YoYo... is this thing on...

Just wanted to drop another reminder about my photo 101 class coming up next week.

Where are all my students at??? Currently I don't have as many sign ups needed to teach the class so if you were waiting to sign up... don't! Go register today so we can keep this class going :-)

And I'm pretty sure this would make for an awesome Mother's Day gift... ladies, just direct your hubbies to go here to buy your ticket!

QUICK UPDATE... photo 101:MECHANICS

Just to let you all know that I had to reschedule the upcoming photo 101:MECHANICS class to Wednesday, May 5. Please note this in your calendar and if you haven't signed up yet you should do so ASAP.

The last class was so much fun and I had an absolute blast teaching and hangin' with my new (and old) homies! Honestly, I should be committed for having way too much fun teaching about camera stuff. But seriously, the class is dirt cheap, no excuses... let's get that camera off auto and use it the way the manufactures had intended!

Call or e-mail me with any questions.

New class info and giveaway update...

So first things first my newest class info was released last week to the pre-registration mailing list and now it's time to open it up to the rest of the world wide web. Click the button below to visit the event page for more details and to register and if you and a friend sign up together you each will save $5 off the class fee*.



*contact me before signing up so I know who to discount.

And just a quick update... I know Christina over at Viva Full House will be announcing the winner of the photo shoot giveaway later today. As anyone with little ones can attest to when the mama of 5 little ones gets sick the entire house shuts down... She is back and she should be blogging the winner soon! I'm sooooo excited! You can check back here or at her blog later to see who won.

Photo 101:MECHANICS class {part deux}

I getting ready to announce my 2nd photo 101 class so I wanted ya'll prepped and ready... if you're not on the mailing list yet - get on it TODAY.

My pre-registration announcement will go out to those on the mailing list first within the next week.

Also, I had quite a few people tell me they couldn't attend the last class for whatever reason but really, really, reallllllllly wanted to. So, I'm actually gonna give you readers a voice... tell me which day of the week you would prefer. Now, my last class was on a Tuesday so I'm not going to repeat that day and my Monday's are reserved for my family so, for now I'm leaning towards either a Thursday or Friday night. Leave a comment or message me separtely letting me know the day that works for you and I'll see what I can do.

After this next 101:MECHANICS class I will not be hosting another one for quite some time; I'm going to start focusing on building up the materials and content for my photo 102:CREATIVE class. So, if you want in then be sure to sign up ASAP when registration opens.

As a reminder, photo 101:MECHANICS will consist of reviewing gear, settings, terminology, lighting, composition, and most importantly just how to take better pictures (of your kids, pets, anything). If you now have one of those super fancy cameras and for some reason it's been stuck on Auto since you pulled it out of the box - or if you've attempted some of the other settings without the results you've wanted - then you should absolutely sign up for this class.

And don't let the name fool you, we will NOT be opening up our cameras to view the inner workings of the mechanisms, we will however learn the fundamentals of photography as well as different shooting styles, understanding lighting conditions and controlling the photography triangle (ummm yeah, you gotta take the class to find out what that is :-) Plus, of course what all those buttons, knobs, wheels and dials are for.

Also more info on the class can be found in previous posts HERE and HERE.

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And what's a photo blog without some photos, huh? These are from my recent test model shoot - I loved, loved, loved the B&W versions of these photos as I was editing them so that's what I'm sharing with you now... ENJOY!

Where are my manners...

I have been in the flu bubble for a couple of days now and somewhere in my sickly world completely forgot to publicly say a big THANK YOU to all the fine folks that joined me for my first ever basic photo 101 class this week. I'm still floating on cloud 9 from all the excitement and love from that class... good times!

I had a bit of inspiration when reviewing the class and even while teaching the class. I think from this point forward my beginners class will be known as photo 101:MECHANICS and my next installment of class series will be known as photo 102:CREATIVE. The beginners basic class is all about the MECHANICS of your camera - the bells, the whistles, the 'thing-a-ma-jig' buttons and the 102:CREATIVE is where we will learn and put into practice some CREATIVE shooting techniques. If you are interested in signing up for a 102:CREATIVE class I ask that you either take my 101:MECHANICS class first or be familiar enough with your camera to comfortably shoot in either Av (Aperture Priority) or Tv (Shutter Priority) mode. In 102:CREATIVE there will be some instructional class as well as doing some live shooting; dates/times have not been set yet so stay tuned to the blog or Facebook for the details.

And now, for the latest installment of:


1) Being sick SUCKS! Not that this is any sort of REAL news to anyone, but seriously I almost never get sick so when I do it's real bad. Me and Nyquil have just hit a new level of our relationship.

2) Ever heard of WPPI? Well, if you're a photog and you haven't then it's quite possible you really do live under a rock, however what you do need to know is that WPPI is kind of the yearly mecca for wedding and portrait photographers from around the world. Now, I have never attended, but from all the fantastic blog entires and updates I'm seeing I'm thinking it is now my #1 goal for 2011. Anyone up for a trip to Vegas next March?

3) Redesign. Refashion. It's on my mind 24/7... wait and see.

And, since we all need something visually stimulating after all that verbiage... this is from a recent shoot I had with a couple of beautiful HS girls. Remember I'm still looking for a few HS Senior models who want a free shoot and some other goodies!

My rugged mountain man!

It seems as of late my only willing and non-bribable household guinea pig would be the hubs... what a trooper! I'm loving all that is OCF (off camera flash) if you couldn't tell, but I'm not sure if I've got the mad skills to bust out my lighting on a client shoot just yet... but I'm working towards that goal.

So, just before the typhoon hit here this evening (OK, moderate evening downpour) we headed up to the Superstition Mountains to catch a beautiful view of the storm roll in. The clouds, the mountain, the sunset... it was all breathtaking.



(PS -Don't forget to snag your seat at my upcoming Beginner's Basic Photography class... click the link above for more details!)

Mailing List for Beginning Photography and/or Photoshop Class

**EDIT :: The Beginner's Basic Photo Class has been finalized and announced. All those on the mailing list will receive the details first so be sure to check your e-mail starting the evening of February 15th... I can't wait to meet you all!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN


I am still completely overwhelmed with all of you who have taken the time to complete my survey on attending a beginners class on either Photography or Photoshop. The responses have been AH-MAZ-ZING!

So, the next step here would be to put all those fantastic responses to a name and e-mail. Please take just a few minutes to sign up for the class mailing list. Those who sign up on this list will be the first to know of registration details, class time, date, costs... EVERYTHING.

Remember, even if you don't get a seat in the first session class I am planning on holding many more of these - well, as long as the demand calls for it.

Click the link at the top for Class Mailing List or go HERE to complete the form.
To learn more about the classes go HERE and HERE.

Slice of humble pie...

I have to admit, I'm slightly taken back by the OVERWHELMING response to my little survey question regarding a beginner's level photography & Photoshop class. I am so excited at the responses I'm getting that my head is literally spinning - like exorcism spinning - with plans and ideas and all sorts of good stuff for the classes. Things are in the works so definitely stay tuned and keep those responses coming... forward the survey link to friends, neighbors, anyone you think might be interested.

Through the survey I have received a few questions so I thought I'd use this blog to answer and update y'all...

Q: Would the classes be in-person or online?
A: Definitely in-person. I'm a hands on person and can work so much better if I'm with you and you can see me make weird hand gestures and point at things that I can't remember the name of or any other visually necessary classroom traits. It just makes more sense.

Q: How many people will you teach in a class?
A: I'm thinking for my first class go-round I'm gonna limit it to no more than 10 people, maybe even less. This really needs to be a hands-on and open Q&A forum so I want to be sure each person has time to ask questions, can understand the concept and can move on to the next. Any more than 10 and I'm sure this "teacher" might have an anxiety attack.

Q: Where are you located?
A: I personally am in Mesa (Arizona), but I'm not quite sure where the class will be held yet - definitely somewhere in the East Valley - Gilbert, Mesa or even Queen Creek. Could be in my home or maybe a rented facility type room?? All up in the air but that's what I'm working on.

Q: When and how do I sign up?
A: Awesome... you're ready to go... yay! The class most certainly will not happen this year... phew, I know... you're welcome! Let's get the holidays outta the way - heck you may even find a nice, shiny new camera from Santa and now you know just where to go to get hooked up with a lesson, or two. I'm thinking mid to late February at the soonest. In the next few weeks I will open up a mailing list/pre-registration list for anyone who is seriously interested. Stay tuned and be sure to get on the list for advance registration - remember 10 people or less per class.

Q: Will you let us know the cost before we sign up?
A: Heck ya! I'm no used-car sales guy... no offense... ;-) At this point it's looking to be about $50 per person for a 2-hour class. However, this may change between now and registration - but once I make the official announcement that will be the final cost; no changes, no hidden fees.

Now, let me remind you what this class is NOT. For photography: this is not a workshop, meaning an all day, live shoot with models and lecture and all that good stuff. If that's what you're looking for let me know and I'll point you in the direction of some good workshops. This also is not a class for those who feel like turning pro... right now. This is a class, however for those looking to capture better pictures, to get your camera off the Auto mode and into the Creative modes. If going pro is something you desire down, way down the road that's great. This will get you knowing your camera, it's functions and most of the technical mumbo-jumbo you'll need. For Photoshop: this can be a hands on class if you own a laptop or just an in-depth how-to class with lots of note taking and Q&A. I am self taught so most of what I will be teaching are things I have learned from trial and error.

So that wraps up the questions I have so far. If you think of anything else please do not hesitate to e-mail me directly.

And for kicks and grins I leave you with photos I took of a dear, sweet friend's baby shower... for this little guy.

Taking care of business...

Don't know if you've noticed this yet, but at the top header I've added a link titled 'Interested in taking a class'? I've been giving this a ton of thought lately and after some "gentle" persuasion by persistent friends I thought I would at least put this out to the great world wide web. So, if you click on the link above it will take you to a quick poll/survey I'm conducting to see if there is much interest out there.

The Beginner's Photography Class would consist of reviewing gear, settings, terminology, lighting, composition, and most importantly just how to take better pictures (of your kids, pets, anything).

With the Beginner's Photoshop Class I can offer 2 types of focuses; Class A would consist of using Photoshop for photo editing and we would learn the basics to editing including layer masks, adjustments and enhancing. Class B would focus on using Photoshop as your design software for making invitations, announcements and digital scrapbooking - we would cover topics such as brushes, creating and using elements, masking and layer styles

In either class scenario experience is NOT necessary, nor is a high-end camera or the latest/greatest version of Photoshop. However, I must warn you now... I am not a trained teacher! I will probably get off topic, I will probably make up words on the fly and I most likely will learn something new from you before the day is over. Guaranteed. So go HERE and let me know if you're interested.

And since I just finished editing this family session I thought it's only appropriate to post a few more - other than their 'outtakes'.

Enjoy!



and this one has just become a personal fav of mine... it's kind of sweet and simple!