Please share your favorite iPhone apps with me and others!!!!!

The power of a wedding

After spin class was over at Fitness Revolution today, I saw a number of the spinners around the flat screen TV watching the royal wedding. They were talking about the sweet moments, the brides gown her sisters dress, the royal couple's first kiss. Everyone was spell bound.

I had this warmth flow through me. I felt such gratitude to all the brides and grooms that I have photographed over the past 25 years. That I was privy to such incredible moments and bonds in others lives.

Oh, the power of a wedding for all, is a royal one.
We cherish these moments. I know I do.

Peters Valley here we come!

Nicole and I have been invited back this year to teach at Peters Valley in the Delaware Water Gap. Have you ever been there? It is spectacular, a photographers haven! I hope you will join us for two incredible workshops this summer.

Discover Your Unique Visual Voice
Instructor: Laurie Klein
Workshop Dates: June 17 - 21, 2011
Class Description: Your photographs are trying to tell you something. Can you hear them? They speak to you about your passions, spaces, metaphors, compositions, dynamics, and most importantly your journeys - past, present and future. At Peters Valley the imagination can flourish, and the atmosphere is extremely inspirational. This workshop is designed to enhance both your technical skills and your ability to express your individuality. You will experience guided inner journeys, detailed pre-visualizations exercises, and individually tailored assignments that will unblock your creativity. You will learn to take greater risks. In addition, there will be end-of-day group interaction, group critiquing and an opportunity for one-on-one time with Laurie. Come and have fun and leave with a new body of work. Models will be available.

Tuition: $480*

Studio/Materials Fee: $100 



Bodies in Water – The Ultimate Metaphor
Instructor: Laurie Klein
Workshop Dates: August 5 - 9, 2011
Class Description: Photography in and around water presents unique challenges and opportunities. In this workshop we will use the female form in water to explore the many techniques for creating stunning metaphoric images. By conducting daily shooting exercises, you will gain insight and knowledge about reflectivity, exposures in changing conditions, and the pros and cons of b&w, infrared and color photography under these conditions. Best of all will be the fun and unpredictability that only water offers. You will learn special pre-visualization techniques, as well as how to pose your subject and use artificial textures to create organic results. In addition, there will be end-of-day group interaction, group critiquing and an opportunity for individual critiquing of your portfolio by Laurie Klein. Because of the sensitive nature of the subjects, this workshop is limited to serious women image-makers above the age of 18. 
Level: Beginner to Advanced

Tuition: $480*
Studio/Materials Fee: $150 


Peters Valley Craft Center

Have to share this new book that Alyson Stanfield on her blog today

A huge challenge for artist is to make their creativity dreams come true and concrete. This book looks amazing and I can't wait to order it and have a terrific read. Thank you Alyson for sharing this with others.

Support Your Goals with a Creativity Brief

A Creativity Brief can help you make any creative project more successful.
Caution: It’s hard work!

In his book Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, Josh Linkner, founder of ePrize, shares an outline for a Creativity Brief that you can use for any project – a major installation, an exhibit, a workshop, or a new blog or website.

Linker writes:

Warning: the Creativity Brief is intense and will take real work to complete. But that work is a good investment. By taking the time up front to get it right, you will yield an exponentially better end result.

He’s not kidding! It’s an intense process that isn’t for the weak. I’d compare it to writing a grant application.

Defining, in detail, the major components of your project gives you a blueprint to take action. You don’t worry about your next step(s) because it’s all mapped out for you.

I started the Creativity Brief last week to help me define a major workshop in Golden, Colorado for October 15-16. My Brief isn’t completed, but the process has already yielded big results. I’ve gotten plenty of new ideas just by wading through the outline.

The structure of the Creativity Brief supports - rather than limits - your creativity. Without such a structure, you can be too easily distracted and neglect your priorities.

Linkner discusses creativity primarily through an organizational structure, but what he has to say can be applied to the solopreneur. I’ve adapted his Creativity Brief for your use.

You can download my version of The Creativity Brief for Artists on today’s blog post:

http://artbizcoach.com/2011/04/creativity-brief.html

Try it out on your next big project, and let me know how it works for you.http://artbizcoach.com