Nikon Unveils NikonPro at PhotoPlus Expo 2001

NikonPro: The Professional Photographer's Online Studio Empowers Pro Photographers to Maximize Their Business Potential Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon Inc., the world leader in photography, today launched NikonPro (http://www.nikonpro.com), a powerful new online service for professional photographers that offers heightened exposure, an instant national presence and unlimited opportunities for new business. By taking advantage of NikonPro's e-commerce component, photographers can create a fully functional online storefront, accessible to a large base of customers who are searching for professional photography services.

NikonPro matches professional photographers to potential buyers and then manages the financial transactions, expanding business by allowing photographers to shoot and sell at the same time. Attendees can see a demonstration of NikonPro at Nikon Booth #1415 at PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center, November 1-3, in New York City.

"NikonPro is a very exciting program that will help both established and up-and-coming professional photographers to maximize their business potential," said Tracy Mack-Jackson, Manager of Internet Programs for Nikon Inc. "At Nikon, we understand that photography is a passion, but for professional photographers, it is also their business. We created NikonPro as a vehicle for photographers to operate a multi-faceted photography business and provide far-reaching exposure and access to a wide base of customers."

NikonPro's E-commerce Component
With NikonPro, photographers can invite clients to view work, select product packages and purchase their pictures. To ensure the highest level of quality control, members hold onto the original images and fulfill the orders themselves while NikonPro manages the financial details of each sale, including credit card transactions, state-by-state sales tax and logistics. NikonPro members can create a working portfolio showcasing up to 18 customized samples of their work, which are uploaded as watermarked thumbnails for protection of the images. With more than 40 design templates, photographers can customize a storefront to reflect the look and feel of their "bricks" business, enabling them to sell their work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone, anywhere.

The Nikon "Find -a- Photographer" Database
One of the key benefits for NikonPro members and consumers is the Nikon "Find -a- Photographer" database, where people can search for photographers, listing members by specialty and location. The database will provide photographers with exposure to millions of potential customers and is accessible through NikonUSA, NikonNet and numerous major publications and websites. NikonPro members can be listed in the database in up to ten different categories in the "Find -a- Photographer" database.

Nikon has formed a strategic partnership with Express Digital, a Denver-based digital software solutions company geared toward professional photographers, to help provide additional back-end services for NikonPro.

About Nikon
Nikon Inc., the world leader in 35mm and digital photography, is recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance in consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon's suite of photo websites -- http://www.nikonusa.com, http://www.nikonnet.com, http://www.microscopyu.com, http://www.nikonmall.com and http://www.nikonschool.com -- offers all levels of photographers the most extensive learning, photo-sharing and inspirational community available on the Internet. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras; Coolpix(R) compact digital cameras; Coolscan(R) digital film scanners; Nikonos(R) underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. The company plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of organizations, educational programs, events and workshops.

About Express Digital
Headquartered in metro Denver, Express Digital is a technology leader that specializes in developing software, Internet and lab connectivity solutions for the professional photographic industry. Express Digital provides open architecture software solutions under the ExpressPhoto brand, in addition to its custom applications for large industry partners. Express Digital's PhotoReflect.com, the Internet storefront for professional photographers, in addition to its lab connectivity solutions, complete the digital workflow for the industry and provides the confidence to convert to digital. For additional information about Express Digital's software, Internet and connectivity solutions, visit the company's Web sites at http://www.expressdigital.com, http://www.photoreflect.com or call 888.584.0089.

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SOURCE Nikon Inc