Modern women’s portraiture – CreativeLive workshop

Posted on Mar 20, 2014 in Photography | 12 comments

In my last post I mentioned a great surprise that was waiting for me in Vegas this year. As I wrote, when I found out that all my classes had been canceled, I was pretty disappointed…

… Well, until I got a message through facebook, inviting me to the “Modern women’s portraiture” workshop at CreativeLive – with Sue Bryce, Lou Freeman, Lara Jade and Emily Soto – the four currently most-renowned women photographers in the world! This was an event unrelated to WPPI, but “accidentally” going on at the same time in Las Vegas, and only a couple of blocks away from MGM Grand, the WPPI site.

The next day early morning I was there at the gate to the CreativeLive studio, waiting with coffee in my hand and a heart full of hope. This was actually the event I really wanted to go to, but all spots were gone the moment it was announced and I had no hopes of ever getting in. I did not even realize I was on the waiting list, and someone must have camcelled so I got the invitation. I had no more regrets about my WPPI classes – this was so much better!

I spent the next few days in the audience’s front row at the studio with the four best women’s photographers in the world. Actually – the whole world could watch me (in the audience) because the event was streamed live on the internet – through the CreativeLive website. There was no one in front of me except the speakers, so I had the impression that they were talking straight to me: about business, marketing, studio logistics, lighting, photographing techniques, posing, retouching – everything I should know. Many topics were already familiar to me, some were new, some were excellent tips, some I did not like at all. Anyway – I felt very special.

A moment that was very informative to me (and also funny) was when Sue Bryce was posing two women at the same time – one was a professional model, the other was just an ordinary mom, like me or anyone of us. Both women were supposed to do the same thing, and they didn’t see one another. It was a great example of how important it is to direct people. To sum it up quickly with Sue’s words:

As usuall, Sue was very inspiring and empowering. Every time I listen to her, I am reminded that I am a professional photographer – not because of the things I have in my studio, or because of my “pro” gear, but because of the attitude and services that I offer to other people. I sometimes get mixed up in this thinking that I need to get this or that before I will be “truly” a pro photographer. It’s refreshing to be reminded that it’s not the point.

On the other hand, Lou Freeman, Lara Jade and Emily Soto inspired me to find out more about what my taste is – what sort of photographs I want to take – to research where my own creativity would take me. They challenged me to develop my own style – be authentic, be bold and dream big.

In the end – this experience reassured me in the desire of my heart. I realized again that this is what I love to do – to photograph women and show them how beautiful they are. Moreover, I see this event as a little “hint” from Heaven, that this is what I am meant to do. We are living in a world of ‘not good enough’ – many women believe they have to be a certain size or age to be perceived beautiful. That’s not right – I want to change that! I want moms to be visible on photographs – to exist in pictures for their kids and grandkids. I want to create elegant portraits of them and make them look and feel beautiful – right now and right as they are in terms of size and shape. Beauty is not a matter of conforming to a crazy standard – it’s already in you.

If, in turn, any of this inspires you – please know that you are invited for the session with me. Let’s start a revolution!