PhotoPlusExpo and Branding yourself

My Daughter in a candy store!

I remember watching closely as my children entered the CANDY STORE in New York (Economy Candy). Their eyes lit up and wanted to show me everything! They were SO EXCITED! Living in Asia for 17 years really secluded us from opportunities like this. 

I had that SAME feeling walking into the PhotoPlusExpo in New York this past week. It felt like a HUGE Costco lined up with TECHY stuff. A GEAR HEAD dream if you will. Venders giving away free things just to reel you in. I LOVED it, but at the same time my heart was torn...do I really need all this crap?

For a few, the reason of attending PhotoPlusExpo is not just for seeing new products, but to attend something that could be life changing. They offered Portfolio Reviews by Palm Springs Photo Festival. Some of you are wondering what is a "Portfolio Review"? A portfolio review is a place where you get to present your work to Magazine Art Directors, Galleries, Advertising Agencies, Reps and more.  Yes, it's a great place to get feedback on your own work yet get jobs and build what we say in China called "Guanxi" meaning connections.

During my time at the School of Visual Arts where I got my Masters of Professional Studies, we prepared well

"Connecting Ends" Thesis Exhibition

Connecting Ends is the name of our 2013 Thesis Exhibition. 

Location: SVA Gramercy Gallery 209, East 23rd Street, New York, NY

Reception: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013, 6 – 8pm

On View: Thursday, October 23rd – Saturday, November 10, 2013

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm

This is our thesis exhibition featuring my 19 other classmates and I. On the reception night we had many famous people come which was exciting. I have some very talented classmates!  Below you will find portions of our thesis projects.  I've included a summary of each of my talented classmates and a link to their personal websites. I hope you enjoy seeing the talent!

Two Beautiful Daughters Shelly Au

Two Beautiful Daughters is a series of images depicting how China’s rapid growth has ushered in the destruction of history and communities. The artist finds hope and courage through the chaos and brokenness of demolition.

Where has Shelly been?

Like many blogs plagued by busyness, they die! Over the course of getting my Masters in Professional Studies from the School of Visual Arts in New York while holding a full time job left me zero time for a blog these past two years.

Now that I have finished my degree with honors, that my first group show in New York is up, and I'm one of three finalists in the 2013 Adobe Design Achievement Award student contest in the photography category, I feel like I'm ready to launch this new blog.

My vision is to help those of you who have a passion for photography and don't know what to do with it. I'm here to help you!

You ask: Shelly, why are you doing this when the competition is SO great with everyone having a camera?

ANSWER: because I believe in giving back! I don't want to be the photographer that hides his secrets but to help push you forward! I want to help change the world, and I'm not going to do it by hoarding my secrets!

So if you have any questions for my blog posts, please email me at: Studio@ShellyAu.com

Shelly Au, Katrin Eismann (Chair of the program and Photoshop Diva), Alice Kivlon:
Alice and I received the Paula Rhodes Honors Award

Tomorrow: I will talk about my group show and the amazing talent in our group show.