If I could go back in time, I would have studied photography. I mean, I loved studying Sociology at UCLA. It was such an inspiring place and an amazing field.

But it would have been nice to go into my career in photography with a little skills. You know, something tangible to add to my bag.

This was, however, not what God had for me.

For reasons I am still determining, the experiences of getting out of college, living in Tokyo for a year, and then coming back, getting married, figuring the photography out as I went along, were what shaped me into the photographer I am today.

Everyone’s path has a different challenge and an opposite advantage.

So in 2008, when I thought about getting into this photography thing I thought, maybe I should go back to school full-time? As much of a slacker and free spirit that I am, I loved school. I loved the structure. The schedule. The summer breaks.

But the reality of going back to get a second degree, or a masters in photography, would be something that I would be paying off for a long time. And I just wasn’t sure if that was going to translate to more work for me if in the end I just wanted to have a my own photography business.

Enter workshops. There are plenty of people that say that photography workshops aren’t worth the money or you would be better off with more equipment.

All I can say is that in my own experience, the knowledge I have gained from other pros in this industry has helped me make better decisions with my business and have taught me some tangible skills to add to my bag on the wedding day.

Enter, Zach + Jody Gray!

Their workshop for In-Camera: Light was the first workshop I have attended where I went with the purpose of learning a new skill. In this case, lighting. Being a mainly self taught photographer (I did do 2 classes at my local community college that first year…HOLLLLA) I usually just learned to make it work with natural and available light.

What I went into this workshop hoping to learn was how to make it work when there was no available light, say, at a wedding reception.

I learned so much from Zach + Jody not just about how to make a strobe work, and how to function a pocket wizard, but also just from how they taught and cared for all the photographers that attended. They have been added to my list of role model workshop leaders.

Here are some behind the scenes photos, and some from our shoot as well.

We divided into 3 groups and in each group one person would take turns setting up the strobe and the rest of us would get the chance to do that next time, but each location we all shot a few pictures to get a feel for the settings.

It was a super helpful way to do the instructive shooting, instead of just one big mob of 25 people trying to shoot over each other’s heads.

On the left you can see the natural light we were using, and on the right you can see the difference using the strobe.

this last shot was my favorite, because they broke out all 3 strobes for a super movie star grand finale.

a little behind the scenes for that shot.

thanks Zach + Jody for being so amazing and giving so much back to the photography community!

Also, speaking of workshops, I am hoping to do another fun:101 for beginning DSLR users in late January or early Feb. If you are interested in attending please comment below so I can add you to the email list! the last one was so fun, I hope you or a friend might join me!

Xoxo

Em