Don Hinds
By Geok Hwa Ventrice
Would you like to learn how to take professional-looking head shots or have one taken for you? The Camera Corner of the Cookeville Camera Club presents Don Hinds, an award-winning, past photographer of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He will be leading a portrait photography workshop on March 9, 7:00pm, at the Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery, 186 S Walnut Ave.
An Honors graduate from the College of Du Page, Wheaton IL, Don owned a successful, full-service studio with his wife Mary in Geneva, IL for 15 years before they moved to Cookeville, TN. A variety of services were offered at the studio, e.g. children, family, pet, high school senior portraits, wedding, commercial photography, real estate, executive, graphic design, etc. Known for his unique creative portraits, Don Hinds won the “Best Commercial Print” award by the Professional Photographers Association of Northern Illinois (PPANI) at an event held at Cindy Romano’s studio in Woodstock, IL. Moreover, because of the quality of their works, Don and Mary were able to sell stock images to Metro Creative Graphics, NY, NY. Don was also a part-time staff photographer for newspapers, for example, the Chicago Sun-Times Media Group, covering events like the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Convention and IndyCar Race.
In addition to creating a strong first impression, head shots can be used to establish credibility and promote business. A photogenic head shot, however, requires proper gears and poses.
Participants are urged to bring a camera with a hot shoe and a lens in the 85mm range. “If you don’t have a camera with a hot shoe, I will use my camera and send the image to you, just print your email address on a piece of paper for me. You will need to manually set your camera. I would recommend that you bring a lens in the 85mm range although we can work with most focal lens.”
Participants are also advised to think about how they want to present themselves and practice the expressions that they prefer before the shooting session. Don will bring a light meter, a strobe light, and a tripod. “Remember to dress in the clothes as to how you want to present yourself and think about grooming, haircut and make-up. Practice smiling in a mirror or the expression that you prefer.”
Join us for the portrait photography workshop by Don Hinds, a distinguished photographer of the Cookeville Camera Club, and enjoy a sense of camaraderie among like-minded people. Check out our schedule at https://www.cookevillecameraclub.com.