Introducing Studio 227, a new series of small group learning intensives and workshops based out of the emilie inc. photography studios in downtown Portland. The first workshop, Business Basics: Branding & Blogging, is geared toward business professionals who are looking to create or better their brand, and want to communicate their brand and attract a loyal clientele through blogging. Featured speakers include Emilie Sommer, owner of emilie inc. photography (www.emilieinc.com); Liene Stevens, owner of Splendid Communications (www.thinksplendid.com); J Sandifer, wedding development manager for liveBooks (www.livebooks.com); and Angela Adams, designer and artist (www.angelaadams.com). A networking lunch will be catered by Kitchen Chicks Catering (www.kitchenchickscatering.com). Interested parties may register for the morning session, the afternoon session or for the full day.

For the full schedule and to register, visit http://studio227series1.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn

About the Speakers:
Emilie Sommer is the owner and principal photographer for emilie inc. photography (www.emilieinc.com), a boutique photojournalism studio based in Portland, Maine, founded in 2003. Sommer has photographed more than 250 weddings and garnered local and national attention for her imagery, recognizable brand and reputation for providing first class quality service. She earned a degree in photojournalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and worked as a photographer and photo editor for USA Today and the Washington Post. Sommer has also founded the Roots Workshop (www.rootsworkshop.com), News Wedding Photographers (www.newsweddingphotographers.com) and Pink Initiative 501(c)(3) non-profit (www.pinkinitiative.org). Sommer resides in South Portland, Maine.

Liene Stevens is the founder of Splendid Communications (www.thinksplendid.com), an online media consultancy specializing in the wedding and hospitality industries, and owner of Blue Orchid Designs event planning service. Stevens earned a degree in cross-cultural psychology from Arizona State University and specializes in online media strategy development and execution, online reputation management, social media metric and measurement systems, competitive analysis and benchmarking, message development, SEO strategy, integrating social media with long range business goals, and email marketing. She has been blogging since 1999 and has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Modern Bride, and Bride and Bloom. Stevens resides in Phoenix.

J Sandifer is the wedding development manager for liveBooks (www.livebooks.com), an internet start-up based in San Francisco that creates custom websites for creative professionals, and he is an associate photographer for emilie inc. photography. Sandifer graduated from Indiana University and began his photography career in 1999 in the Lake Tahoe basin where he ran several large photography operations at Northstar and Squaw ski mountains and Mountain Air river rafting. He later worked for Pictage in Los Angeles as a consultant for more than 1,000 photography studios around the country. While in California, Sandifer created two wedding photography businesses: The Image Studio and J Sandifer Photographers. He currently resides in South Portland, Maine.

Angela Adams is a designer and artist, reknowned for her work with textiles, rugs, tiles and accessories (www.angelaadams.com). Her designs are sought after for their sense of timelessness, simplicity and balance and are inspired by the natural beauty of Maine. Adams' retail shop and residence are located in Portland, Maine.