A big shout out to Canon for their support of the photojournalism community in Illinois!

Canon has donated a 40D kit (body with EF 25-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS lens) to be donated to the winner of the IPPA Monthly Clip Contest winner. Fred Zwicky, of the Peoria Journal Star, was the winner of the contest and accepts the camera with a huge smile. Thanks Canon!

Canon also sponsored our IPPA/WNPA convention, underwriting one of the breaks. Canon also gave us a Canon 9900i PIXMA Inkjet Printer and supplies to make prints for the upcoming iBOP Gallery Show. Details on the showcase of winning photos will be announced later. Canon also donated a camera bag, which will go to a yet-to-be-determined contest winner.

Thanks to Ed Meyers <emeyers at cusa.canon.com> for showing their goodies Saturday. Contact him (Chicago area) or Brian Matsumoto <bmatsumoto at cusa.canon.com> (downstate) for more from Canon.

Do you photograph weddings? Whether it’s a few or a bunch, come to the Illinois Press Photographers Association’s wedding photo night Sunday April 19th.

Photojournalism-style wedding photography is very popular, and many of our fellow photojournalists have shared their talents with brides and grooms. Bring in your stories, share your ideas, save others from pitfalls, tell tales of the dark side (business/accounting/etc) and teach about new techniques or approaches. Steve Warmowski / WarmowskiPhotography.com will give a report of the Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois convention in Decatur he attended.

Let’s all improve our skills together! We’ll provide snacks. You just need to bring in some of your best pictures from the last year to share with the crowd.

The day starts at 2 p.m., and is hosted by Joel Lerner and Karen Kring at their home, 4953 W. Oakton Street, #304 in Skokie. Events will be held in the building’s common room. RSVP to joel@joellerner.com.