Please email jodieotte@verizon.net if you wish to book.
We will not have more than 15 attendees
(please see frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page)
WHEN?
March 2nd and 3rd, 2012
WHERE?
J. Otte Photography Studio - 14346 Jarrettsville Pike, Phoenix, MD 21131 (this is approximately 20 minutes from Baltimore)
WHAT is covered?
STUDIO LIGHTING NATURALLY - the most popular and requested portion
Are you limiting yourself as a photographer? This portion of the class is designed exclusively for the natural light photographer who wants to add "natural-looking artificial light" to their bag of tools or for the photographer that struggles to make studio lighting look naturally. So many photographers steer away from artificial light, afraid that it will be too harsh and fake and will never be able to maintain that natural soft look, that we all love so much. Many natural light photographers become intimidated by the equipment choices - there are just so many options out there. Also, many photographers are in areas where natural light is a luxury in the fall and winter time and not always ideal. You can delay child sessions due to weather and such, you cannot delay newborn sessions. One thing I hear all the time is "natural light is so pure". Is it? Studio lighting can also be clean, pure, and absolutely stunning, Focus on shooting with simplicity. Studio lighting is not scary! Learn techniques to achieve a more natural soft diffuse lighting with tiny subjects, and as a bonus, more dramatic and beautiful lighting to flatter pregnant clients.
Besides for the convenience that studio light gives you to shoot in any condition, consider future commercial jobs. Many of you know about my work with Similac Infant Formula that you may have seen in popular magazines including People, US Weekly, and Parenting as well as in welcome packs for new moms. When I received my first phone call from them, they specified they wanted exactly my lighting techniques using studio lighting. I would have never landed those jobs without knowing my lights. Studio lighting truly gives you the confidence that no matter what conditions o situation you are placed in, you know you can create beautiful images. Then you can feel that you are a confident well-rounded photographer, ready for anything.
POST PROCESSING - the magic of polishing your images....
What is it about a photograph that gives it the wow factor... A lot of times, a simple polish of the image takes it from good to great. Is there PhotoShop magic? Let's start with the basics. Start with something like this straight out of camera, and learn how to give it a little pop to finish it off. We will also go over head swapping techniques (for when you are photographing a toddler and newborn together) as well as how to create a composite image (combining multiple images to create a final image, mainly for baby safety), as well as how to naturally edit out skin flaws such as baby acne.
Start with something like this, and learn how to give it a little pop to finish it off. We will also go over head swapping techniques (for when you are photographing a toddler and newborn together) as well as how to create a composite image (combining multiple images to create a final image, mainly for baby safety), as well as how to naturally edit out skin flaws such as baby acne.
HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR SUBJECTS AND POSING - what works and what doesn't
Here we will have demonstrations (with live newborn(s)) on how to work with newborns. We cover everything about newborn posing, how to deal with difficult babies, difficult parents, prop shots and composites, baby safety (which is extremely important), and fad images vs. saleable images. Are you in this to profit? Make sure that you do. Keep your newborn sessions down to 2 hours max. Tips for getting that session to run smoothly. No more 4-hour marathon sessions. You have a life and so does your client! We will also discuss ways to photograph young children in studio as well as how to shoot beautiful skin to skin shots with babies and parents.
How to pose your maternity clients. For those who are not completely comfortable with pregnancy sessions but want to do them, quick and easy tips are provided for keeping your maternity sessions running smoothly, and a rundown of poses are demonstrated
WORKFLOW
In business, time=money. We will discuss workflow and how to maximize your time. How long does it take to edit an entire session? How long should it take? In my opinion? Every session should take no more than an hour to edit. That's 40 different final images, in one hour. This is a key to keeping your profits up, and business running smoothly.
PRICING
My favorite subject. Learn how to price for profit. With all the shoot and burners out there, you need to find a way to make it in this economy. If you do not have a profit, your business will not succeed. Keep in mind, 95% of all small businesses fail. What makes you be one of the 5% that succeeds? Business sense. It is as simple as looking at how you are currently doing business, and making changes that will give your business a boost. There is not a one-size-fits-all in this area. How many times have you heard a rockstar photographer scream "YOU have to be like ME to succeed!!!" No, that's not correct. Just because the Maryland/DC/Virginia area can charge X amount, does not mean that a photographer out in Montana can price the same. We have worksheets and much to discuss that will be more tailor fit to your needs.
MORE DETAILS
The book, Study Lighting Naturally and DVD with actions, is included as well as ***NEW*** The Structured Newborn Session which is a posing guide for newborn photography
TUITION - 2 day workshop $1,795. We will limit to 10 to 15 attendees max. $795 nonrefundable retainer is due to hold your seat. Balance is to be paid 2 weeks prior to class date. You may pay by sending $895 through paypal to info@jottephotography.com or call in a Visa, MC, or Discover to 443-299-2752 Snacks, drinks, and lunch will be provided for both days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm a newbie. Is this workshop for me? All we ask is that you have the basic knowledge of how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together. You must know how these relate. If you don't know, study the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, and this will help you tremendously. Then contact us to book a workshop date.
I just launched my photography business, is this workshop for me? Absolutely. Again, all we ask is that you know how to expose properly (i.e., how shutter, aperture, and ISO relate to each other).
I do not have studio lighting, and I know nothing about studio lighting. Is this workshop for me? Absolutely. This is the perfect way to introduce you to the world of controlled lighting, and help you become more well-rounded in this industry!
I have been a professional photographer for years, but I am getting frustrated with my studio lighting results, or I am frustrated with all the technicalities with metering, light ratios, etc. Is this workshop for me? Yes, absolutely yes! My first results with studio lighting were so frustrating, and I never thought I would really truly enjoy studio lighting as much as natural lighting. It took me a long time to realize that it really doesn't have to be as difficult as we make it. It's about getting out of your box and feeling the light, and not trying to overanalyze it to the point that you lose your creativity.
What if it is too cost prohibitive for me to come to your workshop? Please feel free to purchase the book. While we do get more detailed in the workshop itself, this book covers the "meat" of the workshop.
Does the workshop come with your book? Yes, the workshop comes with the Studio Lighting Naturally book. If you have purchased this book; I'm sorry, at this time, we cannot discount the workshop.
Do we portfolio build at your workshop? Is there a model shooting time? This workshop is not a portfolio building workshop. We concentrate on how to shoot with a natural looking lighting, and we concentrate on business aspects. I have been a part of model shoots or portfolio building parts of workshops and I can honestly say, I have yet to see one that is not disorganized and chaotic. This is not how I run a business. I want my attendees to leave empowered with the information that I give them, not frustrated from chasing around little models and being paparazzi, elbowing for space. I do set up the lights and help you to shoot with those lights to get the feel of working with them. We will have newborn models, and if the newborns are doing well, we will open up to allow you to at least shooting one or two setups.
Are travel expenses or meals provided in the workshop tuition? Travel expenses are not (but they are tax deductible so keep your receipts), snacks, drinks, and lunch are provided during the workshop.
Where do I stay? Where do I fly in? BWI is the nearest airport. We highly recommend that you stay in the Towson or Cockeysville area, as it will be easy to get to the studio from those two areas.
I already purchased your book and/or actions. Can I get a discount on the workshop? I'm sorry, but no, we cannot deduct your purchased items from the workshop tuition.
Will there be future 2012 dates? At this time, no, there will not be. This year, I am scheduled for more commercial productions, and I just received a book deal that will be taking up quite a bit of my time in addition to full-time portrait work. I cannot guarantee any future dates.
AN ADDED NOTE FOR CONSUMERS
Please be aware of the saturation in this industry - not only with photographers but the multitude of photographers giving workshops. If you like a specific photographer, and want to learn how they do their photos - for instance, how to pose babies, go to anyone you like. Again, for instance, posing is posing. What you need to be aware of is the amount of photographers who appear to be busy in business, but in reality may not on paper, be running a successful business. Photographers should be able to clearly state how many years they have been in business full time, and they should be able to know their bottom line figures as soon as they are asked, and should be open to even show their income tax papers if asked. Do your research, make sure that the person you are wanting to learn from truly has been in business as they say they have or appear to be. Do not assume that just because someone has a pretty website means that they are a success. We are living in a digital age, with a lot of non-factual information being circulated.
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