Exciting things are afoot for Catherine Hall Studios! Look out for the latest news and announcements on Catherine’s editorial work, events, awards, causes, partners and more.
From The Studio
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.
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
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.
Viceroy, Anguilla | A Luxurious Paradise
From The Studio, Out + About 3
Sat 04.24.2010
Image from the Viceroy, Anguilla website
I had just finished presenting at Wedding 360 and I was more than ready for lunch. Waiting impatiently for my food at the St. Regis buffet table, I secretly prayed that I would not have to engage in any form of conversation. I saw someone approaching me. I clung tightly to my plate, looked down and hoped for an escape. When I realized I was being approached by Virgil Napier of Viceroy Anguilla, the idea of talking to someone suddenly didn’t seem all that bad. The next thing I knew I was engaged in an interesting conversation. I put my plate down like it was no big deal– food didn’t even exist anymore.
I was familiar with Viceroy of course, but was not that familiar with their new flagship location in the Caribbean. As Virgil described the luxurious Anguilla property I was swept away by visions of a beautiful resort on the edge of endless white sand beaches flowing into crystal clear turquoise water. Virgil encouraged me to take a look at the resort and even consider a visit. He spoke about potentially placing me on their preferred vendors list to shoot there in the future.
Excited, I ran back to my computer to do my research! When I saw the resort my jaw just dropped. I was staring at a tropical paradise. Not only are the beaches gorgeous, but the breathtaking building is truly a work of art impeccably decorated by Kelly Wearstler. I was not surprised to learn that the resort was placed on the Conde Nast Traveller HOT LIST for 2010. I immediately emailed Virgil asking when I could come.
Now, having just arrived in Anguilla yesterday, my exceptionally high expectations have already been exceeded. Details to follow – I need a little pool time right now.
Dear Facebook Friends,
I have decided to streamline my connections on facebook. I value the relationship I have with each and every one of you but with the way that I am currently using facebook, I feel unable to give all of you my appropriately directed attention.
In order to remedy this situation, I have decided to de-friend many people from my personal account. Now before you gasp in disbelief, (I’m not a snob!) please know that my decision is based on improving our relationship on Facebook. In order to better manage my valuable relationships, I realize I need to distinguish between my personal account and my photography oriented Facebook Page. This way I can enhance your Facebook experience by providing relevant content.
My Approach:
In the next week I will be making the following improvements to my facebook approach:
- I will de-friend almost everyone other than family and close friends that I am in regular contact with. Everyone else will be re-directed to my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/catherinehallstudios
- I will be sending an event invite on Facebook to my followers in order to remind you to switch over to my fan page. I don’t want anyone to miss what has happened and end up de-friended with no explanation!
My Reasoning:
When I began with Facebook, it was to keep up with family and close friends. I would like to return to this on my personal account. This will avoid redundant updates and allow me to keep my photography page up to date.
I am doing this in order to be more available to you as a photographer. I want to provide you, my followers, with relevant news that is of interest to you. I won’t bog you down with my personal updates and chitchat with old friends. I want to be attentive and do not want to miss important messages from my followers, or from my family or friends. By separating the two, I will be more effectively able to view and answer people.
I look forward to staying connected with you on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/catherinehallstudios. You can also keep posted by checking my Twitter account: @Catherine_Hall which I update regularly.
I hope this helps explain what is happening with my Facebook account. I am extremely grateful for your support and look forward to connecting with you on my Facebook page soon!
