Life as ArT

Summer Camp for Photographers

The Winona School of Photography just completed its first session at Brown County State Park.  When I say first, well, the Winona school has actually been revived in it's current state having been defunct for many years.  The school replaces the former IPAS school that met in an Indy Hotel.  The park experience is much richer and more enjoyable than the hotel school.  One day, after a rain, I stood on the veranda and watched the mist wafting up from the distant trees.  It’s really beautiful there.  Some campers stayed in rustic cabins, some in the lodge.  The last two summers, I’ve attended photography school in Iowa.  This is much closer!  I'll be there again next year.

Winona is like summer camp for professional photographers.  When I registered, I chose to study under Carl Caylor, a much degreed and award-winning photographer from Michigan.  His work is amazing!  The class focused on natural portrait lighting.  Each day, we spent time outside photographing models (families, young men and women, kids), then back in the classroom, the instructor critiqued those images (sometimes this was painful, but always enlightening).  I learned a lot this year.

Here are some of the images I took at this summer’s Winona school:

 

Phoenix, Anne Geddes and My Passion

Phoenix, Arizona is like spring this time of year.  While pipes were freezing in Indiana, birds were singing and the grass was green in Phoenix.  I was fortunate enough to attend the biggest photography convention in the US in Phoenix a couple weeks ago.  Imaging USA is the annual convention for the Professional Photographers of America (I’m a member).  So, imagine getting to immerse yourself in your passion for 3 days.  It was so much fun and so inspiring!  I attended many classes where the “superstar” photographers shared their secrets.  And, the trade show was so BIG, I never did see it all.  I returned to Indiana with some really good ideas and new products for my customers and my studio, for example:

• New frames – I can now offer customers wonderful frames from 2 very different companies, including whimsical hand painted frames (the corner samples just arrived!)

• New design ideas for albums, memory books, and storyboards

• Ideas and software to improve my workflow

• Posing, lighting, and photo editing tips

• Oh, I bought a wonderful big, fluffy tutu for photographing little girls – so fun!

• And lots more…

Perhaps the best and most memorable thing I did while at the convention was attend the talk given by the famous Australian baby photographer, Anne Geddes (http://www.imagingusa.org/geddes.php).  You know her work on calendars and in books, I’m sure – babies in flower pots, in flowers, even in cabbages, etc. – amazing, touch-your-heart, make-you-smile images that compel you to appreciate the miracle that life is and how amazingly beautiful babies are.  She talked about how she was driven to photograph babies and how her career has progressed to the present.  I was mesmerized by her talk and the beautiful images she displayed on the screen at the theater. She is a fabulous and humble speaker.

Here are some images of beautiful 3 month old babies taken recently at my studio:

So, I’m working to make 2009 the best year yet at K. Weatherwax Photography studio.  Juggling two jobs has been a challenge, even more so than I expected.  I have worked at Purdue University (supporting computers) for 19 years.  I’ve worked full time at Purdue until the last couple years when I switched to a 4 day work week while building my business at the studio.  A few weeks ago I dropped down to 3 days a week at Purdue.  I should be able to do a better job of keeping up now – another day to be immersed in my passion – photographing people!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I love babies. 

Last night, I attended the Bellies and Babies Tour seminar in Indianapolis.  The presenter was Sandy Puc', a "superstar" photographer from Colorado.  Sandy showed us how she has successfully run a pregnancy and baby's first year portrait series.  I picked up some new ideas for my studio that I know my customers will love.  Stay tuned here for more.

Sandy Puc' (pronounced pooch, I believe) is also a co-founder of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a wonderful nonprofit organization of volunteer photographers who assist families suffering an early infant loss.  The service is offered at no cost to the parents.  The images are treasured memories of the life these parents held in their arms for a brief moment.  The images help the parents to heal.

 

Note:  The above image is shown with the parent's knowledge and approval.

I am the local coordinator for NILMDTS at Lafayette Home Hospital.  This is one of the most difficult, most rewarding things I have ever done.  Two other local photographers volunteer but we need more.  If you know of local photographers who may be willing to share their talents, please give them my name.

Photography School

As a photographic artist, I am constantly reminded of the awesome responsibility I have to do a good … no, great job of making wonderful images for my customers. And so I must work at improving my skills, keep abreast of the latest trends and find new and exciting techniques and products for those who trust me with their portraits.

Part of my education includes attending workshops, seminars, and photography schools. In early June I attended one of these schools - the Mid-America Institute of Professional Photography (MAIPP) at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa (a week before the flooding there). This was my second trip to MAIPP. This year, I studied under Michael Taylor and Monica Sigmon. Both are “superstars” in the professional photography world and award-winning photographers. Michael is a master of lighting and posing and showed us how to find the light in various situations. Photography is all about the light, after all. Monica, who is very successful at marketing her own portrait photography business, shared her “branding” philosophy, digital techniques, and marketing ideas.

The week in Iowa was enlightening and inspiring. I came away with so many new ideas that I could hardly wait to get back to Indiana to put them into practice.