Images For A Cure Workshop - Orlando

Thanks to lots of lovely fans, clients, friends, and a sponsorship from Solutions Bridal in Orlando, I got to attend the Images for a Cure Workshop again in Orlando.  I learned so much last year when I attended!  - Everything from posing to pricing to lighting - I had lots of new information to improve my techniques.  I had some moments where I was so excited to know that other photographers struggle with the same issues I struggle with, and that I had similar success stories as them too.  

This year was similar.  I learned loads.  So much, that I can't even write it all down.  I have like 10 pages of notes in a notebook.  It was kinda like being in college again.  I had a bonus though.  I took my best friend and partner in crime - my hubby!  Last year he stayed home with the kiddos so I could go get my learning on, and he never heard the end of it.  I kept telling him all about this and that and who I met.  So this year, we signed him up too!  

I have to say that we made new friends and some great business connections.  Networking in this business is great!  I love finding other photographers who are so nice and so willing to share their techniques and insight.  And just having a friend who knows what we deal with on a daily basis is an added bonus.  In addition, my husband and I got motivated to get our butt in gear.  We have some plans that have been in the works for a while, and we have finally started the ball rolling.  I don't want to give away what they are - so you'll just have to hang around for the big reveal in a couple of weeks.  

Here's a look at some of the pics we took while we were there.

This years theme was all pink - so fitting for breast cancer research.  There were fabulous arrangements on each of the tables.

This year we were treated to a candy bar that was so pretty!  And yummy!  Those cupcakes were some of the best I have ever eaten.  

We still have candy at the house that the kids and I are munching on!

The Mezz is a gorgeous venue with really cool lighting in downtown Orlando.  You should see it on party light mode.  I want to attend a party there with the disco lights on. It was decorated fabulously.  BUT I do have to say this - as pretty as those chairs are - they are not made for chunky monkeys like me.  Sitting in that for 8 hours was torture by the end of the day.  Now I know how to make foreign spies give up information.  

Dude, we had to touch the chandelier.  I thought it was made out of plastic because I had never seen lead crystal like that before.  And yes, it was lead crystal.  No plastic in sight.  Gorgeous.  

Super star Kristen Weaver was a riot!  She is so insightful and funny!  I enjoyed every minute of her talking and teaching.

Melanie and Bradford Watson of  La Dolce Vita Studio.  

So all the pics of the guest speakers look the same.  I didn't want to get up and walk around with my prime lens.  I wanted to listen!  But I had to post stylist Melanie Pace too b/c she is gorgeous!  She looks like a mini Carmen Electra.

Joey Wright is an awesome photographer who brought along a bunch of gear to show us.  That is seriously the biggest umbrella I have ever seen.  And now I want one.  Dang it Joey!

Really horrible pictures of Kristen.  Sorry!  I learned a new way to focus my camera.  Seriously?  I have had that thing a year, and find out about all sorts of fanci-ness from another photographer sitting next to me.  So I had to test it out.  Kristen talks about the dangers of T rex arms.  LOL.  

She's so expressive and passionate about her work.  That's why brides and grooms love her.  That's why we all love her.  

Another photographer from Tallahassee below.  She was awesome.  And funny.  Must find her business card and friend her on fb.  

Me in the lobby of the Mezz!  I want to go do fabulous photo shoots there.  

This is the amazing Julie Paisley.  She's my new photography crush.  Her images are awesome and she is so full of energy.  She totally resonated with me.  Dan fell in love with Abby Liga and her images.  That's his new crush.  Now we will go stalk them on their blogs, fb, and twitter.  In good ways.  Promise.   

I hope to go back again next year and see how I have grown, how the business has grown, and to meet more fabulous photographers.  The experience was priceless.  Maybe I'll get to be a guest speaker in the future.  

www.timelessmemoriesarcadia.com

We're baaaaack!

We had such an awesome time at the Images for a Cure Workshop!  I can't wait to share some of our stories and knowledge with everyone.  We did snap a few pictures while we were there, but they are still in my camera. We decided to take a break and get some good cuddle time with our kiddos when we came home.  We've played hard today, but we will be back at work tomorrow.  I'll leave you with some Instagram images as a teaser.

www.timelessmemoriesarcadia.com

A Week of Excitement!

We have had a lot of really good things come our way lately.  It all seems to be falling in place this week.  We've booked several really important jobs that we are excited to come our way, and we became a finalist in a photography competition!  I never win anything - really.  Like not even $1 on a scratch off ticket.  So when I found out about this, I was SOOOO excited!!

Let me give you a little background.  Do you remember that last year I went to this great photography conference in Orlando?  It's called Images for a Cure, and the proceeds go to breast cancer research.  It was started by the fabulous Kristen Weaver, and it includes a ton of other great working photographers in the line up.    I can totally write an entire post on my experiences there last year, so I'll save it for another day.  But I found out what it was like to actually make friends in this industry.  I found other photographers who are working and able to teach us and inspire us with their successes and techniques.  It also wasn't just the guest speakers either.  I learned just as much from the people sitting next to me at my table as I did from the guests.  It was such a joyous, positive experience, that I knew I had to do it again this year.  I also knew that I had to drag Dan along for the ride.

That in itself is always a big deal since we have to get sitters for dogs, bunnies, and children.  But Saturn crossed in Neptune's path, or something like that, and it all worked out.  I registered us.  I got us a place to stay thanks to generous friends.  And then I stumbled upon a competition courtesy of facebook.  It was hosted by Solutions Bridal in Olrando, and they asked photographers to submit their best image from the past year, and to answer several photography related questions.  See my entry and answers here.  The top 5 would be featured on their blog, and then the top 3 with the most comments would win a sponsorship.  That means no entry fees for the workshop!

And then I waited.  And not very patiently.  I checked their blog and my email like every 5 minutes!  No joke.  When the deadline came around, and I didn't hear anything, I was seriously disappointed.  I don't know why.  I enter things all the time and don't get chosen, and I learn a lot from it.  But for some reason, I was about to cry!  I'll blame it on hormones - or something.  I just felt like I had a decent shot.  And then I saw their blog post before the email came in.  And there it was!!!  I was so excited to have made it to be a finalist, it was totally like winning!  I got the sweetest emails telling me the good news, and I was head over heels with excitement.

Then that type A personality kicked in gear, and I was determined to win this thing.  I started bugging everyone I know to go comment on my picture.  And they did.  And they left some of the sweetest, greatest comments that really meant a lot to me.  I was floored.  The comments from my customers, family, and friends were better than winning any contest.  I am so flattered and honored.  I just want to hug each and every one of you!  I cannot describe how happy it made me feel.  That's when I know I am doing what I love, and that I am in the right job for me.

In the end, I didn't win, but I came in 3rd!!!  It was still good enough to get a sponsorship to the workshop!!! Yay me!  I really am excited, and not just to have gotten this honor, but for all the things to come.  Yes, I am excited for the workshop.  I am excited for inspiration, and I am excited to keep making beautiful images for my wonderful customers.

www.timelessmemoriesarcadia.com

Solutions Bridal IFAC Contest

IFAC Sponsorship Competition Entry: Tanya Downs

Why do you want to attend IFAC?

I want to go for so many reasons!  The first is that it is for a good cause that has hit close to home.  A few years ago, I lost my grandmother to this horrible disease.  IFAC is a way that I can honor her memory in a positive way.  It makes me feel like I am doing something to make a difference in the ongoing battle with cancer.

The second reason is that I am always trying to better myself as a photographer and really master my craft.  IFAC is the perfect opportunity to do this.  I was fortunate enough to attend last year, and I can’t say enough good things about this workshop.  My business and techniques grew by leaps and bounds over this past year because of what I learned and experienced last year at IFAC.

And lastly, it is so much fun!  I made a lot of connections with other awesome photographers and people who work in our industry.  I made friends and found mentors who have encouraged me along all year long.  Their relationships have been invaluable in terms of support on both the personal and business aspects of my life.  I really want to continue to build relationships like these.  Who wouldn’t?

Describe your personal photography style.

It’s a bit eclectic and it depends on the shoot and the clients.  We try to mix traditional poses with whimsical props, and a hint of photojournalism.

What keeps you inspired?

People!  It’s their love for each other, their love for children, their interests, their likes.  Other photographers inspire me every day with their creativity and talent.  Children inspire me with their wonder and awe and happy view of the world around them. 

So you’re doing a photo shoot. Here’s the catch, you can only bring ONE prop! What would it be? Why?

A blanket!  They are so versatile.  It really depends on the type of shoot I am doing, but it can be used for a backdrop, a prop, to sit on, to lie on, to wrap the subject in, and more.  I could probably list 20 ways to use it. 

www.timelessmemoriesarcadia.com