 Laura Moul
PPA Certified, Master Photographer Milton, West Virginia
Craftsman Photographer
About the Artist
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003 and 2008. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001. On January 17, 2012, Laura was awarded the Craftsman Photographer degree from PPA.She is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, Oh, and KY., and is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Women Artists Emma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continutes to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering is commissioned work for home decor.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta,Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
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More images are available than in my present galleries. I have more West Virginia landscapes, more animals including lots of butterflies, and more other artwork including collages. I love to help businesses or homeowners with their decorating needs! I can bring samples to your location (if within 50 miles of Milton --additional locations at a nominal charge-- or send samples via email). Whatever vision you have for your new walls I will try to fulfill. If I haven't captured what you want, I'll even search for your request. Customization of your needs is my goal! I will work with you to enlarge images to fit your walls and even custom frame your new artwork. My contact information is on the bottom left. I look forward to working with you.
Latest Exhibits JANUARY to JUNE 2012
TAMARACK The Best of West Virginia Wildflower Show--see 3-5 of Laura's wildflower series from her time as resident photographer at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Show lasts until June 9th. Beckley, WV
WV Cultural Center Historical Portraits of West Virginia, last of the 5 juriedexhibitions in the Commissioner's Gallery, Both of Laura's metallic photographs were accepted "Basketball Legacy--Jerry West" and "Legacy of Service, Robert C. Byrd". Show is available for public view until August 26th, 2012. Laura's work has been selected in each of the 5 juried shows since the gallery's opening
The Upstairs Gallery in Ashland. now has Laura's metallic photographic favorites: Mabry Mill (VA), Entry Arch from FL, Caribbean Light from Puerto Rico, Caribbean Courtyand and from St. Maartan, Cass Railroad (WV), Greenbrier Summer (WV), Heartland (OH)
The Renaissance Gallery has spring blooms, summer scenes from WV, and butterflies. This gallery is open from noon to 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 1-4 pm on Sundays. Laura also has metallic matted images, photo notecards, and Blenko glass paperweights available for sale.
Laura has changed out her inventory, both metallic framed and matted photographs at the WVHighlands Artisan Gallery in Davis WV. This popular gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the gallery is open every day.
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RETAIL LOCATIONS Art Emporium and West Virginia Cultural Center Museum Store, Charleston, WV; Classic Antiques, Huntington, WV; Red Caboose Gift Shop at the Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau Huntington, WV; Heritage Arts Station --MiAppa Artisan Place, Huntington, WV ; Historic Central Storage Gift Shoppes; Clarksburg,WV : Huntington Museum of Art Gift Shop, WV; Tamarack-Best of West Virginia, Beckley; The Upstairs Gallery, Ashland, KY; Wheeling Artisan Center, WV; WVHighlands Artisan Gallery, Davis, WV. In 2010 additions of Main Street Gallery in Buckhannon, Ben's Old Loom Barn, Canaan Trading Co. in Canaan Valley and Cynthia Bickley Gallery at Beckley Art Group. 2011: Renaissance Art Gallery in Huntington, WV.
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WHOLESALE
Blenko Glass, Milton, WV - Visitor Center;
Scenes of West Virginia, Parkersburg, WV notepads etc;
Tamarack--The Best of West Virginia for photo notecards and photo paperweights
NEW!! West Virginia Marketplace Capital Market-Charleston WV Matted metallic photographs, photo notecards, photo paperweights, postcards, etc. Richard's Hallmark Shop on 4th Avenue in downtown Huntington--postcards.
COMMISSIONED WORK
Laura is now associated with eMedTechnologies & Billing LLC in Hurricane WV, providing medical practices with custom office decor to meet their decorating needs. To find out more about eMed, see www.emedtechnologies.com .
CUSTOMERS SPECIAL ORDERS Feel free to call Laura and she will help decorate your home. Consultations are free. Just look at images on this site - by viewing albums above or let her know what landscapes or wildlife image you are interested in. Not all images are on this site, especially the most recent ones. Contact her by email or phone. She can email small image files for you to consider or even bring a portfolio of choices to your home and help you with your selections. Custom orders are greatly appreciated too. She can help with Christmas gifts as well.
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Latest Workshop and Other News!!
Laura is sharing her knowledge of photography in Charleston, Hurricane, Beckley, and Huntington, West Virginia, as well as Ashland, Kentucky.
Digital Photography Class Laura Moul, Certified Professional Photographer/Master Photographer, will offer a digital photography class for beginners on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Hobby Lobby- Barboursville near the Huntington Mall. Pre-registration is required. Participants can bring their point and shoot cameras or SLR cameras and receive hands-on training on how to take photographs, what ones to save or edit, and ways to archive or organize them after images are shot. Laura reviews basic photography concepts and provides reference materials to help each student. A maximum of eight to ten students can enroll in each class. Each part is $25 with reference materials included.
More classes will be scheduled beginning again in September 2012.
NEW CLASS SCHEDULE FOR Fall 2012
Part 1 Students should bring their cameras, manuals, charged batteries and fresh memory cards with them. In this class Laura review how to take photographs, which photos to save/edit, and discusses ways to organize them.
Part 2 concentrates on more hands-on practice and transferring digital files to computer. Basic editing photo software will also be reviewed. This includes discussions/demonstrations of Picasa and Photoshop.
Part 3 reviews the first 2 parts and provides more in-depth instruction and practice especially with settings on students' cameras.
Laura is proud to announce her association with Putnam County Parks & Recreation in Hurricane. Her popular beginning digital photography classes will again be offered in September beginning Tuesday, Sept 4th from 5;30 to 7:30 pm. Please call 304-563-0518 ext 10 to pre-register or call Laura at 304-743-8281.
JUNE 2012
Beginning Digital Photo Workshop Beckley Art Group--Cynthia Bickley Gallery,Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, 9:30 am-3:00 pm. at the Cynthia Bickley Gallery of the Beckley Art Group. Please bring a sack lunch. This workshop combined Laura's Part 1, 2, and 3 classes (see above). We review basic photography techniques, examining our cameras, etc. Pre-registration is required for all classes. Contact Laura directly or the Beckley Art Group. Please contact Laura to register. (304) 743-8281. Besides all day instruction and practice, students receive an extensive reference folder of information. Please note: This workshop has been postponed until fall, due to scheduling conflicts.
Speaking: Laura is available for speaking to local groups on a variety of topics such as "Travel Photography", "Introduction to Digitial Photography" "Canaan Wildlife Refuge Experience" etc. Feel free to call her at 304-743-8281 to arrange her to speak. Often, community groups will need speakers so Laura would be happy to do this at no charge for nonprofit organizations).
Laura was invited to speak to the Teays Valley Newcomers & Neighbors Group on Wednesday, April 11 at 11 am at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Laura shared digital photography tips, home decor commissions, travel photo ideas, etc. About 34 were in attendance and seemed to enjoy her program. This active group impressed Laura with all of their community activities!
Laura spoke on Wednesday, Feb 15th at The Commons at the Putnam County Park in Hurricane (previously known as The Museum in the Community) from 6:00-8:00 pm. She shared "Travel Photography Tips". This special event is sponsored by Living Social and Putnam County Parks. Laura is honored to have been contacted to set up this program. Call Laura at 304-743-8281.
Laura is delighted to present programs to non-profit groups within the Charleston to Huntington, WV, area.
Professional Photographers of America invited Laura to do a national webinar on helping portrait photographers transition into the fine art market., Transitioning into the Fine Art Market October 11, 2011 @ 2:00pm $39 for PPA Members With Laura Moul, M.Photog., CPP Over 42 people attended with 12 registering specifically for this webinar. The other 30 had online learning passes. This is archived and available for anyone who wishes to learn something about marketing. Go to ppa.com for more information about this webinar.
Looking for a way to create additional streams of income? Join Laura and learn how you can do just that by expanding your portrait photography skills in new areas…like fine art. She’ll keep your creative juices flowing as she explains the entry steps into the fine art market and ideas for adding a fine art gallery to your studio. Her marketing ideas will help also help ease you into the transition, guided along by her proven steps in the transition process. For example, you’ll learn about the following: Developing products; Determining placement in stores and galleries; Networking with art professionals; Surviving art shows/exhibitions;Gaining knowledge about fine art photography can help you avoid the pitfalls and expense of "diving" into this new area. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, come learn to do it right! http://www.ppa.com/education-events/webinars/transition_fineart.php
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My photography blog and Other Photo News
I add blogs as often as I can. After about 100 postings, I took a break from this. Lots of information for beginning and intermediate photographers can be found, along with information on competitions, workshops, wildflower walks, online albums and classes etc. Keep checking for new topics. Any suggestions from readers of this website would be appreciated. Just email me.
New Blog for Summer 2010
Blue Ridge Country Magazine asked me to share my experiences as featured resident photographer for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in May. These projects take time so be patient and please keep checking back. http://www.blueridgecountry.com/blogs/canaan-valley-refuge-photographer.html Enjoy! The second post was added on June 13th http://blueridgecountry.com/blogs/canaan-valley-photography.html Third post was addd June 26th http://www.blueridgecountry.com/blogs/photographer-resident-canaan.html. Cara Modisett has been the editor helping me.
Newspaper Articles in 2010
A local newspaper worked with me to do a first-person account of my experience in May. The Huntington Herald Dispatch had a feature article about my Month in Canaan published Sunday, June 20th. There are photos in the paper, as some online too. It has been interesting to edit my story with Dave Lavender's wonderful help.
I added a post to my blog about my writing experiences http://www.innovativephotopro.com/2010/06/25/getting-published-canaan-valley-story.html
The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram interviewed me for "Discoving a Talent for Art" a story published Sunday, July 11, 2010. I am a native of Salem, which is 14 miles west of Clarksburg. I couldn't find the link (sorry), Thanks to a great writer Lifestyle Editor Julie Perine, who interviewed me by phone. Special thanks to Connie Poe of Historic Central Storage & Gift Shoppes for giving Julie my name.
In PPA Today email newsletter in September 2010, Super Monday Photo Workshops were featured including... The Fine Art of Marketing Fine Art Photography "Laura Moul, M.Photog. CPP, of Milton WV, knows all about the challenges of marketing fine art photography. A professional photographer since 1991, Moul is now a specialist in fine art landscape and nature photography because she loves the beauty of nature and the feeling of "capturing a moment in time". Even more impressive than her creative talents are Moul's business skills for they have allowed her to creat a thriving business based on her fine art images....even in a slow economy where people aren't buying as much artwork." See www.ppa.com under education-Super Monday for more information and registration.
On Monday, October 4, 2010, the Huntington Herald Dispatch ran an article I submitted on my upcoming beginning digital photography classes at Hobby Lobby near the Huntinton mall. I discovered people do read the paper when the phone started running at 7:30 am that morning! The Ashland Daily Independent printed an announcement of my digital photography class at Hobby Lobby on October 18th.
Newspaper Articles 2011 (and TV)
Laura has been mentioned in the Huntington Herald Dispatch for her continuing digital photography classes at Hobby Lobby in Barboursville. The Charleston Gazette listed the chosen exhibitors for the WV Cultural Center's Historic Buildings & Structures show, which included Laura. She also had a short article about her solo exhibit in Jackson, Ohio at the Markay Cultural Arts Center on Feb. 13th under Art Notes. The Telegram, the newspaper that serves Jackson & Vinton Counties has also had 3 articles in February, announcing Laura's solo exhibit, inviting the community to the opening reception, and an interview and photos of the reception on February 18th. Laura's photos were also featured in this paper!. At the end of February, Laura was mentioned in upcoming activities by Dave Lavender on WSAZ-TV, for her exhibit at the Markay. In May, several articles about Laura's Fine Art Marketing class were published in Huntington's Herald Dispatch. WOWK-TV even came to the class on May 16th showing Laura and her students at the Cabell Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Beth Hendricks wrote a wonderful feature article "Composing a Dream--Local photographer pursues passion, helps others" that was a "Faces of the Tri-State" feature in Huntington's Herald Dispatch Newspaper on Tues. July 26, 2011. The article included a photo shoot and interview and resulted in 3 large published images, as well as nice quotes. It was a great honor to be featured.
Website Additions
I am now a member of Artful WV. Check out the website www.artfulwv.com. This site connects WV arts and design communities. Lots of great information on exhibits here as well as a gallery of photos. Another website Laura has been invited to is www.americasbesthandmadegifts.com from Atlanta, Georgia.
Internet Honor
Laura is excited to announce that at www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/becoming-a-professional-photographer that she is listed under "5 Master Photographers that Offer Landscape Photography Courses". It is special to be listed #1 with names such as Tim Wolcott, Frans Lanting, Jason Friend, and Simon Parsons.
Tamarck Advisory Board
Laura was elected to the At-Large #1 Member of the Tamarack Artisian Advisor Board (a 2 yr term) in July 2011. Only 11 producing artisans are on this board. She represents paper/notecards, bath & body, and candles.
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Juried Art (& Craft) Shows in 2011 Lots of awards and sales..........2011 was a great year.
2012 Schedule (subject to change)
Vandalia Gathering at West Virginia State Capitol Thanks for stopping my booth with lot of new work, in 2011. Hope to see you Memorial Day weekend in 2012, May 26th and 27th. 10am to 6 pm, Event will be on the north side of the capital complex.
Art in the Park Tri State Arts Association - Ritter Park in Huntington WV. In 2012 this event will be held May 19th and 20th. Event is near 8th Street and 13th Avenue.
Mountain State Art & Craft Fair Cedar Lakes Laura has successfully juried into this significant show for 2012. Dates this year will be July 5, 6, and 7. Laura will be exhibiting on Saturday, July 7th from 9 am to 7 pm in a Tamarack tent she will be sharing with Leona Mackey (a great glass artist and jeweler). She also will be taking photos and processing them 'instantly' into fair memories for families and children.
River Arts Holiday Show Unitarian Universalist Church in Charleston. This show is a favorite of Laura's--it is inside out of the weather and the church is very supportive! This show is usually the first weekend in December. On Friday evening, customers and all the artists are treated to special snacks during a reception and art preview. On Saturday customers can enjoy the diversity of River Arts Artists and a wonderful homemade lunch.
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Class Announcements
My beginning digital photography classes continue to be popular! These 3 session classes will help individuals to utilize their point & shoot cameras or SLRs both effectively and efficiently via personalized instruction and hands-on practice. For more information please look in the left column on this website. Personalized instruction is also available for individuals or small groups.
Monday, September 10th classes began at the Hobby Lobby in Barboursville WV from 5:30-7:30 pm. Pre-registration required by calling 304-743-8281, or emailing Laura at lauramoul@aol.com Classes will resume in September.
Tuesday, September 4th classes begin at The Commons (previously known as The Museum in the Community) across from the wavepool at Putnam Co. Parks & Recreation in Hurricane. Contact the park at 304-562-0518 extension 10, to preregister. Limited spaces available. Class time is 5:30-7:30 pm in the facility's classroom.
Charleston classes will also start in September. As more information becomes available, check back at this website for updates.
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY SEMINAR
Learn tips from Laura about taking your camera with you on vacation and 'capturing moments in time'. This seminar was held the The Commons in Putnam Co. Park on Wednesday, February 15th from 6-8 pm. There was a good response to this type of seminar, so there is a possibility of repeating this in the future. For any individuals who registered and paid through Group On for a voucher, Laura will extend the expiration date until fall. The seminar will be scheduled and updated here. Group On did not furnish emails for those who did not attend on February 15th, so please contact her via email or by telephone, see contact information below.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Laura's all day photo workshop combines all 3 sessions of her beginning digital photo class. The Beckley Arts Center proudly will be sponsoring this on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. To register contact Laura. This workshop has been postponed until fall 2012.
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2012 Publicity Laura was featured in an article in Huntington WV's Herald Dispatch in the business section Feb. 12, 2012, recognizing her for the accomplishment completing the degree of Photographic Craftsman. This was for her contributions to the profession of photography through continuing education, and the sharing of knowledge with fellow photographers to promote excellence in imagery and business practices.
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Travel Agent/Host Laura will be able to help with all your travel needs, in the near future.
CAMERAS FOR BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Point & Shoot Canon makes some great powershot or ELPH small cameras that fit in a pocket or purse. Nikon's coolpix ones work well too, get the highest megapixel you can afford and at least have a zoom on it.. Image stablization is important, might be called vibration reduction. If you can find one with a viewfinder, get it. Check out Best Buy.....you can get a decent point & shoot camera for around $200.
SLR Look for a decent camera body with a short zoom lens. Again, make sure the lens is IS (Canon) or VR (Nikon). I am always looking and comparing ads. A 12 megapixel camera will work for serious amateurs. Some stores are actually bundling a longer zoom lens with the basic 'kit'. I've seen prices ranging from $500 with camera body/short zoom to a bundle that also includes a longer lens $660. The more megapixels the more expensive the entry level kits will be.
Since I teach begining photo classes in Barboursville, Hurricane, Charleston, and Beckley, I've seen lots of cameras. If a person wants to get into photography more seriously, then classes can be helpful. Just use your point and shoot camera to take the class and see what others have in the class with SLRs. Some camera equipment can be heavy too--you can get others opinions. My classes are for both point & shooters and SLR owners.
Just a couple of ideas --- call me if you have questions, see contact number below.
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