Colorado Photographers-  We have a ” Colorado Crew” T-shirt we made just for you.  To get it you must do this

1.  Twitter that you are going to our program at WPPI and include @andyangiewood

2.  Be to the class 15 minutes early and sit in the front. First 20 will receive shirts

For our clients-  We will be out of Town for the next week and will have limited time for email and phone.  We will get back with everyone as soon as we are back.  If you need us for an emergency we can be reached at 303.888.9394

Some fun ones

Here are few pictures from last year. Thank you to our friend Kent Meireis Photography for taking this pictures for us.

Apparently this shot shows it lol.

WPPI Radio Interview with Andy and Angie Wood.  There are a lot of great interviews that will give you a sneak peak of what they are going to be speaking about.

If you want to look over all the podcasts with all the speakers.  Here is the link feed://www.insidemacmedia.com/rss/wpi.xml

1.  Wear Comfortable shoes- Yes its a bit of a fashion show sometimes, but make sure to pack some shoes that you can do a lot of walking.  The MGM if you have never been there is a huge hotel.  When I say “huge” you probably are not getting just how big.  I have been lost in the hotel and it can take 30 minutes to find a way out.  

2.  Pack a few energy bars.  There are restaurants to eat at but they are not always convenient.  Much of the food to eat is 15-30 a plate.  If you just want a quick snack this is your best option to recharge your batteries.

3.  Much of the fun in Las Vegas happens at night.  Do a search for WPPI parties and keep an eye out for some of the best parties.  Pictage, Bludomain, GOBEE, FINAO throw some excellent parties after hours.  Just because they are parties doesn’t mean they are not an excellent time to learn and network.

4.  If you will be out at WPPI March 6th and 7th make sure to stop and see some of the Print Competitions.  I have talked about this before but the education you will receive by watching and learning what the judges are looking for is priceless.  You will learn more in my opinion in a few hours than you might all year shooting.

5.  The tradeshow is huge.  If you have two days for it don’t try and tackle it all in the same day.  Split it up over two days you will thank me later

6.  Look for Prepay discounts.  What do I mean by that.  Look for manufacturers that you already use that are giving deals for prepaying.  If you have the cash flow as a business why not look at what you bought last year and project for this year and prepay it.  In some instances it can save you as much as 50 percent off your costs.  We have been able to save some nice money in past years.  Who knows it may just pay for the visit.

7.   Equipment purchases-  This is a great time to buy much of your needed gear.  Using a little savvy here can save you big bucks.  I have saved hundreds of dollars on items by asking the simple question is that your best deal. 

8.  Make new friends-  This is a great time to strengthen relationships.  Make sure to stop by companies that you work with and introduce yourself.  When you are out eating at the MGM make sure to say hello to those around you.  Those little conversations in the elevators and restaurants can turn into great networking experiences.

9.  You are going to learn a lot of new techniques, get inspired and motivated.  Make sure to take notes.  Record your thoughts on an Iphone or recorder.  Make sure to take these things home with you and implement them.  Most people lack the motivation, or don’t make the time to implement these great tidbits.  Make sure you are ahead of your competition by being the first in your area to do it.  

10.  Have fun and break your routine-  Don’t just go to the safe classes you know the ones, with the named photographer you have heard 5 times.  Pick a program that is interesting to you regardless of the name.  You might be surprised and learn a ton.  The WPPI community has a vast network of talented photographers.

Love the romantic feeling of this image and the Sepia toning

Julie walking up to see her groom for the first time

Bridesmaids having fun in the field

I love this shot the blue sky the guys looking cool and smiling.  Usually have to pay them to do that:)

The wedding rings

Would you like to see more pictures from Martin and Julies Colorado Wedding click here?

Want to see more of our Colorado Wedding Photographers Portfolios?

Shows off the ring and the old truck

Flowers from the wedding.  The brides bouquet.

One of the bridesmaids smiling before the wedding

The officiant of the wedding.  He had an interesting face and a bright personality

Groom and his grandmother laughing

Julie looking at her groom

Groomsman looking cool

The biggest inspiration to our work is wanting to please our clients. We want them to be happy and excited about their images. We feed off their excitement, and the opportunity to create something unique.

When you need a little push for inspiration here are a few ideas that might help you.

1.  Take the next photo- I watched a documentary about Sally Mann about a year ago and I don’t have the exact quote but she talked about taking that next picture to getting over being burned out. She talked about with every great picture you take it almost seems impossible to take the next one. It almost seems impossible to get something better. Her suggestion was to just take the next photo even if its not a masterpiece.

2. Watch a Movie- Cinematographers use light as well. Look at their compositions and lighting. Some of the best and brightest are in Hollywood.

3. Go to the City- Head into the nearest City. Take pictures of lines, and structure and texture.

4.  Go to the Zoo- Get some pictures of the animals. Look at natures patterns and textures. It can be difficult to get a great shot at the Zoo because of the enclosures. Thinking outside the box will be rewarded.

5.  Go to the Race Track- Whether its dirt bikes or nascar. Take your camera. Maybe rent a longer lens. Practice shooting something fast. If you have never tried panning this could be a great time.

6.  Go to Photo.net- Get an account head to the galleries. Easy to browse galleries, in all sorts of categories. Make sure to look in different categories than you usually shoot.

7.  Take a trip to Barnes and Noble- Get a coffee, check out a few magazines. Then head over and look at some of the books. Pick up something like a book on composition or lighting. Buy it.

8.  Go to the Music Store or Browse Itunes- Looking at CD packaging is sure to inspire you. Look at the lighting, the branding, the story that is being told

9.  Watch the top 10 or 20 countdowns on MTV or VH1- Music Videos are on the cutting edge. The lighting, the outfits, the angles and locations. Watch the story and how its marketed to each market.

10. Compete in a photograph Contest or Competition-  You will have to examine your work.  Make it better and present it.  This is a great way for self discovery.

12.  Different Lens-  Shoot with a lens you barely use or have never used.

13.  Different Camera-  If you are digital shoot something analog.  If you are analog shoot something digital.  Poloroids, Holgas, Lomo, are a great place to start.

14.  Help someone- As a photographer you have a wonderful gift.  Find a non-profit, an organization you believe in and donate your vision.

15.  Play with Textures-  Find interesting things with interesting textures.  Peeling paint, Rust, Concrete, the list is endless.  Many of these can be considered a work of art

16.  Use the Textures-  Use the textures as overlays in Photoshop.  You can change your photography into something different and unique

17.  Go Macro-  Shoot something small.  Look at the little things you pass by and ignore and forget about.  Open your eyes you will be amazed.

18.  Play with Colors-  Go out and shoot anything colorful.  Bring them into Photoshop and saturate them some more.

19.  No Color-  Shoot anything as long as its not color.  Be mindful of what makes a great B/W.  

20.  Take a Photography Class-  Get some instruction, learn how others see.  Great places for instruction are Local Community Colleges or Professional Workshops.  

21.  Go to Art Museum-  Everything in the Art Museum will inspire you.  Learn how painters think, it will help your photography in ways you can’t imagine.

22.  Get a Model-   Make sure to pay them.  No TFP shoots here.  This will eliminate you having to produce a great image.  Shoot how and what you want without penalty.  See what you come up with

23.  Shoot self potraits-   Your always around, and you probably have a camera.  Thinking of all the unique angles and ways of shooting with expand your mind.

24.  Make some Photography Friends-  Mentorship, Comrade-re  can be great things.  See and learn how others think

25.  Join a photography Organization-  No matter what you shoot there is probably others doing it.  Join an organization for support and friendship.

As always here is a picture to go with the post.  This is a first dance shot from a wedding we have not posted yet.  I just love the elegant feel, and because of the balcony at the Chateaux at Fox Meadows I was able to get this perspective.

If you are looking for a photographer that has shot at Chateaux at Fox Meadows please look at our denver wedding photography portfolio.

We talked about the Thirst Relief mentor auction last week and what a great cause it is. I was floored to learn how many people go without clean water and how much this organization helps. Well it’s finally live and you can bid on us as well as some really awesome photographers.

We are donating of course our time but also a lunch with us, paid for by us. We can talk about anything you want to know. On top of lunch we are also offering a One Day- private Woodshop. We will custom tailor the instruction to exactly what you want. Want to go out and do a shoot? Learn studio lighting. This is for you and one other person if they are from the same studio. So free lunch + (800.00) Woodshop.  

You can find the ebay auctions http://thirstrelief.shootq.com/join.php

Happy Bidding,

Andy and Angie Wood

Lauren was nice enough to give us a code to share with you. Maybe it will save you a few bucks and you can go out to dinner.

GO|BEE bags Promo Code for 15.00 dollars off any order aanda77

Photographers- We will be doing a Class at Professional Photographers of Colorado on April 11th.  We will be talking about how we do these bridals from the gear we use to how we light them.  If you are interested, if you leave us a comment we will send over more information when it is launched by PPOfC.  Or you can go sign up, and join all the fun and support your local chapter of PPA.