Sony pro support program comes to the USA; Artisans program expanded to 30 photographers

 

 

Last spring, we told readers about a new support program launched by Sony in Japan, and aimed at professional photographers shooting with the company's Alpha cameras. If you're an Alpha-mount pro in the US market, we have good news for you today -- a similar scheme has just launched in the US market.

Effective immediately, active professionals (be they self-employed or part of a professional imaging business) who own at least two Alpha-mount full-frame bodies and three Zeiss or Sony G-branded lenses will be able to apply to join the Sony PRO Support Service program in the United States. For an annual fee of US$100, they'll gain access to expedited repairs, dedicated phone support, free camera maintenance, and discounts on out-of-warranty repair. Pros signed up for the program will also be able to borrow loaner equipment for evaluation or during repair of their gear, and they won't pay any out-of-pocket shipping expenses.

That's huge news for working pros, but it's not the only announcement from Sony today. The company has also announced a significant expansion of its Artisans of Imagery program, which gathers together nine talented pros to promote Sony's Alpha cameras and show just what can be achieved using them. Among the original nine Artisans in the program - -who already form a pretty diverse group -- are a Pulitzer Prize-winner and a photographer with National Geographic. Now, they're joined by another 21 photographers whom Sony is referring to as the Associate Artisans. These include photographers from all walks of life, with award-winning singer-songwriter Ben Folds, Sports Illustrated photographer Patrick Murphy-Racey, Magnum Photos photographer Eli Reed, and Google Global Photo Evangelist Brian Matiash among their number.

Courtesy of Sony, a full list of the new Associate Artisans and a brief biography for each follows below:

• Ben Folds – Passionate photography enthusiast and multi-platinum selling recording artist and composer.  www.benfoldsphotography.com

• Benjamin Lowy – Award-winning photojournalist and street photographer. www.lowyimages.com

• Bob Krist – Award-winning Travel photographer/videographer for National Geographic, author of four photography books and a monthly travel column for Outdoor Photographer.  www.bobkrist.com

• Brian Matiash – Portland-based landscape and travel photographer, lover of social media and author of the new book “Moving to Mirrorless”.  By day, he serves as Google’s Global Photo Evangelist www.brianmatiash.com

• Caroline Jensen – Fine art, family photographer and Clickin Mom mentor and instructor.  www.carolinejensen.com 

• Colby Brown – Photographer, photo educator and author based out of Denver, Colorado.  Specializes in landscape, travel and humanitarian photography, former National Geographic instructor and founder of The Giving Lens.  www.colbybrownphotography.com 

• Chris Burkard – Self-taught photographer focused on surf, outdoor, lifestyle and travel subjects.  Currently on staff at Surf Magazine.  www.ChrisBurkard.com

• Christopher Lynch – Self-taught professional commercial photographer focused on character driven and surreal concepts for high-profile advertising campaigns.  Recently awarded an Artists Residency by The Museum of Arts and Design in New York City for his series “The Newfounds.” www.misterlynch.com

• Dennis Biela - Commercial Photographer with a focus on aviation and space.  Dennis was able to document the end of NASA’s space shuttle program from 2010 to 2012 and created http://www.thelastshuttle.com.  www.DBiela.com 

• Eli Reed – Clinical Professor of Photojournalism at the University of Texas and has been with the elite Magnum Photos since 1983. A Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, he has worked on assignment for national and international publications covering world news events since 1982 www.magnumphotos.com/EliReed

• Gabe Rogel – Adventure sports photographer and filmmaker, focused on climbing, skiing and mountain biking.  Regular contributor to Outside Magazine and Ski Magazine, with previous commercial partners include Patagonia, North Face and Ski-Doo. www.rogelmedia.com

• Joe Brady – Photographer, educator, author, workshop leader and studio owner who has been teaching photography and photo editing for over twenty years.  www.joebradyphotography.com

• Katrin Eismann - Artist, author and educator specializing in creative and conceptual photography. Chair of the Masters in Digital Photography department at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame. www.katrineismann.com 

• Michael Britt – created workflow guide that shipped with Adobe Lightroom 1.0, held the first conference about DSLR Video and co-wrote a corresponding book for collegiate photo departments released in 9 different countries and translated into 7 languages.  www.michaelbrittphoto.com

• Nino Rakichevich – Fashion/advertising and fine art photographer who has won over 40 national and international photography awards.  Fashion and celebrity portraiture teacher at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.  www.ninophotography.com

• Patrick Murphy-Racey – Covered hundreds of photography assignments for Sports Illustrated with four covers credited to his name.  Author of two photography books to date with one in process, currently working with corporate / editorial clients and teaching lighting and video production at various workshops.  www.pmrphoto.com

• Paul Gero – Current wedding and family portrait photographer with almost two decades experience and published work in international magazines featuring celebrities, professional athletes, U.S. Presidents and even European royalty. Author of the book “Digital Wedding Photography” www.paulfgero.com

• Scott Robert Lim – Author, designer, international speaker and award winning photographer with over 70 international awards including the 2009 Kodak Award and Shutter Magazine's 2014 Top 10 Most Influential.  www.scottrobertgallery.com

• Thibault Roland – International Award-Winning Fine Art photographer specializing in long exposure photography for landscape and architecture. www.thibaultroland.com

• Tony Gale – NYC-based, award-winning, portrait/lifestyle and commercial photographer, and Current chair of the New York chapter of APA (American Photographic Artists). Teaching credentials include Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons the New School for Design. www.tonygale.com

• Zabrina Deng – International award winning wedding & portrait photographer, named as one of the Top 50 World's Best Destination Wedding Photographer for 2014 by Junebug Weddings and “30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography in America 2013” by Rangefinder Magazine. www.jezaphoto.com

​To learn more about Sony's Artisans of Imagery, click here. More information about the Sony PRO Support service program can be found here.