VPP Education Day

Oh, you know those days when you wake up early after having gone to bed a bit too late and it happens to be pouring outside with no end to the clouds in sight? And the tea doesn't steep well, the milk smells funny, and the bakery bakes your favorite muffin with walnuts, which you happen to be allergic too?

Well, I had one of those days a few weekends ago. The Vermont Professional Photographer's were scheduled to meet up in lovely (but rainy) St. Albans for a day of sessions and practicing technique. Now, I am a student for life. Always learning something new. Always jumping at every opportunity that might offer me a new trick, technique or good joke (Many of you know my jokes are kind of lame...). It was just hard to jump when everything seemed to be holding me in-between my cozy, warm covers.

And then it happened. I think singing loud in the car to one of my favorite bands, Railroad Earth, helped, but I started to come out of my early morning, crummy tea, killer muffin funk and feel excited to go learn! The real cream cheese icing to my yummy carrot cake was something totally unexpected. I saw a moose! On the side of the highway. I have NEVER seen a moose in Vermont. (In Alaska, yes. But they are like squirrels there! All over the place). Seeing my first Vermont moose made me really happy, which made me really excited to be heading up to meet my fellow photogs for a day of talking, photographing, and laughing.

Rain or not, it was going to be a good day.

And I am so glad I went! Mark Sweeney of Exposed with Mark set up the morning session. He arranged for some lovely couples to model for us for some mock engagement sessions. Andy Bishop led the session giving tips that he and Daria live by when working with couples. After a fabulous lunch (Chef Salad rules my world these days.) Wayne Tarr presented the afternoon session and showed us how he created his award winning dancer images. All in all, an amazing day. Thank you!!

So, enjoy a little sneak peek into what professional photographers call a good time. xo Kaht

Andy gives top secret tips and tricks...

Off to play! (In the rain.) Thank you Lucas for holding the umbrella or me!

These two are actually getting married in less than a month!



Another of our lovely couples. :)







Keeping cozy in between shoots!

Andy and Lucas hangin' loose!



Our dance models stretching before the shoot!

Wayne Tarr explaining how "the bag" is used. Streeetch!

My one decent capture from the dance sessions. Wayne, I leave this to you! It was a lot of fun though... :)

We had a nice space to work in at St Albans Bay Park. It was dry!

The group with the dancers!

A group jumping shot was vetoed, but this is pretty close and pretty silly :)

Kubota/Taufer Workshop Fabulousness

When my friend Daria e-mailed me earlier this summer and said, "You MUST sign-up for this workshop in October!" I held little ground for an argument. For Kevin & Clare Kubota and Vicki & Jed Taufer to be visiting Vermont for a workshop was awesome! Maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity to have them in our home state. (I hope they'll come back of course!). So, no argument about it, I signed right up and eagerly awaited October.

What a great time! Kevin, Clare, Vicki, and Jed are fantastic people, photographer's, business entrepreneurs and overall just a ton of fun! In just two days I learned SO MANY new things about my business and my photography. Blows my mind! Education rocks :)

Daria Bishop. Unfortunately her husband and fellow photog Andy could not join us because their son was sick. You're a good Dad/Husband, Andy! :)

Whether he is behind the computer or the camera, Kevin Kubota is an awesome teacher! (And photographer/computer guru)

Working with models on Sugarbush Mountain. Clare is not only Kevin's lovely wife, but his trusted asst. in many things.



Beautiful bride model Liz and trusty workshop mascot Tiki! (Barrie Fisher's dog)

A little swing action for our model couple.





Barrie's nephew Sam was the model for Vicki's Senior Portrait part of the workshop. He did pretty great!

Natalie Stultz and Kathleen Landwherle

Tiki!

Vicki works with Hanne, John Williams daughter and the model for the kid and family portraits section.

Mike Riddell hopped in for a little family snuggle with John and the kids :)



Barrie, Tiki, and Sam



We wanted Tiki to lie down between Barrie's boots to get a cute shot that way. Well, Tiki was not having it. Barrie, being an extreme photographer and willing to do anything for the shot, got down on the ground to entice Tiki to lay down. No such luck.

When all else failed, Barrie brought the boots to Tiki.

Barrie pretty much rocks :)

Daria working it from a distance!

Pals Kevin Kubota and Daria Bishop.

WHAT is this? Well, The Laying Down Game, of course!

We were given the task of taking the best Laying Down Game photo and submitting it for the workshop. The Laying Down Game is basically just that: you lay face down, arms at your side, straight, ANYWHERE and take a photo. Here are Karen Pike, Robin Langdorf, Daria Bishop, Barrie Fisher, and Tiki doing their best Laying Down job.

Devin, bless his heart, went out with me when I got home from the workshop and we (I) embarrassed ourselves a little at the local market.

But THEN later that night (LATE!) we had a great idea. So we packed up my gear, grabbed some props, grabbed the cat Leisl and headed downtown to the cemetery. A little Halloween version of The Laying Down Game :)
All in all an awesome 2 days! xo kaht