A Photographer's Workshop

For Those Looking To Make Positive Changes in 2017

It's pretty crazy just how much can change in the span of 10 years. Back on June 4th of 2005, Sandi and I got married in the Pocono Mountains, at the Mountain Springs Lake Resort. Back then, neither of us were the slightest bit into photography or even owned a camera. Fast forward to this past weekend, and I found myself hosting a 3-day long wedding photography workshop at that same exact resort. Taking photos of a married couple modeling for us, standing in the same exact spot where Sandi and I exchanged our vows.

- Read The Reviews -

It was only a little over 4 years ago that I officially jumped into the wedding photography industry and shot my first wedding. Since that time, I've accomplished more in this industry than I ever could have imagined and built one of the most well known and successful multi-photographer wedding studios in the country. With that being said, I have also been very active in the educational side of the industry, but have held off on hosting workshops of my own.

I've helped out other photographers, but for the past 3 years, I have purposely held off on hosting anything myself. I honestly wanted to wait until I felt that I was ready, and that I had something valuable to offer. I also wanted to wait until I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and what I wanted others to get out of it. As I watched 2016 bring a tough year for many photographers, for a number of different reasons, something clicked and I began planning. I thought that hosting a workshop near the beginning of the new year would be a great idea. Hosting a workshop based around the idea of RESETTING, and getting 2017 kicked off with new ideas, changes, and confidence. This is where the idea of Camp Reset was born.

I wanted to have it be myself and two other speakers that would bring something completely different to the table. Three different styles, three different shooting techniques, and three different business approaches. I also wanted to make networking and making new friends a huge part of the workshop. I brought in Bud Johnson and Douglas Polle as the other speakers and decided to hold the workshop at the Mountain Springs Lake Resort in Reeders, Pennsylvania. This is the same place that I had gotten married at 11 years ago. Mountain Springs Lake was the perfect place to hold the workshop because they have a beautiful piece of property hidden in the Pocono Mountains of PA with a large lake and rustic log cabins for everyone to stay in.

The workshop sold out in one day, filling up to 25 attendees, which was great to see. Everyone arrived at the resort around 4PM and the festivities began. Everyone hung out that night, we ordered pizzas, and had a beer or two... or three. Everyone got to meet each other, talk a little shop, and just unwind a little before a long day ahead. Saturday morning we got things officially kicked off and we spent the day at the main lodge which offered a great spot to hold lectures. Bud, Doug, and myself each spoke for an hour before the resort served an awesome buffet lunch, did the same after, and then everyone was served with a buffet dinner that was even better than lunch. Dinner was one of the best catered dinners I've honestly ever eaten, and they had more than enough food for everyone to have not only 2nds, but 3rds. No joke.

As far as what we focused our lectures on, it was based on providing everyone in attendance changes that they can implement into their businesses going into the new year. From marketing, to working with clients, building relationships in the industry, shooting techniques, wall art sales, and other different business strategies that could help make 2017 the best year yet for everyone. All 3 of us speakers have a different background, have different stories of where we come from and what drives us. We each have different marketing and business strategies, shooting techniques, editing styles, and relationships with our clients. Everyone in attendance was able to see how all 3 of us are very different, but also very successful, and offer something different in terms of what made us each successful.

Sunday morning was spent photographing a married couple that came to the resort to model for everyone. I demonstrated my posing techniques, how I work with my clients, and how I make my photographs of them look so natural and photojournalistic while being a little more hands on. Everyone was back on the road and heading home by 2pm, and the first Camp Reset was officially in the bag, and an absolutely huge success.

Besides the lectures and shooting on Sunday to practice the new techniques that were taught, the biggest take away from the entire weekend was the time spent simply getting to know each other. The first night, Friday night, was great for getting to meet everyone and making introductions. Everyone hung out at one cabin and had a good time. The 2nd night, Saturday night, was a different story and really the meat and potatoes of the workshop. Everyone was a little more comfortable with each other and it was a great night hanging out, having awesome conversations, doing a little partying, and really letting loose with a group of new friends. I can't wait til the next one!

Reading the reviews that were submitted, I was blown away by how special this workshop was for everyone that attended, and just how much of an impact it had on them. I'm glad to see that waiting like I did, and then putting a lot of time into putting this workshop together really paid off!

- READ THE REVIEWS -

A few other key parts of the workshop that I don't want to leave out:

- Tim Hussey from Pixifi spent the weekend with everyone and gave a brief explanation and demo of Pixifi. Along with Tim, we had a great group of sponsors that provided awesome giveaways: Allens Camera, Fundy Designer, B&H Photo, G-Technology, Atmospheric Aerosol, and The Refined Union