Go Wild! Benefit Auction & Reception for Carolina Raptor Center

[tholcomb]

I was wondering if any members participated in Photo Wild at the Carolina Raptor Center. If so, are you attending the Go Wild! Benefit Auction & Reception? Since I am new to CNPA & thus far unable to attend any of the outings, it would be nice to meet a fellow CNPA member in person.

All my best, Tonya H. Holcomb

[epayne]

Hi Tonya,
I was planning to go until I found out that this year the Carolina Raptor Center is charging participating photographers an additional $ 50.00 for a guest to attend the reception with them. In all years past the photographers have been able to have a guest attend for no additional cost.

I consider that if I have to pay $ 90.00 to shoot for the event and pay to print and frame a print to donate for their auction, another $ 50.00 to $ 90.00, I could not afford another $ 50.00 for a friend to attend. It seems that every year they attempt to squeeze more and more out of the participants who without their input the event would not exist.

When I first attended you did not even have to donate a print to attend the auction / Go Wild Gala with a friend. As a participating photographer you and a guest were welcome at no additional charge.

I agree the CRC is a worthwhile organization, I have been a member for the past several years, but charging $ 50.00 additional for a guest of the photographers who make the event possible was the final straw.

I have been a supporter OF CRC for the past 6 years and wish them well, but I will not be attending or participating in the future due to their policy changes over the years. Should they change their present policy I will reconsider and likely continue to participate as I do enjoy the opportunity to get close to the birds and meet other photographers at the event. It was in fact where I first learned of the CNPA organization just over 4 years ago.

It should be a good event as they always have excellent food and beverages. There should be other CNPA members there, just not me for the above reasons.

Have a wonderful time.
Edgar Payne

[pstubbs]

I agree with Edgar. Several of us photographers have donated a lot of our time and money to support the CRC Photo Wild through out the years.

There were at one time well over 100 pieces of framed work donated. I am finding out that this is year there is only about 75 pieces that are going to be displayed.

Although I am going only because I have already made a commitment, I will probably not attend another Photo Wild event until they change their policy.

It's a fun time and I always enjoyed meeting the other photographers and seeing their work.

[debra.dandro]

Hello! I have participated in the Photo Wild! event at the Carolina Raptor Center for many, many years now. In addition to being a participant, I also volunteer at the Center. This is a tough year for them with the economy, as it is for all non-profits, as well as all individuals, so I do understand the thought process behind the extra fee for this event: raising funds for the Center. However, I also understand where the photographers are coming from, as I am one myself, and expenses can build up quickly with printing and framing.

I just wanted to let everyone know that all the feedback that has been provided to me thus far has been forwarded on to the folks at the Center. My hope is that it will all be reviewed and influence next year's event. My simple plea, please don't make any decisions for the future until you see how things evolve / playout for next year. I support them because of my love of raptors and all animals and the great need for environmental education and conservation. If you participated and have additional feedback, please feel free to pass it along to me and I will put it in their hands. Thank you for your time and consideration. -DJGD

[tholcomb]

This year was my 1st time participating in PhotoWild. By the time that I paid for PhotoWild and then the printing and framing of images, I spent $250. It clearly states on the website that 2 complimentary tickets will be given to the photographer who donates prints. Now, with the $50 ticket, I have donated $300. Since I am not a professional photographer and the expense is coming out of my pocket, I do not think I will be participating in the future. However, I love wildlife and hope the donation that I have made this year will help the center.

[epayne]

I do see now on their website that it states that two complimentary tickets will be given to photographers who donate prints. The literature they passed out during the shoot, day of event was to the contrary, and I called and spoke with the center on the phone and they advised me that only the photographer was allowed if donating a print. Further they advised the $ 50.00 was a greatly reduced rate for the photographer's guest as tickets at the door were $ 110.00. The way they cannot seem to get their information in sync is frustrating. I based my decision on the information received over the phone from an official at the CRC. I hope they have a good event and raise lots of money for the center. I have enjoyed their fundraisers in the past but I believe they are pricing themselves out of many of our budgets.
Edgar Payne

[tholcomb]

Edgar, I agree that CRC is pricing themselves out of the market! I tried telling some co-workers and friends who also love animals about the event. However, people are not willing to pay that much for a ticket.

[debra.dandro]

As promised, I will pass these additional details and comments along to the Staff at the Center. Thank you for expressing your thoughts and concerns. -DJGD

[pstubbs]

I went to the Go Wild Event Saturday night.
Without going into alot of details, I found it very disappointing.
They should of kept it at the Woodstone Gallery in Davidson.
Not once did they mention and thank all us photographers who participated, spent time and their own hard earned money and donated their work for this event. Without us, there would be no Go Wild Event.
I have been doing this four years now..
I believe this will be my last one.

[tholcomb]

I went to the Go Wild Event. I actually mentioned to my husband that they never thanked the photographers. Also, one of my images sold and the other did not. A lot of images sold at the minimum price and many did not sell at all.

[debra.dandro]

I hope to connect with some of the CRC folks this week and will be passing along the feedback. Thank you all for keeping me informed.

[pstubbs]

I wonder how may photographers did show up at the event?
It's too late now, but had I thought about it, I would have purchased my work and taken it home with me that night..

[tholcomb]

Debra, Thank You for discussing our concerns with CRC. I think it is such as great cause and would hate to see photographers not want to participate in the future. -Tonya