Tag Archives: get happy

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. - Ansel Adams

A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away. - Eudora Welty

When I first began working as a photographer, I remember being embarrassed when I didn’t know something. Eventually, I decided to just get over myself and ask the questions. I always ask questions. It’s the only way you learn amazing things. Especially from other photographers, like my friend Jules.

I feel very lucky to be surrounded by some incredibly talented people (#ownthebrag). Film, television, art, design, photography, books and music - friends and family who do what they love and love what they do- always something going on, ideas in the air, new projects underway. Whether to not they know it, their creative energy inspires me.

While I often sing their praises in real life, it’s nice when our lives cross online. And then I can share their talent here, too.

Like today, when I can tell you about the online photo workshops Jules is teaching this week.

Jules and I met over a decade ago in an acting class (cliché LA friendship starter?). I was in college, and I knew I didn’t want to be an actress, but I found acting classes strengthened my dialogue more than any writing course. Jules was working in film but would soon trade Hollywood for a full-time photography career, an award-winning one that I’ve been so excited to watch grow. (While I don’t have a groom yet, I already know who my wedding photog will be. It’s good to plan ahead, right?)

A couple years ago, I had the chance to host one of her photo workshops at my house, taught alongside her sister and business partner Joy, covering the technical and creative basics. It was great to hear people say, “So, that’s what that button does.” Or, “I always wanted to know how to do that.”

While I can’t invite the internet over to my house, I’m excited to share that Jules is taking her workshops online this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

You can opt to watch them live for free or pre-order to get them at a great price to watch at a later date. (Hello, Mother’s Day gifts?)

Grab a cheese plate and some sangria while you watch, and it’ll be just like the workshop at my house. I can pipe in barking dogs sound effects if you’d like, too. You know, to get the full experience.

Like Jules, I believe that what you shoot with doesn’t make a great picture, but sometimes a great picture isn’t happening because the camera is holding you back. Learning how to make a camera work for you is empowering - whether you’re photographing your family on a lazy afternoon or capturing an important event. (Lazy afternoons can be important, too.)

This Thursday afternoon it’s Photography 101 for Moms, like the workshop I hosted. (Don’t let the Mom in the titles make you think it’s for parents-only. The info-packed sessions are universal.) Three hours of tips and tricks from a photographer whose work graces magazine covers, treasured family albums (including my family’s) and even the packaging for the new Boo plush toy.

The course is free if you watch it live, and $19 if you pre-order to download the sessions to watch another time.

Jules has a Photography 101 e-Book, too. Like the workshop, it answers all the questions I think people are often afraid to ask because they think they’re silly or would make them look stupid. There are very few stupid questions in life. And with photos, you often don’t get a second chance to capture a moment. Ask the questions!

Her e-Book retails for $49.99, but I’m excited that I can give you something special, thanks to Jules.

Use the promo code alexwrites at checkout and get 50% off.

I hope it helps those of you who want to be doing more with your photos to take that leap. Learn how to switch out of auto and take control of your pictures.

If you’re ready to take the next step, there’s a two-day course on Friday and Saturday, Marketing to Moms: Building a Family Photography Business, covering the creative and business ends of working as a photographer, the ever-elusive work-life balance and includes a live shoot. You can watch live for free or pre-order the videos for $79. (It’s 9am-4pm Thurs. and 9am-3pm Fri.)

This workshop is filled with info I wish I’d had when starting out. I love taking pictures. I’m terrible at figuring out how to value my time. I think that’s always the artist’s dilemma. I can’t wait to hear what Jules and Joy have to say.

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS is going to be a new regular feature here on the blog. Because I like throwing dinner parties, introducing new people, sharing talents - let’s make this a virtual dinner party. As Auntie Mame would say, Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!

Ever have one of those days where you find yourself with more to do than is possible, and so you gather your resources and decide what you can reasonably accomplish and then resign yourself to the fact that you can’t do everything you want, but you’ll get done all you can - and then you spend your day with your eye on the prize, you unplug for hours to stay focused on work (the various deadlines, the projects in process, those just beginning), you reschedule what you won’t be able to do because the week is practically over (where does the time go?) only to realize late into the night you’ve spent much of the day thinking it’s Wednesday when it’s only Tuesday?

Yeah, that was yesterday. My brilliance shining bright, no question about it. Sigh.

This week gifted me an extra day. That’s how I’m going to look at it. And you know what I’m doing with that extra day? As little as possible.

OK, I’m totally lying. I am my mother’s daughter, after all, never one to sit around when there’s a whole world of things to see and do. It’s the Auntie Mame philosophy of life. Albeit my day has been more mundane that Auntie Mame could imagine, but she’s not real. Fictional characters with a flair for life never have to deal with all this real life stuff. Nice work if you can get it.

Seriously though, the best part of yesterday? It made me stop and laugh. Literally laugh out loud, as I a friend kindly reminded me I’m an idiot what day of the week it was when I mentioned something about the week flying by.

I hope you give yourself some time today to enjoy the day. And, if at all possible, to laugh.

Even if it’s laughing at yourself. It’s humbling and fulfilling and it brings a sparkling perspective to just about everything. xo a.

And now, five great things someone else said about laughter:

Laughter is carbonated holiness. - Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can; all of them make me laugh. - W.H. Auden

Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering. - Nicole Krauss,The History of Love

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return. - Maya Angelou

The human race, in all it’s poverty, has only one truly effective weapon- laughter. Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand. - Mark Twain