Disclaimer: The organization in this press release was launched by the former Technology Editor of Photo District News

ApertureProfessional.com Launches  - Introducing the Aperture Users Professional Network A National alliance for Aperture-based photographers

(MARCH 8TH, 2007 LAS VEGAS, NV.)—With the Photo Marketing Association 2007 trade show as its backdrop, the Aperture Users Professional Network was unveiled today by the group’s Executive Director, David Schloss. “As a photographer,”said Schloss, “I was thrilled when Apple introduced Aperture. It was the breakthrough product professionals had been waiting for. And now we’re equally as thrilled to launch the world’s best professional alliance in order to support the photographers who use Aperture.”

The Aperture Users Professional Network provides services for the Mac-based photographer in three key areas: education, training and support.

Education
The group’s website, ApertureProfessional.com is designed to provide photographers with a continuing stream of blogs, articles, podcasts, forums and more, all designed to help sharpen one’s photographic skills and to improve the experience of working with Aperture.

The group’s writers tackle the photographic workflow from every angle, providing insights into everything from beginner questions about raw, up through in-depth analysis of complex image management and archiving.

Regular podcasts and an open forum act as additional educational tools, providing cutting-edge content and member interaction not found anywhere else.

In addition to the website, the AUPN also provides free-to-the-public seminars at locations around the country, including many of the Apple retail stores, at trade shows and educational institutes, and in conjunction with groups like Rich Clarkson Associates and Media Bistro. A growing list of free events can be found on the website.

“Our starting lineup of instructors is phenomenal,”adds Schloss. “We’re proud to work with photographers like Pulitzer-Prize winner Vincent Laforet, National Geographic shooter Jim Richardson, the multiple-award winning photographer Bill Frakes, landscape photographer Edward Riddell (often likened to Ansel Adams), and others.”

As a part of the Aperture Users Professional Network, these amazing photographers will be available to photographic audiences around the country.

Training
To enhance the skills of the working photographer, the Aperture User Professional Network will be offering competitively priced one-day and multiple-day training events throughout the country.

Classes will be offered at all skill levels, starting with introductory Aperture classes—designed to get a person familiar with the program in as little time as possible—and will include classes in basic and advanced Aperture use, the interaction of Aperture and the Final Cut workflow, and more.

The AUPN will also present several large-scale Aperture events during each year, including an exciting photographic workshop in the wine country of California where attendees will be able to rub shoulders with famous photographers over wine at night, while shooting by their side during the day.

Support
Combining the best attributes of professional support services often provided by the major camera manufacturers, the Aperture Users Professional Network will be on hand at major news, sports and entertainment events in order to provide emergency support.

Photographers at selected events will be able to access the Aperture Professional Users Network staff for assistance with Aperture and other Mac-based tech support.

As with the training and education events, a complete list of AUPN support events will be available on the website.

Membership
While the majority of services provided by the Aperture Users Professional Network will be free to the public, the group will offer member-only services and benefits.

Members of AUPN will receive discounts and promotions on select hardware and software, will receive substantial discounts on training courses offered by the Network (and free admission to the Photo Plus Expo trade show), will have access to member-only content on the website, and will be able to request AUPN support services at a photographic event.

Annual memberships for an independent photographer are $100 for a year, but will be offered for $80 to anyone who signs up by April 30th, 2007.

Future Direction
“We’re looking forward to providing the best photographic support organization for the Mac-based photographer,”says Schloss. “We’re keenly aware that the Macintosh is the best computer platform for the pro photographer, and that Aperture is the best tool ever devised for photographic workflow. As the program evolves, we’re looking forward to shepherding a generation of photographers as they embrace this powerful creative tool, and using those experiences to try to help shape the landscape.”

” All of this is only scratching the surface of the programs we’re able to offer. Over the next few months, you can look forward to an expanding range of programs, services, content, instructors and more.”

Aperture Users Professional Network
email: info@apertureprofessional.com
Web: ApertureProfessional.com