Are you a wedding photographer?
Do you suck?
Yes you do. No really.
But that’s ok, everyone does to some extent.
But there is something you can do about it.
This November, famed wedding photojournalist Huy Nugyen of F8 Studios and Foundation Workshop fame will be presenting
the first Foundation Conference.
It’s going to run November 3&4, 2009 in Addison Texas (Just outside of Dallas).
This is an event that isn’t going to feature the same old speakers you see at every other convention pimping the same old actions/flash modifiers/textures/albums. Instead, you’re going to have some of the best wedding photographers from across North America who are get this… Actually out there shooting weddings!
Here’s the lineup:
SCHEDULE
Day Zero : Monday November 2, 2009
The open judging of the photo competition judging will be held on Monday night. (open to registrants)
Day One : Tuesday November 3, 2009
9 – 10:30 am – Matt Mendelsohn : “Why I Now Realize That the Only Thing Truly Important About Weddings is How Unimportant They Truly Are.”
Matt will be showing the product of a year-long project that began with a one-sentence comment from a make-up artist at a wedding. A year later, the two of them will see each other at weddings and roll their eyes when they hear a bride complaining about not enough shrimp being passed or which bridesmaid was late to the salon.
11 am – 1 pm – Ray + Erwin of Apertura Photography : “California Styling”
Follow these edgy Southern California photographers through scouting and execution of simple portraiture that are smoking hot and match their clients’ personalities.
{LUNCH BREAK}
2 – 3:30 pm – Amy Deputy : “A Journey of Exploration”
We all have our unique stories–beliefs shaped by experience–motivating our choices, perceptions and responses. Our stories can create ideas we hold as truths about our selves and others. What would happen if we listened deeply? What would happen if we were aware of the stories coloring our experience? What if we gave ourselves permission to enter the field of the heart? What if we offered our essence in each moment?
Participants will be invited to explore in group movement, silence, partnered exercises and self-reflection. These practices offer the promise of enriched relationships between our clients, our products and the experience we offer. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal and pen, fruit to share and a water bottle. Shoes and personal belonging may be left at the door.
4 – 5:30 pm – Huy Nguyen
Huy will lead a panel of photographers with diverse wedding photography experiences and views in a discussion of the present and future of our business OR the panel will offer brief critiques of images (selected at random) submitted by registrants.
8 pm : Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sponsored by our beloved lab : ProDPI and a nice, friendly organization : ISPWP)
Day Two: Wednesday November 4, 2009
9 – 10:30 am – Sergio : “Badass Wedding Photography”
Sergio will share his feelings about the importance of finding our inner badassedness. How staying motivated, and hungry, helps us in our efforts to make good images.
11 am – 1 pm – Tyler + Becca of Wirken Photography : “Photographing Middle America”
What works, what doesn’t? Working in the American midwest, Tyler and Becca knows all about the challenges of having overcome traditional mindsets to focus on story and relationships. They will also share the secrets of their successful studio partnership and combined styles.
{LUNCH BREAK}
2 – 3:30 pm – Judy Cormier : “Portraits – Extending the Client Relationship”
Judy will use her current business model as an example on how to extend your client relationship beyond weddings by selling portraits to your clients. She’ll discuss the importance of portraiture, and will talk about how she successfully tapped into her own wedding market to build a busy, successful and sought after boudoir business.
4 – 5:30 pm - Ben Chrisman + Brett Butterstein : “Push”
Brett and Ben have spent the past seven years being brutally honest in critiquing each other’s photographs. That raw honesty and friendship has helped push their photography since becoming wedding photographers. They have continued to force each other to remain steadfast in taking photographs that push the boundaries of what people expect out of wedding photography. Brett and Ben will discuss what motivates them to be better photographers each week, and why they feel weddings are just as important as their former lives as full-time photojournalists.
I’m going.
You can too.
Unless you like sucking. In that case, stay home and work on your spot colouring.
