 N Saginaw St #1d, Pontiac, MI 48342
Beyond the Image: Building a Sustainable Career in Commercial Photography
Join local commercial photographer Marek Dziekonski for an informative presentation about building a sustainable career in the photography industry.
Marek will share his journey from wedding and portrait photography to working full-time in the commercial world, including the lessons, challenges, and pivotal decisions that shaped his career. Attendees will get a closer look at both the creative and business sides of commercial photography and what it takes to build a successful, sustainable career.
He’ll discuss the importance of personal projects and how they can shape your portfolio and lead to new opportunities, as well as strategies for building strong, long-term client relationships. Marek will also explore the advantages and challenges of diversification versus specialization, break down the bidding process with real-world estimates, and discuss the financial realities of larger commercial productions—including managing debt, calculating production expenses, and maintaining healthy cash flow.
The presentation will also cover contract negotiations, protecting yourself and your business, and knowing when to stand firm and remain true to your professional principles.
Questions and discussion will be encouraged throughout the presentation, giving attendees the opportunity to ask about the realities of commercial photography, client relationships, production challenges, business decisions, and career growth.
Whether you’re interested in transitioning into commercial photography, expanding your current business, or simply gaining a better understanding of how larger commercial productions operate, this presentation will provide practical insight and advice from someone who has navigated the transition firsthand. About Marek Dziekonski
Marek first arrived in the US after graduating high school as a RC Mission Corps Catholic missionary from Poland. After 2 years of volunteer work, he studied photography and design at Oakland Community College. He then transferred to pursue an Art Design and Media degree at Richmond University in London. He founded Dziekonski Photography in 2009. He loves creating abstract art and, through his personal projects, worlds that don’t exist.
He specializes in a wide range of commercial photography genres: advertising, automotive, headshot, product, food, industrial and lifestyle. His clients include: Toyota, Ford, La-Z-Boy, Hudsonville Ice Cream, Pure Michigan, Roush, AAA, Mercedes-Benz, Mastercraft Tires, Absopure Water, Adweek, Goldfish Swim School, and many others.
Everyone is invited to join us at The Fillmore 13 Brewery for dinner, conversation, and networking before class.
Time: 4:30 PM Location: The Fillmore 13 Brewery Address: 7 N Saginaw St, Pontiac, MI 48342
