Posing, Portraits, Leather Pants, Creepy Birds and Pierre!

As a photographer, I cannot stress how important it is to continue your education as such. No matter how good you are (or think you are), there is constantly and consistenly areas of improvements. I get in ruts. I do. I find myself sometimes in a mode … especially if I find myself shooting in the same locations . I need spice. My work needs spice. My husband has enough spice and mox for our entire family, but that’s besides the point (no matter how true said point is)

My first workshop I EVER went to was put on by Jamie Schultz of Jamie Schultz Photography in Hudson, Wisconsin. It was a two day festivus complete with Sheer Addiction Jewelry on one side of her studio. I fell in love as soon as I crossed over the bridge (wait… I think I crossed a bridge… let’s pretend I crossed a bridge) and entered into Hudson. I was TERRIFIED to take a workshop with 10 other REALLY good (ok, AMAZING) photographers who FLEW in from all over the country! I drove up in a Saturn. Completely horrified would also be a great term to describe that initial feeling.

The point of that snippet was to stress that workshops are sometimes very intimidating. As it worked out, Jamie’s workshop completely changed my life as it was with my business. I laughed, I cried and then I laughed and cried at the same time. I felt a connection with each and every one of those girls… and we still keep in touch to the day.

So, August 2011. Now that I had survived Jamie’s workshop, when Pierre’s Portrait Art Co. announced his, my first thought was more than likely a 4 letter word… due to the fact that nearly every single time Pierre puts on a workshop, I either have a wedding (on a Sunday) or a slew of other absolutely without question non-movable shoots. Shock and bewilderment shot through me as I stared at my work calendar (complete with kittens) when I realized that I could actually make this workshop!

Oh dear. Wait. Stop and go back. All those same feelings of fear came crashing back. I think I even asked my husband, “what if nobody likes me?” which is by far the best quote… for a first grader! Long story short, I went. I arrived and from the second I opened my car I could not stop smiling. Everyone was absolutely amazing… right down to their personalities as well as lens choices Pierre divulged information that I will be cherishing for the rest of my photography career. He taught me something invaluable because I’m a big enough person to say when I struggle. I struggle. I struggle a lot with posing and self doubt.