FOCUS OREGON - V1 Issue 3

Your Luminate Judges
Introducing Rob Behm, one of our Luminate judges who hails from Spokane, Washington. A third generation
small business owner, Rob has been the owner and photographer at Valley Studio in Spokane Valley, Washington
for 33 years. Working in photography since college graduation, Rob has an Applied Science degree in
photography and a degree from Eastern Washington University as a photographic educator. A PPA member
since 1991, Rob has also been a member of the Professional Photographers of Washington
since 1982.
Rob is a Certified Professional Photographer, Master-Craftsman Photographer and was the
recipient of the PPA National Award in 2006. A PPA councilor since 2003, Rob has also
served as Chair of the PPA International Committee. A serious photographer since the age
of 16, Rob began his professional career after college, working as first assistant to a top
fashion photographer in Seattle.
In 1985 he opened “Valley Studio” in his home town, and has provided quality portrait
services to a long list of returning clients. The studio specializes in Senior Portraits, Business
head shots and family portraits. His photography has been recognized in the PPA Print Salon for over 20 years,
been displayed at Disney’s Epcot center, and has won numerous state and regional awards, for over 4 decades.
Elected to the PPA Board of Directors in 2011, Rob is currently serving as the PPA Chairman of the Board. “
I love that moment right when I snap the shutter, and know I have just captured something beautiful that will
stand the test of time”
Meet Adilfa Ford, one of our November Luminate judges and owner/president of Don Polo Photography Inc.,
a fine art portrait and wedding photography studio in Utah. Don Polo Photography has been in business for
over 25 years. Adilfa’s exciting and dynamic personality have made Don Polo Photography one of Utah’s leading
portrait studios. Adilfa is a past president of the Intermountain Professional Photographer’s Association (IPPA)
and represents the state of Utah on the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) National Council. She also
serves as the Vice-Chair of the International Committee of PPA. She also serves on the Heart Gallery committee
to promote adoption through professional photography and believes very strongly in business giving back to
the community through service and charity events.
Adilfa was born on a farm in La Luz, Venezuela without electricity or running water. She was
raised by her grandparents and named her business for her grandfather who taught her
about integrity and honesty in life and in business. He could not read or write but people
said that when he gave his hand to seal a deal that was better than any contract. The only
photographs that Adilfa has of her mother and grandparents, now deceased are the ones
she took after becoming a professional photographer. One of the reasons that she became
a professional photographer was to educate her community on the value of professional
portraits.
Adilfa has won many awards for her work and been featured in several national photography
magazines. She has been an IPC medalist in print competition for the past 5 years earning Gold, Silver, and
Bronze medals. Adilfa speaks fluent Spanish and has taught photography seminars to photographers all over the
world. Adilfa is a PPA Certified Professional Photographers and has been awarded the Photographic Craftsman
and Master of Photography degree. Adilfa is also a recipient of the coveted PPA National Award given for
exceptional dedication and service to the photographic industry.
18 • FOCUS OREGON
Register: oregonppa.org
Meet Doug Bennett: Dabbling with photography back in the ‘70s, Doug didn’t really begin to Doupursue
photography until 2003 when he bought a disposable film camera to photograph his tulips. With a rekindling of
his passion for photography, he began a pursuit to learn how to capture images of the landscape.
His love for landscape photography traces back to his childhood and family sightseeing
vacations touring the western U.S. and Canada by car. These early experiences were further
fueled by his father’s magazine subscription to “Arizona Highways” which always left him
in awe with its beautiful scenic images, particularly those of Josef and David Muench.
In his landscape photography, Doug learned that nature often makes her own expression
and statement in ways that are unique to the scene and the moment. In many cases, this
takes the form of unique lighting when nature is putting on her best show. From there,
Doug works the image to put his own vision and expression into the scene with a goal of
portraying his own emotional response to nature’s show.
Meet Bob Coates: “I Specialize in not Specializing”, “It’s all about being and staying creative”, “I hate being
bored”, “I make people, places, and products look better than good.” Would you want to learn from someone
who said these things? I certainly do! Come to LUMINATE and you’ll be lucky enough to learn from Bob Coates
of Bob Coates Photography. According to his Instagram, Bob is a commercial photographer, Lens Based artist,
and Photo Educator that comes with 20 plus years in the business. He said, “I came to photography because I
would take a business to a certain level and the challenge would be gone. I hate being bored.” Well if you take
a look at his work online or go to his Instagram page @bob_coates, his images are anything but boring. I was
immediately struck by bright vibrant colors, beautiful people and places, and unique perspective. He states, “I
am constantly pushing the envelope to get more depth and dimension into my imagery.” The headshot on the
about page of his website depicts Bob against a black background with the top of his head open as if connected
to a hinge. Inside we see a brain and coming out of his head is a light bulb, fish, neon signs, a mathematical
formula, as well as various other images. After reading this statement and taking in this extremely
creative headshot, I thought, “Looks like an envelope pusher to me.” For Bob, this
“envelope pushing” entails “testing the limits of new camera technology or pushing software
beyond the uses for which it was designed.” It’s like he said, “It’s all about being and
staying creative.” As creative entrepreneurs, I think many of us struggle with the “staying
creative” bit. We have all experienced burnout, photographers block, or even boredom. I
think we could all use a dose of Bob Coates who can inspire us to look and think outside
and beyond the box as creatives. Bob says, “You only have a moment to capture attention in
this image-laden world…” So, come to LUMINATE and learn from Bob about how to create
work that does just that.
Meet Tracy Page: It is a true gift to be able to take a headshot that makes people feel something
or that captures the essence of who a person is. Tracy Page has this gift. Upon visiting
her website you can’t help but be captivated by her subjects, whose headshots appear in a
slideshow on the main page. The first subject is an older gentleman wearing a fur hat and
coat. He has a white beard and kind eyes that makes you wonder if he is Father Christmas
himself. The next subject is another older gentleman who has piercing eyes that remind me
of Clint Eastwood and wrinkles that are not hidden but celebrated in this image. There are
more subjects that appear, young and old, male and female, each that make an individual
impression. After seeing these striking black and white images, you will not be surprised to
hear that Tracy Page studied Fine Art (among other things) at the University of Georgia, but
more specifically, she is a classically trained painter. In an interview with Backstage magazine, she said that her
background as a painter has informed her photography. “I can use the chiaroscuro technique and Rembrandt
lighting in such a way that brings out some depth in the image that most headshot photographers don’t have
the leeway to do.” Tracy is a headshot photographer who “specializes in working with actors, both children and
adults.” Chambers Stevens, an L.A. based acting coach, has recognized her as “one of the top headshot photographers
for kids and adults in Atlanta.” According to her bio on the PPA website, “She currently has clients
on most major networks, in theaters and on broadway. Her clients are repped coast to coast.” Do you watch The
Walking Dead? “Carl” (Chandler Riggs) is one of her clients! So why is this information pertinent to you? You
have the opportunity to learn from her! She is going to be speaking and educating us at our LUMINATE event
this year! If you want to learn from a Craftsman Photographer, a Certified Professional Photographer, an award
winning photographer, about the art of headshot photography-LUMINATE is the place to be.
November 10-11th
FALL 2018 FOCUS OREGON • 19