Angie and I were invited last week to teach a few High School classes as guest speakers. It was a ton of fun for angie, who as I have shared before, is a few classes short on her second bachelors degree of being a teacher. It’s nice for her to be able to combine two of her loves (photography+teaching). I was a bit jealous of their fabulous teacher who has a fine art photography degree and the facility they get to use. They have 12 enlargers, a large darkroom, and a ton of room (3 rooms all together) with everything you could think of. I would have to say this room may be better than what many college students learn in. Pretty cool for these students to have an opportunity like that. I really hope the Colorado community continues to support classes like this. I have seen a move over the years for schools to only care about the basics, math and english. I believe they are important but I also think music, art, photography have a huge part to play in helping sculpt the future of these students. Of course I do, right I am a photographer? I have a B.S from Colorado State for computer information systems and it was unfortunate I didn’t have opportunities like this or didn’t take advantage of them until later in life.
We talked about the Collodion Wet Plate Process and then about portraits to help them with an upcoming assignment. It was so great to see their eyes light up when they looked through the large format camera and see the image on the ground glass of the camera. Most had never seen a camera like this.
Interesting note: Not one male photography student in the entire program? Not sure the reasons, but it’s interesting. Thinking to myself whats wrong with these guys? Two of my favorite things in highschool would have been photography and girls and they seem to both be in this class. Sign me up, should the response.
Angie and I had the pleasure of going to a details workshop here in town. It was fun to get out and shoot and hang out with some of our photographer friends from around the state. I will share more images of course later, but I wanted to share at least one image with you. Everything was amazing from the styling, to the hair and makeup and some really talented models. I will make sure to give everyone credit when I share more images. I don’t want to leave anyone out since there were so many people involved, some of Colorado’s best vendors came out to help from floral designers to wedding planners, and even hair and makeup.
Update: Here is the list of people involved and every single one was incredible
Vintage Farm Table:
Perfect Petal
Sapphire Celebrations
Event Rents
Chair Covers & Linens
Bella Bridesmaids
Rock and Roll Bride Table:
Swank Stems
Gabby with Save the Date Events
Event Rents
Chair Covers & Linens
Visions of Sugar Plums Table:
Floral Designs
AKHaydon Designs
Emily Lenich, Particulars
Chair Covers & Linens
Models:
Wilhelmina Denver
Wedding Dresses:
Priscilla of Boston
Tux’s:
Al’s Formal Wear
Cake:
Intricate Icings
Styling:
Worthwhile style, Tina Gill
Makeup:
Makeup by Janine
Hair and Makeup Girls and Curls
Hair: Jewels Grey
We got our September 2010 Rangefinder Magazine in the mail last week. Before we could open it one of our friends called, all excited. He wanted to let us know that he had seen us in the magazine. I have to say in a good way, it will probably never get old seeing our work published or seeing us speak at such a large convention. It’s so cool to be a part of WPPI 2011 and we have some great information in store for you guys.
Registration for our class will begin in Mid October so keep your eyes peeled.
For anyone that doesn’t know WPPI is our industries largest trade show, convention, print competition in the world. Over 12,000 photographers were at it last year in Las Vegas.
A few weeks ago we were asked to speak at Mile High Photographers, a local photography association here in Colorado. What do you talk about for two hours and make sure it’s important and worth listening to. After much discussion, we decided to talk about creativity and being yourself. It sounds trivial right? It is for some. It becomes obvious after looking at a dozen or so blogs, the wedding industry is having a hard time being themselves. The same kinds of processing, using the same places and props. Even their blogs and websites look the same. Off on my tangent but, it seems trivial and it isn’t. The very first decision should be who am I and what is my vision. Unfortunately, since this takes time and many are scared to understand themselves they mimic what they see. Many times they pick someone they think is doing well or is successful. Angie and I believe this is the first mistake many people make when entering the business. It is so fundamental that your business may never recover from making the wrong decision. As artists and photographers we would love to see more people follow their vision, whats unique to them and garner the success they deserve from it. We hope our little talk inspired the group to think inside themselves, to push themselves and figure out what is truly unique about them and their business.
Thank you to everyone who attended, it was great meeting you all!
The album show was attended by many of the industries best album manufacturers. I wanted to give a shout out to our favorite lab, and our new friend Kai from WHCC who maned the booth. Every product these guys make is incredible and always on time. If you looking for an incredible lab check them out at http://www.whcc.com
I also wanted to thank Jessica Bergthold for putting on the event. It’s nice to be part of such a nice community in colorado.
Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings
Photo taken by the awesome Mark Hayes
