Congratulations to everyone on a successful 2007!
There are many things to get excited about as an SCNPA member for 2008.

For one, the 2009 conference will be held in Charlotte in conjunction with the Southern Short Course in News Photography. Details will be ironed out throughout the year so stay tuned.

The Southern Short Course is America’s longest-running photojournalism seminar. To celebrate its 60th anniversary SCNPA and NCPPA (the other Carolina) havebeen invited to participate and as of now, will be sharing judges with the short course for their respective contests.

Not only will we have the opportunity to showcase South Carolina’s outstanding photography but we will have the added benefits of taking part in one of the year’s premier seminars.

We need you!

We need to make SCNPA a stronger voice and resource for South Carolina photographers. This organization has been kept afloat by a great group of committed individuals.

Now is the time to take the lead and become more proactive this year in participation and recruitment of new members. If you have any ideas on how to make this organization better don’t hesitate to email me or any of the officers.

A new revamped website is under construction. This one will be interactive with the ability to post videos, discussions, training tools, mini workshops, links, etc. and Chip Oglesby and Brett Flashnick have been hard at work to make it a place to come to on the web.

I’m excited about the possibilities to interact with all of you, bounce ideas and learn from each other.

The site will also showcase members websites so if you have one and want to share it, please email Chip ( webmaster at scnpa dawt org)

Enter the clip contest!

It’s a great way to see what others are doing throughout the year and be inspired. Plus, somebody has to give Sefton and Ken a run for their money.

Again, as a reminder, you may enter photos published on your newspaper’s website in addition to those which made print.

That’s pretty much it for now.

Again, thanks to everyone in Anderson for a great weekend. Thanks to everyone that has been committed to SCNPA over the years.

I’m looking forward to seeing great work from everyone in 2008.

Best,
Gerry Melendez
2008 SCNPA President