I’m in New Jersey this week attending an amazing workshop on lighting by Cliff Mautner. Today was day one of the two-and-a-half-day workshop and within the first two hours Cliff had us shooting in lighting conditions I would normally shy away from. Not anymore. Class size is limited to 15 so there’s time for individual hands-on instructions from Cliff himself. Cliff also gets extra points for giving us professional models to work with. Using just available lighting (no flash) here are some of my favorite images from the day.






Tomorrow afternoon will wrap up my last day of Kevin Kubota’s Digital Photography Bootcamp being held at the rustic and relaxing Rock Spring Dude Ranch in Bend, Oregon. Besides the many things I’ve come to love about the ranch, high on that list will be the amazing food they serve at the ranch. I think I’ve gained 10 pounds in my short one week stay here. Next on the list are the gorgeous horses; of course I had to make them the subject of one of my photo assignments.


















I was in New Orleans this past weekend attending Get Real 3; a unique three-day workshop hosted by top documentary wedding photographer Huy Nguyen of F8 Studio, and fellow photographer, Sergio. Myself along with two other photogs, Rachael Wise and Tyler Vu, shot along side both Huy and Sergio at the real wedding of Amy Sneed and Antonio Barrios.
It was a great learning experience. Since we were a small group (class size limited to 4 but one photographer had to drop out at the last minute), it allowed for personalized attention and we really had the opportunity to get to know each other. So not only did I get to meet really cool photogs from different parts of the states and expand my network; I left with new friends.
These photos were taken on our last day of the workshop after spending 8 hours of reviewing and critiquing wedding photos taken the day before. It was a last minute flash lesson requested by the three of us.








Final words…never stop shooting.