Sometimes, I just assume people know what I’m talking about and as I am waxing poetic, a glazed look slowly overtakes them. So, I try not to talk too much.

I’ve been assuming that everyone who visits this blog, knows what I am talking about when I say “SoCal Photog Shootout,” and perhaps you do…if that is the case, then no need to keep reading, just scroll down and enjoy the photos. If you have no idea and want to know more, keep reading…

What is Photog Shootout?

• Photog Shootout is a nationwide group that connects photographers, from hobbyists to seasoned pros and everyone in between. We have numerous groups across the country that meet every month or two to shoot, learn and laugh.
• An opportunity to  PRACTICE all those things you wanted to try at an actual client session, but __________________ (insert reason here –were afraid, had no idea how, did not have time, clients didn’t want to, etc).
• A group where you can ask questions and learn –even ones you are embarrassed to ask like, “what is this button for?”
• A chance to work with some of the industries coolest vendors –from models, make-up artists, caterers, florists, etc
• A community of people who love to take pictures, network, commiserate, support each other, help each other. I am a firm believer that EVERYONE has something beneficial to offer someone else.

What Photog Shootout is not…

• A commercial — we’re not trying to sell you stuff. We’ll giveaway stuff that might be useful to you, but there won’t be DVD’s in the back for $19.95.
• A workshop — you’ll be getting hands on instruction from lead photographers and also your peers and you also might find a person or two asking YOU some questions as well. But you won’t have the $$$ price tag…
• A really good portfolio builder — you are in a small group of 5-10 other photographers, you’ll have to get creative to make your shot look very different from someone else’s and they might also be using their shot on their website.

Why should you pay to come to an event when you can just get a few models and friends and do it for free?

• Do you know a bunch of other photographers? (Do you want to meet new ones?)
• Do you have a makeup artist?
• Do you have access to awesome locations in and around Southern California?
• Do you know pretty models and/or have pretty couples to model?
• Do you have access to outfits that fit a theme?
• Do you have access to knowledgeable photographers that have been in the business for years and are willing to answer any question you have?

If you do, then we totally encourage you to get together with some of your friends and shoot. You’ll also need more practice than you have the ability to attend a workshop or shootout.

We charge a nominal fee (usually around $55) to cover costs such as your dinner, snacks, costume rentals, permits, etc, but tickets go really fast –last event sold out in 2 minutes. We have no interest in raising the price of admission (defeats out original purpose) so, make sure you’ve joined our Facebook group for emails with registration details and follow me on Twitter for ticket giveaways and stuff.

Each event has a different vibe and theme. We’ve done trash the dresses, high fashion, vintage, a mock wedding and more. The SoCal group hosts events every even month. Our next event will be April 30th in Temecula, CA. More details will be released soon!

Here is a video from our last event in February (he mock wedding) by Nick of CraftHouse Productions.

SoCal Photog Shootout 2010 from CraftHouse Productions on Vimeo.

And photos from the Shootout hosted last month by the San Diego Photog Shootout group. (I got to sit around, shoot and relax all day!)

My favorite of the day- with lots of drama!

We hit the streets of Little Italy and all it’s fun nooks and crannies!

Lead Photographer, Garrett Delph

Thanks to Janis Foley for allowing us to use her amazing studio!

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!