David De Dios at AZPPA

     The AZPPA (Arizona Professional Photographers Association) meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Airport Hilton. I decided to check it out this month. Their program featured  David De Dios- "The Art of Wedding Photography". Check out his website here. I'm so glad that I went. I have learned more about networking within the photography community than anywhere else. People are very generous with their knowledge and talent. Brian is amazed that photographers are will to share so much information with each other. We are competing with each other, after all, but I have found it to be a very giving community, whether it's here locally or other photographers I've found online.   

David De Dios

David brought a couple of models to do a demo  of some Bride/Groom poses.

     One of the biggest pieces of information I came away with was his simple lighting technique for night photography and indoor portraits. He uses a flashlight!  I love that! A Brinkman Dual Xenon flashlight.  That was very exciting to me! Here are some shots from his demo.  It was a very enlightening evening. David was very personable and I can see why couples would hire him. I have really enjoyed meeting and getting to know other photographers. I've made some great new friends in the process.

        

So glad I went!

N.I.L.M.D.T.S.

     On the 26th of January, I attended a training workshop for  NILMDTS, a wonderful organization that was founded by two women who were brought together by a tragic event.  Please check out the website here. After I learned about it last year, I felt like it was something that I wanted to do. I like how our trainer put it, that it's her "heart work".  I went together with my friends, Lynn and Jo. We learned that there are about 6000 photographers volunteering  for NILMDTS worldwide. Of course they need more volunteers. There are many ways to volunteer other than actually doing the photography. If you'd like more information, I'd be happy to give it to you.

Just to remind us we were in AZ, this little Roadrunner kept staring at his reflection in the window behind our trainer, Deb Wat, and was quite the little distraction. I suppose I was a little distracting, too, by trying to take his photo in the middle of the presentation. Sorry about that, Deb. She did a great job with the all day workshop. She shared some personal experiences with the her photo sessions for the organization and the only words I can think of to describe them are "sacred" and "tender".

This is Lynn. I can't imagine her without a smile. She is fun to be around. Her grown-up kids call her Cosmic Mama. They got that right!

Here we are (Jo, me & Lynn). I grabbed seasoned photographer, Michele Celentano to take a picture of the three of us after the session. I got the giggles when she asked us to lean together and lean forward. I loved her take charge attitude. Thanks, Michelle. I finally got a grip.

It was a good day. Google NILMDTS for more information. Grab a kleenex when you do.

More Winter Formal with Simon & Stephanie

Stephanie asked Simon to Winter  Formal (this is one of the 'Girl ask Guy' dances here) and from what I've heard, they had a great time. They actually stayed for the entire dance AND danced! Unheard of. Stephanie is a lot of fun, so it doesn't surprise me. They're both into drama. Can you tell?!?

Got a good laugh about what Simon's shoe is doing in this photo. Why is it soooooo huge?!?

Had way too much fun with these...

Isn't she just so cute?! If you've ever seen the PBS mystery series, "Foyle's War" then you will agree that Stephanie looks an awful lot like the actress, Honeysuckle Weeks, who plays Foyle's chauffeur. 

Time to go....

Winter Formal Sneak Peak

Simon went to Winter Formal with Stephanie tonight. They are like two peas in a pod when it comes to the dramatic. We had fun doing their photos. This is their group shot. More to follow later. Got to get to bed!