Archive for May, 2010
I’m caked in fine, white desert dust and rivers of sweat travel down my sunburned, bikini-clad back. The temperature exceeds 100 degrees; the sun is stark against the cerulean sky and its light bounces off the desert floor, blinding my eyes. “How did I get here?” I wonder. “What has brought me, and all of these people, to this exact moment?”
Every September, nearly 50,000 people from all over the world make the pilgrimage to the remote Nevada Black Rock desert to participate in Burning Man, a weeklong arts and culture festival. A unique social experiment in intentional community-building and en masse collective-camping, Burning Man attracts metallurgists, curiosity seekers from America’s heartland, fire artists, corporate lawyers eager to shed their suits, belly dancers, and Silicon Valley execs–in short, anybody willing to approach the distinctive experience with an open heart and mind.
A gritty, money-free event, Burning Man’s celebratory atmosphere, stark landscape, and eclectic attendees are a photographer’s field day. While there last year, I snapped thousands of pictures to document the wildness and beauty of a white-sand desert landscape teeming with art, culture, and freedom of expression.
If you haven’t yet secured tickets to Burning Man, perhaps the opportunity to check out my metal-print photography installation at “Electric Ladyland” theme camp will give you incentive to join me at America’s most influential, alternative arts festival. I will debut large-scale, metal-print images culled from my 2009 Burning Man Album, which Wedding and Portrait Photographers International recently honored with a second-place award in its Album Category.
Metal art is a focal point at Burning Man, and I am proud that this year Catherine Hall Studios’ innovative metal prints will contribute to aesthetic conversation among the thousands of world-class art installations that comprise the festival. Bay Photo Lab, California’s premier metal-prints specialist, is sponsoring the production of the installation. Metal-printing is an innovative process in which coated metal sheets are infused with dye, creating a durable (and desert-resistant!) product.
I still haven’t made the final decision about which photographs to transfer to metal: Can you help? Below are three options. Pick your favorite and post a comment letting me know which image should be chosen!
Is it Mad-Hatters, No-Judgment, or Desert-Cowboy? Your top pick will be featured at Burning Man! I can’t wait to hear from you.
This is my third interview with Chris Marquardt on the topic of People Photography. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed discussing a broad range of topics with Chris.In this video I speak about a few of my images and the story behind each one. I also elaborate on the powerful role that patience and persistence play in capturing the best images. Plus, I share my secret to selecting my best images by calling on the opinion of close friends. Finally, Chris and I discuss the power of lighting and I hint at my exploration with new lighting techniques — if you are interested in learning more about my exciting experience with lighting, you can check out my lighting journey blog series.
Check out the first two Chris Marquardt interviews here.
Enjoy!
Next Thursday, May 25th, I am excited to be a speaker for PDN’s Focus on Wedding and Portrait Photography Virtual Event. The two-day virtual event for photographers is designed to be very interactive, informative, and inspirational. This expo is full of excellent speakers, very well versed in the world of promotion, marketing, and what it takes to be a successful photographer. Even better, by being a virtual event, PDN’s Focus on Wedding and Portrait Photography is accessible to anyone logging in from any location.
I really like the idea of creating an online space to provide free and informative content to a large and deserving audience. The webinars, virtual booths, and speakers really provide a well rounded and truly exceptional event requiring literally nothing but a desire to learn and improve your approach to photography. I am looking forward to sharing my business and marketing philosophy about building relationships with clients, branding, and niche marketing. I am also really excited to learn some great tips from the impressive array of professionals that will be speaking. I hope you check out the expo and even stop by my virtual booth for a chat. *My speech is sponsored by Digilabs
In the fast paced viral world we live in today, traditional marketing does not always cut it anymore. In this WPPI Radio interview with Scott Sheppard I speak about my Marketing Resource Guide and the Master Class I taught at WPPI 2010 based on these ideas.
I hope this interview encourages people to take a look at alternative forms of marketing. Social media outlets provide cost effective and far reaching ways to get your name out there. As I tell Scott, taking advantage of current technology is a smart way to move ahead. I firmly believe in the power of social media and even share which outlets I prefer and why. Plus I explain how getting involved in the the social media world has been both challenging and inspiring. Take a minute to listen to my interview with Scott.
To listen to my interview select interview # 92 Here.I would love to hear how you are utilizing viral and social media marketing in your business. Please share via comments!
Viceroy Anguilla | Paradise Found
From The Studio, Out + About 
0
Fri 05.07.2010
Beautiful view from the bedroom of my Villa 
Me with extraordinary host Virgil Napier (he could write a book on it!)
A gentle breeze blew a lock of hair across my face as I stepped onto our villa patio to gaze at the sparkling turquoise water. I breathed in deeply, enjoying the fresh scent of an ocean mist lingering in the air. My mind, being in perma-photography mode, instantly honed in on the stunning blue hue of the water. I thought- “wow whoever photoshopped the water did a great job!” I laughed, catching myself at my own mind game. True this setting embodied every notion of art, a snapshot of a far off tropical island resort, but it was also the reality in which I was currently residing.
Nothing prepared me for the phenomenal Viceroy Anguilla resort. My host, Virgil Napier, insisted on many occasions, “I can’t describe it. You won’t understand until you come.” He was beyond correct. Despite traveling to many places in the world I was still absolutely stunned by the gorgeous scenery and skillfully designed resort.
The beaches and tropical island setting are unrivaled. Stunning views of crystal clear water and long stretches of white sand beaches are hard to beat. But more than anything, the resort itself defines ultimate luxury. The design is innovative, so detailed and truly artistic beyond just great architecture. No expense was spared, no corner left untouched with tasteful decor. The resort flows into the landscape flawlessly and enticingly luxurious.
The resort truly captures every desire. There is ample space for enjoyable social mingling in the exquisite restaurants and bars. Days can be filled with bike rides, kayaking, and beach lounging. Viceory Anguilla also perfectly capitalizes on the luxury of seclusion. The spacious villas embody the ultimate private retreat. They boast personal pools, plush rooms, and are stocked full of amenities.
Even more, the customer service is impeccable. Virgil Napier is the most hospitable host I have ever been taken care of by. Every guest is met with an intimate experience catering to his or her individual needs and desires. This attentiveness and kindness defines the Viceroy Anguilla as a top of the line destination resort located in a tropical paradise.
