Do you have any idea what mentoring a student does?

So Laurie Klein, she is one wonderful woman. I remember first coming to her place and being so nervous that I might not be a good photographer, and not be able to live up to her standards. But boy, was I wrong, I feel that she has freed me from the chains I put on myself because I always thought I was not good enough, actually, all the girls in the program have truly helped me grow into a better person. I feel that she let me opne up and express myself. Each week I felt better and more confident about my self and I wouldn't be so proud as I am today without this group. I mean, I almost gave up on this and she showed me it doesn't matter what the negative people say, because as long as yur happy their isn't anything else to be needed. I feel this whole experience has opened up my heart and eyes, and I feel so much more in tune with my photography skills, I have found a family in this group, and I feel this experience will stick with me forever. I am so grateful for this group and just so happy with what I have learned. Thank you Laurie, Kathryn, Casey, Casey Rose, Melissa, Olivia, and Nicole. You guys are the best ever.

Mentoring Halloween Playdate

A few nights before Halloween, we took the mentoring group out to shoot ghost images. We played with long shutter speeds and focused lighting to create a spooky mood that embodied the graveyard setting that we were in. Below are selected images from each of the students:

Casey Hill- This playdate was so amazing :)

Casey Hill- The gray- lit sky works with the orange candles :)

Alexandra Sweeney 

"This night walk the dead in a solitary style.."

Alexandra Sweeney

"I'm alive I'm alive like suicide"

 Casey-Rose Kearns

Casey-Rose Kearns

"literally the best photos ever taken."

 Olivia Cookfair

Olivia Cookfair

During this photo shoot it was very interesting learning about shutter speed to make people appear as ghosts.  This group of people is awesome and I love being on both sides of a camera.

My Guru taxi driver.

Two wonderful days at the Photo Expo in NYC seeing friends, students and colleagues I haven't seen in a while, including 2 of my wonderful students from my bodies in water workshop at Peter's Valley, Kate and Mitzi, Clay Blackmore whose energy is contagious and stand alone talent.  Tom Curley hung out with me yesterday he always teaches me something new. I stopped by the HP booth and they had a display on digital negatives for Platinum Printing which just blew me out of the water. I have been thinking lately of Platinum Prints for my IR bodies in water photographs.
2 Days of seeing so many people I know and photographic eye candy.

I collected my bag of new information and incredible ideas and thought I was going to walk to grand central, but I didn't realize how heavy all the literature was and new paper samples I was given to try out. So out of the blue there came a taxi and before I left to come to the Expo, my friend and coach Hal Tweedy said pay attention to what is put in front of you. SO I jumped into the cab.

First the driver asked me about the Expo, the a conversation morphed into electronics then how wonderful NYC is and what it has to over, next thing we were talking about politics.

I commented about the amount of traffic for mid afternoon especially with the awareness of the train I wanted to catch. His calming voice said that for a Friday and people getting out of town the traffic wasn't too bad. He then asked me if I wanted to go via Madison Ave, I said which ever has less traffic and he would know better.

Then the conversation shifted. He said AH, have patience. After moving here from India and driving taxi's  in NYC for 20 + years he had learned patience and so much more.

He said, never make any one cry.

He asked if I minded if he shared with  me some other things he has learned over the years. I was all ears. Have Patience and Faith was what he said. Of course that was exactly what I needed to hear.

We arrived at Grand Central and he turned around and faced me.  His right hand with the driving glove became very animated. He looked me in the eye and said he will never see me again. I stopped collecting my belongs and looked into his wizened eyes. He then made the statement that the only thing he doesn't like about this job was that he would meet so many people, take them to their destination and never see them again, and that makes him very sad.

Dreams can come true!

My muse and friend Amy standing with my other pal, "Halpaca"

I want to send thanks to so many of you for your support. As you may know I have spent the past 2 years exploring and growing my personal fineart. Many of you have become my muses and I thank you for all the time and energy that you have given me and for giving me such wonderful creative license.

I have been traveling and teaching a lot this year and have been holding very exciting workshops, one of my favorites is Celebrate the Feminine! I am in the process of launching a new website and I hope to feature many of you in my galleries there.

Please joinme next year either in sunny Naples, Florida for courses I will be holding, or perhaps beautiful Tuscany for a workshop entitled Empowerment, Creativity, and Listening to your Muse. Perhaps I will see you at one of my favorites places in the northeast, Peters Valleywhere I will be teaching a Bodies in Water workshop for women and an Art of Seeing workshop for everyone. In the fall, I will be in Wisconsin at Dillmans Bay Resort and Workshops for a course entitled Artist Jambalya. These are only a few of the exciting workshops coming up. I will be posting more info on my website.

Finally after many months of preparation, I am ready to launch my new websiteLaurieKlein.com which features my photographic images from these past few years, plus my musings, events, workshops and loads more! I can't wait for you to take a peek and would love to hear back from you.

My event and commission photographs can be found at LaurieKleinPhotography.com.

I hope to see you at one of my classes or on a photo shoot. Would you like to be my muse?
If you see me online, Skype me and say hi.

With great abundance,

Laurie 

Fall Mentoring begins and guess where the students exhibit will be?

Laurie and Nicole Cudzilo are mentoring 6 high school seniors from Brookfield High School and Newtown High School. This year the mentorship will culminate with an exhibit entitled Six Views 2011 Exhibition at are you ready?
At the Silo Gallery in New Milford CT! http://www.hunthillfarmtrust.org/.          
The opening will be Saturday January 15, 2011 3-5 pm. The exhibit will run through Feb 19th, 2011.

Please join us for The Gallery talk which is scheduled for Sunday January 23, 2011 2-4 pm.  You will have the opportunity to hear from the students.

Skitch and Ruth Henderson started The Silo in 1972.
Read more about my mentoring program. http://brookfield.patch.com/announcements/laurie-klein-photographer-mentors-brookfield-and-newtown-hs-seniors

 Casey Rose Kearns, Melissa DeStefano, Casey Hill, Alexandra Sweeney, Olivia Cookfair, 

 Kathyrn Scribner, Nicole Cudzilo

Artsy Girls Exhibit at the Pierce Ball Gallery

Elizabeth P. Ball
Director
Pierce Ball Gallery

Showcasing works of art from around the world. Paintings, sculpture, multi
media, natural works of art, contemporary to traditional works shown in
specific exhibitions.

9 Webbs Hill Road
Stamford, CT 06903 USA
203-329-1105
By appointment only

http://www.pierceballgallery.com/

Check out the photos taken at our fabulous hand coloring workshop at the Litchfield Historical Museum.

What a blast we all had at the hand coloring workshops at the Historical Museum in Litchfield last week. The students were amazing. Thanks to all of you that showed up with your creativity in tow and a special thanks to Linda Loveday and her staff at the Historical Museum. The students even had the opportunity to see a few Wallace Nutting hand colored photos.

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An article about Laurie - Par Excellence Magazine

Currently Par Excellence Magazine, is running a story about me, along with a large gallery.

Check out the article:

When you first meet Laurie Klein you might guess that she is a Creative Healer, but you would never guess her method - Infrared Photography

She is known today as both a successful photographer with a signature style, and an instructor of healing workshops that celebrate women by helping them re-discover their core purpose, strengths, passions and joys.

Her life long commitment to the art of photography began 41 years ago in high school. "I didn't really discover my passion, my passion discovered me." Laurie said.
(more)

      

Hand Coloring Black and White Photographs at the Litchfield Historical Museum

Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

Hand Coloring Black and White Photographs at the Litchfield Historical Museum

Please Join me on Wednesday September 15th 

Hand Coloring Black and White Photographs

Location: Litchfield History Museum
Time: 10:00-11:30a
Age: Homeschoolers
Fee: $10 for members; $15 for non-members • Registration

Hand Coloring Black and White Photographs
Location: Litchfield History Museum
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
Age: All ages
Fee: Children:$10 members; $15 non-members/Adults $15 members; •Registration

Hand Coloring Black and White Photographs
http://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/calendar/event.php?event=253
Location: Litchfield History Museum
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Age: All ages
Fee: Chidlren: $10 members; $15 non-members/Adults: $15 members; $20 non members • Registration
http://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/calendar/event.php?event=254

registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org

Rebecca and Marco, continues.....

I just got back from teaching at Peter's Valley -wait till I tell you about that incredible experience- so Rebecca and Marco have been in a holding pattern.....bummer, but they are back in full passion.
I want to thank all of you for your involvement with Rebecca and Marco.
Hal Tweedy, http://www.dreambiggercoaching.com/, and I  continued the story, most came from him with my womanly input.
We still need your help by filling in the blanks to complete these chapters. Enjoy...LK

"Kisses on the Beach"

Rebecca was finally on her own.  She stood all of 5’2” in her bare feet. Over her shoulder she had strung several bulging camera bags.  Their added weight only made her trek more fatiguing as she came to rest in front of the Uffizi museum.  She hadn’t planned to be in this part of Florence that day, but her assignment was to photograph interesting windows in the city.  Somehow her heart was leading the way, while her feet followed obediently to where she now stood.  Coming from her native France, she was overjoyed at being accepted into the Photography program at Florence’s most prestigious art school the ______________________.

Her 25th birthday was only a week away, and she promised herself that she would meet a special man by then.  “Be careful what you wish for!” said a little voice inside her head.

Everywhere she went since arriving 4 days ago, she felt men watching her, taking in her graceful dancer’s body, wavy brunette hair and her dark and sultry eyes.  She didn’t mind – this was Italy after all! 

Italian men intrigued her.  They were so different from the French men she had known.  She found Italian males to be more (less) ___________________, ________________________, and ______________________ than her Parisian suitors.

Knowing this gave her the inner confidence that she would have a _________________ guy on her arm, on her birthday.

Little did she know how right she was or how much a new romance might cost her.  In a few minutes, her life would change forever.

The Uffizi thrilled and frightened her at the same time. Built as city offices in the late 16^th century, and supported by the Medicis, The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the world’s finest art treasures, but there were also many legends that surrounded the Uffizi, some that were magical and some that were dangerous.  It’s said that certain works of art had the power to  __________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Another myth that intrigued and concerned her involved the powerful Medici Family.  According to common knowledge, men in particular are most vulnerable.  It is believed that when a man ______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

At the end of that long corridor that makes up the Piazzale degli Uffizi, Rebecca sat on a step looking up at the splendid bridge that connected the two wings of the building.  It had three arched windows.  

She caught a movement of light across the arched museum windows.  “That’s it!  That’s the shot I want.” she thought. 

Pulling out her Canon5D from one of the bags, she knelt on the first stone stair and angled her camera upwards towards the statue in front of the center window.  Click – the first trial picture. She move a bit to her left and followed the line of ancient stone along the arch to the stained glass.  Click – the next picture.  “Marvelous” she thought.  Rebecca had instantly refocused on her greatest pleasure – photography – a passion that would soon bring her trouble.

Moving to the right, she watched as the sunlight bathed the tall windows, the light tripping and running down it’s surface, sparkling as though the stone were a waterfall.  At the instant she touched the shutter for her third time, a dark shadow moved in front of her, startling her and causing her to look up into the deepest green eyes she had ever seen - the same limpid pools she swam in all the time, in her dreams.

She felt the ground beneath her start to give way.  There was a rumble and a clatter around her, but still those eyes shone back at her.

“Excuse me. I didn’t mean to block your camera,” he said  “and oh no, you’ve dropped your camera!” he said.  “I am so sorry!  I am so sorry! The light was in my eyes and I almost tripped over you” he said.

“Is it broken?” he asked.

Breaking her gaze for a moment she answered: “It will be alright I’m sure.”  She picked up the pieces.

He introduced himself: “My name is Marco.  I want to make this up to you.”

Regaining some composure, she said “Rebecca”, and accepted his help picking up pieces of the broken camera – a camera that had always been close to hear heart, in more ways than one.

Looking at Marco, you would think he had stepped right out of  GQ magazine, the Italian version.  Marco was impeccably dressed, but casual – black silk blazer, crisp white shirt open at the collar, tan pants and Italian loafers.  He offered wide shoulders that could carry any burden and he had a slightly crooked smile.  In his wavy black hair were a streak or two of premature gray.  He looked 30 and very experienced. Two features stood out: his incredible green eyes and the dimple in his chin.  When he spoke, his voice was calm and reassuring.  She thought his voice was seductive.

Rebecca was instantly mesmerized by the cadence of his Italian accent.  With little thought, she couldn’t help but imagine how he would make love to her – slow and confidently.

“May I make up for the trouble I’ve caused?  Perhaps you will come with me for cappuccino across the piazza?”  “Oui” she said.  Not needing a second invitation, Rebecca slung her camera bags over her shoulder and they started to walk out of the Piazzale degli Uffizi.  

Chapter 2

As they walked away the sky behind them was changing.  Marco could be seen taking Rebecca’s camera bags and carrying them for her as they walked toward the “caffe” a block away.  Thunder suddenly rumbled from the west and thickening grey clouds began to roll in.

“Do not worry.” Marco said, looking over his shoulder.  “It is only a late summer shower.  It will pass.”

But Marco was worried.  That worry would have to wait though.  For now he was totally captivated by his new accidental friend.

Through one of the Uffizi’s upper windows, in the Caravaggio Room, there stood a stunning woman in black, watching the couple leave the Piazzale. She was hiding her face from the rest of the people in the room.  Just one single tear escaped her eyes.

“How appropriate” she thought.  “I am in the Caravaggio Room.”

On the back wall is the young Bacchus, holding out a goblet of wine in welcome, with a basket of fruit set upon a frugal table. Facing and eloquently counterbalancing each other are the Sacrifice of Isaac, where the cruel gesture is miraculously interrupted, and the Medusa whose head, cut off by the hero Perseus, is painted on a round shield.

The woman in black suddenly laughed loudly, startling the others in the room.  “Ha! The Caravaggio Room.  I might have known it! she said.

Rebecca and Marco were seated at the caffe and placed their orders.   The first thing she noticed about Marco was his hands.  Long fingers and a broad palm caused her an involuntary shudder.  She had always been attracted to a man’s hands.  They told her so much.  Right now they were telling her to use her imagination.  

“What could he do with those hands,” she wondered.  She felt a warm and tantalizing flush begin well below her naval and rise upwards toward her face.  Yes, his hands were amazing and yes, his voice was beginning to seduce her, but Rebecca was also a strong and determined woman.  She would not give in easily to the stirrings of  her loins.  Still, without realizing Marco had been talking to her, she allowed her fantasies to wash over her like the rain outside was beginning to wash the city clean of it’s old dirt.  Those hands!

“ So, I can see I’ve bored you already.  Your head is off in those storm clouds I think.” he chuckled.  “Tell me something about yourself and your stay here.”

Rebecca refocused on the present and told him a little about herself: _______________________________

_______________________________________

____________________________________________

In the Caravaggio Room the woman in black stood before the Medusa painting, planning her next moves: ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Rebecca and Marco, an anonymous submission

I thought I would share this person version of " Kisses on the Beach " with you.

Your thoughts??????

Marco is a tall, dark haired man. European chiseled features with a stunning gaze.

They are talking about themselves and decide to leave when a car pulls up and tries to kidnap Marco. She sees a man in danger and just has to help. Rebecca helps fend them off as she studied Tai Bow ( the art of how to tie a bow ).  After that he is so grateful, he buys her a box for the bows. ( This is digressing isn't  - sorry I can't help myself ).  As the passion fo ( no mispelling ) the bows continues, they use more and more unusual bows: string, chains, leather....  It really starts to get out of hand when she decides to knit her own bows taking time away from their relationship.

He has to get her into counseling and can't. He decides to have her kidnapped and brought to a group therapy session. As she is riding in the van ( after being abducted ) she learns the people who are taking her for help originally tried to kidnap Marco for a very similar addiction. He was into Japanese flower disarranging. He could not help himself. He'd see a beautiful bouquet of artfully arranged flowers and have to dismantle it. He sustained several wounds from vicious roses.  ( Hey a new movie - Wounds of the Roses ).

After therapy, they both learn they can do what they want through photography. She can take pictures of bows and he can dismantle wonderful flower arrangements in Photoshop. He does miss the battle with the roses though. Life is good for a while until they get bored. On a whim, they decide to start a business. Import-export. Clothes, chocolates, trinkets. They would both wake very early and watch the cargo ships come into port. One day they had a horrible experience. The ship had an accident and the cargo was awash, floating on the waves. As the waves crashed on the shore they saw their entire business get soaked before their eyes. Marco could not help himself when he saw their merchandise on the beach He completly broke down when he saw their chocolates in the sand. They were Hershey kisses.  Yes - you saw it coming - Kisses on the Beach.

Marco took the camera and shot Rebecca. He later turned himself into the police.

Rebecca and Marco, please we need your help

I am blown away by the responses we have gotten from all of you since introducing Rebecca and Marco. We do need more details in order to complete chapter one.

1. Why did Rebecca leave her French roots?

2. What town in France did she come from?

3. Why did she leave France? Is there a deep dark secret she is holding onto?

4. What is her background and why is she studying photography?

5. What is she feeling the first time she sees Marco?

6. Have you ever been to the Uffizi Museum? If so, or even from your imagination, describe the atmosphere of the lobby where Rebecca drops her camera and Marco walks in?

7. What is the exact moment after she drops her camera and Marco walks in that sparked that instant passion or the reason she dropped her camera.

8. Has Rebecca seen or met Marco before?

Have fun and thanks again for being a part of this journey.

Follow the dialogue that others are sharing  on facebook.

with joy,

Laurie

Need your help with my new book

Laurie J. Klein "Kisses on the Beach", is my new book.

Do you like my new pen name "Pandora Passioné"?
PLEASE HELP ME!

There will be at least 10 chapters. The story line for the first chapter reveals that the main character, Rebecca has left her French roots and traveled to Florence to study photography. In her wildest dreams she never thought she would meet a man like Marco. They meet each other for the first time. Marco steps into The Uffizi Museum at the same moment as Rebecca drops her camera on the ground. He comes to her aid which begins a passionate romance. The action then moves to a nearby café where they begin to tell one another about themselves.

Chapter two takes over when they walk into the café.

Now I need your help with details like:
what does Marco look like, what are they saying to each other about themselves, what happens next,
Details please! Feel free to use your wildest imagination, just remember this is a family site. lol

My personal coach Hal and I will incorporate your responses. Your contributions will help us determine whether this book continues as a comedy, a tragedy or a romance.
As the story develops I will be posting more photographs.

So stay tuned to Facebook and my blog as we progress together.
Send to your friends so we can make this go viral!

Almost ready to launch my new website, take and peak and let me know what you think?

www.laurieklein.com is where my new work resides. I am keeping my old site where most of my wedding and commercial work is located. www.lauriekleinphotography.com.
would love your input before I launch it.
love,
Laurie

Summer Fun

Over the past few weeks I’ve been working with Laurie at her studio and on a few playdates. It has been a great experience and a great creative outlet for me. Even if we’re organizing the studio or prepping for a workshop I’ve enjoyed the experience. The playdates we’ve done together are a great opportunity to let loose and try something different. I find they are a great escape from “the norm” and also a good way to explore your own emotions. Laurie’s playdates are unique and something I will miss while I’m away at school, but I will try and carry over the experience with me. Working with people I’ve met through Laurie, my work has exploded in a direction I never thought possible. Here are some shots I took at Laurie’s playdates, and one I took on my own, but bringing her instruction with me. 

Photography Exhibit Gives Teens' Work Exposure Students of Brookfield photographer Laurie Klein's mentoring program are exhibiting their work through the end of August at the Town Hall. written by Wendy Mitchell

Laurie Klein and Matt Valenti

Laurie Klein, a world renowned photographer who studied under Ansel Adams, has built an international reputation as a photographer and educator from her studio in Brookfield. Her career has spanned over three decades and includes artistic portraits, unique fine art nature pieces, and occasionally some wedding photography. 

Klein's belief that it is important to give teens a creative outlet in the arts has spawned a photography mentoring program that has been going strong for over 15 years. This month and next, the youths are exhibiting their work on the walls of Brookfield Town Hall.

A Brookfield native, Klein has been mentoring Brookfield and Newtown teens for about 15 years on a one-on-one basis.  For the last five years, she added Bethel and Wooster students and began conducting group sessions. 

"I found photography as a student in Brookfield High and if it wasn't for some people there encouraging me, I would have fallen through the cracks," Klein reflected.

"Laurie's program confirmed for me that creative outlets are worth the time and effort," Matt Valenti of Bethel said.  "Laurie showed me how to infuse my creativity into all daily life. Laurie's mentorship is one of the most positive and influential experiences of my life," he stated. 

The program generally takes in 10-12 teens from September through December and hosts workshops and other events throughout the year.  

Valenti, a 2010 Bethel High School graduate, wanted to set up an independent study program during his senior year of high school.  His photography teacher suggested working with Klein. His works, along with three other local teens, are displayed in the photography exhibit at the Town Hall.

Christina D'Arco (Brookfield Class of 2010), Nicole Cudzilo (Bethel 2009), and Kate Foy (Newtown 2010) also have their work on display.  

The show came about when Mary Daniel, Chairman of the Brookfield Arts Commission, approached Klein to ask if her mentees would like to exhibit work. Daniel saw the show they participated in at the Danbury mayor's office, which included an opening-night reception, and thought it would be a great idea to have one in Brookfield.  

"We learn how to critique work without saying 'I like something or I don't like something' because that could be very insulting and judgmental," Klein explained.  "We use 'This works' or 'This doesn't work' and that's why the kids named their [Danbury] show 'It Works.'" 

"Being a part of Laurie's Young Adult Retreat was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had," D'Arco said. "It really opened my eyes to the world of photography." 

She continued, "There was a point in the program where I began to doubt myself and my abilities, as I saw everyone else already beginning to put their work together and finalize their decisions. When that light bulb finally went off, I immediately went to Laurie with my photos, and she supported me 100 percent. I had chosen to photograph my Indian friend in traditional Indian saris to show cultural diversity and natural beauty. Laurie's encouragement and faith in me throughout the entire program is what kept me motivated, and I believe my final exhibit was evidence of this. "

According to Klein, next year's program will be different than that of previous years because of their involvement with The Silo in New Milford, now known as Hunt Hill Farm.  The owners, Ruth and Skitch Henderson, a conductor for the Boston/NY Pops, invited Klein to do a show in the main gallery, which limits her to only six kids. The students will learn how to produce, exhibit and hang a show.

"This year they will have to figure out what their theme is earlier and images have to be really tight. The kids have to get a letter or recommendation from an art teacher or guidance counselor, send a bio, a statement of why they want to do this, as well as samples of their work," Klein said.

With no youth center in Brookfield there are not many venues for teens to show their work. "It's a problem in the schools, period," she said, "What's the first thing that gets cut?"

Her dream is to obtain a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project for her mentoring program in order to purchase laptops, equipment for a darkroom and infrared cameras. 

"Teenagers are incredible.  I really don't know who gets more out of it, me or them?" Klein said.  "They have infused my business with so much art and energy."

Laurie Klein's mentor program photography exhibit is open to the public for viewing during Town Hall hours.  All work is for sale.  Contact Mary Daniel at 203-740-9290.

For more information about Laurie Klein Photography or her youth mentoring program, contact herat the studio.

I want to share my wonderful morning with you.

Michele Prince was my muse this morning. Mark her boyfriend was our anchor and there for her and my every need.
Mark and Michele, both incredible artists brought vines that we intertwined Michele in, total magic.
Best to be told with her words and my photographs.

" At one point, in the water with the vines, once I was feeling comfortable and not like I was going to fall off the chair, it was trancendent, like being all alone, but all at one with everything, the water, the air, the vine, you, Mark, the music.  I was one with everything, outside of myself and yet so deeply connected to all, does that sound strange?  Aware of you, but so unaware.  It was like nourishment.  Makes me tearful.  I only wish that I was more sure of my footing and balance so that I could have totally let go and lost myself in the air, the water, the moment.  Indeed. "

"Mark and I, we had such an amazing and cool morning with you today.  Thank you for just being so creative and willing to take risks.  Thank you, also, for allowing me the opportunity to express myself through your art.  I will have to work at getting better water legs!!!  Once again, a magical experience.  You are one amazing artist and woman, such an inspiration to be around."

Michele and Mark I can't wait for our next shoot. xo LK