Mentor Me Programme

When there is such a choice of representative organizations out there you may ask yourself, 'Why the SWPP & BPPA?' To us the answer is very simple. If you are a newcomer to the industry or considering a career change then we offer the most comprehensive range of educational seminars by cutting edge speakers in the UK and Europe. The profile of our membership contains many individuals who have enjoyed active careers in many of the traditional 'professions' and to whom 'professionalism' is second nature. We are dedicated to providing quality training and mentoring to all who ask and want to progress in Professional Photography without prejudice or discrimination. If you are already in practice and want to gain that all important edge over your competitors, then we can help you too. And what is more, your qualifications will be accredited in respect of your past achievements. Please visit: www.swpp.co.uk/qualify.htm

Increasing the number of qualified members is a vital factor in attaining a merchantable standard of imaging across the industry and will ultimately enable the SWPP &BPPA to actively promote a number of marketing initiatives over the next few years in order to positively increase business. The primary level of 'Licentiate' is benchmarked to inspire customer confidence in the ability and quality of work expected of a 'Professional Photographer' operating in the UK market. Without the benefit of such benchmarking we are unable to promote with confidence or with validity and integrity, an average standard of professional imaging.

We have a small team dedicated to innovative programmes and research in order to provide you with the right tools to develop your business. One of these is our invaluable 'Mentor Me' programme through which you receive a one to one appraisal of your work and advice for progression. All reports include recommendations for participation in training programmes pertinent to your professional development and it doesn't just stop at reaching your Licentiateship. In fact, that is only the beginning on a journey of lifelong learning.
Our website is packed with training courses all year round to meet the diverse needs of the membership. In a quest for quality of training delivery we are reducing the number of delegates on each course.

We also offer a residential option at the Illuminatus International School in Spain. Courses are designed for our members on an 'on demand' basis, tailored to your specific training needs.

Courses for 2008 include:

"Fast Track to Qualification" - An intensive course aimed at achieving your Licentiateship. For a maximum of 4 delegates only.

"Aiming High" - Another intensive course for those aspiring to upgrade from Licentiateship to Associateship. For a maximum of 4 delegates only.

"Top Shots" - Aspiring to Fellowship. The ultimate goal. For a maximum of 3 delegates only.

"The Art of Nudes" - Creative fine art nude imaging with a strong accent on lighting, posing and dynamic composition. For a maximum of 4 delegates only.

For further details on these courses please contact Martin Grahame-Dunn FSWPP, FBPPA, FMPA, FRSA, QEP, Hon.FMPA. on iapp_mentor_me@yahoo.co.uk, via the website www.illuminatusnow.com or by telephone on: 0207 993 6849 .

Our highly competitive prices include all tuition, models, airport transfers, full board en-suite accommodation, wine, beer and soft drinks with meals and a cultural excursion to the world famous Cordoba, a World Heritage city in the heart of Andalucia, Spain. You will be encouraged to take up to 40 images on CD or in print form to benefit from expert advice from Martin Grahame-Dunn FSWPP, FBPPA, FMPA, FRSA, QEP, Hon.FMPA. Martin has nearly 30 years experience as a Professional photographer in Advertising, Commercial and Social photography. He has been instrumental in the education, training and success of many well-known names in the industry.

For further details on the 'Mentor Me' programme and SWPP & BPPA Qualifications please contact Head Office on: 01745 356935 or by email on info@swpp.co.uk
or contact Martin on: 0207 993 6849 or by email on iapp_mentor_me@yahoo.co.uk

Submission Guidelines
To try and avoid any confusion in submissions for the Mentoring Programme we feel that it is prudent to lay down a number of guidelines.

A submission will take the form of a maximum of 20 Images in JPEG format, sequentially numbered 1 to 20 with no prefixes whatsoever. If your images are being submitted for a Qualification application the images MUST be in one genre i.e. wedding, portrait, illustrative and pictorial etc.
Each file should not exceed 4MB and ideally the colour space should be Adobe 1998.
The files should be placed in a single folder and cut to a CD.
All CD's should be sent to SWPP & BPPA headquarters in Rhyl for forwarding to the Mentor to ensure accurate tracking of submissions.
When requested by your Mentor a set of 20 files should be prepared by opening individual 10"x10" PSD canvases at 300dpi which should be filled either white or black commensurate with your style. Each individual image should be placed on a canvas after careful colour correction, cropping, composition and final retouching (if necessary). The application of a 3 to 5 pixel stroke edge to the main image is desirable. Finally, each PSD should be flattened, saved as a JPEG and numbered sequentially. Any queries, please phone Martin Grahame-Dunn on:0207 993 6849
CD's sent to the Mentor which are not in the correct format will not be assessed. However, an email will be sent to you to request another CD in the correct format.
It is essential that you provide a LANDLINE telephone number and a current email address so that your Mentor can contact you and provide feedback and support.
Ideally you should enclose a short note stating your current position, experience and aspirations.
Also a covering letter needs to be included on the CD.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the popularity of the Mentoring Programme it may take up to a month to receive feedback from your Mentor. At certain times of the year, particularly during the spring and autumn seminar & workshop programmes these times may increase by up to 2 weeks.

For further information please contact Phil or Juliet Jones at the SWPP & BPPA on 01745 356935 or email info@swpp.co.uk

The SWPP 2008 Convention was an outstanding success,
we have 7 days to get ready for the 2009 convention - which starts on January 14, 2009

Photo Quote: I wish more people felt that photography was an adventure the same as life itself and felt that their individual feelings were worth expressing. To me, that makes photography more exciting. - Harry Callahan