My Top lessons from PDN Photo Plus Expo 2010

I had the opportunity to attend various sessions at PDN Photo Plus Expo 2010 in New York City this past October.  These are my top "takeaways" from that experience (in no particular order):

• Always shoot RAW.  This wasn't news for me, but it's worth stating over and over.  RAW files are your digital negative, full of information that is otherwise lost forever.  And the capabilities of RAW processors in post allow you to do amazing things both across the entire image and (now) to subsets of an image.
• If your camera supports it, program your Autofocus to be controlled by a button independent of the shutter release - When I shoot in-studio, I'm often at the same focal distance form the subject for a number of shots in a row.  Yet every time I press the shutter release the camera attempts to refocus.  This is time wasted while the model is trying to hold a pose.  I've tried this and though it takes a little bit of time to get used to it (or in my case to remember I changed that setting in the first place), it really does improve the shooting experience.
• Don't fear high ISOs - Today's DSLR cameras and post processing software do an amazing job with noise.  Being willing to shoot at high ISOs opens up all sorts of possibilities with natural light that are otherwise ignored.  I've tried this since and agree that I don't know what I used to be so worried about.
• Shoot for accuracy (set your ISO in camera, expose properly, etc.).  Fixing things in post processing will slow down your workflow.  That time is better spent with your family.
• If you use a Stofen (or similar flash modifier), only point it straight up.  The purpose of such modifiers is to behave like a "bare bulb".
• Read up on posing tips to flatter a subject.  Small changes in posture make a big difference in how someone looks when photographed.
• Embrace Social Media - Social media is a necessity already and will become even more important as we move forward.  This means create a galaxy around your own web site, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. 
• Did I mention Always shoot RAW? ; )