Open Photo Contest

You know how sometimes you find one of those I-feel-like-I-should-be-working-instead-but-this-is-way-more-fun sites that you get totally addicted to? I found one that fits that description in the best possible way: www.openphotocontest.com! It is what it claims to be... an open contest where the judges are US instead of a hired panel. I submitted a couple photos and found out that while I was away in Hawaii I placed, whoo hoo! It's only 5th and 10th place but that still made my day :)










Go and check it out, it's really fun!

One Light Workshop

Today was such an incredible day! I can't believe how much I learned at the workshop with Zach, it was exactly what I was hoping to walk away with. The difference that you can get from a photo using the available light that exists in contrast with using an off camera flash is amazing. I've always been a natural light shooter, or have figured out ways of using whatever light I'm given to create my portraits but it is so nice to know about other options.


This is the first setup we did with the off camera flash...



and then same spot without any flash. I think i like this one better but it's nice to be able to choose!



and here is another with the natural light that I love..



and again with the flash... such a great difference!
































The first model you see is Liene, and she is actually a wedding planner here in Phoenix! Her company is Blue Orchid Designs and she has a promo going on right now so you might want to make sure you check her BLOG for the info. Liene did an incredible job... being a model is not as easy as it looks and she was awesome to work with as she braved the cold weather and paparazzi we had going on. You'll also see another model by the name of Jennifer who is the publisher for Destination I DO Wedding Magazine! She was also great to work with and was totally used to being around photographers so she seemed to feel right at home... another natural in front of the camera. Her magazine is a great resource so check that one out too.

Everyone who was there today was so fun to get to know and work alongside, I can't even express how much the day impacted me. I think one of the coolest things that happened apart from the technical learning was when Melissa Jill and I put together the fact that we both have mutual friends! Yup, it's another Hume Lake connection :) Melissa was the gracious host for the event which means she was the reason for getting the One Light to come to Phoenix. I don't think anyone could have been more thankful! There was so much interest that Zach isn't even done yet... he still has another workshop tomorrow with a new crew of photographers coming. After a very long day I think I'm signing off, but I think I'll sleep with my notebook nearby so all of the info I absorbed today won't be lost!

Ciao!