Spread the love, join a PUG. Pictage User Groups are designed to facilitate communication and education among professional photographers on a regional level around the nation. There are over 55 PUGs located across the United States and in Canada. PUG meetings are open to both Pictage and non-Pictage members and are a great resource for professional photographers to network and grow.
In our attempt to get photographers connected to local PUGs, we are featuring Pictage User Group Spotlights. In each spotlight post we will get to know the PUG through the PUG leader.
We would like you to meet Megan Clouse of Megan Clouse Photography, Pictage User Group (PUG) leader in Sonoma and Napa. In the interview shown below, hear from Megan herself, what she loves about being a photographer and what her plans are for the Sonoma/Napa PUG.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a little bit of everything; a camera-toting, big smile kind of photographer, who is a wife of 10 years, a stepmom to a football player and a musician, and an avid follower of “Say Yes to the Dress” because I can’t get enough of weddings! I view the world in my own unique way, usually from a bit of a distance with my zoom lens. One of my signature shots is capturing the quiet romance of a couple walking away from me.
What is your favorite part about being a photographer?
There are many wonderful aspects of being a photographer, but I’d say my top two answers are, (a) I love capturing the emotion in the moment and (b) It completely warms my heart to know that an image of mine will be framed and treasured for generations.
How long have you been attending PUG meetings?
My professional career began in the year 2000 and when I returned back to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2002 I began attending a local PUG and I found it to be instrumental to my growth! That PUG group eventually took a hiatus, but a few core of us kept in touch for fun, support and referrals and those friendships have been tremendous.
What are your plans for the Napa PUG?
With 2010 in full swing and a renewed energy for ticking off those New Year’s resolutions, I decided to restart the Sonoma PUG with an addition of Napa. We’re like cousins that live just a mountain range apart, and we both go by Wine Country so it was a natural fit to create a dual county PUG.
After our first PUG in January, I’m excited about the coming months because we have such a large pool of talented and interesting photographers who are fun and willing to share! Here are a few topics that are on this year’s agenda: Off-camera light for on-location portraits, breaking into the world of stock photography, the value of social media, and a live model shoot.
Why should people attend your PUG?
I’ve always seen my photographer relationships as peers, not competitors, and that has helped all of us to grow, so it’s my hope that the other PUG participants will experience the same.
If you’re ever in the Sonoma/Napa area you’re always welcome to come by our group (second Monday of each month) to say hello, and we might even have a glass of wine waiting for you!
Thank you Megan for taking time to share your PUG with us. For more information on the Sonoma/Napa PUG visit sonomanapapug.wordpress.com.