I had the great opportunity to attend the Dream Big Workshop by I Heart Faces in San Antonio at the end of May. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but didn't want to pass up on a workshop so close to home. Matt and Maria graciously set up the guest room for me, so it was a fun weekend away.
On the morning of the workshop I navigated the unfamiliar highways of San Antonio through rush hour traffic and even found an open parking garage near my destination. I arrived at the Drury Inn and Suites on the Riverwalk a good ten minutes before the designated meeting time of 8 AM. The only problem was, I didn't see another photographer-looking person (or camera, camera bag) any where. It was at that point that I realized I hadn't really nailed down all the important details. This is SO not like me. On most trips I am normally the one in charge of the details for myself and four other people...and I am dang good at it. But for some reason, on this trip where I only had to keep up with myself, I had dropped the ball. Thank goodness for my iPhone. I was able to figure out in a very round about way, that there are two Drury Inn and Suites on the San Antonio Riverwalk and I was at the wrong one. Luckily, I was only a few blocks away for the right place. Crisis averted.
We spent the morning at a ranch in Spring Branch. The workshop organizers had three photo sessions, each with a photographer/instructor, set up for us to shoot and learn. The rain drops held off and created perfectly overcast lighting in the process. I had a good time learning from the photographers and trying out different angles and techniques, something you don't always have time to do at a normal photo session.
On the ranch we met Missy the horse, who acted a bit like a dog. She was hilarious. She even ate my hair at one point.
Rachel Durik led a stylized photo shoot with a Little Red Riding Hood theme (the modern day movie, not the classic fairy tale). Stylized photo shoots are not my normal area of interest, but it was so fun to give it a try. And our model, Weslea, was professional, patient and completely adorable despite being just ten years old.
The lovely and talented Julie Rivera led our senior girl photo shoot. It was great to meet her, I am just so disappointed I didn't find her in time to take my family to Austin for a family shoot. She is moving off to Virginia. Bummer.
We spent the afternoon at a Q&A session and a flash photography demonstration by D'Ann Wright.
I was totally star-struck to meet Jessica Paige of One Willow Boutique. She was so sweet and willing to answer any questions we had.
I sat next to Angie Arthur at lunch and had a great time getting to know her and her daughter, Weslea. She is one of the co-founders of I Heart Faces and an amazing photographer.
I will be posting the images I took from the sessions over the next few days. Read more about the workshop HERE, there is even a picture of little old me.
