The Dream

Sephi Bergerson, a photographer originally from Tel Aviv, Israel and now living in Goa has some big dreams indeed.

After starting from scratch some 15 years ago, Sephi, no stranger to adventure and to live a fully immersive life, is set to launch India's first wedding photography festival. Sephi is well-known documentary wedding photographer in his own right, publishing what I consider one of the best books on the subject: Behind The Indian Veil.

Now with help from some very talented wedding photographers, Sephi has envisioned a gathering for photographers in picturesque Goa. Silk Inspire will be held October 4th through 7th – four days of fantastic presentations and fun activities at each day's end.

What is Silk Photos

Silk Photos describes itself as follows:

We represent a select group of talented wedding photographers, both stills, and motion, specializing in Indian weddings and destination wedding photography in India, and around the globe.

The Interview

So, what can you expect at Silk Inspire? I sat down with Sephi to talk about his plans for the festival, how it came about, why it was necessary to launch this now and where he hopes to take it in the future.

The Invitation To Attend

If you are in India, and you are a wedding photographer, registering for this wedding photography festival is a no-brainer! You must go. The place is right, the timing is right and the price is very right.

If you live outside the country, let me tell you that October in India is a wonderful time. I have friends who say they always want to go to India, so this is a great opportunity to not only learn from some of the best in the industry, but also travel through the country.

The Instructors

Here is who will be teaching at Silk Inspire: India's First Wedding Photography Festival –

Check out each of their websites to learn more about them individually:
Apresh Chavda, Christophe Vieseux, Franck Boutonnet, Joseph Radhik, Mahesh Shantaram, Sephi Bergerson, Susana Barberá, Two Mann Studios

If our schedules permit it, I hope to sit down with each of them to find out a little bit more about them and why being at India's first wedding photography festival is so important for them.

Pete Wright, a photographer, teacher, speaker and author, is obsessed with everything George Hurrell.

Glamor Portrait Photography

If you think of glamor and Hollywood these days, you might think of Annie Leibovitz and you wouldn't be wrong. But for Pete Wright, almost all of us portrait photographers need to tip our hat to Mr. Hurrell who was a pioneer in cinematic portraits.

Yet, Pete Wright has his own spin on the genre of cinematic portraits. He essentially wrote the book on the topic.

From Goodreads:

Pete Wright teaches you how to re-create mysterious, dark, and glamorous cinematic portraits reminiscent of those taken of 1920s’ and 1930s’ stars and starlets. The book contains 60 discrete sections which contain 60 of Wright’s most impressive, nostalgic black & white portraits, along with some alternate poses and lighting diagrams. In each section, the author details the steps taken to create the final portrait.

The Interview About Cinematic Portraits

When I found out that he was going to be presenting a workshop for CTPPA members on June 22nd, we hastily made arrangements to speak about cinematic portraits, his connection to Canon and how he is now on the road for most of the year bringing photographers full circle – teaching them about capture, processing and printing their artwork.

It's quite a mission and I applaud him and Canon for it. If you are in or near Connecticut on June 22nd and June 23rd, register for the workshop and do NOT miss this opportunity to learn from a master craftsman.

Pete Wright's Portfolio

Please visit Pete Wright's website for even more examples of his cinematic portraits. Here is a small sample for your viewing pleasure!

Register For the CTPPA Workshop

On June 22nd and June 23rd, you can learn the skills to create your own version of cinematic portraits. But you must register today!

In addition to Canon's sponsorship of Pete's presentation over the two days, we have to thank Elinchrom for making their studio strobe equipment available to participants.

If you have any questions for Pete Wright about cinematic portraits, please comment below.

With the season turning from spring to summer, I'll bet you have a lot of family portrait sessions scheduled. But the one thing that I was nervous about as I was getting started in family photography was how to pose my clients.

One photographer and teacher who helped me in that regard is Laura Siebert. I initially bought her excellent workbooks, but when she made plans to be in Connecticut to conduct a live workshop, I signed up right away.

Given the timing, I figured it was appropriate to interview Laura about her background in family photography, her workbooks and her workshops.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you based, how did you get your start in family portraits? Why is it important for you to photograph?

I started my business in 2005. I had begun hand painting black and white portraits as a small side business while I was a nurse. I had been photographing my own child with a film camera to have portraits to practice on and gradually my hand coloring clients began requesting me to also photograph their children for their hand colored portraits.  By September of 2005, I had switched entirely over to portrait photography with only an occasional hand painting commission. I am currently based in Denver, CO but maintain about a 50/50 client base in Denver and St. Louis, MO where I started my business.

1) As a family portrait photographer what challenges you the most and what techniques do you use to overcome them?

Family portrait photography used to scare me. A LOT! I have always been comfortable with kids, transitioning into photography from a pediatric ICU nurse. But I used to actually refer out that proverbial “family photo”.  I think the most challenging thing for me is the grumpy dads or the frazzled moms. I overcome both by explaining in a pre-session consultation and also at the beginning of the session that we are here to have FUN and it will be quick and painless. By getting the full family images out of the way first, it reassures mom that we have THE shot that she was most stressed about. I then move on to dad and kids so that dad is finished quickly.

2) What is it about photographing families jazzes you the most?

I think it's really, really awesome when you can get the whole family together and interacting with each other for an evening. No texting, no sport practices or conference calls. Just THEM. Just them actually being with each other and having fun. I enjoy capturing these interactions and knowing that when they look at the photos, it will bring back actual memories of this evening of family time.

3) What tools do you typically gravitate to the most when photographing families?

I use Canon 5d Mark 3 with an L85 1.2 about 80% of the time. With Canon 70-200mm and Canon 24-70mm making up the other 20%. I use reflectors occasionally indoors but not outdoors. Mostly I like to keep it as simple as possible by finding the correct light to begin with. 

4) Tell us about the books you have written. Get Real and Get Real 2 – what is your intent with both of them?

When I was about 2 years into my business, I realized that I couldn't be afraid of family images if I wanted to stay viable as a business. I can't say exactly how or when it dawned on me except for that one Fall busy season, something just clicked and I started treating every family session with a formula of game playing. I found that by making everything a game and having a pattern/plan for every session helped me be more confident. It also resulted in much more natural smiles and allowed for many more beautiful “in between moments” to be captured.

Over the past 9 years, I've really perfected this concept and wanted to share the method with other photographers. Get Real teaches how to approach a family session from pre-session forward that allows everyone to be relaxed and have a lot of fun at their session by playing my proven games. My style of “posing” is guided but loose. I teach photographers some good base poses to start your clients in before playing games that are time tested to result in amazing, connected family portraits.

Get Real has all of that information: pre-session client education, how clothing can make or break a session and how to communicate that to your clients, base poses and lots of games. It also has a section on difficult situations and how to overcome them.  Get Real 2 is a supplement containing 27 more games that I've come up with and been using at family sessions since publishing Get Real.

5) After Get Real was launched, what kind of a response did you receive? What were photographers saying to you?

Get Real was an instant hit, especially with seasoned photographers who were looking to really take the emotion in their family work to a new level. There aren't a lot of educational materials out there for established, experienced photographers and they have been so verbal in their appreciation. From newer photographers, I am told over and over how they now look forward to family sessions rather than being afraid. I also get “love letters” about how this method has finally allowed photographers to photograph their OWN children and husbands without resistance and with fabulous results.

6) In their essence, what do your workbooks Get Real and Get Real 2 achieve?

If I were to sum them up as a pair: Learn the systematic, reproducible “secret formula” to family sessions that results in truly connected, emotional portraits that leave everyone feeling happy, refreshed and willing to come back year after year!

7) Why are games so much more successful than “posing” people?

I think people get really nervous and self-conscious when they think they are supposed to “smile”. Or they think THEY have to spontaneously do cute things with their kids. They feel put-on-the-spot. When you make the whole session a series of games, the clients can relax and let you run the show because they can feel that they are being adorable and photogenic while they play your games.

8) When a photographer starts to learn from these workbooks (workshops in a book, essentially right?) what strategy do you suggest works best?

Yes, I've been teaching workshops since about 2008. And all of the information I cover in my 2 day workshop is contained in the 4-book set. I decided to break the books into smaller, digestible bits for those people who can't attend a workshop or for those who may only be interested in one or two aspects of the workshop. I think the strategy really depends on where the photographer is in his/her journey. Do they really understand their camera and it's settings? If not, they should start there (my workbooks and workshops are based on the premise that the photographer understands camera exposure and settings). The next question should be if they understand light in it's most basic form. Seeing where it's coming from, whether it's harsh or soft, whether it's drastic or feathered, etc.

If they don't feel like their images have consistent lighting, then Lighten Up would be a great place to start for outdoor portrait photographers. Lighten Up also covers my editing process in detail. Two of the things I'm most often complimented on are the emotions in my portraits (Get Real & Get Real 2) and consistent, natural, even skin tones (covered in Lighten Up).

For photographers who live in areas where shooting indoors for some or most of the year is necessary, I recommend Step Inside. It contains information on utilizing natural light inside client homes (or a natural light studio) including intimate, small space games and posing, lighting and post processing.

9) How is the Get Real series different from your other book, Lighten Up and Step Inside?

I think the Get Real series is more practical information that anyone can utilize at any skill level. It's the human side of photography. Lighten Up and Step Inside dig more deeply into the technical side of things with lighting and post-processing.

10) Your workshops on location are just as popular as your books. When are you coming back to the Northeast?

That's a great question! I was in Connecticut in 2014 and New Jersey in 2013. I really enjoyed both locations. My workshop schedule is really dependent on my family schedule and whether I can “get away”. I don't have any workshops planned at this time (subject to change at any time).

11) Using the techniques in your Get Real books, what has been the client response to the games you prescribe for photographers?

They love them! I know I keep harping on this, but … especially dads! Here is a quote from an actual dad client:

“There is almost nothing that I can think of that I'd rather not do than family portraits. But I was pleasantly surprised that Laura made the session fun, easy and best of all-fast!  When we saw the photographs, it was so incredibly worth it.” – John from St Louis who, in full disclosure, was bribed by his wife to provide feedback for me. He was not told WHAT to say though. Ha!

Kids also really love the games. Believe it or not, the tweens and teens are some of my biggest fans. I think because I make them ALL feel silly and let loose, they don't feel self-conscious. It's important for the photographer to be silly too and laugh along with them.

Here is a quote from a mom about her tween/teen trio: “I'll never forget the first time I took them to meet Laura for pictures. I was stressed, yelling, not a great start… They were dreading it. After pictures we got in the car to leave and one of the kids said, ‘That was really fun!' in a surprised voice. The other two chimed in in agreement. They never worry about photos now. They always turn out great and it's never stressful. ~Kerri

12) In your opinion, why are family portraits important?

Oh gosh, why AREN'T they? Yes, we have a million and one ways to “document” our lives now. Snapchat and Instagram and Youtube and … But professional portraiture is still the best way to capture the whole family for generations to come. Having professionally printed and framed portraits in a home sends a message to the children that “Our family is important. We take time out of our lives to remember who we are TODAY as a family, because we are never promised tomorrow and because we will always be changing.”  

There is a wonderful song by Johannes Stankowski that sums up my feelings about this in a couple sentences: “The years are flashing by and everything will change. But way down deep inside, we all just stay the same. Old memories come alive and then we know.” Video of the song below for your listening pleasure!

Workshops In A Book

Interested in buying Laura's “workshops in a book”? Click this link or click on the graphic below! Thank you!

Why Stories?

If you lived in the US between 1985 and 1987, you probably watched a show on the NBC television network called Amazing Stories.

While the 45-episode series explored fantasy, horror and science-fiction, as a 15-year old boy, I was hooked. I wasn't the only one, though. I recall that series being the subject of many discussions at school between friends who were also watching it with me.

Why?

Well told stories, whether it was your grandma or a Steven Spielberg production (which Amazing Stories was), have a way of capturing people's imagination, delivering a message with impact and motivating or inspiring action.

But narrating stories is a skill that doesn't come easy. Much less an epic story, I have struggled all my life to tell a joke without swallowing the punchline. So, if telling stories is powerful and it can captivate audiences near and far, online and off-line, how does one embrace the process of storytelling that it becomes second nature?

Storytelling Is Sacred

Enter Patrick Moreau of Muse Storytelling. He staunchly believes he has the process figured out. His company Stillmotion routinely wins awards, including five Emmy's, for documentaries the company has produced for its clients.

When it comes to storytelling from the heart, we believe you can learn more from a well-informed friend than you can from the finest academic institutions. We bring this personal approach to our storytelling processes, books, online courses, intensive workshops, filmmaking consultation, mentorships, and speaking events in the world at large.

Patrick Moreau is quite literally, obsessed with story. He believes that story is unparalleled in it’s ability to bring people together. And so he spends his days telling stories through his filmmaking at Stillmotion and helping others be empowered by story through their Muse Storytelling process.

He believes that we must “guide the heart, but move the heart” – that we need to connect emotionally if we want to change the behavior or perspective of our audience. It’s a philosophy that’s been presented to global business leaders at the United Nations in 2014 as well as at TedX (see below).

He’s worked for some big brands, directed several documentaries, won some Emmy’s, but more than any of that, he’s a real dude that loves the craft of filmmaking and how it’s a skeleton key to unlock so much wonder in this world.

Read – What science can teach us about being a truly happy creative?
Read – The importance of storytelling over statistics.
Read – What makes for a great Super Bowl ad?

The Interview

I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with Patrick about Muse Storytelling and his work at Stillmotion:

Examples of Stillmotion's Work

Click on the photographs below to get a glimpse of the work Patrick and his team at Stilmotion have produced in the past.

Patrick Moreau at TedX

Do you still need to be convinced about storytelling? Here is a TedX talk that Patrick gave just last year:

Tools To Build Stories – Register For Storybuilder

So, how does one construct a story? If you are a filmmaker or a photographer, you have a lot of factors to consider and keeping track of them all is challenging.

Patrick Moreau and his team are on the cusp of releasing a tool to help you build your stories. It's called Storybuilder and it launches on May 23rd. Register for the launch and receive 3 months to give the new tool a whirl for free.

Suzette Allen and her husband Jon Yoshinaga are busy photographers based in Sacramento, California. While the west coast is home, the duo are on the road several months out of the year photographing clients across the country and teaching photographers new techniques that enhance client's portrait experiences well beyond the session.

Thanks to Panasonic Lumix cameras and Bay Photo Lab, Suzette and Jon, are now offering something super special to their clients.

Hybrid Imaging – the use of video, still pictures and audio – isn't new. It's been attempted before. But not like how Suzette and Jon approach it. It would seem that technology had to grow up a bit first. Aren't you glad you are a photographer in 2016?

The Interview

Listen to our conversation below to find out more about Live Portraits:

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Learn about Talking Business Cards.

Here are the tools Suzette and Jon use to create Live Portraits.

Suzette Allen & Jon Yoshinaga Present At CTPPA

Register here for Suzette Allen's CTPPA workshop on May 17th. Scheduled from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, the workshop will be held at the Radisson Hotel located at 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, Connecticut.

This event is sponsored by Bay Photo and Panasonic LumixG

More On Hybrid Imaging & Live Portraits

Still curious to know more about hybrid imaging? Watch this quick little intro Suzette Allen has put together for you:

Examples Of Suzette Allen & Jon Yoshinaga's Work

Well, will you embrace hybrid imaging and create Live Portraits for your clients?

Comment below and again, don't forget to register for the CTPPA workshop if you are within driving distance of the venue.