Jennie and I like to take our winter time and stretch ourselves creatively. It’s a chance for us to get out and learn, create and mingle with our photographer compatriots. One of the main benefits of this ‘exploration’ is the opportunity to test ourselves and our equipment so that when your wedding day comes, we can be ready quickly to create something that looks gorgeous for our brides 
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of working with Micheal Spirito and Brad Smith in at a photo session with 3 great looking models and a really cool location. Except for the skateboard shot below, all the images were made with one or two lights. This means that these techniques can be adapted to the fast paced wedding environment rather easily without compromising the day’s schedule. Although these images tend more toward the ‘artsy side,’ there are plenty of ways these could be adapted to a bride and groom. I’m really pleased with how these turned out, but I also have to admit, having reeeaaaallllyy attractive models helps a bit…
As you may have already heard in one of our previous posts, Jennie and I had the great fortune fortune of attending Mystic 5. A photographers dream, specifically a wedding photographers dream, the event taught us a lot. We also had the opportunity to hang with our Strawberry Road friend, Brad Smith, of Brad Smith Photography. Just days before the conference, the wheels started turning and we’d decided a little hookie from the conferences might be a nice idea. So what did we do, we lined up a gorgeous model and challenged ourselves to a time restrained high speed fashion/boudoir shoot. Jennie and I shot with no real theme in mind except to get great images that captured the attitude and beauty of our model Sarah…
T’was just weeks before Christmas
and all through the Hilton,
the hotel was abuzz
and all the food had been wheeled in.
Lori and Nik all dressed to the nines,
threw a party in a snowstorm, and were looking so fine.
Friends and family’d all traveled
from places near ‘n far.
All seemed so pleased
there’d be an open bar. 
With formals complete
let the reception begin.
The doors to the ball room
soon we’d be in.
A first dance so sweet
had never been seen.
But it would soon be overshadowed
by a Journey karaoke cover that was just plain MEAN!!!
Stories from friends
with hands on hind ends,
Made everyone laugh
while they read their…hind ends!
He danced with his Mom,
she danced with her Dad,
Never a better time
had all ever had.
-fin
Wow. Mystic 5. It’s over, it was amazing. When my partner Jennie mentioned the conference months ago, I read through the itinerary and saw only one name, Joe McNally. He was the reason I had signed on to go. He’s been a hero of mine for quite awhile. A veteran who’s shot the world and done it beautifully. Now I’m ashamed to say that he was the only real reason I signed up. The list of photographers that spoke at the event were a veritable who’s who of wedding photography. I hesitate to list any of their names here because I would be remiss if I were to accidentally omit even a single one. So instead of singing the praises of each individual photographer or company, I will convey to you what the broad brush stroke of the event left indelibly etched into my soul…
Each photographer or photography team got up and spoke masterfully in each of their own unique styles. They poured their heart and message through the microphone and splashed amazing images upon the silver screen (and for those of you who were there, the HDTV’s I listened, I agreed with a lot of things and disagreed with a few, too. I learned a tremendous amount about off camera flash, fearless available light photography and gizmos that can save time and money.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that there was a message being put out by every voice. A simple message that, were you not listening with your heart, you may have missed it. I have a theory about shows like Mystic 5. If you go to a show of that ilk, whatever the trade or service you provide, over the three or four days of the seminar, you should shoot to walk away with at least 3 or 4 great ideas or inspirations. I may have gotten those from this event, but I am still processing the data so the verdict is still out. But I will say, those ideas or inspirations are vastly overshadowed by the ONE message I know I received. Here it is, the simple message, the one that I hope know will change my outlook on Jennie and my business… be brave.
My last blog post was honest, it was real… and it caused a firestorm of debate. After going to Mystic 5 I no longer have any trepidations about that post. I wrote from the heart, the same way Jennie and I make images. We believe in what we do and we believe that our customers are smart, savvy and when they read a post like that from us, they know that their wedding photographers are honest. You see, every photographer that was standing on that stage was able to convey their message about their art and business because they believed in their work. By the end of the conference having seen all the presenters it dawned on me that for them to get there, they didn’t just have to be great photographers. For a long time they were just photographers. How did they get there… by being brave. They took that leap of belief in themselves that helped them transcend mediocrity and become someone that hundreds of us would want to hear from. So that’s it, I’m being brave… Walter, you can save Jennie and me a slot for Mystic 7
