Archive: Business & Technology

This Saturday, April 1, 2017, Ithaca photographer Monroe Payne will be introduced as the 2017-18 President of the Professional Photographer's Society of New York State (PPSNYS).

"It is a great honor and responsibility. Working with people whose ultimate goal is improving the craft of photography. It is an absolute joy!" Payne says.

Payne is an Ithaca native and life long resident. Raised in the home of a Cornell University Photographer, he has been involved in the craft for essentially his whole life. For example, the Ithaca High School Annual for his graduation year of 1970 featured 73 of his images.

After graduating from SUNY Cortland in 1975, he decided to pursue other career choices, but never found satisfaction until 1999, when he inherited his father's darkroom equipment.

"When I entered that darkroom after nearly 30 years and smelled the chemicals, it brought all the memories of good times ; spending time in the dark, in the darkroom, talking with Dad while he processed Ektachrome."

Within a month, he had purchased a professional camera, and within 2 months he had photographed his first wedding.

His first experience with PPSNYS was a program held in Syracuse featuring Canon spokesman and master photographer Monte Zucker.

"I learned at that program exactly how much I DIDN'T know! I joined the Finger Lakes section of PPSNYS that day. Many of the section members have become lifelong friends and mentors."

The Finger Lakes Section of PPSNYS is one of 10 statewide. Two events each year bring members from all sections together, the Annual convention called FocusNY, and the summer workshop at Hobart and William Smith college in Geneva. Each event brings world class talents and educators together with our members for an incredible learning experience.

Inspired by the experiences offered at the convention and workshop, Payne wanted to become more involved with the State Society as a representative of the Finger Lakes section, and then as a State Officer, moving a step per year culminating in this year's introduction as President.

"I think that the best thing about PPSNYS is that this is a pool of photographers that I can trust to help out when an act of God happens. When one of our members had a heart attack, others were immediately available to cover his sessions and weddings until he recovered. Our members are some of the most helpful and sharing people I have ever known."

"The honor of serving the organization, many of who I consider photographic role models as well as friends, is something I do not take lightly. We wish to not only to serve the members, but to introduce photographers who are on their own, some struggling, to an organization of true professionals whose goal is to help others become more successful as photographers and business people."

Payne owns Monroe Payne Photography and IthacaStock.com. He is also a writer with weekly columns in the Lansing Star called 'Within Reach'. His favorite kind of assignment is family portraiture. He also does both photographic and written advertising for businesses in Central New York.

v13i13