The concept is to gather a small group of like-minded photographers who enjoy the experience of photographing people and learning photocraft.
I have one lead assistant, Paul Johnannsen.
Photographers must respect this medium and fully appreciate how it affects people. This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. The photographer greatly influences the outcome, the result. People are mercurial and, are by far, the most challenging subjects.
The photographer must anticipate, be prepared and have absolute technical command of his/her equipment. This has become more complex with digital cameras.
Models are used for many reasons: They are attractive, professional and reliable. They like to interact with photographers and respond adeptly to directions. They don't make strange to the cameras and also gain valuable, professional experience.
Modern cameras a technically capable of "getting the shot" under the most atrocious lighting conditions. Only by learning how light renders their subject and how to control their cameras can students become synchronous and make truly great photos. This takes a lot of practice. I've taken more than a million shots.
Workshops are best defined as shooting seminars which are a combination of learning photocraft and shooting with the models. There is always a theme. This theme varies from shooting ballerinas in a dance studio, to replicating Hollywood portaits of the 1930s, to reproducing the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition at Petrie Island, to photographing a classic location like the Mill of Kintail, to creating the powerful drama of ‘Gothic’ in the ruins at Mackenzie King. Please take a minute or two to review the photos in the Location gallery. This will show you the extensive scope of the workshops.
The general rule is that, after a briefing while enjoying coffee and intros to the models, the photographers shoot in small groups. The photographers roam freely and shoot at their discretion, moving by choice from one spot to another. I’m on hand for individual or group coaching to enhance this as a learning experience. Paul and Richard are there to assist both the photographers and the models. The models are of legal age, and photographers receive a group model release from myself that allows for non-commercial use of the photographs. The ratio of photographers to models is 4 to 1 and sometimes it’s 2 to 1.
The workshops are usually on Sundays, starting at 11 a.m. and finishing at 6 p.m. And there’s always a break for refreshments and a chance to regroup.