There's Nothing Hidden Under That Cowboy Hat

Don Giannatti & creativeLIVE producer Celeste Olds

I'm pumped for Don Giannatti's 3-day free live online Lighting Essentials workshop this Thursday - Saturday on creativeLIVE. But I'm excited in a very different way than I had been before today. I'm always eager to learn steps to take my lighting skills up a notch. Don, a.k.a. @wizwow, arrived in Seattle this afternoon and I now realize being with Don this week will push my own self-reflection much further than thinking about where, when, why to light a subject or an image in a particular way.

In the past few hours as we were getting Don situated and comfortable at the creativeLIVE studio, we had a long chat about life, sense of place, photography, family, education, writing, music, dance, fine art photography masters, advertising and much more.

Don has a warmth and sparkle in his eye when he talks about how he genuinely loves being a teacher. It's his legacy. Don is strong, opinionated and proud of it. He's not hiding anything underneath his trademark cowboy hat - he's laying it all out there. As many of you know, I love when creativeLIVE workshops touch me so deep that I tear up, on camera, live in front of (and along with) the world. When I somewhat jokingly asked Don if there would be tears this weekend, he said perhaps not on his part. Then he suggested I read his latest blog post and that I might therein find tears. Well, you got me Don.

I'm moved by Don's brilliant writing style in this post - it's ripe with emotion in a way that I had not expected...  A Drive Through Northern Arizona on a Sunny Day 

Don's post also reminds me that I miss writing. It's an artform that I have not made the time for in my life of late. Thank you Don - for sharing, for inspiring.

I invite you all to sign up for three days of learning about much more than photography and light with Don Giannatti April 5-7th. It's free online during the live event. I'll be there to ask Don your questions from anywhere across the globe! 

2012.02.08 Retrospective. Bandipur, Nepal.

2012.02.08 Retrospecitve. Bandipur, Nepal. 

Rick Sammon Explores the Light - Day 2

Rick Sammon's Skype interview with Hal "Bull" Schmitt was definitely a highlight today. But I think I most enjoyed Rick's social media marketing segment during Day 2 of his live online Exploring the Light workshop on creativeLIVE. It's incredibly easy to get overwhelmed by the massive number of social media outlets, as I often do. Yet it's a key part of our jobs as photog solopreneurs. Very key. At times social media seems less important than editing images or emailing clients, etc etc. But as Rick taught us today, "not enough time" is not an excuse - it's a matter of choice. As with everything in life. So I'm going to heed Rick's advice and carve out at least half an hour a day for social media marketing for my business. Yes, that's above & beyond my personal social media. Social media takes time, just like responding to emails, post-processing images, calling clients etc., etc. Perhaps I'll try setting a timer and then cut myself off - it's so easy to get sucked into the vortex of social media. What are your tips for managing social media for your business?

Here are more behind the scenes photos from today's fun filled workshop with Rick Sammon!

Today was my first Google+ Hangout. As we were about to go to lunch, creativeLIVEr Jason Bafile suggested in the chatroom that we do a G+ hangout. I've been wanting to start joining in G+ Hangouts but I hadn't yet. THANK YOU Jason for kicking us off on creativeLIVE Hangouts! I expect a lot more to come! ; )

See my full set of behind the scenes photos on Google+!

Join me tomorrow from anywhere around the world with an internet connection as Susan Roderick and I host the final day of Rick's FREE online live workshop on creativeLIVE. We'll pass your questions and comments along to Rick from the chatroom!

Behind the scenes with Rick Sammon on creativeLIVE

The man's energy is contagious. Walk in a room with photographer and educator Rick Sammon and instantly you feel ALIVE! Join Susan Roderick and me as we co-host Rick's free live online Exploring the Light workshop on creativeLIVE. We have a blast asking Rick questions on behalf of all of you watching around the world. Thank you Rick for teaching us today about exploring the light and SO much more - setting goals, using speedlites, working with models, photographing people and more.

My favorite part of today was how you pushed each of us to think about the question What Does Your Photography Mean to You? Yes, there were some tears. I'm so touched by all of the stories our creativeLIVE community is sharing on our new creativeLIVE forum. Thank you everyone for engaging with us - you are what makes creativeLIVE so special. Check out more behind the scenes photos here on Google+.

Want to know what this workshop is all about? Watch Susan and my pre-show interview with Rick Sammon as he walks us through the studio and talks about everything he's going to teach.

Tune in to the live stream on creativeLIVE Saturday & Sunday for SO much more learning! Thank you!