Yesterday I had the incredible opportunity to
once again attend one of
Trevor Dayley's Photography Workshops. I have no idea how Trevor can make a 13 1/2 hour day fly by and feel like mere hours have passed, but he does it and does it amazingly well. I think his obvious passion for photography, and for teaching others, is contagious and spreads energy throughout the group.
When I walked out of Trevor's first workshop, I felt like he had shared so much new information that I was
never going to be able to process it all. My brain was completely overwhelmed and exhausted, but in a Really. Good. Way. I've spent the time since that workshop reviewing my notes and trying to make everything stick into my memory, but I kept feeling like I hadn't held onto everything that Trevor had shared.
But as I was sitting through the second workshop, I realized that I had actually absorbed a lot more than I thought. I was surprised to note how many changes I have incorporated into my business and how much my photography has grown in the 6 months since that first workshop. Not to mention the huge boost in my confidence about both my skills as a photographer and my ability to run a successful photography business.
I will admit that it was a lot easier going into this workshop since I'd been through one before. I knew what to expect from Trevor's teaching style, and I was prepared with my questions. I knew what areas of the workshop I needed to focus my attention on the most, and I also learned the hard way to take more detailed notes for future reference.
During the shooting portion of the first workshop I concentrated on capturing as many photos as possible. I felt like there was a camera in my hand and models posing in front of me, so I needed to be photographing them. Plus, there were only 7 of us, which made it easy to get in there and grab more shots. However, as I was going through the photos later, I realized that I didn't take full advantage of the opportunity that was in front of me. I spent all of my precious time doing something that I already knew how to do. Sure, I walked away with some fun photos, but I didn't learn as much as I could have.
This time I took a completely different approach to the shooting portion, which I think will help me grow going forward. I spent my time simply listening to Trevor and trying to absorb everything I could about how he interacted with the models we were working with. I also concentrated on getting answers to the questions I had about shots that I struggle to take. I spent my time putting myself in the situations that tend to give me trouble, and asking for help about how to do it better. Many of the other photographers were able to answer my questions and it was a great environment to learn in.
While I was listening, I did amuse myself by taking a few photos of Trevor teaching, and everyone else shooting. So here is a bit of a behind the scenes look at the workshop...
Here Trevor is showing the models one of their photos, and just look at their smiles! This was one of the big things I took away from Trevor's last workshop. Showing clients their photos on the back of my camera throughout the session is HUGE. It goes a long way toward reassuring them that their photos are turning out well, and helps them relax...
Trevor is such a patient instructor! Here he is explaining something to another photographer...
Another photographer showing our models a photo, and look - more smiles!...
We also experimented with off camera flash at the end of the shooting portion of the workshop. While the couple was busy modeling in front of one lighting set up one of the other photographers jumped in to model for the rest of us in front of the second one.
Isn't she just too cute?!...
This time Trevor did get a group shot of all of us at the end of the workshop! Here we are...
I know that this second workshop is going to help prepare me for bigger things in the future. After spending the day with Trevor I feel completely re-enerigized and ready to incorporate the new things I learned into my photography and my business. I can't wait to see where I am 6 months after this workshop!
I said it after the last workshop, but learning from Trevor is such an awesome experience! If you are a photographer I would encourage you to grab any opportunity you have to attend one of his future workshops.
Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter
© 2013 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC
