www.SovanskiPhoto.com - Your own private paparazzi!

Sovanski Photography is a Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Northeast Kansas and Kansas City wedding and portrait photographer. Jim Sovanski is a wedding photojournalism specialist providing creative and unique images for all types of celebrations and life events. Providing destination wedding and event coverage's regionally and nationally. Servicing Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska regionally and Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan and Kansas City locally.

Jim Sovanski, Master Photographer, PPA Certified, has owned Sovanski Photography for the last 15 years. A Missouri transplant to a better place, he's lived in Topeka nearly 20 years, with his wife Rita and step-daughter Breaunna. Sovanski Photography is a full service studio specializing in Kansas wedding photography, location portraiture and events. He also holds a Bachelor Of Journalism degree in Photojournalism from the University of Missouri.

Photographers gather for educational seminar
By ANN MARIE BUSH
The Capital-Journal

Photographers from Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma gathered in Topeka on April 16 to learn more about a growing trend in photography -- wedding photojournalism.

"Wedding photojournalism is really hot on the coasts but is still catching on in this area. Brides here are starting to look for this style because it's what the national magazines feature in their stories," said Jim Sovanski, owner of Sovanski Photography, 3642 S.W. Skyline Parkway. "This style (wedding photojournalism) is so different from the traditional style."

Wedding photojournalism uses a more hands-off approach to capturing photographs. Instead of posing wedding subjects, photographers stand back and document the wedding.

Sovanski taught "Wedding Photojournalism: Create Your Own Point of View" as part of the Professional Photographers of America's continuing education program for professional photographers. The program has several classes taught on "Super Mondays." The "Super Monday" classes are a one-day fund-raising event for PPA, a national organization for photographers. Professional photographers around the United States who belong to PPA can apply to become a "Super Monday" instructor.

Once a photographer is selected to be an instructor, he hosts seminars in his studio, with proceeds going to PPA educational projects. The one-day seminars or classes, which cost $99, focus on traditional photography, digital imaging, business and marketing skills.

Sovanski's one-day class took its participants through how to establish and market wedding photojournalism, what equipment and techniques to use and other relevant topics.

Six photographers took part in the class. Participants were David Leibson, of Mirror Image Photography in Shawnee Mission; Monte Mace, of Monte Mace Photography in Lawrence; Billy Van Pelt, of Van Pelt Photos in Lee's Summit, Mo.; Sarah Winston, of Overland Park; and DJ Correll and Mary Stingley, of Foster Wedding Photography in Norman, Okla.

The class began at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m.

Sovanski said the class was a positive experience.

"I really enjoyed the intellectual aspect of it," he said. "I've been wanting to do this for a while now. It (teaching wedding photojournalism) is just something I've wanted to share."

He also said he enjoyed learning from class participants and making new friends.

"I was expanding my horizons, too," he said. "Everybody was very excited. It turned out really well."

Class members discussed the pros and cons of photographing weddings.

"People want beautiful work but sometimes they don't allow you the time," Mace said.

Sovanski agreed but said he tries not to think about the negative aspects of shooting a wedding.

"I try not to think about the negative points," he said. "If you get the right personality, it's a great day to share. If you get the wrong personality, it's awful. The challenge I like about this is that I don't know what I'm going to have to deal with each time. It's a challenge."

Sovanski plans to teach another PPA class on wedding photojournalism in the summer.

Besides belonging to PPA since 1994, Sovanski also is involved with the Kansas Professional Photographers Association and the Topeka Professional Photographers Association.

Sovanski opened his business in 1992. He has won state awards for his wedding photography and holds a bachelor's degree in photojournalism. He also has taught adult education photography classes in Chillicothe, Mo.

For more information about Sovanski's upcoming class or TOPPA, call Sovanski at 273-0390. For more information about KPPA, visit the Web site at www.kppa.org. For more information about PPA, visit its Web site at www.ppa.com.

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About Jim Sovanski

Jim Sovanski is a degreed Photojournalist, BJ'74 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Professional Photographers of America Master Photographer. He also is a PPA Certified Photographer. Jim is the owner of Sovanski Photography and has operated in Topeka and northeast Kansas for the last 15 years.

About Sovanski Photography

Sovanski Photography's - Wedding Photojournalists offer the ultimate in Wedding Photojournalism, becoming "Your own private paparazzi!". Their coverage of your wedding day is complete and exhaustive. You'll feel like a star as we capture the memories of your day.

We also offer creative, on-location portraiture. Children, families, couples and pets all receive the unique Sovanski Photography treatment. Again, you'll feel and look like a star, as we capture this moment of your life.

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