This Conversation with Jed Taufer

Vicki and Jed Taufer have been involved in the photography industry for over 20 years. They co-founded their studio, V Gallery, in Morton, IL in 1998. With a focus on artistic portraiture, Vicki specializes in photographing people, pets, and commercial shoots. V Gallery has been everything from a small home based studio, to a large storefront with multiple employees, and everything in between. Vicki has a passion for people. Her journey with a camera has taken her and Jed around the world. They have been recognized internationally through their teaching, awards, and publications. Vicki’s goal is a healthy work/life balance. At work, she focuses on photography, marketing, and sales. At home, she focuses on homeschooling her two children. You can check out her website at vgallery.net The Taufers currently reside in Illinois.

I would describe myself as a down-to-earth creative who isn’t afraid to be honest. I like to have fun and act like a weird-o sometimes. I strongly believe that having killer photos of yourself, no matter who you are, can work wonders on your confidence and I love being able to create that imagery for teens as they begin the journey of stepping out on their own in this crazy world. A senior portrait isn’t just a rad profile pic but a chance to show the world the REAL you. Believe it or not, I’m a country girl at heart and learned of my love for photography through 4H. I started a full service portrait studio in 2006 after graduating from Hawkeye Comm. College with a degree in Professional Photography. It grew quickly and I soon realized that my favorite subjects were seniors. When I started this biz in 2014 I was bound and determined to build a brand solely focusing on teen photography. I continue furthering my skills through conferences, workshops and competitions and became a Master of Photography through Professional Photographers of America in 2017 with nationally award winning images and albums. I will never stop learning how to better my craft, and I’m so excited to be able to teach other photographers how to create amazing experiences for their clients as well.

Anj Olson is the owner and photographer at Lav & Lime Studio, a children and family photography studio located in Ankeny, Iowa. The studio specializes in modern storytelling photography with an emphasis on a custom experience with every client. Alongside the studio, Anj is a mama to 3 beautiful boys that provide inspiration, insight, and a necessary infusion of reality in a world that loves ideals.

Kristina Guerrero, Cards + Press Product Owner, Client Success Program Manager, and Marketing and Events Manager. Highly creative marketer with over 15+ years experience at WHCC. She has transformed business initiatives that continue to propel revenue growth and produce brand exposure on a multitude of ever-changing platforms. She is a trade show visionary, problem-solver, and product leader driving vision and collaboration between cross-functional partners to deliver successful results.

Laretta Houston was born in Angeles City, Philippines. From struggle and poverty evolved an inspirational vision of beauty and life all around her. Laretta’s story could easily have taken such a different turn if not for her determination and strength. Born the daughter of a military father and a Filipino mother who traveled a lot, she spent most of her time with relatives modestly raised in poverty without luxury. After losing her mother at age 13 to Lupus, this is when she entered her journey through the foster care system, eventually making her way to the United States, where she was determined to change the course of her life. Struggling to balance work, school, and being a single mother, she found her love in photography. Having a multimedia background would also prove to be an invaluable help in marketing her passion as well as giving incredible insights into advertising and marketing needs.  She has photograph clients such as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, ABC (Dancing with the Stars, VH1, Allergan, Broadway Shoes, Spanx, Proctor and Gamble, CDC, Modelland, and more. She sees beauty in everything and as a woman who wears her emotions on her sleeve, her mind’s eye sees each project as a very personal journey.

Matt’s career has been centered around the world of professional photography. Owning and operating a studio for over 20 years along with coaching and educating photographers on the importance of product sales and studio design have been his long term passion. Matt joined WHCC a little over 3 years ago as their Client Success Manager to extend customized concierge level service to their client base. When Matt’s not working with photographers he enjoys playing with vintage cars, camping with Kelly and playing with their 20 week old Golden Retriever puppy Monte around the yard.

Audrey Wancket owns the high-end portrait studio, Wancket Studios in Spring Grove, Illinois. Audrey’s portraits have earned her numerous awards at the state and national levels, which has made here a sought after speaker to amateur and professional photography groups across America and as far away as Korea. Degrees and Certifications: ·  Master of Photography degree from PPA in 1996 ·  Craftsman degree in 1998 ·  Certified Professional Photographer ·  Honorary Master of Photography degree, PPA 2021 ·  Board of Director, Professional Photographers of America 2012-present ·  2019-2020 President of Professional Photographers of America ·  2020-2021 Chairman of the Board, Professional Photographers of America ·  Approved International Juror, PPA Photographic Awards: ·  Canon Par Excellence award, 2012 and 2013 ·  6 Regional(district) Medallion awards, American Society of Photographers ·  Kodak Gallery Elite ·  2-Imaging Excellence awards, PPA Audrey’s philosophy to “never settle for good enough” has been instrumental in the reputation she has earned in her business.

Natalie Keyssar is a documentary photographer whose work focuses on inequality, youth culture, and the personal effects of political turmoil and violence, in the Americas. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and illustration from The Pratt Institute, has taught New Media at the International Center of Photography in New York and has instructed at various workshops across the US and Latin America. She has received grants from the Pulitzer Center, the IWMF, and the Magnum Foundation, was the winner of the 2018 ICP Infinity Emerging Photographer Award, and the 2019 PH Museum Women Photographer’s Grant. She’s a regular contributor to National Geographic, The New Yorker, and The New York Times among many other publications. She is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Dorie Howell is a published photographer serving the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC Metropolitan area. She loves serving her clients in all genres but specializes in Newborn, Family and Corporate Headshots. As well as running her photography business, she has also become a top photography mentor to other photographers all over the world. Her previous experience in the corporate world working in small professional offices taking care of everything from payroll, employee management, customer service, and sales, to running her own photography business, then having an idea to start and run one of the largest photography education memberships in the industry, has given her the experience and knowledge to help creative business owners in any field. Her passion remains with the photography industry and helping photographers define their goals and then give them the tools they need to meet those goals. She has worked with tens of thousands of photographers worldwide and loves seeing their success! Dorie is a highly sought-after speaker, podcast guest, and teacher in the areas of marketing, social media, mindset and workflow.

Allison English Watkins specializes in capturing family portraits that will be treasured heirlooms for generations. For over 25 years Allison has been creating portraits for her beloved clients and celebrating their lifetime milestones. Living in the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah, Allison loves incorporating the gorgeous landscape into her portraits as much as possible. Besides being a Master Photographer, Craftsman and Certified Professional photographer, Allison’s portraits have won numerous awards during her career. A few career highlights include being PPA Diamond Photographer of the year, IPPA Master Photographer of the year and having 3 wedding albums finish in the IPC Top 10 wedding albums of the year. Allison has won multiple LexJet Sunset Awards, Kodak Gallery Awards and Fuji Masterpieces and has been international published. In 2018 she was the recipient of the Professional Photographers of America National Award presented by the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association for her service to the photographic community. Currently, Allison stays busy serving on the Professional Photographers of America Board of Directors and is a PPA Approved Photographic Juror. Allison also travels and educates photographers on the fine art of family portraiture. Allison is also part of the Camera Craftsmen of America, a group dedicated to the fine art craft of photography. Allison’s greatest joys are her husband of almost 25 years, her 3 kids and her cat S’mores.