Being one of the ones in charge of the SoCal PhotogShootout, I don’t really get to lead any groups, so when the San Diego Shootout Bosses asked me to lead a group, I was super excited, but I still didn’t really lead.
Let me explain. One of the catalysts of starting the Shootout group was my need to practice various techniques I’d heard or read about. I wasn’t going to jump in and try wireless flash at a wedding reception during an actual wedding without actually knowing how to use it–call me crazy or a control freak…or both.
So instead of being a constant talking head for my groups, I encouraged them to take the lead, practice something they wanted to practice and ask questions as needed. Which made for a pretty silent group I’ll tell ya. Even though silence is uncomfortable at times, you’ve gotta accept that sometimes silence is okay.
The event was held at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum and it had an old gas station used for movie sets, a general store, a hut and my station –which was a fence and a motor home. Yup. I’m NOT joking. More details below. It was an awesome location (despite the motor home) and the San Diego Bosses, Yvonne LeBrun & Stephen Knuth planned a fabulous event!
I was honored to work beside the following amazing leaders in the industry:
Jeff and Betsey McCue, Garrett Delph, Evan Bishop, Scott Anderson, and Lawrence Chan (our speaker).
My models, Devon and Taj were hot and laughed at my jokes cause I’m funny. Seriously, I am.
One of the biggest challanges for my first groups was the harsh sun, but we worked with and around it!
Here is one of my groups getting the shot below.Check out the awesome motor home.
One of the fun things about a shootout is trying new things. I don’t do a lot of post processing when I am working for a client, but for shootouts, I get to play.
I snuck in a shot of models from another group. They were too cute for words.
FAVORITE!
During the free for all, I caught a few shots of my model with someone else’s model.
And my friend Jen Johnson and I figured we could totally do the modeling thing.
If you are new to my blog, you may have no idea what the PhotogShootout actually is. I encourage you to go to the top search bar and type in “photogshootout” and familiarize yourself with our events. If you are interested in getting to know your camera better, learn from photography leaders, meet people, build your portfolio, etc. my group, the SoCal PhotogShootout can be found on Facebook.
Out next event is this week. February 11th and the event sold out in 2 minutes. If you didn’t get a ticket and you want one, well, you’ve come to the right place. FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS ALERT(Click HERE if you have no idea what that means): I am giving away ONE ticket for Thursday’s event. But I need to see how BADLY you want it and I’m gonna make you work for it this time. In the comment box below, you need to write a poem or song that includes the words: SoCal PhotogShootout, Hanssie, Matt and photography. I will pick my favorite (with some help from Matt, my husband and my 5 year old probably) and the winner will be announced Tuesday AM.
And to ensure a spot to all of 2010’s SoCal PhotogShootout events, go to http://thirstrelief.shootq.com/
I’ll be blogging more about that next week.
Happy poem/song writing!
10 Comments
So you say there’s another shoot out. If I can’t go, I think I might pout.
For, the shoot outs give me a chance, to do new things that make me want to dance.
I feel giddy when I learn something fancy, and appreciate all the help from my friend Hanssie.
If I want an answer that helps and is not a pat one, I know I can ask Matt, and I’ll soon be done.
All I learn and shoot, and all I see, helps make me better at photography.
Blessed by friends both new and old, they share their advice that is good as gold.
Someone shows lighting or fast focus, another demonstrates strobe.
On a shootout there may be a “Star” sighting, and models definitely won’t pose in a robe.
Please please PLEASE let me join this party, so I can shoot next to a serious smarty.
To the SoCal PhotogShootout I hope to go, it’s in your hands now, so….
Thanks for considering me.
So what was the feel they were going for? Modern rockabilly…ish, or vintage? I’m thinking modern, since the flight suit is a current CWU-27/P, with a current squadron’s patch, and a very new looking G-1 flight jacket. Also, a modern plate emblazoned with the 63 Stingray label(that’s a C3, or 3rd generation Corvette btw).I may be nitpicking, but you know me, how would I not comment on such things?
I love photog shootouts and these pictures are just fab!
The sun will flare out, on Thursday
Bet your bottom dollar that on Thursday, there’ll be sun.
Just thinking about the SoCal photog shootout
Clears away the nerves and the sad pouts, till there’s none.
When you’re stuck with a day that’s gray just ask Hanssie
She’ll show you the light, in sight, and say, Oh!
The sun will flare out, on Thursday
So you gotta hang on for Thursday
Just ask Matt!
Thursday, on Thursday
I’d love to go on Thursday
I can’t wait ‘cuz it will be
So great for my photography!
I’m new to the group via SMUG’s OC and am looking forward to more.
For us newbies (and oldies) it’s and incredible photography network for many of us to explore.
Learning new tips & tricks is how we improve and, of course, it also what’s in the bag.
To websites and blogging and Twitter and Facebook and all those image tags.
I’m an admitted blog stalker of the best of the best and I thrive to learn and improve.
Being around all the leaders and picking their brains that will help us get on our grove.
Most valuable to me are the new friendships and networks that are available online.
But more important than this are the relationships we’ll have as we form them in abundance off-line.
Matt’s is an interesting dude with a bright mix of photography, from landscapes, to weddings and rings.
I get a kick out of his work outside of people; of scenics and time-lapse of all things.
I bow to his techiness and knowledge of things as you’d think, engineering degree?,
Maybe, who knows, but in his own words “It not about what you look at, it’s about what you see”.
And of Hanssie’s photography need I say more? It sings with the provocative elegance and style.
Just give her a Dr. Pepper, a camera, and laptop to blog it and post it,
can’t wait to see what comes next, as the wait is so very worth while.
I’m looking forward to my first shoot with the group and can’t imagine the opportunities that will play out.
Will you be in Pasadena this Thursday for the SoCal Photogshootout?
(I WILL!)
It’s been such a long time
Since I’ve created a rhyme.
I’m just so anxious about going to my very first SoCal PhotogShootout
What better time than this week to see what the buzz is all about!
I just know I would get so much from Hanssie,
As the images she shares surely proves herself as it’s so fancy
To be able to meet you would be such a pleasure
To attend Thursday’s shootout is something I would definitely treasure.
So when you, Matt and the lil one
Choose the lucky winner for a day full of fun
Rhonda Mazurek is this new girl’s name
And photography is my game
I hope to meet you all this Thursday!!!
The SoCal PhotogShootout SOLD OUT in 2 minutes flat!
Dang it! That means I wont be seeing Hanssie and Matt!
No matter though, cause me and my honey didn’t have any money.
So come Thursday I’ll be sitting like a bump on a LOG
Guess I will go checkout Hanssies Photography BLOG!
I’ll be thinking of brides and photogs in Pasenda…
I wish I could be there to shake a hand and meet em
A gorgeous theme with in the Now Weddings and EVENTS
I know you would go if you to had enough CENTS!
If I win I will show UP, with Dr. Pepper in a CUP!
THE END
p.s I made a little video to go with this poem. I will have it up as soon as youtube is done with their site maintenance!!!
Ok youtube is still not up so here is a link for my poem video on flicker!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47371737@N07/4342312173/
Sorry, corrected a line, here’s the NEW link for poem video!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47371737@N07/4343242947/
Matt + Hanssie = Dream Team Photography
———————-
SoCal PhotogShootout
i.e. Matt and Hannsie are two amazing photographers that are “over” the SoCal Photogshootout group.
Hoping the formatting will come through correctly!!!