It’s true!  I’m alive and well, still here in Boise, ID!  After a nice personal break over the holidays, and traveling to London for SWPP, I’m getting back into the work routine for 2012. The cold dreary months of winter, are a time for me to renew, plan, and educate myself for the upcoming year.  Today I’m announcing some very fun and exciting news about the DREAM Creative Retreats!  DREAM Pro will be coming to a city near you in 2012!  The #1 question I get in my email inbox regarding the DREAM Pro Retreat is- “Will you ever be in my area, or do a workshop closer to me?”  Well, the answer has come!  YES!  We’ll be in the following cities in 2012 (click on the city you’re interested in to register):

Louisville, Kentucky  Saturday April, 14, 2012 (Meet & Greet Mixer Friday evening)

Portland, Oregon  Saturday April 28, 2012 (Meet & Greet Mixer Friday evening)

San Diego, CA  Saturday May 12, 2012 (Meet & Greet Mixer Friday evening)

Boise, ID  Saturday October 13, 2012 (Meet & Greet Mixer Friday evening)

 

We have some fabulous locations lined up and each location will get it’s own blog feature coming up soon!  Space is limited, so if you’d like to snag your spot please visit the Workshop page for more information or click your city above and register right from this page.  Here’s a little more information on the Dream Pro Creative Retreats:

Dream. pro: $495

The DREAM pro retreat is what so many people are truly looking for in a professional photography workshop!  We’ll skip over the “how’s” of setting up your business because that’s a really personal decision (in my honest opinion).  We’re going to dive into the core of your business.  How to get clients, how to get known in your area and stay busy, how to interact with your clients, what you can do for marketing, PRICING, social media and networking, workflow, and of course some actual live shooting to help build a portfolio.  You will leave with images for you to personally use to market your business that YOU have created.  We’ll have models there from different genres and you’ll walk away with a plan for your business, your pricing well thought out, resource guides, help guides from the workshop so you don’t forget all the information overload you’ll get, some special gifts from our sponsors, and inspiration to move forward with your business plans.  Another important thing you’ll walk away with is some relationships with other fellow photgraphers!

This is a full day, 10 hour workhop.  Light refreshments are served in the morning upon arrival, as well as lunch and snacks.  This workshop is for photographers that are actively working on photography as a profession or are aspiring to work in the photography field as a business owner.  You need to have knowledge of your camera and how to get good exposures when shooting.  You should also have some experience shooting other people.

We will not be covering basic camera functions in this workshop, nor will we be covering in depth photoshop editing, that’s what DREAM stories is for .  This is all about the business side of photography and how YOU can determine what success looks like to you.

*Accomodations are not provided during the retreat.

We started the day with Dream Start, a basic overview of how to shoot your camera to get better photos, to step outside of those auto modes and get comfortable with the manual modes.  All in easy to understand language.  Then we jumped into Dream Pro.  This part of the workshop focused on finding what you like to shoot, marketing, attracting clients, pricing and relating to clients.  In the middle we broke for lunch and some chatting and then our live shoot.  This time I brought in some kids to shoot.  They were great and everyone got a chance to see me interact with the girls, and then they got their own chance to interact and shoot as well as ask any questions.  I gave myself a personal task during this shoot and that was to get all my shots in black and white.  So here’s the wonderful girls… (and darn it!  I always forget to get a group photo!- note to self…next time get the group shot at the very beginning!)

Here’s the color captures I got out of my camera, cute- but I wanted a challenge since I don’t use complete sessions in black and white to often…

so here are the black and white versions….

Overall, it was just a great day!  I want to personally thank everyone that came, I truly feel like I made new friends and peers in this great community!  I also want to thank the fabulous vendors who helped out too….

Shootsac, Totally Rad Actions, Simply Color Lab, Simply Canvas, and The [b]School

And just in case you missed what the venue looked like, here it is again….this will definitely be the location of all Seattle Dream workshops, it was FAB!

Today  I planned on sitting in my hotel room all day long- working, blogging, catching up, resting for my wedding tomorrow (Believe me, 3 hours difference does a doozy on your body!).  Instead, I got invited to breakfast, which turned in to a historical tour which led to a rehearsal dinner and then back to my hotel room tonight.  So no I didn’t stay holed up in my hotel room all day long.  I was out in the beautiful Ohio weather, feeling the sun on my back and learning some interesting facts about Kirtland, Ohio.  But now I’m finally getting to blogging!  After all, it IS only 7:42 to my mind and body, instead of 10:42.

Today I’m announcing a give away of 1 seat to the Dream. Pro workshop happening in Seattle on November 6, 2010.  I decided to make this a little challenging and was inspired by Jasmine Star’s giveaway to the CreativeLIVE event that happened a few months ago.  So without further ramblings from me, here’s the details on how to win your seat!  There’s a few things I have to go over first….

*Not sure what Dream. Pro is all about?  Check it out by clicking HERE

*If you win, you will be responsible for your travel and lodging to Seattle.  This giveaway covers the workshop registration only.  Now, with that out of the way, here’s how you can enter to win:

-Create a 60 second video of you telling me what your Dream. is and how this workshop is going to help you achieve that….this doesn’t have to be fancy schmancy, but be creative!

-Please include on the video: your name, studio name, and where you’re from

-Upload the video to Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

-Let me know where to find it via Twitter  @Amandakphoto using the hashtag #DreamProSeattle

the deadline is Sunday, October 17, 2010 11:59 pm

-retweet the following tweet on Twitter:

RT @Amandakphoto Enter to win a seat to the Dream Pro workshop in Seattle on 11/6 @http://bit.ly/8YGhwa it’s going to rock! #DreamProSeattle

-and finally leave me a comment below, letting me know that you’ve done all the above

Whew!  not too bad right?  I can’t wait to see your submissions!  Okay to leave you, I just had to post this photo!  This is one of my favorite family’s ever!  We had a family Lifestyle shoot the other day and here’s an out take.  I don’t post hardly any out takes, but this one just made me laugh.  It was at the end of the night and….well…..it just says it all  When I get back from Ohio I’ll post some more images from this fun session on the waterfront!

Well, it’s here.  The big reveal around all the hype I’ve created (GAH! What DID I create?) Early this year, after many requests, I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to put on workshops to help other photographers.  February was my very first workshop and then the next one was in May.  They were great experiences and I met some amazing photographers at both.  Since May, my email inbox has been full of questions from people, asking when the next workshop is going to be,  if I give basic workshops or other ones not geared towards professional or aspiring professional photographers? After much consideration, I’m so proud to announce my very own “brand” around the workshops I give…..yep that’s right, work SHOPS! See the little slideshow below…

Introducing DREAM.  These creative workshops are all about you living your dream…..whatever that may be.  Maybe you just want to know how to use your DSLR camera better, maybe you want to know a little more about posing or editing to make your images better, and maybe you’re aspiring to make photography your full time job.  Whatever category you fall into, the creative DREAM workshops are geared towards presenting information in an intimate, retreat like environment.  This isn’t your everyday photography workshop!  From the environment, to the topics covered, to the tools and information you walk away with, your experience is sure to inspire you to start living exactly what your dream is.

Three and half years ago, I never imagined I would be where I am today.  I’ve experienced this through hard work, determination, ups and downs, learning experiences, setting goals and yes, even dreaming.  So that’s my inspiration behind these workshops.  The other great aspect of this, is that I can bring these workshops to YOU.  These are 2-3 day, progressive workshops that will appeal to a broad range of people.  Come for 1 day, 2 days or all 3 days, you choose what’s going to work for you and where you are at with photography!  The first DREAM creative workshop retreat is going to take place in Seattle on November 5-6, 2010 in a truly FABULOUS location!

Below is a short description of what each workshop is. Friday evening will be “Dream start” and Saturday will be “Dream pro”.  Here’s a breakdown of the 2 days.  If you want to join us for “DREAM start” or “DREAM pro”, then you can register now! (you have the option of registering for each individual workshop or save $100 if you decide to come to both days!) and BONUS!  The Dream pro workshop is dicounted for the kickoff retreat!:

Registration Options

DREAM start $175.00 DREAM pro $350.00 2 Day DREAM retreat $425.00

First Name

Last Name

Here’s a brief overview of what each workshop is about space is limited in each workshop to leave an inviting and personal experience for each attendee.

DREAM start : $175

This is a “back to basics”, 3 hour photo workshop.  Participants will learn about their DSLR camera in easy to understand language with lots of seeing and doing.  We’ll go over what all the buttons, dials and modes do and how each one affects your images in a different way.

This workshop is for someone who has little to no knowledge of getting good exposures or who has felt totally lost when reading their manual.  At the end of the evening you’ll understand how to take your camera out of the auto mode and why doing that will help you achieve better photos.

This workshop will not cover posing, photoshop, or any business topics.  All beginner or aspiring photographers are welcome, as well as those who may feel like they need a refresher.  Basically this workshop is for someone who has a DSLR and has no idea how to use it.  Requirements for this workshop are that you have a DSLR camera that you can switch out lenses on.

DREAM stories: $350

This workshop will not be offered in Seattle in November, but I’ll put a brief description here.  The DREAM stories workshop is a half day workshop, all about telling stories through your photography.  We’ll go over posing in a natural, relaxed manner, as well as editing and presenting your images to tell a story.

This workshop is for someone who does understand how to get proper exposures of your images in Aperture, Shutterspeed, or Manual mode and who would like some more guidance and information on posing for Lifestyle photography.  It’s great for any range of photography skills, from hobbyist, to mom with a camera, to beginner, intermediate or advanced pro.

This workshop will not cover any type of business topics, or talk about how to use your camera.  It’s all about finding light, utilizing available light, posing and editing naturally but artistically with photoshop.

Dream pro: $700 (introductory Seattle price is $350)

The DREAM pro workshop is what so many people are truly looking for in a professional photography workshop!  We’ll skip over the “how’s” of setting up your business because that’s a really personal decision (in my honest opinion).  We’re going to dive into the core of your business.  How to get clients, how to get known in your area and stay busy, how to interact with your clients, what you can do for marketing, PRICING, social media and networking, workflow, and of course some actual live shooting to help build a portfolio.  You will leave with images for you to personally use to market your business.  We’ll have models there from different genres.  You’ll walk away with a plan for your business, your pricing well thought out, resource guides, help guides from the workshop so you don’t forget all the information overload you’ll get, some special gifts from our sponsors, and inspiration to move forward with your business plans, resource guides, help guides from the workshop so you don’t forget all the information overload you’ll get.  Another important think you’ll walk away with is some relationships with other fellow photgraphers!

This is a full day, 10 hour workhop.  Light refreshments are served in the morning upon arrival, as well as lunch, dinner, and snacks.  This workshop is for photographers that are actively working on photography as a profession or are aspiring to work in the photography field as a business owner.  You need to have knowledge of your camera and how to get good exposures when shooting.  You should also have some experience shooting other people.

We will not be covering basic camera functions in this workshop, nor will we be covering in depth photoshop editing, that’s what DREAM stories is for .  This is all about the business side of photography and how YOU can determine what success looks like to you.

*Accomodations are not provided during the retreat.

So that’s it friends!  The big announcement!  I’m so excited to be able to share with other photographers and help them in their success!  So, what are you waiting for?  Start planning now to attend the very first DREAM retreat November 5-6!  And if you can’t make it, then don’t worry!  Send me a message and lets plan a DREAM retreat in your area!

Dad:

My dad  is doing ok considering.  He finished his first 2 surgeries.  The 2nd surgery was very long (18 hours) and during that surgery an artery was cut a little bit and he lost a lot of blood.  They did a transfusion and everything else went ok.  Since the surgery was so long and he had the transfusion, they decided to finish up the last little bit of a bone graft in a separate surgery, and that will happen in the next few weeks as his body recovers from the other surgeries and transfusion.  The most critical part of the surgery is over, so we are thankful everything went as well as it did.  Thank you all so much again for your concern and thoughts, it really does mean a lot.

Camera Gear:

Ok this is a big one that has got me a little frantic.  As I wrote before, I sold all of my Canon gear faster than I ever thought possible.  I ordered my new Nikon gear, but none of it has gotten here yet!  EEEK!  I’ve been borrowing and renting until it all gets here, but man!  Talk about stress!  I think I’m going to be very happy with Nikon though.  My first shoot with the Nikon equipment is on Sunday, a senior shoot.  And of course I’ll be using the new stuff at the workhsop tomorrow.

Schedule:

My busy season is definitely starting.  I’ve already started scheduling both last minute 2010 seniors and 2011 seniors for over the summer.  I have weddings galore coming up this summer and I just can’t wait to start those again!  I’m looking for more engaged couples.  So if you’re an engaged couple looking to get married later this year or in the future, be sure to contact me for some SUPER deals!  YES, I’m talking SUPER deals  Here’s what’s coming up for me:

May 16-19   Newport Beach, CA for the Escalate Live Conference (I’m SO exicted about this!!) There’s still tickets left if you want to make it too!

May 25        If you go to my church in Poulsbo, I’ll be giving my monthly photo class at 10:30am, it’s free and we’re working on photography basics

May 28       This is my ANNIVERSARY with Nate, 12 YEARS  I’ll also be hosting an Arbonne Party at my home.  GREAT skincare, if you want to come let me                      know!  I’ll get you an invite!

MAY           Baseball season will finally be DONE!  YIPEEEE!

June           The kids will be out of school, what will I do with myself

June 19      My wedding season starts with a super wedding down in Oregon.  I can’t wait!

I’ve also rescheduled the Hawaii Out of the Box Wokrshop for Saturday August 14, so if you want to get in on this one, in an amazing location, email me and I’ll give you the details!  Plus you can start making your travel plans now

I’m going to be posting a Feature Friday blog later today about an amazing client that I’ve had in the past so stay tuned for that post also  As I leave here’s a few of the senior I did this week.  Another Allyson, her full post will come early next week!

I wanted to post a few updates here quickly about things going on.  First of all thank you to my awesome clients for being patient as I catch up from traveling.  Many posts are coming with jobs and projects I’ve been working on and orders have been sent out!

Next, unfortunately with the health of my dad and the seriousness of his surgeries (2 more coming up), and the critical aftercare we’ll be watching, I have postponed the Hawaii workshop.  This will be rescheduled for sometime in August or early September.  I’ll keep you updated and still can’t wait to get out there!  This decision didn’t come lightly, but I just felt like IF I needed to get to Houston quickly, it would be better for me to be closer and here on the mainland.

Also, I’ve made the switch!  This has been a long time coming as I’ve gone back and forth and back and forth.  But this week my new Nikon camera will be here and I’m so excited about it!  I’ll be sure to post my thoughts and struggles (as I’m sure there will be some as I get used to a whole new camera system).  As soon as my lenses arrive I’ll be extra excited!

Lastly I have some spots left in the May 8 workshop here in the Seattle area.  If you know anyone wanting to really step up their game in their business then send me an email or see the link above under “INFO” and sign up.  We’ll be giving away lots of great things to help your business!

I’m going to leave with an image from a wedding I  2nd shot at last year that I never got the chance to blog!  As I catch up on some blogging, this will definitely be in there.  How could I have forgotten this little gem?  Also, Escalate Live is only a few weeks away!  It’s in Newport Beach, CA and  there’s still tickets available- AND if you can’t make it, they will be broadcasting it live!  This is sure to be an amazing conference!

YES!  that is our front gate into the property.  YES!  That is the backyard area with that spectacular ocean view.  YES!  That is our own private beach area for shooting.  This is going to be a relaxing, get away workshop at an unbelievable price!  I have secured awesome sponsors from leading vendors in the industry.  We’re going to make it an evening of talking about business, how YOU can step up your marketing, branding, and whole business presence to take control and steer your business in the direction that you envision!  We’ll also be doing a stylized shoot with models for your portfolio’s in the evening.  Refreshments and drinks will be served.

For a complete run down on what Out of the Box Workshops are, and other information please click HERE

The workshop will be held from 5-10pm on Wednesday May 12, 2010 and the TOTAL cost is $175.  I’m offering this special price for my first workshop in Hawaii!  You will be getting MUCH more in fun swag from our awesome sponsors and vendors!  A full itinerary with directions, hotel options, etc will be sent after registration is confirmed.

If you’d like to register for the Hawaii Out of the Box Workshop, You can do it HERE

E-mail me at katie@amandakphotography if you have any questions…..

Seattle Workshop May 8, 2010 from 9am-7pm

Hawaii Workshop May 12, 2010 from 5pm-10pm

These are BOTH going to be very awesome workshops and I can’t wait for either one!  If you have any questions please let me know!

Let’s see what else can I blab about?  OH!  I know, I can talk about the fact that I’ve been consumed with the movies Toy Story and Toy Story 2 for the past month.  Any of you out there that has a 2 or 3 year old will understand my pain!  I have had 3 at that age.  The first was obsessed with Blue’s Clues.  We still had video tapes then so it was watch rewind, watch rewind…..you get the idea.  Don’t hate on me, because that’s ALL he would watch.  And since I had another newborn at the time, I needed my quiet time!

The second childs obsession was Dora the Explorer.  HEY!  Even boys can like Dora!  I think I still know every single Dora song AND when we would drive by the water in my area, or out to the coast, I was an expert at calling the humped back whales (A OOOOO, A OOOO).  Don’t laugh.  I seriously was THE BOMB whale caller!

Well now my youngest is 2 1/2 and he loves Toy Story.  I don’t even know how it came about.  But it’s odd that I bought a set of Toy Story dolls from The Disney Store almost 6 years ago and none of my first two children cared about them at all.  There was Buzz Lightyear, Woody of course, Jesse, and Bullseye the horse.  They moved from one childs room to the next and sat in a bin until Kasen finally realized that his toys up in his room looked like the DVD cover of a movie we had.  AAAAANNNNND the movie hasn’t stopped playing since.  It really is quite cute.  I find him singing ♫♪♫ You got a friend in me ♫♪♫ you got a friend in me♫♪♫……

Or sometimes I’m busy folding clothes and suddenly a little body appears out of nowhere, slowly walking up to me saying in his best zombie voice…. “Your toys see EVERYTHING” over and over.  I do have to admit I laugh out loud.  And now after that little ramble I shall sign off with the song You Got A Friend In ME stuck in my head!  Happy Monday!  Can’t wait to see a ton of you at WPPI, and seriously get in on this workshop, we have so much fun!!!!

Here’s a quick shot from a session I had this weekend more to come soon from this fun family and their dog!

The registration for the May workshop is about to open up, but I’ve also added another date for the workshop and it will be held in Hawaii!  Honolulu to be exact.  So here’s the lowdown on each one:

May 8, 2010:

Seattle workshop.  It will be all day like the last one with a focus on business and then a live afternoon shoot with models for portfolio building and learning.  Full details of the Seattle workshop can be found HERE.  Registration will open very soon, and if you’ve been on the waiting list then an early bird e-mail will be sent out THIS week with a very special offer!

May 12, 2010:

I’m so excited to be announcing that the Out Of The Box Workshop will be traveling to Hawaii!!!  If you live in Hawaii and have been looking for a great business workshop that will inspire you as well as help your business to grow then this is the workshop for you!  This will be held in Honolulu and will be from 5pm-10pm.  Details on this workshop can be found HERE.  Again Registration will open very soon on this workshop too.

and lastly I’ll be working on another VERY special workshop towards the end of May.  This will be a Star Shooter workshop, and I’d LOVE to have participation from as many photographers as would like to help out.  This is an amazing program and I’m so excited to be bringing Seattle the very first Star Shooter workshop!  Stay tuned to this blog for more information coming out about this workshop!

So there you have it…..I’m sure at the end of May I’m going to be workshopped out!!!!  Please e-mail me if you have any questions….and here’s another image from Sunday’s lighting shoot!

Here’s a quick recap of the models from the workshop.  If you’d like to be considered for the workshop in May, send me a message!  I need a few couples to model for me!  I’m full on Seniors.