Location Announced for Finding Style Workshop

Next weekend's photography Finding Style Workshop is going to be held in the super cool Natural Expressions Studio!

Natural Expression Studio
2800 Shamrock Ave. Suite B,
Fort Worth, TX 76107

I am SOOOO excited about this workshop and this location is PERFECT!

There are still a couple of seats left! And the price is freakin good for this location and a model - never mind the workshop part. Click here for details or to sign up. Oh, and I had several people ask exactly how much you need to know for this class. You need to have your DSLR, a basic understanding of photography terminology (like if Mike says adjust your ISO you'll know what he's talking about), and a desire to have a fun time learning some new stuff. Holly will be doing some handholding for a couple of brave newBs who jumped in. If you're thinking about coming and have any ?s, email and we're happy to help you figure out if this class is for you.

And YES - we will be dabbling with some dramatic lighting. Boo Yah!

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 102: ABILENE- JULY 27th, 2008

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 102: THE WEDDING

SUNDAY, JULY 27th ABILENE, TEXAS

Introducing Wedding Photography 102! This brand new class/ workshop focuses solely on wedding day photography.
Weddings 102 Workshop is 1/3 lecture and 2/3 workshop aka shooting. We will discuss and practice shooting a wedding. You will quickly learn what it's like to shoot a wedding in poor lighting. You'll find out what to do when your movements are limited so you still get great images. Belle's Photography always goes for stealth mode for weddings - so you'll learn how to be an unobtrusive photographer as well.

We will be covering the following content:

• Shoot a Mock Wedding
• The Flow of the Wedding Day
• Key Shots & When to Take Them
• How to Nail Difficult Shots (even in poor lighting)
  
• Low Lighting Challenges
  
• Quick Posing for Alter Shots
• Fun & Contemporary Bridal Party Poses
• What to Expect on the Wedding Day
  
• Working Effectively with a Wedding Coordinator
• The Rules About the Rules
• Limitations and How to Work with Them
• 2nd Shooter Tips that lead to More Gigs
• Major Mess-ups and how to Avoid Them
• Getting Started in Wedding Photography

Weddings 102 was designed to allow photographers to get their feet wet in wedding photography, by shooting a mock wedding. So there is no risk of messing up someone's once in a lifetime event. This workshop will be a staged event. Photographers will have the opportunity to shoot the bride, groom, ceremony, alter shots, and bridal party as a wedding photographer would normally progress through the day. If you haven't shot weddings before, it may surprise you to see how flexible the day is with getting the shots you need.

This workshop will be held at a real wedding location in Abilene, Texas. The Chapel on the Hill is a beautiful wedding venue adorned with limestone, marble, and stained glass. During the workshop you will have the opportunity to shoot a mock wedding in full wedding attire. There will be the bride in a designer wedding gown, groom decked out in a tux, and attendants in matching attire. You'll learn quickly how a wedding day typically progresses. After the shooting in the chapel, we will do posing and move through a typically wedding day requests including alter shots. During this time there will be on-going speaking and opportunity for Q&A.

How does this class help you? There are lots of practical ways this class will help your business. Not only will you walk away with portfolio pieces from an entire wedding, but you'll grasp some crucial information that can make or break you in the wedding photography industry.

This workshop is a 100 level class which means newBs are welcome. The only requirement for the class is that you have a DSLR camera. You do not need to have taken Weddings 101 prior to this class. They can be taken interchangeably. Weddings 102 builds on Weddings 101, but branches off into a different, yet practical direction. What's the difference between Weddings 101 & 102? Well, 101 focuses largely on discussion of key shots, and wedding portrait basics with an emphasis on bridal portraits. Bridal portraits are a key component in booking weddings. In weddings 102 you'll actually be shooting a mock wedding. The class fixates on the wedding day itself.

The class size for this event is extremely limited, so if you want to sign up, do it early. The smaller class size means more attention, more help, and more opportunity to participate. This isn't a little lecture where you sit back and listen. This is a jump in and get your feet wet workshop!

The shooting section will be from 1pm-4pm. After that we will head to a local eatery for a light dinner to decompress and ask questions that may have arisen from during the day. Light dinner will be provided.

Location: Chapel on the Hill, Abilene, TX
Instructor: Mike
Date: July 27th, 2008
Time: 1:00pm-6:00pm
Investment:Click here to register
Class Size: 12 students

New Workshop Dates for the rest of 2008

Quick notes:

The Dallas finding style class still has a few seats open. This class will have a lot of hand holding for those of you who need it. That class is listed HERE and is on June 29th.

The Weddings 102 class sold out quickly. I've had enough requests to open another section. The next time the class will be offered is in late July in Abilene, TX.

Our workshops through the fall are as follows:

June:
22nd: Weddings 102 - Kaufman, TX (outside of Dallas)
29th: Finding Style - Dallas, TX

July:
26th: Weddings 102 - Abilene, TX

August:
9th: Making Money in Photography - Abilene, TX
10th: Intro to Digital Photography - Abilene, TX

September:
TBA: Dramatic Lighting - Abilene, TX

October:
19th: Intro to Wedding Photography I & II - New York

Please note that cities will not be repeated, so make sure you catch us when we are in your neck of the woods. If you would like to attend a class in Abilene, TX, please use the local airport (airport code is ABI) which is serviced by Continental and American Airlines.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 102: DALLAS - JUNE 22nd

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 102: THE WEDDING
Sunday, June 22nd - Kaufman, Texas

Introducing Wedding Photography 102! This brand new class/ workshop focuses solely on wedding day photography.
Weddings 102 Workshop is 1/3 lecture and 2/3 workshop aka shooting. We will discuss and practice shooting a wedding. You will quickly learn what it's like to shoot a wedding in poor lighting. You'll find out what to do when your movements are limited so you still get great images. Belle's Photography always goes for stealth mode for weddings - so you'll learn how to be an unobtrusive photographer as well.

We will be covering the following content:

• Shoot a Mock Wedding
• The Flow of the Wedding Day
• Key Shots & When to Take Them
• How to Nail Difficult Shots (even in poor lighting)
  
• Low Lighting Challenges
  
• Quick Posing for Alter Shots
• Fun & Contemporary Bridal Party Poses
• What to Expect on the Wedding Day
  
• Working Effectively with a Wedding Coordinator
• The Rules About the Rules
• Limitations and How to Work with Them
• 2nd Shooter Tips that lead to More Gigs
• Major Mess-ups and how to Avoid Them
• Getting Started in Wedding Photography

Weddings 102 was designed to allow photographers to get their feet wet in wedding photography, by shooting a mock wedding. So there is no risk of messing up someone's once in a lifetime event. This workshop will be a staged event. Photographers will have the opportunity to shoot the bride, groom, ceremony, alter shots, and bridal party as a wedding photographer would normally progress through the day. If you haven't shot weddings before, it may surprise you to see how flexible the day is with getting the shots you need.

This workshop will be held at a real wedding location south of Dallas, Texas. The Victorian House (pictured below) is a beautiful wedding venue equipped with a chapel and beautiful grounds. During the workshop you will have the opportunity to shoot a mock wedding in full wedding attire. There will be the bride in a designer wedding gown, groom decked out in a tux, and attendants in matching attire. You'll learn quickly how a wedding day typically progresses. After the shooting in the chapel, we will do posing and move through a typically wedding day requests including alter shots. During this time there will be on-going speaking and opportunity for Q&A.



How does this class help you? There are lots of practical ways this class will help your business. Not only will you walk away with portfolio pieces from an entire wedding, but you'll grasp some crucial information that can make or break you in the wedding photography industry.

This workshop is a 100 level class which means newBs are welcome. The only requirement for the class is that you have a DSLR camera. You do not need to have taken Weddings 101 prior to this class. They can be taken interchangeably. Weddings 102 builds on Weddings 101, but branches off into a different, yet practical direction. What's the difference between Weddings 101 & 102? Well, 101 focuses largely on discussion of key shots, and wedding portrait basics with an emphasis on bridal portraits. Bridal portraits are a key component in booking weddings. In weddings 102 you'll actually be shooting a mock wedding. The class fixates on the wedding day itself.
The class size for this event is extremely limited, so if you want to sign up, do it early. The smaller class size means more attention, more help, and more opportunity to participate. This isn't a little lecture where you sit back and listen. This is a jump in and get your feet wet workshop!

The shooting section will be from 11am-2pm. After that we will head to a local eatery for a late lunch to decompress and ask questions that may have arisen from during the day. Lunch will be provided.

Location: The Victorian House, 3950 FM 987, Kaufman, TX
Instructor: Mike
Time: 11:00am-4:00pm
Investment: $299 per person - CLASS IS SOLD OUT
Class Size: 10 students

1. Jessica B
2. Brady
3. Brady's Friend
4. Jessi W.
5. Marty F.
6. Monty I.
7. Carol S.
8. Tracie B.
9.Kyle M.
10. Lisa M

Please note: Workshops are 1st come 1st served. When the class is full, no more students will be admitted. Any and all funds will be returned if you enroll after the class has reached capacity. Due to the nature of this event, it is non-refundable, non-transferable. If the event is canceled by Belle's, all registration fees will be refunded. In the case of inclement weather, please contact the studio for updates.

Wedding Photography 102: June 2008

Belle's is finalizing details on a new wedding photography workshop - Wedding Photography 102. This workshop will be 1/3 speaking and 2/3 shooting a wedding. Coming June 2008. More details will post shortly.

DALLAS: Finding Style Portrait Workshop - June 29th, 2008

DFW: Finding Style Portrait Workshop

Sunday, June 29th

Belle's has put on workshops across the country. We offer hands-on help for fledgling photographers in a fun and easy atmosphere.

This workshop will be held in Dallas, Texas. And this is a workshop, not a lecture. Which means that there is lots of hands-on learning. This workshop is an in-depth look at portraiture and the various styles. We will be specifically shooting EACH style listed below. We will have the same model in the same gown and you'll see 1st hand how much style affects your portraits.

I've decided to expand this workshop from only bridals to specifically include BRIDAL and PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY. We will have a wedding gown, a prom gown, and street clothes (jeans or what have you).

The purpose of the workshop is to examine different styles of portraiture so that you can better establish your own style.

The workshop will cover the following topics, then some:

• Different Bridal Portrait Styles
• Traditional Bridals
• Vintage Bridals
• Contemporary Bridals
• Urban/ Edgy Bridals
• Dramatic Bridals
• Different Portrait Styles
• Traditional Portraits
• Vintage Portraits
• Contemporary Portraits
• Urban/ Edgy Portraits
• Dramatic Portraits
• Lighting Styles
• Posing Do's and Don'ts
• How Pose Affects Style
• Composition
• Q&A through the day - ask away!
• Get Great Portfolio Pieces!
• Model(s) Provided

We will have a model wearing a wedding gown for this event. THIS WILL BE AN EXCELLENT TIME TO GET SOME KILLER PORTFOLIO PIECES. NewB photogs are totally welcome! This is an intro-intermediate level class. What does that mean? If you aren't quiet sure of your camera yet (like you just got it out of the box) you may have information overload pretty quick. Our workshops and classes that have a '101' in the title are entry level. This workshop will assume you have a DSLR camera and have a basic understanding of how to use it. The 101 classes are an overview of a topic and scratch the surface - this workshop is diving deep into the various aspects of the different STYLES of portraiture.

If you have attended a Belle's Workshop before this one is a bit more advanced. We are going to move through the subject matter in a logical progression, first looking at different portrait styles, and then setting up our own poses. In the 101 classes, we set most of the poses. In this class, you guys are going to be setting up your own shots by the end of the class. To establish your style you need to try things yourself and know what you like.

For example, Belle's overall portrait style typically hangs out wedged between contemporary/urban dramatic - however facets of the other styles influence our current style. I tend to like somber realist paintings from the Romantic period, and its typically reflected in my work. If you don't venture out of your safe zone, it makes it very difficult to establish your own style. This class will put you straight into trying other styles. Since style is a big part of what sells you to a client, its worth paying attention to.

In other words, if you've been looking for your 'look,' this workshop will offer several different looks to try out and hopefully shove you off into creating your own style. Style starts somewhere, baby!

Location: Natural Expression Studio, 2800 Shamrock Ave. Suite B, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Instructor: Mike & Holly
Time: 1pm-4pm
Date: June 29, 2008
Cost: Only $199 per person
Registration: CLICK HERE to register!

Class is almost sold out - if you have been thinking about attending, jump in.

See you tomorrow!

For those of you that are attending the AUSTIN WORKSHOP this Sunday - here is the additional info. Where? 12504 Black Mesa Cove, Austin, TX When? Sunday, April 13th from 1-4pm What should I bring? Bring your camera, lenses, reflectors, flashes, mono pods, and what ever you have. Registration: When you arrive at the location, you will be asked to fill out a registration form. You should bring a copy of your payment with you in case your name is not on the list. Parking: Since this is a private residence, you can NOT park on site. We do not all fit. If you are not a shuttle driver do NOT park at the house. When you find the house (its kind of mid-block) continue on to the end of the street. You will see a public school yard. We will be parking in this lot and will get shuttled over to the house. Currently, we have 1 volunteer. We could still use one more shuttle driver to get everyone over to the house quickly. Since parking requires shuttles, make sure you are on time! We cannot wait for you if you are late. And its a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the house. Please arrive about 10 mins early to make sure you get a ride. The last shuttle will leave the parking lot at 1:05pm - do NOT miss it. Extra: Since this workshop is smaller than most, we can do some more stuff. Holly have a couple of gowns from a new designer who would like them photographed. So, I invite anyone who is interested in that to shoot with Holly, ask questions, and all. Groups: Typically, our workshops attendees are split into small groups. Here is the plan if we stay at less than 20 attendees for Austin - we are going to have 2 models near each other (at different spots on the grounds) where you can walk back and forth between the models and still hear the speaker. The whole group will travel the grounds together to the different shooting locations. I'll have additional wedding gowns with me and change up what the models are wearing at least once. The idea is so you can see what to do when gowns are different shapes. Model Release: Each attendee will be given a model release that will allow them to use the images in their portfolios. Make sure you get one before you leave. Rain: If it rains - we'll be shooting anyway. There are some indoor locations here, and I'm all for shooting in the rain. Contact: You can call my cell if you are running horribly late or need to get in touch. The number is (325) 201-7458. Lost/ Need Directions: Holly and I are not from Austin, so if you get lost, I can tell you if you are close (assuming your within a couple of blocks of something I recognize). And don't ask Holly for directions - you'll end up in El Paso. lol. We strongly recommend printing directions BEFORE you leave. This home is in the middle of a residential section and it does not look like a castle from the front. You can't really see what he's done until you are up by the house.