A week of fun, education, and recharging for photography! I had an amazing time with 1000 other professional photographers as we studied hard, and partied harder for a full week in May in Texas. I received a full scholarship to attend this well-known school , so I couldn’t pass it up. I met so many new friends and fellow-photographers and of course, learned some great new techniques and skills. I studied under Rick and Deborah Ferro who taught an ‘All About Weddings’ class. But they didn’t stop there.. we also talked about lighting, posing, photoshop, business, marketing, and painting. We had amazing models who made our work fun and easy. It was good to sit and talk to other photographers with the same passion and get a feel for how they run their business.
The last day of our week, one of the lab vendors BWC printing, sponsored a ‘Texas Shoot Out”, where we had over 30 shooting stations with mentors, models and lots of creativity. We spent about 3 hours photographing whatever we wanted using some of the techniques we had learned that week. What a fun event. Then when the shoot out was over, they announced that they were running a contest of the images we shot and we could post our favorite 10 shots. Of all the images posted, one of mine placed and won the “Distingusihed Print Award”. I was honored and thrilled to have placed among all the entries. Below is my winning image… which by the way, was probably the next to last shot I took all day.
I recommend everyone who has the opportunity to always work on improving your skills to the next level, you can never stop learning what you love to do. Some wise photographer once said, “You are only as good as your next shot”. Keep on clicking.
Most of these images are all straight out of camera with minor tweaking in lightroom.
My winning Distinguished Print, "Forecast Showers"
Behind the scenes with Rick Ferro
posing techniques with the models
This was the brides 'waiting' room at the church... AMAZING church.... photographers paradise.
some of my shots next from the week long classes.
Interior of this gorgeous church... working on posing.
More models working the silhouette shots.
Ferro's famous kiss to the eyes shot.
a little more contemporary twist on the bridal shot.
Stairwell with one light on lightstand
looking outside through the window of the church
playing around with composition and negative space
The church grounds even had waterfalls.... amazing
One of the next days we stayed inside and worked on posing and lighting in the studio.
Ferro showing some posing techs with the model.
He used drapes and fabrics in different ways.
Ferro talked a lot about posing, especially the HANDS.. and graceful hands
use of negative space and hands
Ferro worked with couples and specifically how to place their hands.
lips to the eyes, and soft hands
a good way to pose the hands for wedding rings of bride and groom
the focus on the guy, woman as the 'prop'
example of intentionally overexposing in high key.... cool effect IN camera.
and I even got a high key of myself 
And Lastily… here are a few more images from the last day of the TEXAS SHOOT OUT, sponsored by BWC printing lab.
I took about another 1000 pictures that week…. we had sports cars, motorcycles, babies, teens, families, dogs, clowns, brides, grooms, just about everything you could want to have as models and props. Thanks Don Dickson and the Texas School for Professional Photographers and our mentors Rick and Deborah Ferro…. I came away with a ton of inspiration and knowledge!!!
by Diane Schafer
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