Putting out feelers...

[Kathi]

Now that we are settling into the new studio, Robert and I have been tossing around the idea of offering some educational workshops. Before I go and post anything in the "Workshops" section though, I wanted to "put out some feelers" to see what y'all might be interested in the most. We plan to start offering educational workshops periodically with a different theme each time. But to get started, would you be more interested in a lighting class? Working with and posing models? Wedding related? Marketing? Photoshop/workflow? For classes involving models, we will give you an opportunity to try out what we are teaching but this is not meant to be a "model shoot". Depending on the subject, we may bring in a guest speaker from time to time too. So give us some ideas, let us know what you want to see.

[Digital Prophet]

I think that I would be interested in some workshop type stuff concerning posing and working with models. Human models. Horse models I got down pat.

Can Pika come too?

Prophet out.

[Kathi]

Thanks for commenting Curt! Would love to have you join us! Human models vs horse models... talk about diversity And yes, Pika would be welcome too! I'm re-posting my above message in the Houston section to see if I can get more response. Let's see what happens...

[PLStout]

As a newbie, I don't even know what I don't know.
I do think that lighting would be a helpful topic. Models intimidate me .
Maybe I should just stop by and chat? I'm sure there would be enough interest in Pearland for any photo class on any topic.
I work in Pearland and would love a get-together so that I could begin to get started on learning about possibly taking photos that would maybe get noticed.

Lee

[Lghtning4u]

I would like to see more stuff on DAM. Photo management is a photographers nightmare. It would be helpful to see (hands on) what other photographers are doing in this area.

[Kathi]

Originally Posted by PLStout

As a newbie, I don't even know what I don't know.
I do think that lighting would be a helpful topic. Models intimidate me .
Maybe I should just stop by and chat? I'm sure there would be enough interest in Pearland for any photo class on any topic.
I work in Pearland and would love a get-together so that I could begin to get started on learning about possibly taking photos that would maybe get noticed.

Lee

LOL!! You can't let the girls intimidate you. If anything, you intimidate them Talk to them, when you are working with them, just as if they are any other female friend of yours. The more you make them feel "friends", the more comfortable they and you will both be. Just be yourself.

You would be more than welcome to stop by our studio sometime to say hi and chat for a little while. Also, keep an eye out for periodic "Meet & Mingles" that Robert and I coordinate - I always post an invitation on TPF for anyone interested. We are trying to cover a different side of town each time, but the best turn-outs have always been in Pearland so far. Back to the workshops, however, they would be classes in which you pay to attend. Would a lighting class be a good first class for you? Or would something like working with the models benefit you better? Anytime we have a model present at the class (most always), you will be given an opportunity to shoot some images of them to practice what you are learning. That may help you to get more comfortable around them too.

Originally Posted by Lghtning4u

I would like to see more stuff on DAM. Photo management is a photographers nightmare. It would be helpful to see (hands on) what other photographers are doing in this area.

Excellent suggestion! Photo management would be a really good topic to cover at some point! Let's see if there are any more suggestions while I see what we can start getting together to cover that one.

[dreemes]

Interesting you should bring this up as I was thinking about posting about wishing for a certain type of workshop.

I am interested in one on models. I had thought about going to a G&N one that is coming then I backed out because I realized it was going to cost me around $500 for class, fuel and lodging. Then I started giving more thought because I need a portfolio started. But then I started looking at the models they had lined up. And all of them had chests that looked like they been with the Michellan tire man and I don't want to portray women as having to have their breasts enlarged to be beautiful. So what I am looking for is a workshop on shooting models using down to earth ladies that are comfortable with the body they have because small breasted women are just as beautiful as big breasted women.

Of course, wether I go to a workshop depends on if I can find some models before such a workshop comes up to practice on and build portfolios with.

[Kathi]

Originally Posted by dreemes

Interesting you should bring this up as I was thinking about posting about wishing for a certain type of workshop.

I am interested in one on models. I had thought about going to a G&N one that is coming then I backed out because I realized it was going to cost me around $500 for class, fuel and lodging. Then I started giving more thought because I need a portfolio started. But then I started looking at the models they had lined up. And all of them had chests that looked like they been with the Michellan tire man and I don't want to portray women as having to have their breasts enlarged to be beautiful. So what I am looking for is a workshop on shooting models using down to earth ladies that are comfortable with the body they have because small breasted women are just as beautiful as big breasted women.

Of course, wether I go to a workshop depends on if I can find some models before such a workshop comes up to practice on and build portfolios with.

OK, please forgive the giggle but I have to let it out. I can appreciate your sentiments. Each workshop that we provide that includes models will have a different one each time. I'm sure they will be mostly female just because I know more girls than I know guys that are willing to model. I can't promise that some of them won't be surgically enhanced but I know that there are some that aren't that have expressed an interest in working with us for the workshops.

NOW.. as far as you finding models to work with after the workshop is over, here are some suggested hangouts:
www.modelmayhem.com (free)
www.onemodelplace.com (will cost min. $10/mo, depending on which pkg you choose)
www.solomodels.com (free - I think)
www.ujenatalent.com (free)
www.modelcorner.com (free)
www.modellocate.com (free)
www.myspace.com (free)

In regards to MySpace, yes it can be a "this is who I am, meet me/date me/meet my friends & family" page. BUT, it can also be a valuable marketing tool. If you choose to use it as a "meet me/date me" page, you would be wise to create a 2nd page to market your business. If you keep it professional, you can attract business for different things - we have gotten commercial clients, models, and even family portraits from it.

[PLStout]

Thanks for the response Kathi.
I am so new to this camera stuff that any class would be welcome. Every time one is posted here in my area, I have a conflict. Work sure has a way of screwing up my hobbies

I saw the listing for the GTG in Pearland last time but had just joined the forum and didn't realize how much fun you guys are. So next time I'll be there.
I may swing by and check out your spot. I'm on the other side of Pearland and try to avoid all the traffic and such on your side. I'll call before stopping by and would love to see a studio setup.

[Kathi]

Originally Posted by PLStout

Thanks for the response Kathi.

Any time!

Originally Posted by PLStout

I saw the listing for the GTG in Pearland last time but had just joined the forum and didn't realize how much fun you guys are. So next time I'll be there.

You should have come! We would have loved to have met you - newbie or old-timer on TPF, doesn't matter! Most of us on here are pretty down-to-earth people that enjoy what we do and enjoy keeping friends around that enjoy it just as much we do

Originally Posted by PLStout

I may swing by and check out your spot. I'm on the other side of Pearland and try to avoid all the traffic and such on your side. I'll call before stopping by and would love to see a studio setup.

You'd be more than welcome to stop by any time that we are there. As long as you are not coming in the thick of rush-hour traffic, you can make it to our side of Pearland in 10-15 minutes - we are just down 518 from you. Give me a call whenever you are ready to swing by - (832) 689-5578.