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Wabanaki Winter Market returns to UMaine Dec. 9 – UMaine News

By in Art World News

Wabanaki Winter Market returns to UMaine Dec. 9 – UMaine News
Acorn baskets, by Gerald “Butch” Jacobs, Passamaquoddy basketmaker. Photo by Gerald “Butch” Jacobs

The largest holiday gathering of Wabanaki artists in New England will return with one-of-a-kind pieces, including some from new and nationally-acclaimed basket weavers, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the University of Maine Collins Center for the Arts.

During the 29th annual Wabanaki Winter Market, dozens of Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet and Mi’kmaq artists will showcase and sell their basketry, jewelry, beadwork, wood carvings, birchbark work and other artwork. The market is co-hosted by the Hudson Museum and the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance (MIBA), with support from Maine Office of Tourism and the Onion Foundation.

The free event will also feature brown ash pounding and sweetgrass flower demonstrations, storytelling, traditional music, drumming, dancing and maple syrup.

Profiles of several participating artists and event information can be found on the Hudson Museum website.  

“This year is the 29th anniversary of this show, which celebrates the cultural and artistic traditions of the Wabanaki people. Artists like Barry Dana, Peter Neptune and Eldon Hanning have attended the event since it began in 1995. Others, such as Geo Neptune, Sarah Sockbeson and Frances Soctomah represent a new generation of award-winning weavers,” says Gretchen Faulkner. Visitors will find not just basketry, but a wide variety of Wabanaki artistic traditions in prices ranging from $20 to thousands of dollars. There is something for everyone.

 The Hudson Museum, located inside the Collins Center, will also be open during the event. Among its exhibits is the Wabanaki Gallery, which showcases historic and contemporary Wabanaki art. 

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Hudson Museum Director Gretchen Faulkner, gretchen.faulkner@maine.edu.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

Meet the artist who created this year’s Christmas Stroll button

By in Art World News

Meet the artist who created this year’s Christmas Stroll button

GREAT FALLS — In the video above, reporter Cade Menter talks with Julia Weir (website), the artist who created the button for the 2023 Christmas Stroll. The theme for this year’s button contest was “Cowboy Christmas.”

The annual Christmas Stroll will be on Friday, December 1, from 5pm until 9pm along Central Avenue in downtown Great Falls. The event features food vendors, live music, arts and crafts, and more.

Stroll buttons are on sale at The Blue Rose, Candy Masterpiece, City Bar, Club Cigar, Dragonfly Dry Goods, Fetch, First Interstate Bank (Downtown), Kaufmans Menswear Centre , Mighty Mo Brewing Company, My Viola Floral Studio, The Newberry, Pizazz, and The Wild Hare.

People who buy one of the numbered buttons are eligible for prizes from downtown retailers; winners are usually notified within a week after the Stroll.

MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1: The town of Fairfield will host a Christmas Stroll from 4pm until 8pm. Lions Park will feature a tree lighting and caroling at 4pm. Fairfield Community Hall will feature vendors and basket raffles from 4pm until 8pm – $1 per ticket or 6 for $5. From 5pm until 7PM there will be taco in a bag meals provided by Fairfield Junior Women’s Club. There will also be “Willy The Train” rides at the Community Hall. Santa Claus will arrive via fire truck at 6:30pm at the Community Hall; $5 photos with Santa. All proceeds and donations go toward Community Projects. For more information, contact Nicole Misner at 406-450-4267.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1: Paris Gibson Square (1400 First Avenue North) will host “The Art of Christmas Open House & Artist Market.” From 10am – 5pm on Friday, December 1st, and 10am – 3pm on Saturday, December 2nd, visit The Square for shopping in the Gift Shop (featuring local artists); an artist vendor market with 36 artists, crafters, bakers, and more; lunches catered by Rhonda Adkins (by reservation only, tickets can be purchased online or in the Gift Shop ahead of time); guided art exhibition tours, and facepainting! Saturday’s events also feature photo opportunities with Santa and art activities for all ages. The Art of Christmas is a free event for the community, and The Square kindly asks for a suggested donation of $5 to support free museum admission year-round. For more information, click here.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2: The Belt Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting the fourth annual Belt Christmas Stroll. Breakfast with Santa at Belt School 8am-11am. Shop vendors around downtown Belt from 2-6pm. Photos with Santa at the Theater Lobby 2-5pm. “Elf” the movie at the Theater 4-5:30pm. Tree Lighting with Santa in the Little Park 6:30pm. The event is sponsored by Belt Valley Bank and Alliance for Youth. For more information, click here.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2: Come enjoy a Christmas Party with Santa at at both Great Falls Ace locations from 11am until 2pm (215 NW Bypass and 3527 Tenth Avenue South). Photos with Santa (bring phone or camera for free pictures), Traeger Cookie Demos, and deals for the holiday season. Click here for more information.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2: Come to the Sun River Winter Market from 9am until 3p at fire station (26 Ramble Inn Road) in Sun River. Santa will be there for pictures in front of the Fire Truck from 11-12. Come get your holiday shopping done! We will have a variety of Craft Vendors, Antique/Vintage sellers and Home based businesses. For more information, call Laura Carlsson at 406-965-3087.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2: Holiday Village Mall in Great Falls will host the ‘Twas 3 weeks before Christmas’ Winter Solstice Arts, Crafts, and Vintage Show from 10am until 5pm. Bed Bath & Beyond location, upper level. Come shop with our Highly talented Vendors and find the perfect unique gift and Holiday decor. Carolers, musicians and dancers will be performing throughout the day. Stop in to visit Santa and the kiddie Craft corner with your kiddos! Free Admission. For more information, call Solstice Arts and Crafts at 406 750 5566.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3: There will be a Christmas Rummage & Bake Sale from noon until 6pm at 159 Main Street in Shelby. Come down to the building previously owned as Larson’s Clothing Company in Shelby, Montana! For more information, call Judy Richman at 406-470-1511.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6: University of Providence will host Lessons And Carols starting at 7pm at 1301 20th Street South in the Trinitas Chapel. Enjoy an evening listening and singing Christmas carols and readings presenting Jesus’ birth. This is a free event. For more information contact pianokody@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9: The Do Bar (1800 Third Street NW) in Great Falls will host “Rage For Santa” starting at 3pm. This is a community fundraiser concert for Toys For Tots. Featuring an acoustic set and a split lineup of EDM, hard rock, and metal music, all from bands and artists from around the state. Twelve performing acts, 50/50 drawing, raffle featuring items donated from around the community. Proceeds will be donated to Toys For Tots. Event is open to the public, 21+. Admission is just $10, or a $10 unwrapped brand new toy. For more information, contact Jonah Shirley at Jonahfromgreatfalls@gmail.com or click here.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9: Montana ExpoPark will host Last Chance Christmas Bazaar from 9am until 5pm in Exhibition Hall. Join us for a delightful day of shopping, browsing, and celebrating the talents of local artisans and crafters. With a wide variety of unique, one-of-a-kind items, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. For more information call Dawn at 406-590-6710 or click here.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9: Come to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center to “Trim the Tree” from 9am until 1pm (4201 Giant Springs Road). Come enjoy free admission to the center where kids can craft three holiday ornaments, two to take home and one to adorn the center’s tree. Kid’s secret shopping day is also happening! Children can shop for their family because all gifts are $10 or less. Staff will wrap the gifts while parents get to sit back and relax with complimentary coffee and cookies. Every 4th-grader that attends the event can get an admission pass and Christmas tree for free! For more information, call 406-727-8733.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9: The Great Falls Public Library will host a Holiday Party from 11am until 12:30pm. Children and their families are invited to enjoy hot chocolate, Christmas and Hanukkah stories, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! Take a free picture, then make your own picture frame ornament to display it. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jake Sorich at 406-453-0349.

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Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Students Reach Finals in Digital Media Marketing/Advertising Competition

By in Art World News

Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Students Reach Finals in Digital Media Marketing/Advertising Competition

A group of talented advertising students from St. Clair College – School of Media Art and Design have emerged as finalists in Perdue University’s Digital Media Marketing competition, showcasing their innovative skills and strategy in the dynamic field of digital media.

Working on the case study since mid-September the team of Zachery Dillen, Sara Rupert, Emma Carosella, and Dalton Drouillard have secured their place in the finals of the event.

The Digital Marketing Competition (DMC) known for its emphasis on cutting edge digital media strategies drew participants from across the globe, and our students have proven their strength amongst a pool of highly talented contenders.

The St. Clair College team’s entry stood out for its creativity, strategic approach, and creative utilization of the latest trends in digital media advertising. The students demonstrated an exceptional understanding, of consumer behavior, media channels, media planning, and technological trends in the ever-evolving landscape of digital media and advertising.

Team coach, Professor Scott Briscoe said: “The students put in the work and effort to make this happen. As a group they spent roughly 40-60 hours on this competition case study solution. This is a testament to their dedication, as they still attended all classes kept up with their course work and part time jobs. They’ve developed some outstanding solutions to this marketing problem. Their work ethic and strategic thinking was outstanding.

The DMC finals take place this Saturday December 2, 2023. The students in the Advertising and Marketing Communications program have created a live watch party event to take place at 10:00am at The St. Clair Center for the Arts.  The St. Clair College team will have the opportunity to present their creative, strategic ideas at 12:30pm.

The Advertising and Marketing Communications invite; the community at large, members of the media, and industry professionals to watch and celebrate with us the accomplishments of these talented individuals.  You can register to receive the livestream link here: free Zoom Event

For further information contact Steve McEachern smceachern@stclaircollege.ca

St. Clair College:
Transforming lives and strengthening communities, through high quality and accessible educational experiences that support career readiness, innovation, and lifelong learning.

Conference puts pope’s call for ‘outgoing theology’ into action

By in Native

Conference puts pope’s call for ‘outgoing theology’ into action

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (CNS) — Theologians, social scientists, historians and artists, including an Indigenous Mexican rapper, met in Bogotá to discuss how religion is represented in popular culture today. 

Pope Francis “says that new theology cannot be a dialogue between theologians because that is self-referential, rather it must be an interdisciplinary dialogue,” Emilce Cuda, president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America told Catholic News Service Nov. 27 during a three-day conference in Bogotá on religious expressions in popular culture at the headquarters of the Latin American bishops’ council, known as CELAM. 

Theologians, she said, “must be among the people and listen to the language they use to express the faith today, to express their needs and dreams,” and to engage with popular expressions of faith conveyed through tattoos and rap music, for instance. 

The conference, titled “Theology on the Peripheries: The Symbolic Language of Popular Culture,” featured panels on the use of religion in forming ideologies, media narratives surrounding religion, the appropriation of religious symbols and their representation in art.

Cuda said the conference was motivated by the need for an “outgoing theology” that aligns with a vision of an “outgoing church” as Pope Francis requested in a letter Nov. 1 approving new statutes for the Pontifical Theological Academy. 

A journalist speaks at a conference.
Aníbal Pastor, a Chilean journalist, speaks during a theology conference on religious expressions in popular culture at the headquarters of the Latin American bishops’ council, known as CELAM, in Bogotá, Colombia, Nov. 27, 2023. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)

Jesuit Father Felipe Legarreta, a biblical scholar at Loyola University of Chicago and conference participant, told CNS that studying the modern-day use of religious symbols follows the example of the early church fathers, who “appropriate symbols, appropriate languages to translate and interpret the Gospel message in new contexts.”

Father Legarreta said he hoped the conference would support a “new epistemology and methodology for theology that is in dialogue with the other sciences and with the peoples of the earth, above all those who are on the peripheries.”

Miguel Ángel Pérez Gómez, a rapper from Chiapas, Mexico, known by his stage name “Sebsor,” said that his participation in the CELAM conference as an artist and as an Indigenous person was important “so that academics look at us, so they see that we exist, that we have a spirituality and to dialogue about it.”

Pérez’s songs incorporate both Spanish and his native Tzeltal, a Mayan language spoken by some 590,000 people. He told CNS that his music blends Mayan culture, Catholic spirituality and the message of resistance found in American hip-hop.

“If you’re at a desk, you cannot understand the spirituality of a group of original peoples that was never conquered and continues to exist,” he said. “Why hip-hop? Why has art saved us? Because it has been a means of social transformation in the peripheries.”

Miguel Ángel Pérez Gómez, a rapper from Chiapas, Mexico, poses for a photo.
Miguel Ángel Pérez Gómez, a rapper from Chiapas, Mexico, and participant in a theology conference on religious expressions in popular culture, poses for a photo at the headquarters of the Latin American bishops’ council, known as CELAM, in Bogotá, Colombia, Nov. 27, 2023. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)

Theology today can be overly concerned with “certain ways of preserving doctrine that place more attention on preservation than on proclamation” of the Gospel, Argentine Father José Carlos Caamaño told CNS. 

A systmatic theologian at the Catholic University of Argentina, Father Caamaño said that preserving the faith through theology “cannot be motivated by tending to a body of work so that I can take decisions about others from a position of power.”

“Knowing the challenges of our times is fundamental to be able to articulate a language that communicates the Gospel, otherwise what we communicate is a hollow doctrine, a dehumanizing doctrine,” he said. “If you are worried about the salvation of people, you have to gain knowledge about them by using disciplines that know how to capture a concrete, historical reality,” such as through collaboration with historians and sociologists.

Cuda said such an approach “is the way of understanding theology in part of Latin America, particularly in Río de la Plata,” the region which encompasses Montevideo, Uruguay, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

“In Latin America, theology of the peripheries is not a theology of philosophical categories, it is a theology mediated by culture,” she said.

Abu Dhabi Global Market Court of Appeal Deepens ADGM’s Wholesale Adoption of English Law

By in Art World News

Abu Dhabi Global Market Court of Appeal Deepens ADGM’s Wholesale Adoption of English Law

November 29, 2023

Click for PDF

The Court’s decision also distinguishes the ADGM and DIFC’s approaches to English law.

A unique feature of the ADGM—certainly within the region—is that the English common law, as it stands from time to time, not only applies and has legal force in the jurisdiction, but also forms part of the ADGM’s laws. This is enshrined in Article 1(1) of the Application of English Law Regulations 2015 (“Regulations”).

On 17 November 2023, the ADGM Court of Appeal published an important decision in AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1, confirming, among other things, that whilst ADGM judges “are not sitting as English law judges”, “they are bound to apply the rule laid down by the [Regulations]”. Lord Hope contrasted this with the position in the Dubai International Financial Center (“DIFC”): “The position in the Dubai International Financial Centre is different. Common law rules in various areas have been codified, and it is only if those rules or the laws of other relevant legal systems do not provide an answer that the laws of England and Wales are applied.”

This decision provides clarity to parties contracted to resolve disputes before the ADGM courts, and emphasises the unique position of English law in the ADGM, which the Court of Appeal observed “lies at the heart of the system of law that was created for the ADGM”.

Context and Factual Background

With the adoption of the Regulations in 2015, the ADGM opted to fully transplant English law as its applicable private law.[1] The result is that the entire, constantly updated, corpus of English common law applies in the ADGM. However, as the AC case demonstrates, there remained some doubts as to the full effect of this legal transplant.

AC concerned the sale of shares in a car-sharing company operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. In 2020, the company’s minority shareholders were compelled, pursuant to a “Drag Along Notice” (“Notice”) issued by the majority shareholders, to sell their shareholding to a third party.

The minority shareholders challenged the validity of the Notice on the ground that the third party purchaser was not a ‘bona fide purchaser’ as required by the Shareholders’ Agreement (“Agreement”). Rather, they claimed that the purchaser was actually the majority shareholder himself, merely acting through a corporate veil. The minority shareholders sued the majority for the economic torts of intentionally procuring a breach of the Agreement as well as of conspiracy to use unlawful means to breach the Agreement. The Agreement was governed by English Law and any disputes arising under the Agreement were subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the ADGM courts.

Court of First Instance

The ADGM Court of First Instance agreed with the minority shareholders that the Notice was invalid, insofar as the majority shareholder, by standing on “both sides of the fence,” had effectively expropriated the company’s shares in bad faith. However, the Court did not find that this breach was intentional, with the majority shareholder having received assurance from its legal counsel that the transfer was lawful.[2] In considering the unlawful means conspiracy claim, the Court was faced with a question of English law: did this claim also require knowledge of the unlawfulness of the conduct?

In answering this question, the minority shareholders pointed to a 2021 decision of the English Court of Appeal in Racing Partnership, where a majority of judges held that such knowledge was not required.[3] However, the ADGM Court of First Instance declined to follow this decision, holding that while Article 1(1) of the Regulations made English court decisions and precedent “highly relevant,” it did not bind ADGM courts.[4] Instead, it was the ADGM Court of First Instance’s duty to ascertain the “correct position” in English law, which may not be reflected in the latest case law.[5]

In this analysis, the ADGM Court of First Instance found that Racing Partnership confused rather than settled English law, with the correct position being that knowledge was, in fact, a requirement to establish the tort of conspiracy by unlawful means. Having already found that the majority shareholder lacked knowledge that his conduct was unlawful, the minority shareholders’ claims were dismissed.[6]

Court of Appeal

On appeal, the minority shareholders claimed that the Court of First Instance had erred in its application of English law, and consequently, the Regulations. They argued that Article 1(1) of the Regulations required that the ADGM courts apply English law including respecting the doctrine of precedent, the principle that within a single legal system, lower courts are bound by the prior decisions of higher courts.

The ADGM Court of Appeal agreed. In its reading, Article 1(1) of the Regulations required ADGM courts to apply English law principles, which would necessarily include the bedrock doctrine of precedent.[7] With some exceptions, a lower court would thus be required to apply decisions of higher courts even if they felt that the decision was faultily reasoned or had an unjust result.[8] In this context, the ADGM Court of Appeal found that the English Court of Appeal’s decision Racing Partnership was binding authority in the ADGM.[9] With knowledge of the illegality of its conduct no longer required, the ADGM Court of Appeal found the majority shareholder was liable for conspiracy to use unlawful means to breach the Agreement.[10]

Implications

The ADGM Court of Appeal’s decision in AC has profound implications in the ADGM. As the decision recognises, respect for the doctrine of precedent injects predictability into the ADGM’s application of English law, which was the primary reason for the Regulations in the first place. No longer will ADGM judges be encouraged (or permitted) to depart from latest English case law to undertake novel (and potentially complex) analyses of the ‘correct’ position under English law. Instead, the practice before the ADGM courts will be greatly synthesised with that before English courts, providing relief to clients and lawyers already familiar with these courts and their rulings.

AC also has the notable effect of further entrenching the ADGM’s wholesale adoption of English common law, which stands in contrast to other special economic zones and financial zones in the region (including in the UAE). For example, the DIFC explicitly codified various common law rules as DIFC law with adjustments, with English common law only applied to fill gaps in these existing DIFC codes.[11] The merit of the ADGM model—evidenced by the ADGM’s growing attractiveness to foreign investors worldwide—is its immediate familiarity to clients and lawyers well-versed with English law. The AC decision is another welcome step in the right direction.

__________

[1] Application of English Law Regulations 2015, art. 1(1) (“The common law of England (including the principles and rules of equity), as it stands from time to time, shall apply and have legal force in, and form part of the law of the Abu Dhabi Global Market”.)

[2] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 16.

[3] Racing Partnership v. Done Bros Ltd. [2021] Ch 233

[4] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 18.

[5] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 19.

[6] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 19.

[7] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 25.

[8] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶¶ 32-33.

[9] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 45.

[10] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 46.

[11] AC Network Holding Ltd. v. Polymath Ekar SPV1 [2023] ADGMCA 0002, ¶ 2.

The following Gibson Dunn attorneys assisted in preparing this update: Nooree Moola and Praharsh Johorey.

Gibson Dunn’s lawyers are available to assist in addressing any questions you may have regarding these issues. Please contact the Gibson Dunn lawyer with whom you usually work, the authors, or any of the following leaders and members of the firm’s global Litigation, International Arbitration, or Mergers and Acquisitions practice groups:

Renad Younes – Abu Dhabi (+971 2 234 2602, [email protected])
Marwan Elaraby – Dubai/Abu Dhabi (+971 4 318 4611, [email protected])
Nooree Moola – Dubai (+971 4 318 4643, [email protected])
Praharsh Johorey – Dubai (+1 212.351.3911, [email protected])
Cyrus Benson – London (+44 20 7071 4239, [email protected])
Penny Madden KC – London (+44 20 7071 4226, [email protected])

© 2023 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.  All rights reserved.  For contact and other information, please visit us at www.gibsondunn.com.

Attorney Advertising: These materials were prepared for general informational purposes only based on information available at the time of publication and are not intended as, do not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. Gibson Dunn (and its affiliates, attorneys, and employees) shall not have any liability in connection with any use of these materials.  The sharing of these materials does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the recipient and should not be relied upon as an alternative for advice from qualified counsel.  Please note that facts and circumstances may vary, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

NFL Strips Photographer’s Credentials for Filming Backflip Celebration Selfie

By in Photography

NFL Strips Photographer’s Credentials for Filming Backflip Celebration Selfie

Cameraman passes NFL player his phone for celebration

An NFL photographer and content creator has had his media credentials suspended for his part in the Tyreek Hill backflip selfie celebration video.

Kevin Fitzgibbons, 20, was hired in 2022 to cover Miami Dolphins’ home games which he continued into the 2023 regular season. He describes it as a “dream job.”

But, during a Dolphins game against the Carolina Panthers in October, Hill scored a touchdown and grabbed a phone from Fitzgibbons before performing a backflip while filming a selfie video.

The awesome POV video was posted to the NFL UK’s socail media page before being deleted just minutes later. It is likely the NFL deleted the selfie video as Hill had violated the league’s celebration rules about external props and the Dolphins’ wide receiver got a penalty for the celebration.

“You know, I seen the camera and I just took it from him and he didn’t want me to take it from him,” explained Hill when asked about it after the game. “That’s my boy Kfitz man.”

[embedded content]

In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Fitzgibbons explains that he and Hill have been friends for some time and perhaps their camaraderie led to his expulsion.

“The NFL let me know that I would be suspended for the remainder of the season and possibly for good,” says Fitzgibbons.

“They said regardless if I knew the celebration was coming or not, I still had to be disciplined and I shouldn’t have jumped on the sidelines after the play.

“One of the best moments of my life turned upside down in a matter of seconds.

“I get why the NFL had to make this decision and wish I could have done something to prevent it but I’m thankful for the memory that Tyreek gave me.

“This was the greatest job in the world and I never took a day for granted, I can’t thank the NFL enough for the opportunity.

“Whether it’s back with the NFL or starting a new sport, I just hope I get another chance of doing what I love.”

The video has been viewed more than six million times with the overwhelming majority sympathizing with the young cameraman.

“What is the good that comes from a decision like this?” Asks one X user. While many called the NFL the “No fun league.”

A petition on Change.org has been created to “Reinstate Kfitz as the NFL videographer at Hard Rock stadium.”

PetaPixel reached out to the NFL for comment which did not respond as of publication.

8 Great Gifts for Photographers in the 2023 Holiday Season

By in Photography

8 Great Gifts for Photographers in the 2023 Holiday Season

While it might not yet look like a winter wonderland outside your home, the festive season’s excitement is undoubtedly approaching fast. Mixing a bit of eggnog into your coffee could be the energizing secret to efficiently tackling holiday preparations like present wrapping and festive meal planning. As we welcome this season of heartfelt giving and cozy gatherings, our goal is to make your gift-shopping experience as effortless as can be.

Should your holiday shopping list include special items for photography enthusiasts, or if you’re thinking of treating yourself, you’re in the perfect place. Let’s explore eight top picks for this holiday season – ideal for anyone passionate about photography.

All you need is a picture to make a special, unique, and high-quality gift. Saal Digital’s Photo Gifts are a great idea to surprise your loved ones with your best photos while meeting the quality standards you expect. You can choose from a wide variety of options such as Mugs, Puzzles, Metal Boxes, Photo Plaques, Photo Bricks, and many more! Designing and ordering is very easy and can be done in minutes from the comfort of your computer, phone, or tablet. An emotional, simple, and high-quality gift.

Westcott’s Cyber Week sales are a photography enthusiast’s dream, featuring a diverse array of top-tier equipment. Unleash your creativity with their renowned flashes, ensuring impeccable lighting for every shot. Elevate your photography game with state-of-the-art continuous lighting options, perfect for capturing moments in any setting. The Rapid Box Switch Light Modifiers offer versatility and efficiency, allowing you to shape and control light effortlessly. Dive into a world of possibilities with discounted backdrops that add depth and character to your compositions. Don’t miss the chance to explore these exclusive deals and elevate your photography experience with Westcott’s Cyber Week offerings.

The SmallRig x Brandon Li Mobile Video Kit for iPhone 15 Pro Max Co-design Edition 4407 offers stability for videoing and vlogging with dual handles and wireless control for seamless shooting. The cage, featuring multiple threaded holes and cold shoes, supports various accessories with the new SmallRig Quick Release ecosystem for effortless transitions between horizontal and vertical shooting. Hollowed out for full iPhone access, it also accommodates MagSafe wireless charging. The all-metal cage has built-in pads for shock and scratch prevention. The kit includes a filter ring adapter and VND Filter ND2-ND32 (5 Stop) for a cinematic touch, while Brandon Li’s signature adds an exclusive touch.

The ProMaster Premium Optic Cleaning Pen is the perfect gift for any creator to ensure a clear image capture. Every photographer’s lens gets dirty from normal use, so it’s important to have the right type of cleaning pen to keep in their bag at all times. Our premium lens cleaning pen provides a higher level of experience. The blue color makes it easy to find in a bag. It has a dual end of soft goat-hair brush for removing dust and lint and a carbon tip for removing fingerprints. It’s everything they need to maintain a clear shot!

Every journey is a story waiting to be told; a thousand little moments hidden between a beginning and an end. This is for you and your thousand moments. Tell your story with the new OM SYSTEM OM-5, featuring class-leading IP53 dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof design. Get closer, see more from afar, and let computational photography features like Live ND inspire you to try new things and see your surroundings in a new light. Pair it with the lightweight and weathersealed M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4.0 PRO and you’ll have the ultimate portable camera system, ready for your adventures. Go tell your story.

K&F CONCEPT Light Pollution Filters help to reduce the unwanted effect of light pollution, giving photographs more contrast and clarity as a result. K&F CONCEPT Light Pollution Filters are available in both Circular and Square formats giving you the option of mounting the filters directly to your lenses, or with the use of special mounts that can allow for combinations of filters to be used together.

The Ulanzi FM01 FILMOG Ace Portable Fog Machine has 36 fog effects in different intensities, 40W Fog with Remote Control Portable Hand-held Forgger, utilizes food-grade glycerin for fog production which is non-toxic and safe for the environment. Perfect for Creative Photography, Outdoor Events, Parties, Stage Effects, Disinfection or Weddings.

A Modern Lighting Art Piece. The Moonside Lamp One is a magical light that is ambient when you want, trippy when you need it, and can even synchronize to music to turn into a disco lamp. With the Moonside smart app and multiple color-zones technologies, you can control the color and brightness of every single LED pixel on your light. Built-in sensors to sync with the music beats; control it with the touch of a finger.

Full disclosure: This sponsored article was brought to you by Saal Digital, F.J. Westcott, SmallRig, ProMaster, OM SYSTEM, K&F CONCEPT, Ulanzi, and Moonside.

Image credits: Header photo licensed from Depositphotos

DMTV Milkshake: Job Smeets on the Beauty of “Creating Things Nobody Asked For”

By in Design

DMTV Milkshake: Job Smeets on the Beauty of “Creating Things Nobody Asked For”

“We create, as some say, once-in-a-lifetime objects,” says artist and designer Job Smeets. “And you know, I don’t dislike that title.” That spirit is hard-wired into the Belgian’s most famous pieces – ranging from a new video collaboration with the art pop star Mika to the Robber Baron collection from 2006, for which Smeets presented five cast-bronze furnishings (a cabinet, mantel clock, table, standing lamp, and jewel safe), all produced and polished to an impeccable gleam but seemingly destroyed in some way. The cabinet was ripped open by a “bomb crater.” The table took its shape from clouds of industrial pollution emitting from power stations similar to London’s Battersea. Beautifully, carefully rendered destruction, but destruction all the same. Created in editions of five, the pieces were less luxury furnishings than conceptual art pieces commenting on the corruption of the oligarchy across time, from the titular robber barons of the Industrial Age to the Russian power brokers of today.

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In this week’s Milkshake, we speak with Job about reverse marketing, running his studio like a Renaissance guild shop, and what it’s like creating those singular objects. “I think the process is the same as it was 25 years ago, when I started,” he says. “I am always curious to find the next thing – or the next thing that never has been done, or has been forgotten. Or the next thing that should be ugly but maybe It’s not ugly. The next thing that could surprise me. The next thing that would make the guys in the atelier happy. The next thing is always the best thing you ever did, until it’s ready.”

gold table with a train base

We also asked him what it’s like channeling the same sort of energy and exactitude that powered the Robber Baron collection: “When I was young, I was always fascinated by those old big goldsmith studios and silversmith studios from the 16th, the 15th, and 17th centuries, which created huge, beautifully crafted, shiny, glossy centerpieces – tableware, whatever –  for the rich and famous,” he says. “Which is actually the same now, but at least what I find fascinating about it is the way those pieces were created, and that they still exist in museums. It was never a really big production back then – there were only a few [pieces] created. The whole idea of industrialization – and modernism – is obviously to create something for the masses, and that’s a very good idea. But for me, and for my studio, I thought it would be much more interesting to create pieces that could have been created 300 years ago – and also to [combine] ancient techniques of casting, or the medieval techniques of stained glass with the digital techniques. Every time it creates a new image, and that’s what I’m looking for.” For more, tune in!

hermes window installation

lights shaped like banana

man sitting on white car in a room of sculptures and furnishings

Diana Ostrom, who has written for Wallpaper, Interior Design, ID, The Wall Street Journal, and other outlets, is also the author of Faraway Places, a newsletter about travel.

Milkshake, DMTV (Design Milk TV)’s first regular series, shakes up the traditional interview format by asking designers, creatives, educators and industry professionals to select interview questions at random from their favorite bowl or vessel. During their candid discussions, you’ll not only gain a peek into their personal homeware collections, but also valuable insights into their work, life and passions.

Three photography business tips I learned consulting $1,000,000 companies

By in Photography

Three photography business tips I learned consulting $1,000,000 companies

As photographers, our primary passion is capturing images. However, to thrive financially in photography, mastering the business aspects is crucial.

This involves client interactions, grasping marketing strategies and honing skills in website development and optimization. In today’s discussion, I will share three valuable insights gained from my experience as an Enterprise SEO Consultant for major firms like Allstate and Bill.com.

If you’re more of a visual learner, be sure to watch the video I made:

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These tips have been instrumental in my dual career as an SEO consultant and photographer, playing a significant role in securing client trust and fostering loyal professional relationships:

Reviews From Photography Clients and Co-Workers
Reviews From Photography Clients and Co-Workers

3 photography business tips

Here are three tips you can apply to your own photography business:

1. Early delivery advantage.

Think about a time you ordered something eagerly awaited online, and it arrived not on the expected date, but surprisingly earlier. Recall that feeling of delight and surprise? This is the essence of the early delivery advantage. It stems from managing expectations and enhancing customer happiness.

The principle is simple: people’s actions are influenced by their anticipated results. If a client anticipates a certain delivery date but receives their product or service sooner, their expectations are not just met but surpassed. This leads to greater satisfaction and fosters a positive image of you and your business.

In my consulting work, we frequently leveraged this strategy.

My boss once told me, “What is offered as a surprise doesn’t have to be very much. It just has to be unexpected.”

Quote on Expectancy
Quote on Expectancy

If a report or audit I needed to complete would take me 7 days, I’d inform the client it would take 14 days. Completing it in 7 days and notifying the client of this ‘early’ completion enhanced their satisfaction and loyalty. This technique has been equally effective in my photography business.

For instance, if retouching photos for a client is expected to take a certain amount of time, estimate 3-5 days more and deliver earlier. Or, if a photo package you have limits the number of shots, take a few extra and offer them at no extra cost.

These are just a few examples of how small, unexpected positives can reinforce your clients’ choice of your service, build trust, and lead to positive referrals.

However, two important points about this approach:

  • The product or service must be valuable and of high quality.
  • Use this tactic sparingly throughout your client relationships. Overuse can lead clients to expect early deliveries as the norm.

2. Develop your one-liners.

The second valuable lesson for my photography business, learned from my consulting experience, is the importance of developing signature statements. This isn’t about crafting jokes; it’s about creating concise, impactful statements that effectively define your product and service for strategic market placement.

In my experience with large-scale companies, I observed their continuous refining of such statements. Everything they do — from sales, marketing, and accounting to HR — is anchored around their succinctly crafted statement.

You may wonder why a signature statement is crucial. The reason is simple: if you’re unclear about the value you provide, how can you expect potential clients to understand?

By creating a clear, concise statement, you communicate the essence of your photography business, your unique approach, and what clients can expect from you. This clarity not only aids in marketing and client communication but also helps potential clients easily grasp and remember what you offer.

Creating an effective one-liner for your photography business

To craft a compelling one-liner for your photography business, consider these three steps:

1. Determine your unique value proposition (UVP)

First, it’s essential to identify your Unique Value Proposition. Despite the marketing jargon, this is a crucial step. Begin by pinpointing the primary service or product you offer. Consider what aspects make your offering distinct — this could be your artistic approach, your style, or a specific advantage you offer that differentiates you from competitors.

2. Highlight the client’s benefit or outcome

Next, put yourself in your potential clients’ shoes. Contemplate what they are seeking or the issue they need resolved. Why would they choose your services to address this need? Identify this reason and emphasize the positive impact or benefits that clients will enjoy by choosing your services.

3. Synthesize these factors into a short, memorable phrase

The final step is to combine these elements into a concise, memorable sentence. A useful formula to follow is: [Your Service/Product] + [Unique Aspect] + [Client Benefit].

Crafting Photography One-Liner Formula
Crafting Photography One-Liner Formula

For example: “[Photography Service] + [Unique Approach] + [Emotional Benefit/Outcome for Client]”

Here are a couple examples in real-life:

For a Family Portrait Studio:

  • What You Do: “Family Portrait Photography”
  • Unique Aspect: “using natural light to create warm, candid moments”
  • Client Benefit: “capturing your family’s love and bond in every photo”
  • One-Liner: “Capturing Your Family’s Warmth in Candid Moments with Natural Light Photography”

Here’s my one-liner as a photographer focusing primarily on providing SEO and marketing tips:

  • What I Do: “Provide SEO education and services for photographers”
  • Unique Aspect: “Full-time experience as Enterprise SEO Consultant”
  • Client Benefit: “Grow business and brand through SEO”
  • One-Liner: “Providing Enterprise-Level SEO Expertise to Accelerate Photography Business & Brand Growth.”

Consider applying this formula to create your own one-liner. Begin with the service or product you provide, and then ponder a unique advantage you hold over your competitors. If you’re struggling to identify a unique benefit, use the following suggestions to help you brainstorm:

  • Specialized Industry Knowledge
  • Professional Background
  • Personal Approach
  • Innovative Techniques
  • Comprehensive Services
  • Educational Component

3. Enhancing visibility: Leveraging website impact

The third key insight for my photography business, gleaned from my consulting experience, centers on the significance of being discoverable and harnessing the potential of a website. A guiding principle I’ve maintained throughout my SEO consultancy is this: “You can have the best product or service in the world, but if no one can find it, is it really the best?”

My Mantra
My Mantra

This statement emphasizes the critical role of discoverability in today’s digital-centric world. But how does one achieve this visibility? There are numerous avenues: social media, paid advertising, speaking engagements, referrals, radio, TV, billboards, and existing platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Pinterest, as well as through search engine optimization (SEO).

I firmly believe that for photographers, a website serves as our primary digital hub. It’s where we can showcase our portfolio, detail our pricing, establish a personal brand, provide contact information, display our offerings, and publish thought leadership content.

While social media and other platforms can be lucrative for photographers, it’s important to remember that these profiles are controlled by external companies. Policies can change, leading to potential shadow banning, algorithm shifts, or even account removal, which can erase your hard-earned presence. A personal website, on the other hand, is your independent space online.

The most effective way to drive traffic to your website is through SEO. Approximately 70% of online experiences start with a search engine. Despite the rise and fall of various platforms, search engines like Google and Bing remain dominant. That’s why large companies invest heavily in SEO.

SEO essentially involves ranking for specific keywords and optimizing your website to improve its chances of ranking for those terms.

Why should you care about keywords as a photographer? Consider this example: if you’re a portrait photographer in Manhattan ranking #1 on Google for “portrait photographer in Manhattan” with a search volume of 100 per month, and knowing the top spot typically garners about 30% of clicks, that translates to around 30 potential clients finding your site organically each month. And that’s just from one keyword. Imagine the impact of ranking for multiple keywords.

There’s a lot of complexity and misconceptions surrounding SEO for photographers, which we aim to unravel and simplify. For now, just know that if you have a photography website, prioritizing SEO is crucial to stay ahead of your competition. For specific questions or inquiries, feel free to contact me directly via email or get a Free Photography SEO Audit from me.

Conclusion

These are the three key business insights for photography I’ve gained from working with million-dollar companies. I trust you’ve found something useful in this guide. Should you have any queries or thoughts about these tips, please feel free to leave a comment below! Also, if you plan to implement any of these strategies in your own photography venture, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section!

Philadelphia native and Temple alumna Da’Vine Joy Randolph leading Oscar nomination predictions

By in Native

Philadelphia native and Temple alumna Da’Vine Joy Randolph leading Oscar nomination predictions

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Oscars predictions are hot right now as we await the official nominations in January.

At the top of the list is Da’Vine Joy Randolph, a Philadelphia native and Temple University alumna, for her role in “The Holdovers.”

“The support from my people at home means so much to me,” Randolph says.

From TV to film, Mt Airy’s Da’Vine Joy Randolph has been lighting up Hollywood.

Her latest role is cafeteria matron Mary Lamb in “The Holdovers,” a character with rough edges and a soft center.

“Something that I loved about this was that it’s complicated,” Randolph says. “It’s authentic.”

In the film, Mary’s son recently died in the Vietnam War. She stays back at the boarding school, cooking for the so-called holdovers stuck on campus during Christmas break.

“This could maybe be an anthem movie for people who are going through stuff and having different experiences on their holiday,” Randolph says. “It’s that idea that sometimes your chosen family can be closer to you than your blood relatives.”

Speaking of family, Da’Vine credits hers, and this city, for leading her to this career.

“At a young age, my parents saw something in me,” she explains. “They knew it was something around the arts and culture. I’m so grateful to Philadelphia, in particular, for having such amazing arts programs and institutions for children. It created and cultivated a space for me.”

When it comes to Oscar buzz, she’s humble.

“I’m just so overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude,” she says. “I never could have imagined this and how this is going. I owe a lot of that to Philadelphia. That is my foundation. It provided a space for me to grow as an artist.”

The film also stars Paul Giamatti as a cranky teacher.

“It’s a movie about people and empathy,” he says, “and what it means to have compassion. It’s really nice. It’s funny, too.”

Ocean City, New Jersey’s Dominic Sessa plays the one student spending Christmas at school. This is his film debut.

“I could not have asked for a better people to work with for this first experience,” Sessa says of his breakout role.

“The Holdovers” is in theaters now.

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