Photostock 2010 - CANCELLED

[North Light Press]

Hello Everyone,

It is with sadness and apologies that I must announce that Photostock is cancelled for this year. I realize this will come as a shock as I was planning for it up through this weekend and looking forward to seeing everyone again. However, in looking over the logistics and the number of people coming weighed against my work and family obligations, the reality finally set-in that time will be better spent focusing on more important things at this time. Although there were a healthy number making deposits for workshops, there have been several drop-outs recently and indications are that the economy is playing a role. I think it is simply too much for the times here in Michigan.

As you read this, refunds for all registrations, deposits and workshop fees are being made or have already been made. I am very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and it is my hope that this cancellation is far enough in advance for people to make other arrangements with their time.

Again, I am very sorry to have to announce this and I do hope that in the future we can all give it another try in better times.

Thank you for your understanding.

All the Best,
Bill Schwab

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I'm very sorry that you're canceling Photostock 2010, Bill. But it seems like you are having an awful lot on your plate.

I am positive I speak for all of us when I say that I hope everything is all right, and that you will have all your priorities sorted and obligations taken care of. You are only human and one man, as capable as you are.

I'm thinking that Heidi and I will probably keep our reservation at the Birchwood Inn and travel over there anyway. It's a lovely area.

Have you canceled reservations at Birchwood also?

Thanks, and good luck!

- Thomas

 

[North Light Press]

All refunds have now been completed. Thank you!

@Thomas... I do hope you will have a great time during your stay! All is well and the Birchwood has been notified.

Bill

 

[Marek Warunkiewicz]

So sad about this news. Will miss seeing all those wonderfully crazy people with big hearts and even bigger camera collections. Hope next year is better.

 

[thebanana]

You didn't get into this to lose money, so that's just the way the cookie crumbles, as my Mom would say

 

[Toffle]

Bill, my friend...
Thank you.

Our best wishes to you.

 

[jamie young]

Well Bill - I'll be looking forward to 2011 then! It is a huge commitment. Maybe by next year I will have printed the photos from two years ago. Will miss seeing everyone though. If anyone is in the Central New York area this summer and wants to do some photo trips around let me know. Best, Jamie

 

[jmxphoto]

I'm really sorry to hear this. I always loved seeing everyone and their prints. It's not often so much talent is collected in such a small area. I'm sure you (Bill) did everything you could to make this a success. Hopefully there's room for hope on a 2011 PStock, economic weather permitting. I'm going to hold off on canceling my reservations for a week or two and if there's going a good number of photographers headed to the Birchwood anyways, I'll go for the last weekend too.

 

[SuzanneR]

That's a shame. I've always wanted to come, but June never seems to work. As others have said, family and work obligations must be your first priority. Organizing what seems to have been a very successful event in the past, I'm sure, has taken it's toll, and if keeping it going when it's becoming harder for people to come doesn't make sense for you, then canceling is better than finding yourself in a frustrating (and perhaps costly) situation. Maybe it's best to plan for it every other year, anyway? Don't know, but if you think about it for next year, perhaps it will be June I can make it!! If not, I hope our paths will cross at some other photo party, Bill.

Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[bsdunek]

Sorry to hear this, Bill. I was going to make it this year. I do understand about other commitments, time constraints and economic conditions. Hope this can continue when things are better. Best of luck with your endeavors, and we'll keep you in our prayers.

 

[keithwms]

Sorry this happened, Bill. Better times ahead.

 

[Andrew Moxom]

Wow, It's such a shame that this happened, but I understand your famly and other priorities come first Bill. I hope that things work out for next year instead. I did see the paypal refund for the wet plate workshop. Maybe next time... Hope things are okay.

Andy

 

[Gim]

Bill, thanks for the great memories and friendships made. If not this year...maybe later. I will stay optimistic for the future memories.

The best to you and your family.
Jim

 

[Mark Fisher]

It is a ton of work to pull something like this off. I can certainly respect and understand why it might be cancelled especially if workshop registrations were trailing off. I hope all is well otherwise. It was a great time last year. Perhaps we can figure out something else in the Midwest a bit less formally.....perhaps somewhere in Wisconsin? da UP?

 

[Travis Nunn]

Wow! Sorry to hear this. I had such a great time last year I was hoping to get up there again this year. Thanks so much for all your efforts Bill!

 

[eclarke]

Too bad, I probably jinxed it by signing up! I hope it can be done again in the future and Bill desrves much respect for having done it in the past...Evan Clarke

 

[mjs]

I hope the year works out well for you, Bill. I'm disappointed but can't say that I'm shocked: this has really gotten to be a complex production and I knew that it had to be siphoning time and energy from somewhere. Perhaps you need to consider either scaling it back, or gathering a team to put it together. Looking forward to 2011 already!

Mike

 

[Mike Wilde]

Bill, it sounds like you too are caught in the middle age squeeze.

I am there, and it becomes bearable, but I do look forward to the day when I can devote more time to my passion, photography.

I have my kids demanding more of my time, my mom slowly becoming less independent, and more work responsibilities.

I had Photostock time blocked off in my calendar until last week, when I learned that I am committed to a 5 saturdays training course for new professional credential I am to attain for work that consumes all the Saturdays in June.

Thank you for thinking clearly, and seeing that this years Photstock was going to be a bigger stressor than was warranted, and pulling the plug in a timely manner.

Sometimes a step back clarifies the whole situation for everyone.

All the best to you. Channel your present day life energy to the best result for you and those close to you. When you look back on it later, it will not be thought of as time wasted.

 

[Marc Akemann]

It's a bummer not having Photostock 2010, but, knowing that you made this decision for your family is admirable, Bill. Organizing a photography event like this, which was getting bigger every year, probably took you away from not only your family but also, ironically, from photography. Personal photography, anyway. Well, thanks for all you've done with the previous Photostock events. They were a blast and I got to meet some really cool APUGers.

In the end, I'm going up to the Harbor Springs area at the end of June anyway and then Blissfest in early July. Thomas, maybe Coleen and I will see you and Heidi. I'll pm you.

Marc

 

[Mayfair710]

bill, although i am disappointed in the cancellation of this year's photostock, i can completely understand and relate to the need to put time and energy into family matters. we all know that family comes first and foremost. i have no doubt you feel a sense of relief having now made the decision and can concentrate on home and work and whatever else requires your attention. i will miss the gathering of friends but have not cancelled my reservations at the birchwood inn yet. i think i could probably use a few days away from MY home responsibilities by june's end so for now, i will keep my room there and see what happens. i am breathing a sigh of relief too bill for reasons only you can understand! thanks for all your efforts bill and perhaps, we will all gather again next summer...

~~marianne

 

[North Light Press]

Wow... I can't thank you all enough for your understanding and well wishes. Yes, it was a very hard decision to make as I love seeing everyone. I will miss that a great deal, but I feel I have made the best decision for the times.

I am by no means scrapping the idea of the gathering and will work toward next year with hopes there is a turnaround.

Thank you again everyone!!!

Bill

PS. You can relax until next year Marianne!

 

[Mayfair710]

i am!

 

[wildbill]

Damn Bill, that's a bummer. Hope all is well.
I'll be in the village during that time (shooting guns, fishing, taking pics, eating whitefish) if anyone wants to hang out.

 

[deisenlord]

shooting guns, fishing, taking pics, eating whitefish

That sounds like a good plan, some of the best duck hunting and fishing I've done have been up there.

 

[Andrew Moxom]

Damn Bill, that's a bummer. Hope all is well.
I'll be in the village during that time (shooting guns, fishing, taking pics, eating whitefish) if anyone wants to hang out.

I was planning on bringing my .308 target gun too Vinny..... Maybe next year!