Join/Renew   Currents Newsletter   Regional Resources   Document Library   Speaker's Bureau   President's Page   Member Survey   Membership Info	President's Message March/April 2003 Summit Report by Michael Francis, President It was at this past Summit in Albuquerque that I officially took over the reins as president of NANPA. What an amazing beginning to my yearlong tenure! To preside with Jim Clark at the best attended NANPA Summit ever, to meet so many incredible people, and to be witness to the wonders of NANPA networking from my new position has given me energy that could last far beyond this year. Now I know why the president’s term begins at the Summits. Our talented keynote speakers: Jim Brandenburg, Joel Sartore, Theo Allofs, Mark Moffett, and Photographer of the Year Gary Braasch inspired many members. We learned the latest techniques and marketing tips from our breakout sessions. We met other photographers and editors during meals. When I learned of the great contacts NANPA members made at the editorial reviews, which were new this year, it put a smile on my face. Nature photographers are not, by nature, social animals. We spend hours sitting alone pondering our navels while waiting for Mother Nature to do her thing. Sometimes we reek from the muddy ponds we wade into or the guano we lie in – so much so that even when we want company, we find it hard to come by. The Summits are where we shed our outdoor lives, put on clean clothes, and join together in our celebration of nature photography. We do it so that next time we are making our way through the brush, next time we think we can’t take another step due to the intense heat or cold, or next time we wonder if it’s all worthwhile, we can call to mind some incredible photo flashed on the screen at a Summit – or remember the inspirational words shared in one of the keynote speeches or breakouts – and we know we’re on the right track. I want to thank each of the 700-plus (Just think, that is almost one third of our membership!) participants who attended the Summit, the myriad people who organized it – in particular, program chair John Nuhn and pre/post chair Debbie Ferrell-Smith – and the instructors who graciously volunteered their time and their wisdom. I, for one, will always carry what I learned with me. After attending the meeting in Albuquerque, I can assure you that your representatives – the Board of Directors and committee members – are truly committed individuals. We owe these folks our thanks for their many hours of volunteer service. Back to President's Page         Site Index       Search       Disclaimers       Contact Us   North American Nature Photography Association 10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-2840, USA Phone: 303-422-8527 Fax: 303-422-8894 E-mail: info@nanpa.org   © 2001 All Rights Reserved