Business owner hits the books

Professional goes back to school to brush up on skills

Though Summerlin resident Anne Lubin has owned and operated Techno Photography, a photography and graphic design business, for the past six years, she recently decided it was time to go back to school and learn more about her field at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT).

She also decided to put her years of professional experience to work as a member of IADT's new Designer's Club.

Lubin said she sort of fell into photography and graphic design in 1999 after a model who had seen some of her work asked her to take some photos.

"I did, and he liked them," Lubin said. "He recommended me to someone else, and from there it just caught on."

Since then, Lubin has done a lot of fashion and special events photography, as well as headshots for models. She also does on-location work, including family portraits.

She has taken behind-the-scenes photos in Los Angeles on the sets of several independent movies, and director's and producer's shots and public relations photos while on the film sets.

Before starting Techno Photography, Lubin worked in the gaming industry.

After starting her own business, she decided to go back to school to finish her bachelor's degree.

Last October she started working on a degree in visual communications at IADT.

"I started with photography, but ended up doing a lot of graphic design as well," Lubin said. "I was self-educated in Photoshop, but I didn't know the other programs, so I decided to go back and learn those.

"I picked IADT because the visual communications department gives you a broad view of everything going on in the world of graphic design."

Lubin said she chose to major in visual communications because she didn't want to specialize her studies in either photography or design.

"I wanted a broader place to start," Lubin said. "Then maybe I'll go back to school to get a master's degree in one thing or the other."

The Designer's Club was started less than a month ago. Lubin said the group is lead by a faculty advisor and six student board members. Its focus is to get students' names out to the community as individual artists, to increase communication between IADT students and the business community and to help recruit prospective students.

The students were prompted to start the club shortly before a recent exhibition of work by visual communications students. Lubin said the group wants to host more exhibitions, and she hopes it will help students find work.

"Since I started my business I've traveled a lot, I've run my own business and I've done a lot of work in digital media," Lubin said.

"Through the Designer's Club, I can share my knowledge with other students," she added.

Lubin also hopes to expand Techno Photography in the future and turn it into a one-stop shopping experience for small businesses.

"I'd like a small company to be able to come in and get everything they need done, from business cards to advertising materials, photographs and design," she said. "I'd like to be able to expand my staff and provide every visual tool a small business owner or entrepreneur could need."

For more information about Techno Photography, visit www.technophotography.com.

For more information about IADT, visit www.iadtvegas.com.