Welcome to the 2018 CNPA Annual Meeting and our host city of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
This is a very special year for CNPA, our 25th Anniversary.
To mark the occasion, we have pulled out all the stops to make this Annual Meeting our most memorable to date.
No matter where your photographic interests may lie, our fabulous lineup of speakers is sure to Inspire,
Educate and Entertain with the breadth and depth of their photographic knowledge and experience.
The pre-meeting Technical Workshops that we introduced two years ago have proved to be very popular and we are
excited to present another series of practical, hands-on workshops this year.
And what about challenging yourself to take your photography to the next level?
You may be interested in producing fine art images or even using remote triggered flash to capture animal behavior.
Do you have the tools you need? This is what the CNPA Annual Meeting is all about.
For three days in March, you will have the opportunity to meet world class photographers,
hear their stories and learn how they challenge themselves.
You will have the opportunity to network and socialize with other CNPA members, meet up with old friends and make new ones.
The vendor tradeshow is always popular if you are looking to add to your collection of camera equipment,
or want to learn more about travel destinations and workshops. Sell or exchange your unwanted equipment at the Swap Shop.
Additionally, a representative from Used Photo Pro will be present to give appraisals and offer on the spot payment for used equipment.
This year we are introducing a new feature: the “Vendor Showcase”.
This will be a series of 30 minute slots where our Vendors can present and discuss their latest products, workshops, travel opportunities etc.
The Vendor Showcase will be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The agenda will be posted and members are encouraged to attend individual sessions depending on their interests.
Finally, all attendees will receive a special gift to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of CNPA: a top quality,
practical safari hat embroidered with the CNPA logo. It features a wide brim, removable chin strap and a concealable neck shade.
This stylish hat provides sun protection and features “No Fly Zone” insect repellent technology.
This is a strictly limited edition and the only way to obtain one is to register and attend the meeting!
Whatever your interests, there is something for you at the 2018 CNPA Annual Meeting.
To learn more about our Speakers, Trade Show, Swap Shop, and much more, click on any of the other tabs,
or download the Program Booklet.
Have any questions? Send an email to: events@cnpa.org
See you in Spartanburg in 2018!
Bruce Dickson – Annual Meeting Co-Chair
Michael Hare – Annual Meeting Co-Chair
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Marriott Hotel & Conference Center299 North Church Street Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306 1-864-596-1211 |
Room reservations available October 1, 2017 up until February 8, 2018 or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first.
| For hotel reservations, click | Alternative Hotels in Spartanburg |
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Marriott Hotel Reservation System
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Details
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Rate
- Room rate $135 per night (taxes not included) – Single or Double. Additional adults will be charged at $10.00 each per night
- All guest rooms are standard King or two Queens
- Rate includes breakfast buffet for 2 (two) people per room/per night.
- Rate includes complimentary wireless internet in guestroom.
- The special group rate is in effect before and after the dates of the annual meeting in case you are interested in arriving early or staying after the meeting.
- Reservations may be canceled before 4:00 pm on the day prior to arrival without penalty.
Reservations
- Group Code for reservations: CAR – Use the Online Reservations button above to make reservations or call the hotel at 1-800-228-9290. All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. Be sure to use Group Code: CAR.
- NOTE: Registering at the hotel does not include your meeting registration. You must register separately for both the hotel and the meeting.
Check-In/Check-out
- Guest accommodations will be available at 4:00pm on arrival day and reserved until Noon on departure day.
Room Block
- A block of rooms has been reserved for March 8, 2018 through March 11, 2018. The special room rate will be available until February 8, 2018 or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.
Meeting Dates
- The meeting starts Thursday, March 8 and concludes Sunday mid-morning, March 11.
Special Needs
- If you have special needs, please call the hotel direct at 1-800-228-9290 to make your reservation. Be sure to use Group Code: CAR.
Annual Meeting Registration
Registration opens up on Oct. 1, 2017. Please come back after that date.
Hotel Registration
You must make your hotel reservation separate from the annual meeting registration. Please click on 'Hotel' tab for more information on making your reservation.
“His work tells a story that is overwhelming, breathtaking, and vast.”— Robert Redford
Over the course of his 40-year career, photographer Art Wolfe has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations.
His photographs are recognized throughout the world for their mastery of color, composition and perspective.
His photographic mission is multi-faceted: art, wildlife advocacy, education, and journalism inform his work.
He is the host of the award-winning and internationally telecast series “Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge,”
an intimate and upbeat series that offers insights on nature, culture, and the realm of digital photography.
It now airs worldwide. Wolfe has released over eighty books, most recently The New Art of Photographing Nature and The Art of the Photograph.
“Art Wolfe is a virtuoso whose eye brings home, again and again, the absolute need to preserve what we have.” — Morgan Freeman
“Art Wolfe’s photographs are a superb evocation of some of the most breathtaking spectacles in the world.” — Sir David Attenborough
Presentation: “Earth Is My Witness”
Art Wolfe’s latest award-winning book, Earth Is My Witness represents forty years of expeditionary photography. For the first time, Wolfe presents the three subjects at the heart of his work—landscapes, wildlife, and cultures on the edge of extinction—in a single masterpiece that takes us through the world’s ecosystems and geographical regions in a vivid display of the fragility and interconnectivity of life on Earth, while simultaneously exploring his evolution as an artist and the techniques he uses to capture the nuances and rhythms of nature.Earth Is My Witness is the most extensive collection of Art Wolfe photography ever compiled. This lavishly produced work spans the globe, bringing the beauty of the planet’s fast-disappearing landscapes, wildlife, and cultures into stunning focus. Uniquely conceived and undeniably breathtaking, this elegantly crafted masterpiece will thrill collectors of nature photography and Art Wolfe books and prints. Containing both iconic and unpublished work from throughout Wolfe’s well-documented and widely celebrated career, this unprecedented volume presents a comprehensive look at the world’s ecosystems, geographical regions, and indigenous cultures.
Joe and Mary Ann McDonald are the most prolific and active husband-wife wildlife and nature photography team in the United States today with over 30 years of experience in the photography profession. At least half of each year is spent in the field, leading photo tours and safaris to Africa, South America, India, and other exotic locations, as well as various tours and workshops in the US. They conduct their Complete Nature Photo Course and Advanced (Flash) Courses at their studio at Hoot Hollow, in central Pennsylvania.
Joe and Mary Ann's work has appeared throughout the years in calendars and publications such National and International Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Natural History, Ranger Rick and Your Big Back Yard, Birder’s World and Nat Geo for Kids and in calendars published by Audubon, Brown Trout, Day Dream, Landmark, The Nature Company, Pet Prints, Impact Photo and numerous others. Although their work is represented by a number of stock photo agencies worldwide, they also maintain an active stock photo sales file from their Hoot Hollow home.
They have written multiple books (see below) and the two have been the most successful husband/wife photo team in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Together, through 2015, they have placed fifteen times, with three firsts, and multiple seconds and thirds including Joe’s well-received winning shot in the Mammal Behavior Category of two mating jaguars fighting. Both Joe and Mary Ann are Contributing Editors of Nature Photography magazine, writing a regular feature each issue. Articles have appeared in Outdoor Photographer, The Photographer and several online magazines.
Joe has written seven ‘how to’ photography books including the very popular Photographing on Safari. Together with Rick Holt, they published a .pdf book titled Digital Nature Photography: From Capture to Output and have several other eBooks in the works. Joe has written several natural history photo books including Creatures of the Night, Deadly Creatures and Camouflage Wildlife. A new book on The Seven Big Cats of the World is in production with more books under contract. Mary Ann has written twenty-nine children’s books on different natural history titles including Foxes, Leopards, Flying Squirrels and Grasshoppers. The photo books are illustrated with photographs by Joe and Mary Ann. MaryAnn has also written an adult coffee table book, Out of the Past, Tradition and Faith of the Amish in 1996.
Joe and Mary Ann are founding members of NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association), and they have both been involved as Master of Ceremony, keynote speakers, workshop presenters and other service roles at the annual summits. Joe is a member of POWA (PA Outdoor Writers Association) and OWAA (Outdoor Writers of America Association). Mary Ann regularly visits schools in a Visiting Author program, where she inspires young students in writing, photography, and natural history studies.
Presentations by Joe and Mary Ann McDonald
“The Tale of Seven Tails” From the southern tip of South America to the valleys of the Himalayan Mountains join Joe and Mary Ann as they share their pursuit to photograph the Seven Big Cats of the World in one year’s time. This lighthearted tale of tragedies and triumphs is a great introduction to this photographic husband and wife team.“Let’s Start at the Beginning: Mastering Exposure”
The first step to achieving a successful photo image is understanding exposure while learning how to recognize and control the key element of the scene: light. Joe will talk about Manual Exposure Mode using Spot Metering to show you how easy it is to control the exposure using this method. He’ll also compare this method to exposures made using other modes, such as Aperture or Shutter Priority.
“Developing An Eye: Composition”
Photography is an art form and whether something is portrayed realistically or more surreal, it all comes down to how you, the photographers, portray the subject. This is Mary Ann’s favorite topic and she’ll touch on some basic rules that will help you with your composition as she also fuels your creativity with some examples and insight from her own photography.
“Flash for Everybody: TTL Flash”
One of the more useful tools that a photographer has available to them is the use of flash. To be able to master basic flash techniques, such as TTL Flash and Fill Flash, will not only enhance your images but will also open up new possibilities in high contrast scenes. Joe will show you how to use your TTL flash effectively while not becoming a Flash Monster. It’s Fun, It’s Fast – It’s Flash!
“Digital Workflow and the RAW Converter”
Digital Workflow has become one of the most important, and sometimes most confusing, steps in digital photography. But it all has to start somewhere. Joe will show you how to effectively use the RAW Converter as the first, and perhaps the only, step needed in ‘developing’ your image. He’ll also show you some handy tools that can be found in the RAW Converter that will help to minimize your time sitting in front of your computer.
“I’ve Been Hit”: Adventures and Stories from 30 Years in the Bush
As you can imagine after thirty years of traveling all over the world, Joe and Mary Ann have a few stories to tell from their adventures in the bush. From Africa to India, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, join the pair for some fun stories of their human exploits as well as some touching animal stories along the way.
“Help, I’ve Fallen Down and I Can’t Get Up” How Today’s Photographer Can Prepare for Travel. With ever increasing restrictions on air travel, today’s wildlife and nature photographer is finding it harder and harder to pack and travel throughout the world. Joe and Mary Ann will give you some valuable tips and strategies for working with these restrictions while still enjoying travel to distant locations.
David FitzSimmons is an award-winning free-lance photographer and writer. He photographs and writes
for various magazines, including Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, Professional Photographer,
and Shutterbug. His calendar credits include titles by BrownTrout and Barnes & Noble. David’s publications
include Curious Critters, Curious Critters Volume Two, Curious Critters Marine, and sixteen Curious Critters
state-focused board books for Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, ›Texas, and Virginia, plus Animals of
Ohio’s Ponds and Vernal Pools and Salamander Dance.
His newest picture book is Wakem the Rooster: Up All Night, which will be released in September 2017.
David’s books have sold over 200,000 copies and won 13 national book awards, including IBPA best first
picture book (2012) and best picture book (2016).
One of ten Sigma Pro photographers in North America, David presents seminars and workshops to a wide
variety of audiences, from public school, college, and university classes to photography groups and
civic organizations. His works have been exhibited at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, the National
Center for Nature Photography, and the Telluride Photo Festival. Before becoming a freelance photographer
and author, David taught for over twenty years—first high school English and then as a university professor,
having instructed at Cornell, Ohio State, and Ashland University. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Ohio
State University, with a specialty in narrative theory—investigating the components of storytelling—something
that influences his photography and writing.
Presentations by David FitzSimmons
“Wild, Wonderful Waterfalls”
Join Sigma Pro David FitzSimmons for a journey to some of North America’s most spectacular cascades.
Along the way, learn about composition, exposure, lighting, filters, and post-processing.
See example after example of approaches to depicting waterfalls. David will conclude by sharing how to
turn your images into gallery exhibits, online features, and publications in magazines, books, and other media.
“Curious Critters: From Portraits to Picture Books”
Join Sigma Pro David FitzSimmons for a fun-filled presentation of beautiful and bizarre Curious Critters.
Learn how David turned his mesmerizing animal portraits into traveling exhibits, magazine articles,
and a children’s book series that has won 12 national book awards and sold well over 100,000 copies.
After explaining the history of the project, David will talk about the techniques, challenges, and purposes
for photographing creatures against white backgrounds. Hear stories of animal antics and see amazing images,
including sea life from his latest picture book “CURIOUS CRITTERS: Marine.”
“Photographing Wildlife Like a Pro” Learn the secrets to creating professional wildlife images. Understand the best equipment, from cameras and lenses to tripods and specialized heads. Explore how light and the landscape enhance animal photography. Discuss tracking techniques and creative post-processing applications.
CNPA would like to acknowledge our 2018 Annual Meeting vendors (as of 9/25/2017; subject to change).
- Berrie Smith Camera Repair
- Breakthrough Photography
- Canon
- CNPA Conservation
- Cognisys
- DataColor
- Distinctive Journeys
- Ed Braz Photography
- Feisol, Inc.
- Hunt’s Photo & Video
- JW Image
- Mark Buckler Photography
- Mountain Lens
- Nature Photo School
- Nikon
- Olympus
- Panasonic/LUMIX: Rob Knight
- Red River Paper
- Road Runner Photography Tours
- Sigma Corporation of America
- Spartan Photo Center
- Strabo Tours – Photo Tour Collection
- Swarovski
- Tamron
- Used Photo Pro
- Vinny Colucci
CNPA would like to acknowledge our 2018 Annual Meeting sponsors (as of 9/21/2017; subject to change).
| Thursday, March 8 | |
| 03:00PM - 7:00PM | Meeting Registration Opens |
| 6:45PM – 7:15PM | Meet and Greet ‐ Everyone Invited |
| 7:30PM – 8:00PM | Welcome – Opening Comments, Early Bird Registration Winners and Members Choice Winners |
| 8:00PM – 9:00PM | Presentation – David Fitzsimmons Topic: “Wild, Wonderful Waterfalls” |
| Friday, March 9 | |
| 08:30 AM – 06:00 PM | Speaker Presentations, Vendor Tradeshow, Swap and Shop, and Members Choice Gallery |
| Saturday, March 10 | |
| 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM | Speaker Presentations, Vendor Tradeshow, Swap and Shop, and Members Choice Gallery |
| Sunday, March 11 | |
| 09:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Speaker Presentation and Vendor Tradeshow |
| 11:15 AM | Annual Meeting Ends |
For the complete Program Booklet with all the details for the 2018 Annual Meeting, click here.
David FitzSimmons's Workshop: "Curious Critters How-To: Producing Your Own Animal Portraits"
Cost: $100 workshop fee CNPA Members ONLY (limited to 40)
Thursday - March 8 - 8:00am - noon
Learn the secrets of producing high key animal portraits just like those in the award-winning Curious Critters photo series. Understand the techniques, challenges, and purposes for photographing creatures against white backgrounds, and participate in a Curious Critters animal photo session with live animals. Everyone will get a chance to photograph critters such as turtles, lizards, rabbits, or other Curious Critters, learning lighting, posing, and post-processing. Sigma will provide loaner lenses in popular mounts. Plus ~$500 in door prizes!
Equipment Needed: camera body (any type, D-SLR preferred) and lenses (short primes or zooms + macros).
David FitzSimmons is an award-winning free-lance photographer and writer. He photographs and writes for various magazines, including Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, Professional Photographer, and Shutterbug. His calendar credits include titles by BrownTrout and Barnes & Noble. David’s publications include Curious Critters, Curious Critters Volume Two, Curious Critters Marine, and a sixteen Curious Critters state-focused board books for Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia, plus Animals of Ohio’s Ponds and Vernal Pools and Salamander Dance. His newest picture book is Wakem the Rooster: Up All Night, which will be released in September 2017. David’s books have sold over 200,000 copies and won 13 national book awards, including IBPA best first picture book (2012) and best picture book (2016).
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Joe McDonald's Workshop: "Hi-Speed Flash and Infrared Triggers"
Cost: $100 workshop fee CNPA Members ONLY (limited to 40)
Thursday - March 8 - 1pm - 5pm
In this workshop, Joe will take you through the steps of understanding the fascinating world of flash and will show you how to set up different multiple flash sets for subjects using hi-speed flash techniques. Hummingbirds frozen in mid-flight, bats caught drinking from waterholes or from nectar-producing flowers and flying squirrels coming in to a feeding site: the mystery of ‘how to’ photograph these different subjects will be revealed. Joe will show some of these techniques with hands-on examples and will demonstrate some of the best equipment on the market for achieving great flash images. At the end of the workshop, or throughout the conference days, if you have any specific questions regarding flash or your own work, Joe will be happy to answer them for you.
In professional wildlife photography circles, Joe McDonald is known as the ‘Master of Flash’. His work with multiple flash set-ups, hi-speed flash and remote triggering devices have produced some dramatic work throughout his career.