I’m not sure what got in to me, but I didn’t want to have the perfect model this year at Photo Plus Expo in NY.  I wanted to try babies, and then I wanted to try a two-and-a-half year old, and if the attempts utterly failed, I figured it would still be real. AND, we would all learn a ton through it.

These little ones kept me on my toes!  And I LOVED every minute of it!  It’s a bit like The Nate Berkus Show intensity without lights, cameras filming and two million watching. 

I turned around a few times to talk to the audience about the specific strategies and shooting techniques I was using,

but all in all, I had to keep my eye on the little ones before they crawled away! 

Oh boy, isn’t he a HANDSOME guy!

I LOVE this one of him standing tall between mama’s boots!

And mom, well, she is simply gorgeous–shining through and through!

Endless adjustments and direction to the subjects makes all the difference, along with a big smile on your face to keep them at ease.

And what about that two year old?!  Meet sweet Lila and her mama!

We can’t leave out her best friend Diego!

I think she was trying to decide what she thought about the whole photo shoot and audience thing.  What a trooper she was!

But that couldn’t keep her curiosity away!  I love the honest look in her eyes for this one!

I don’t think a photographer has ever done a demo shoot of a baby or toddler on the tradeshow floor, but I’m thinking it’s a must for WPPI in Vegas this year!  It was such a ride, so much fun, and the kids made us all smile wide!

Believe me, I was NERVOUS!  But if we aren’t challenging ourselves, pushing our limits, trying new things, our creating becomes paralyzed.  Risk taking seems to bring creativity back into play.

A HUGE thank you to all of the moms, dads, toddlers and babies who played along with me!  What a wonderful time we had!

The tradeshow floor has never been so CUTE!!!

xo,

m

For those of you who have asked about the equipment I was using, here you go!

Camera body:  SONY a850 DSLR

Two Lenses: SONY 24-70mm, Carl Zeiss, f/2.8 and the Fixed SONY 85 mm, Carl Zeiss, f/1.4

p.s.  Sweet Lila, the two year old, was one of the babies in my book “Your Baby in Pictures”.  Can anyone guess what Photo Recipe she is in?!

p.s.s.  Last day to enter a Texas mom for the Running on Empty Contest!  CLICK HERE to enter yourself or someone you know!

It’s that time of year again!  Photo Plus Expo’s crazy, intense, inspiring energy is escalating!  Next week is starts.  I swear, I think I rest up for this week all year!  With three talks a day at the SONY booth and a two hour presentation on Social Media “working for you”, dinner mtgs, an exciting new exhibit of latest work from me and the SONY Artisans at Chelsea Museum, and amazing party by SONY and American Photo to kick off the exhibit, and most of all, the awesome catch up with old and new friends…it’s the week to be in New York City if you are a photog lover! What is Photo Plus?  Watch this VIDEO!

It’s not to late to still register and get your booty there!

This is what I’m talking about for two hours in NY next week “Using Social Media Strategically for YOUR Business”…subtitle…instead of finding yourself in a black hole and having wasted a WHOLE LOT of time!  Anyone hear me?    Mark your calendars and come see me!  The date and time of my presentation is Wed, 10/26, from 1:15pm-3:15pm at the Javits Convention Center in NYC.

Be prepared for a candid, super honest conversation, in strategies that have failed horribly (and most importantly–why) and strategies that grow our business from quarter to quarter.   There will be a TON of other fantastic speakers all week!  If you are in need of inspiration, empowerment, a brush up on the skills around your photography or growing your business, you want to come to the Big Apple next week for Photo Plus Expos and WPPI East!

Below is my talk description.  Much of my content is based on weekly emails I get from all of you about Social Media, what to do and not do.  Very excited to see you there!!  Am I going to see you there?!

Title:  Using Social Media Strategically for YOUR Business

What type of Social Media benefits a photographer’s business the most?  Do you need a static website if you have a blog?  Do you spend your time on Facebook and forget about a blog?  How important is Twitter anyways, or a Shopping Cart for that matter?  Or, do you already take advantage of all five of these platforms and still not get the traffic you are looking for?  The question isn’t whether you need one platform over the other, but what is the purpose of each and will it help you meet YOUR specific business goals.  Me Ra Koh is going to share how she uses all of these platforms for different parts of her business.  At the end of the day, time is what we value most.  As a busy mom, business owner and photography expert for The Nate Berkus Show, Social Media needs to not only grow Me Ra’s business but save her time by multiplying the work she’s already done.  If Social Media isn’t saving her time and making her money, it’s not worth doing.  Come hear Me Ra share what she’s found that makes sense for photographers in the Social Media world, and what is just noise.  Whether you are just launching a new business and trying to book clients or your an established pro wanting to expand your brand, Me Ra is going to leave you excited and empowered with a whole new juicy set of Social Media tools to grow your business, make you money and most of all, save you TIME!

Am I going to see you there?!

A few of the other “AWESOME” SONY Artisans are giving two hour presentations that you want to see!  Here they are!!

And remember that contest, where you told me what confidence and photography meant to you in a comment below?  That’s still going!  The winner gets free passes to the show!  Post your thoughts below!  All comments, from today’s post and the other, will be considered!  I’m even going to see if I can get the winner two VIP, invite only, tickets to the big SONY bash Thursday night!  So post your comments on what confidence and photography meant to you!

xo,

m

p.s.  Tomorrow’s post is another Amazing Mom interview with a Boudoir Photographer!

Meet Pulitzer Prize winning photographer and SONY Artisan, Brian Smith!

I know what you are thinking…”wait a minute…he’s not an Amazing Mom!”    Yep, your right.  But…Brian is freaking AMAZING!  And somehow, he has graciously made time in his busy schedule and accepted the invitation to be here today to talk about shooting celebrity portraits, his new book Art & Soul, and how to win the Pulitzer Prize.  But that’s not all!  Brian Smith  is ALSO going to be with us tomorrow night on the forum for our 2 hour Ask & Learn!  I personally promised him you would ALL come with questions, small and big ones, so mark your calendars ladies for this awesome treat!

CLICK HERE to register yourself on the SOARORITY Forum!

For those of you who feel intimidated to ask Brian a question, keep reading this fantastic interview we had.  Brian is completely approachable, super giving and just all around FUNNY!  I first met him through SONY three years ago, and he has a heart of gold.  I am truly honored to be a SONY Artisan alongside someone like Brian.  If you ever wanted to connect with a celebrity photographer, today and tomorrow night is your chance! 

 And now, on to our interview! 

Q: What’s your first memory of photography?  Or being enthralled with picture taking?
I think everybody from my era remembers the magic the first time they watched a print develop in the darkroom. It’s kind of sad that many people starting out now will never have that experience. The real magic came when I had my  first photo published in the local newspaper when I was in high school. I shot sports for my hometown newspaper and still remember the first time I went out to the doorstep and picked up a paper with one of my photographs. It was a bit surreal. A few years later I had my first magazine photo in LIFE and I was absolutely and totally hooked.

And Brian, thank you SO MUCH for being here!!  You are the BEST!  (There is just something about men named “Brian”.  )

It’s Wednesday night, and I am headed home.  I’m thinking about all that happened “just” today, and I am overwhelmed. It has been an amazing year at WPPI, Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.

I want to thank ALL of you who said a prayer for my platform talk, Creating Confidence.  Hundreds of women (and a few good men ) came, and within two hours I felt a deep, beautiful confidence infuse the room.  So many of you shared your stories with me afterward, and I treasure every one.  Their was a shift that happened in that room for so many.  I felt my own spirit step into a new level of confidence.  What an amazing morning.  A couple thank you’s that are a must…first, thank you to SONY for sponsoring me to give my talk.  It is a honor to represent you and have your support.  Big thanks to WPPI for having me join the conference in the last hour.  Something shifted this year in how many women attended, and how supported they felt.  It was BEAUTIFUL.  Thank you WPPI!  And a HUGE thank you to all those who attended my talk!  To get up and be at my 8am talk–8am in VEGAS!–and not only attend–but you brought your whole heart, it was a honor to be with all of you this morning.  We took a gazillion photos together, will you tag me on FB b/c I would love to remember all your names.

But the day’s magic didn’t stop with my morning talk.  Seventy women got in the limo shuttle and packed into taxis to the Little Chapel of Flowers for a special SOAR! Luncheon to honor women in photography.  Wow!  This luncheon was AMAZING!!  I wanted to cry with tears of joy as I watched SOAR! Applicants meet each other face to face for the first time in two years.  And then there were so many women who came that are simply new to the industry, new to SOAR!, and after this luncheon they felt plugged in and surrounded with support.  A BIG thank you to a few of the SOAR! Partners who helped pull off the luncheon.  Roxanne at Pixel2Canvas was our hero on making this luncheon happen.  Smugmug and FastLine Media also came and blessed the women with surprise, generous gifts.  A couple from Thirst Relief dressed up as a Bride/Groom so we could do a live shoot–we LOVE Thirst Relief for 1001 reasons!  Mike Larson and his lovely wife Rachel and sweet baby Hannah came so we could practice taking photos of a family/baby.  Mike, amazing photographer and busy as all get out, gave us two hours to practice taking photos of him and his family!  Dane Sanders came and shared some of his favorite tips to working with a bride and groom, and then he shared a few things from his heart that were so sincere and moving.  Thank you Dane.  And Lauren Wendle, the VP of Nielsen Photo Group (who owns WPPI, Photo Plus, PDN, really–all of it )…she graced us with her presence, words of support and that alone felt like such incredible gift to women in the industry.  The venue, Little Chapel of Flowers, went over the top in hosting a beautiful lunch for all of us.  If you or a friend is ever getting married in Vegas, this sweet chapel is the place to go!

But one of the most beautiful parts was having some of the SOAR! women get up and share their stories.  Christine Barker and Lynda Kennedy, former SOAR! applicants, both shared their stories and it was powerful.

SOAR! Sisters! Melanie Soleil and Christine Barker

Their was a shift this year at WPPI, and it was beautiful.  If you didn’t get to come, you’ve got to mark your calendar for next year.  We will have to do another SOAR! Garden Party!!!  Throughout the week I asked several women, “Do you feel supported this year at WPPI, or do you feel like the show is catering more to men?”

Orange County CONFIDENCE Women from 3 years Ago!

Every single woman told me that she had had the BEST week at WPPI, felt wonderful support and was excited at how much she had learned.  This year, 65% of those attending WPPI were women.  It was amazing!  I have to thank all those at WPPI who have made subtle changes that are empowering women in POWERFUL ways. Without WPPI, none of these powerful experiences would have happened this week.  (thank you George for EVERY thing you and your team did)

Nine speaking sessions in three days.  Phew.  I can’t wait to get home tonight and hug my beautiful babies.  Pascaline told me on the phone today that she bought me a gift at Starbucks because of how proud she is of her mama speaking to women.  How did I get so lucky to have the most beautiful support from my nine year old?  My heart is full.

To all of you who are in Seattle/Tacoma area, I invite you my last February speaking engagement this Sunday at Destiny Church.  Click here for directions.  It starts at 10am.  And I’m going to share my heart on how the impossible still happens today. If your spirit is heavy, your heart is discouraged, and you feel alone, I hope to meet you on Sunday at this speaking engagement.  This is for women and men–so all of you guys who email me about coming to hear me talk–this is your event.    Look forward to seeing you.

xoxo,

m

p.s.  Due to being up front, I didn’t get a lot of photos from this week and the Garden Party.  If you took photos, will you post them to FB and tag me?  I would LOVE to share the photos on the blog!!  Thanks so much!

I had an unexpected gift two nights ago at #WPPI.  Nigel Barker, a celebrity photographer and judge for America’s Next Top Model was here, in Vegas, to do the SONY sponsored keynote and a Runway Show for over 4,000 photographers.

I’m also so excited to say that it’s official!  Nigel is the latest member to the Sony Artisans of Imagery group!  Before the event started, Sony brought me back stage to meet him in person and spend a few minutes together.

Here is a man who is on TV every week with all kinds of pressure (that I’m sure I can’t even fathom).  There are endless reasons for him to have a huge ego, and instead he was so incredibly down-to-earth, gracious and kind.  And he’s a dad to two beautiful kids!

WPPI feels like coming home in some ways because of all the wonderful industry of wedding and portrait photographers we’ve known for years. But the entertainment industry feels so new and foreign, and the pressures that arise can feel so intense.  So to meet someone who is in the thick of it all the time, and so clearly loves what he does and smiles from within with passion–it’s simply inspiring.

This unexpected introduction was an unexpected gift that meant more than Nigel will ever know.  Thanks so much Nigel for being you.  (And a big thanks to Sony for the introduction.)

xoxo,

m

p.s.

For more info and videos, check out Nigel Barker’s blog.

Remember those great books when we were kids, the Choose Your Own Adventure books?  This year’s Holiday Camera Wish List is set up a little like that!  (in theory )

With all the different types of cameras out there, how do you know which one is best for you?  I’ve tested and trialed several Sony cameras from the Point-and-Shoot model to their top of the line DSLR.  Each camera serves it’s purpose depending on what you are shooting.  So let’s start by asking you a simple but telling question “What do you like taking pictures of?”  Your answers will make all the difference in what you want to buy or not buy.

What do you love taking pictures of?  Choose Your Answer, and You Choose Your Next Adventure!

A.  Family and Kids!  Choose Adventure Cameras A or C!

B.  Flowers and other Close Up Still Life Photography!  Choose the Adventure Camera B!

C.  Travel Photography or All Around on-the-go Photos (but want more then a Point-and-Shoot)!  Choose Adventure Camera C!

D.  Sports/Kids/Fast Action!  Go Back to Adventure Camera A!

E.  I’m charging money, thinking of switching camera brands for better color results, speed and more megapixels!  Strap On Your Parachute and Choose Adventure Camera D!

Saddle Up for New Adventures!

_________________________________________________

Adventure Camera A:  The a55 Sony DSLR!

Price: $749,  CLICK HERE for More Details!

This is the fastest shooter in town!  It has this crazy, ground breaking technology called Translucent Mirror Technology.  This technology will give you 10 frames (pictures) per second!!!

The a55 is also the Official SOAR! DSLR for this year’s upcoming Recipients!  And it’s also the DSLR that I shoot with when I’m on set with the Nate Berkus Show!

Adventure Camera B:  The Cyber-shot TX9!

Price: $399,  CLICK HERE for More Details!

I love shooting with this little lady!!  She may be small in size, but don’t be fooled!  She is stronger than you think!  She shoots 3D Panorama and HD video!  The LCD screen is 3.5″!  And this sweet thing is capturing images that are 12.2 Megapixel.  I don’t recommend a point-and-shoot if your subjects are on the go.  But if your subjects are holding still, here are a few things to consider.

When buying a point-and-shoot type camera, no matter what brand, you want to make sure it has more than 9 plus megapixels for a great, quality 8 x 10 print.  Since you can’t change lenses with a point-and-shoot, you want to make sure your camera has the ability to zoom in for good close ups of those flowers, and vice versa, go wide too.  Optical Zoom is key.  Digital zoom will lead to lower quality images.  (This little bit of info is inspired from all the goodies coming in my new book that releases in March 2011!)  Note to men: it comes in guy colors too. 

Adventure Camera C:  The NEX 5 w/ 16mm lens !

Price: $649.99,  CLICK HERE for More Details!

This is the World’s Smallest and Lightest DSLR in the WORLD!  This DSLR is the size of your point-and-shoot, BUT you can change lenses and capture DSLR quality images, plus shoot HD video!  And the NEX 5 and 16mm lens fits in your coat pocket!  Isn’t that INSANE!  When Sony first sent us a sample to trial shoot before it hit the market, I took it out of the box and was shocked!  Could a DSLR be this small and still capture GREAT photos with the Sony color that I value so much?  This is what my trial run captured…

My answer is YES!  That’s why the NEX 5 with 16mm lens is by far the BEST DSLR for those of you who love taking pictures of your travels!  Can you believe it?  You can travel with a robust DSLR, a few lenses to swap out depending on what you are shooting, and it all fits in your jacket pocket?!  Insane, right!

Adventure Camera D:  The Queen of all Cameras: Flagship Sony a900 DSLR!

Price: $2499.99,  CLICK HERE for More Details!  (This price does NOT include a lens.  )

The flagship Sony a900 DSLR has a full frame sensor, shoots 24.6 megapixels (insane!), and with this much meat still moves fast at 5 frames per second with ultra-low noise.  The list goes on and on, but I’ll let you check it out by clicking the CLICK HERE under the camera images.

This is by far my favorite camera when shooting high end weddings or portrait shoots.

The color quality is unbelievable.  What you see is truly what you get.  Gone are the days of shooting something and then spending hours in post process to get the color corrected.  Nope, doesn’t happen with this Queen of a Camera!

One of my favorite photos taken with the a900 is “Monkey Watch” from our house in the Thailand jungles.

This is a “camera” list, but if you’ve been to my CONFIDENCE Workshops, you know I’ve got a lot to say about buying the right lens.  And if you are just curious to know what’s in our camera bag when we go abroad, I’ve got that post too.  Plus, I’ve got a What’s in Our Camera Bag for Beginners!  Take your pick below!

What Type of Lenses Do You Need?

What’s In Our Camera Bag (when we go abroad, before the NEX was available)

What is in a Camera Bag for the Beginner! (A never before shared post (on this blog!)

Buying a camera is an adventure that leads to countless more rewarding adventures.  It is an exciting purchase that is an investment of your hard earned dollars.  I hope this buying guide helps you navigate through all the noise out there!  Happy holiday shopping and 2011 adventure planning!

xoxo,

m

*5 Days Left to Take the SOAR! Leap!

Spread the word about SOAR! this week, and you’ll be entered to win $100 GC to Amazon for last minute holiday shopping! And the one who completes the most activities gets an extra $50 GC for being SUPER supportive of SOAR!  The deadline has been extended till this Friday!  For details of how to play, CLICK HERE!

Photo Plus Expo in NY this year was buzzing for three days with excitement and inspiration as 40K people came through!  It is such a honor to be a part of this event, especially when I get to share how awesome Sony has been and is!

I did nine talks (phew!) for the Sony booth, a special two hour workshop (warm thank you to all who attended), met a ton of new, wonderful friends,

the incredibly kind Joel from Adorama

reconnected with old, and shoot, even met blog followers and Nate Berkus fans in the airport!

I want to thank Sony, Photo Plus and all of YOU for making it such a special week!

On Thursday night, Sony and American Photo had an AMAZING party where Sony landed several awards for their cameras on American PHOTO magazine’s ’12 Tools That Changed the Rules’ Sony NEX-5,
NEX-VG10 & a55!  (Yeah Sony!)

The night was AMAZING!  There was a VIP Press Event, all six of us (the Sony Artisans of Imagery) had our work on exhibit, and 600 people packed the studio out!  Below is the amazing Brian Smith (Sony Artisan) with his sweet and beautiful wife, Fazia.  I spotted this pic on FB and had to grab it b/c I love them, and you can also see my work on display behind them!  LOL!   Check out Brian’s blog/portfolio when you get a chance.  He does amazing work of celebrities.  All the Artisans are just amazing artists and people.  When I get a hold of our annual photo as a group, I’ll post it up with their names and links!

But one of the last surprise moments of the week was when I walked up to my gate Saturday night to head home, and Jim and Katarina Garner were on the same flight with me!  Our flight had to land in Chicago b/c of plane issues, and the three of us kept each other awake and laughing till we got home in the wee hours of the morning.  And no, there is no photo of the three of us, between Katarina and I crying from exhaustion…a photo moment was not part of our time.    But what would we do with out friends to laugh with!

Much love to Sony, Photo Plus and all our friends who make this life amazingly rich every day!

I hope to see the rest of you there next year!

xoxo,

m

Just when I thought October couldn’t get any crazier!…As you know, we got a last minute call to come tape another show with the Nate Berkus Show last week.  It was a whirlwind, but it went AWESOME!  We are so excited for you to see it!  As soon as I know the air date, I will let you know.  And as fate would have it, we are repacking our suitcases and heading back to NY with the talented Sony Artisan Team for Photo Plus Expo this week.  I wanted to post up my speaking schedule because I would love to see you, meet you, catch up with you, laugh with you…all of the above!

I’ve got a handful of 25 minute talks at the Sony booth that I’m excited about.  I’ll be giving quick, simple tips (25 minutes worth!) on taking great portraits.  And on Saturday afternoon, I’ve been asked to give a two hour talk on going Beyond the Green Box (based on our award winning DVD).  If you haven’t been able to make our CONFIDENCE Workshop, this is a two hour taste of it!!  Sign up for Saturday’s two hour class by CLICKING HERE!

See you in NY this week!  Oh!!  And, I’m just giggling over here because I’ve got an all new Halloween Photo-Recipe coming this week too!  You will LOVE it!  It’s fun for you and the kiddos!

Where to Find Me Ra in NY this Week! 

Thursday, Oct. 28th

12 noon-12:25pm / Shooting Demo:  Simple Tips for Great Portraits

2pm-2:25pm / Shooting Demo:  Simple Tips for Great Portraits

3pm-3:25pm / Talk 1:  Taking Great Family Photos

Friday, Oct. 29th

10:30am-10:55am / Talk 1:  Taking Great Family Photos

1pm-1:25pm / Talk 1:  Taking Great Family Photos

3:30pm-3:55pm / Shooting Demo:  Simple Tips for Great Portraits

Saturday, Oct. 30th

10:30-10:55am / Shooting Demo:  Simple Tips for Great Portraits

11:30-11:55am / Talk 1:  Taking Great Family Photos

1:15pm-3:15pm–TWO HOURS CLASS! (description below)

In case you saw the Balancing Act this morning, but missed last week’s Behind the Scenes blog post, I thought I would run the post again! Remember to take advantage of the BIG Mother’s Day discount on all our DVDs and 101 Kits.  We’ve had lots of happy customers this week which means lots of surprised moms this weekend!  So fun!  The promo code: mamalove. 

Happy Mother’s Day ladies!  May you all feel celebrated and appreciated!  I know I appreciate all of you BIG time!

See you next week!

xoxo,

Me Ra

Did you see the Balancing Act on Lifetime this morning?  Did you not love the Mother/Daughter team who won?  The daughter’s story and what she has endured is so amazing.  And how did I do for that 5 minute spotlight?  Not to bad for coming out of the Dengue Fever, huh! 

The purpose of today’s feature spot was for me highlight the Mother’s Day HOT items: the (sexy) Copper Brown Sony Alpha 330 DSLR camera bundled with the instructional  Kids in Focus DVD.  See the trailer HERE!  If you remember last summer’s Behind the Scenes photos (CLICK HERE to see more)…

…Sony had invited us to reshoot different parts of our Refuse to Say Cheese/Beyond the Green Box DVDs, so they could include the revised version with their new DSLR cameras in retail stores!  Isn’t that insane?  I still can’t believe all this happened!

If you missed this morning’s show, Lifetime will be airing it again on May 7th at 7am PST/EST.  So you know what…Definitely, Don’t miss it! 

I had a bunch of Behind the Scenes photos emailed to me.  I thought I’d share them with you too.  Taping that show was such a blast!  I can’t thank Lifetime, The Balancing Act and Sony enough for giving me the opportunity to join them!

Getting Make Up Ready

Going over notes and images with the Producer.

Walk through on set.

Cameras rolling!

What the Producer is watching;  Camera 1, Camera 2, Camera 3 and the Teleprompter!

Here I am, loving the whole experience!

One of my favorites!

Close up shot on the monitor of ALL our DVDs!    (yeah!)

And I don’t know about you, but I think this monitor should be replaced.  Look at how much wider we look!  Not cool.

It sounds like I’ll be getting the segment to put on our site soon.  If you are out of country, stay tuned!

And most of all, thanks for all your support!  As I’ve said before, we’ve got a dream to have our own TV show.  This 5 min. piece helps me get more practice and gets us one step closer to that dream.  I appreciate you all praying for us, believing in me, sending me encouraging emails.  I appreciate all of you…more than I can say.

Love you all!

Me Ra

p.s. For more details on the Mother’s Day Special, CLICK HERE!

On Sunday, I got to experience Digital Days for the first time.  It’s a weekend photography conference for a 100 plus people.  You get to come one day or both.  The cost is only $159 (for both days–even less if you attend one day).  I had no idea what to expect.

Brian and I got stuck behind a marathon and ended up being 20 minutes late.  What a nightmare!  But when we showed up, Leslie Fisher was already speaking and not only teaching all sorts of good photography stuff but making people laugh at the same time.  I love this woman!  She is such a great teacher and speaker, and I didn’t even realize she was going to be there.    The last time I saw her she had taken me, Brian and Matthew Jordan Smith to this hole in the wall Thai food restaurant in Las Vegas, and somehow convinced us to wait 1 1/2 hrs for a table b/c the food was THAT good.  Lucky for her, it really was that good!    When I walked in on Sunday, she made me feel at home right away, and helped me transition into speaking after being stuck in the worst traffic.  (thank you Leslie!!!)

Digital Days has a handful of models come in for a live shoot.  They set up soft boxes and let attendees practice working with the models.  The models bring all sorts of costumes to wear, and yes, that is a hula dancer model.    Seriously, it was crazy fun.

Amanda Mays answered my call for a baby model (in like 30 seconds on Twitter!).  She brought her sweet little guy for everyone to practice doing a baby shoot set up.

And then I couldn’t stand it any more.  I walked over and turned off all the soft boxes lights b/c 99% of the time, you DON’T have perfect lighting for a photo shoot when your doing weddings and portraits.  Lucky for me, the attendees didn’t call mutiny but jumped right in to the learning experience.

Together, we figured out how to get GREAT photos in tough lighting!  It was awesome!

Digital Days was great!  They are coming to three more cities (Miami, Boston, and Nashville).  I’m not sure if they are sold out or still have room.  You can check out the Digital Days website to register!

A big thank you to Sony and Popular Photography magazine for inviting me to come and speak!

xoxo,

Me Ra