Jim McCrain

I have spent 40+ years as a nature and wildlife photographer. Photography is NOT something new to me! In 2010 I opened a portrait studio in Frisco, TX. I shoot all aspects of portrait photography, including family, maternity, senior, and more intimate occasions. Photo sessions can either be in the studio, outdoors (with both ambient and structured lighting), or at the location of your choice. I have recently re-connected with my love of outdoor photography, and am currently actively updating my portfolio. I have ventured into the realm of dark sky and astro-photography, as well as the "light painting" genre. My goal is to take an "ordinary" opportunity and make something special and unique. Yes, I still try to capture the essence of the scene, but I am always looking for was to turn the scene into something more artistic or dramatic. My photo website is currently under construction, but simply email me for samples and I will be happy to send some. Cheers! Jim

I am tasked with maintaining and updating the Marketing Divisions Digital Asset database, using Adobe AEM. I perform searches, create collections, transfer files, and answer queries from our Clients as they arise. As new members join the Signet Team, I assist in training them on our DAM platform. Additionally, I make recommendations on various software and hardware solutions to enhance our current processes and procedures.

I am in charge of creating, implementing, and maintaining the Digital Media Asset Management system for the corporate video communications division of JCPenney. I assist (as needed) in all aspects of video production, from grip work to editing, but my primary responsibilities come into play after the production is finished. I am responsible for encoding all projects into various formats for electronic distribution. This includes adaptive bit-rate encodes for mobile devices as well as fixed bit-rates for desktop or television distribution. It is my duty to oversee the ingest, log, link, encode, approve, distribute, and archive of all video projects created for JCPenney. To accomplish this, I am in charge of developing, implementing, and maintaining a new Digital Media Asset Management system for the JCPenney corporate video division. This system will ingest metadata from the scheduling and booking software, track finished video assets through the approval, encoding, and distribution process, and then archive all projects and finished assets to an LTO tape archive system. I am also the system administrator for the booking and scheduling software for the video production department. This system will soon be made available to the distance learning studios and the building facilities coordinator.

After receiving a Masters degree in Museum Studies (1994), I took the position of Program Division Director for the Dallas Historical Society. My primary duties were the daily operation of the Historical Museum at the Hall of State in Fair Park. Several years later I was asked to become the Chief Curator at Old City Park in Dallas. (Now the Dallas Heritage Village) In 1996, I became an instructor at the "Winedale Museum Seminar on Interpretation and Administration." I was also very active in the Texas Association of Museums and was a MAP Consultant for the American Associations of Museums. When I decided to leave Old City Park, I took my years of experience and created my own museum consulting business. Clients have included the Dallas Museum of Natural History, Talkeetna (Alaska) Historical Museum, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, The National Museum of the Pacific War / Admiral Nimitz Museum, Texas Historical Commission, JCPenney Archive and Museum, and many, many more. I specialize in helping organizations help themselves. Yes, I can do the work for you. I can build the exhibits, organize the collections, create the "statement of ethics" and other necessary documents, and program the website. But it will be MUCH more beneficial if I teach YOU how to do this for your self. This approach to training museum professionals allows the institution to grow in scope and mission, while providing a more professional environment for the visitors, staff, and artifacts. It also saves the institution money in the long-run, as the museums Staff will then have the knowledge necessary to do these tasks themselves. Whether Your institution needs a completely new vision/mission statement, Board of Directors training, AAM Accreditation, or simply a new and exciting exhibit, I am here to help you.