The focus of World Photographers Organization

I can't be everything to everyone. For example, I seem to suck big time at I-Net marketing. Give me direct mail and classified and space ads from the 80's and 90's and I can make them sing. Not so in the case of the Web. Guess I am too old, too stupid, too ignorant, or just too damned set in my ways. But so be it.

I am a pretty fair photographer and writer. As a business owner, I have been self-employed since 1979. In my heyday in VA, I had in excess of 120 employees and subcontractors building 60 houses a year, being a land developer, running a plumbing and remodeling business, and running a property maintenance business.

This has NOTHING to do with photography, but it does show that I am a survivor and often someone who thrives on insight. I have written over 100 books for major publishers and dozens upon dozens of magazine articles. I am a talk-show guest on radio stations in the US and Canada. My photography has appeared in a multitude of places with great reception. I have also been an expert witness and a designated real estate broker and brokerage owner. During all of this, I have always kept my photography work alive.

I didn't want to sell my photography soul. Selling out as a writer didn't bother me, but my photography was my lifelong passion and I would not whore it out for money. YET, I do know how to do it and make it happen.

After a lot of time in the woods thinking, I have come to a decision. WPO is my baby and will be so until I can't maintain it. Frankly, I greatly underestimated the commitment of photographers today when I embarked on WPO.

I know what I am about to say will upset some people, but I am me and I say what I mean and I mean what I say and if someone doesn't like it, they found their way in, they can find their way out!

I grew up during a time when photography was very different from what it is today. Of course we did the dodge and burn stuff and some photographers played with air brushes. For me personally, I shot on KodaChrome 64 slide film. It could not be developed in my own darkroom. I either got the shot or I didn't. Magazines and ad agencies insisted on KodaChrome 64 or 25, or a suitable equal.

My point is this, that is when photographers were photographers and not digital camera operators who manipulate their images on a computer. Ask the old Grey Beards, they will tell you what real photography was.

When it comes to making money with photos, the fundamentals have not changed a great deal. People still get married. Babies are born, and fashion changes. Sure, now we have headshots for dating services online, but that's okay.

Here is my bottom line. I am GOING TO BE ME! I may piss some people off. It is not my intent, but I am going to call the shots as I see them.

I have spent a great deal of time researching potential WPO competition. I won't go into a blow-by-blow breakdown here. What I will say is as follows:

I intend for WPO to be open to all serious photographers, regardless of their skill levels or their equipment.

I am going to focus WPO on making photos worth money. If you don't want to sell them, that is up to you.

I am going to show people how to make a few hundred to even a few thousand dollars a month part-time with their camera, with minimal advertising, and without quitting their day job.

WPO is not reserved for Pros, but I and the other pros at WPO who are close to me, and there are many and there are some real name bangers in the group, will take any serious photographer from baby steps to professional-quality photos.

This site, the Press Room, will be predominately for WPO members and guests for up to 30 days.

This was the direction I had envisioned for WPO to start with. Marketing gurus swayed me due to my lack of experience on the Net. Screw it, I am doing it my way.

We may be a small group of only a few hundred photographers, but we will be a powerful resource to each other.

So much for my time on the soapbox.

Dodge