I think the hardest part of the year for a photographer is the cold winter months–luckily my studio work keeps me busy, but it’s just so exciting when the snow is off the ground, and we can get OUT of THE HOUSE!

My good friend Lois and I decided we’d had enough cabin fever, and the first time the temp hit 50 and we were both free, we decided LET’S GO! Plimoth, or Plymouth Plantation was the destination. I’d never been and Lois hadn’t been since her grandkids were wee youngins.  As a history major in college and an interest in all things historical I wasn’t disappointed with the village.  Both Lois and I fell quickly into the language and conversation with the many re-actors and it was fascinating learning ‘first hand’ the truly challenging conditions of the earliest settlers.

We had a great time, got some sun- and wind-burn, and learned alot!

Highly recommended. Except in December.

Spent the last week in Phoenix with 450 of the worlds–yes, worlds–most incredible photographers who shared shooting techniques, branding, album designs, and mostly their hearts. I took 15 different classes in 4 days; a day at the PPA trade show lusting over new albums, software, lenses, etc etc etc;  formal and informal sessions and lunches with my heros of the photographic industry: David A Williams, TriCoast Photography, Boudoir Divas, The Bebbs, Storey Wilkens, AltF (of Trash the Dress Fame) and too many others. I could have chosen the other 15 classes offered and still walked out blown away by such talent.

Lots of new session options will be coming, including boudoir, enhanced seniors, Day After sessions. Stay tuned!

So where are the pictures? A photo conference without pictures?? Seriously, the learning was mostly classroom, but my absolute favorite 4 hours was with TriCoast who reinforced the idea that you don’t always have to find shade to get great pictures:  All these were taken between 11am and 12noon –making day into night!

and shooting into full noon sun. SO COOL!

I was particularly gratified that my own reasons for being in the business are validated.  All the fancy techniques and processing ad heavy posing don’t mean a thing if you can’t capture the soul.

Meeting lots of new friends was priceless.

I came home to no heat (40 degrees inside) and subsequent pipes bursting but with a lot of help from a lot of people, am fully functional now (except for kitchen plumbing.) Thank you Sara, Barney, Lois and Armand. A quick one of Armand as we were discussing some of the convention:

I am richer for the people in my life.

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