New Year's Resolutions...In Photography Workshops.

Every year I get a little older and wiser...don't you? It's actually quite comforting to know the things you did and regret you can change and improve upon in the years to come. One of the major things I'm learning about myself is how much I love teaching photography. Well, not just teaching but, actually encouraging people to grow in the gift or passion. I've been teaching workshops for the last 2 years and want to do it more this year!

If you've wanted to come to past workshops but couldn't because of scheduling or finances start thinking and planning for the 2010!

Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshops - For mom's with a DSLR wanting to understand their camera and learn to take better pictures of every day life!

FOCUSED Photography Workshops - For amateur photographers wanting to learn about growing their passion into a business.

Advanced FOCUSED Photography Workshops - For anyone who has taken a FOCUSED Photography Workshop in the past and would like to take their photography and business to the next level!

There is a max of 10 registrants accepted for each workshop - I want to make sure I have plenty of one-on-one time with everyone.

I'll have the dates and registration available in the next couple of weeks but, I wanted to give you the heads up on what's coming!

www.noemiphotography.com

Winter Photo Contest!

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted in the recent Winter Photo Contest! I'm happy to announce that Cate Mezyk is our winner! She had well over half the votes! I know Cate is just beginning her journey in photography but, is passionate about everything she puts her mind to. She just got a NEW DSLR for Christmas and will be using it often (with 3 beautiful kids how can you not?) I have a feeling this won't be the last time we see her work! I'm hoping she'll be able to join the next MOM FOCUSED PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP...she would get a ton out of it and I would love to have her at one of my workshops!

www.noemiphotography.com

The Lindsay Family (Minnesota Harvest in Jordan, MN)

I've known this family for years and have taken their family photos since Aidan (their oldest) was a baby. It is an honor to share them with you again! We had so much fun at the Orchard together! I highly recommend taking your family there and don't forget to bring your camera (or your favorite professional photographer) along for fun!

Teaching moments are one of my favorite to capture...Shannon is a natural teacher!

i love the concern on Aidan's face...

CHEESE!

So, Girls who came to the workshop...How did my pictures turn out!???

www.noemiphotography.com

Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop

I tried something new this year...I offered a workshop that was specifically for Mom's passionate about photography! It was a whole new way of doing workshops (separating one intensice day into 3 parts) and I loved every minute. The women who came were amazing! Separating the one day workshop into 3 parts and spread it out over 4 weeks proved to be really helpful for the women...giving them bite size portions and allowing time for them to practice and come back with questions! They did exactly that! And then our last day was spent doing the practical portion and we all had a blast capturing families at the Apple Orchard this past Saturday! (Can you believe it was in the 50's and sunny all day?) Thank you ladies for trusting me to teach you and for throwing yourselves into it without reservation! Here's a shot of all of us at the Orchard! AREN'T we cute...can you see my belly?

There's talk about a reunion next year! Giving everyone time to go deeper and then come back ready for more! I hope we do it cause I'd love to see everyone again. Until then keep shooting on the semi-manual options...even if it's more frustrating at first!

Here's a few photos from our shoot!

I've already had calls about the next FOCUSED Photography Workshop and I'd love to get some dates on the calendar but, I'm going to wait until after February...let's see how this baby does and how I do in adding a third child! If you're interested fill out an inquiry and when I post dates I'll be sure and let you know.

www.noemiphotography.com

It's snowing in Minneapolis, MN...and I love it!

I woke up this morning and found a couple inches of snow EVERYWHERE! It's so beautiful and cozy...and I had a great quiet time this morning. I opened up all the windows, drank my milk/coffee, listened to music and read the most life giving book in existence. Heavenly! AND my kids didn't get up until 8am. Life is good! This is my favorite part of winter...the beginning! It definitely gets old after 6 months but, I don't have to think about that today. Today I'm going to revel in the beauty of this white blanket that continue to fall.

But, for those of you who are involved in the Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop this Saturday and you're wondering about being outside in this weather...yes, we will be! I just checked the weather and here's what they are saying:

Partly Cloudy

High 49°F Low 33°F

The snow will be gone and we can definitely do outside if it's sunny and 50 degrees! I can't wait! Bring layers and hot coffee...we are going to have a blast!

www.noemiphotography.com

Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop...is coming soon!

I'm so excited for this workshop! Seriously, it's going to be so much fun! We still have a few spots open and I'd love to fill them with more Moms. If you or someone you know is interested - there is still time to sign up! I'm going to keep letting people register until Monday, September 14th, 2009! It's $250 for individuals or $220 when you come with a friend! Here's the dates and times:

Friday, September 18th, 2009

When? 7-9:30pm Where? My house What will we be focusing on? Intro to everything: cameras, lenses, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, understanding light...and most of all talking about what we love - taking pictures of our families and how to make them better!

Friday, October 9th, 2009

When? 7-9:30pm Where? My house What will we be focusing on? Going deeper in everything we discussed in the previous session and we'll also dive into: posing, working with kids and adults, post editing and printing.

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

When? 9-noon Where? Apple Orchard in Jordan, MN What will we be focusing on? Putting what we've learned into practice! We'll have 2 "model" families come and I'll lead you through how I do family shoots. I'll teach the whole time we're shooting and answer questions as we work...it's really is the best way to learn and grow as a photographer!

Doesn't that sound fun????

After that jammed packed morning I'll be taking a lunch break and then sticking around the Orchard to do mini-sessions. What's a mini-session you ask? Well, normally I shoot individual families for an hour and a half at a location of their choice but, for this one afternoon I'll be scheduling family shoots for 45 minutes and the cost will be half price ($225 plus 6.5% tax). So, if you're in need of updating your family portraits or wanting the perfect Christmas picture then email me and get your family's name on the list! I'm only going to be able to capture 4 families. I'll blog about this again so you can have more details...but, pencil it in for October 17th!

Whew. That's a lot of info in one blog entry! So, happy to have the details out though! Email me at info@noemiphotography.com if you have any questions or want to add your families name to the list!

www.noemiphotography.com

WINNER of the Free Registration to the Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop...

I knew going into this picking one person would be hard but, since I want everyone to come I'm giving a gift to the other women who were nominated...

Meagan Haugeto

Molly Shields

Melissa Gruber

Tonya Welsch

Carrie Miller

Sign up for the workshop and come at the discounted rate of $220.00 instead of $250.00. You're friends and family believe in your gift as a photographer and would love to see you grow in it...so would I! I hope this sways you because the workshop is going to be amazing! There is nothing like getting together with a bunch of women who share a similar passion...we're going to have a blast!

THE WINNER IS...Kerry Bowman!!!!! I was overwhelmed by emails and comments left by friends and family nominating her...No joke, I think I got 25+ emails! I can't wait to have her in the workshop! Here's some of the reasons I received:

• As soon as I heard about the workshop for moms I thought of Kerry and knew that attending would be a dream come true for her!  However, I knew that she wouldn't  be able to afford taking advantage of the opportunity as her family lives on a limited income as Missionaries.
• In the 8 years that I've known Kerry she has always loved photography and capturing the joy of life in people and the wonder of the world around them.  For several years now she has remarked to me about her desire to pursue classes and training in photography but hasn't yet managed to do so as a dedicated and busy mom.
• Kerry's passion for photography has been with her since high school.  She has demonstrated a keen interest in the art of photography over the last 10 - 15 years.  She has dedicated time to various courses and self-study to explore what the world of photography has to offer.
• Kerry quickly becomes accomplished at nearly everything she puts her mind too and photography is no exception.  She has an eye for what will make the frame pop with meaning and I have often commented that her photographs have a professional quality to them.  Her calendars of photographs of little Abigail and the rest of the Bowman / Hunt family are much anticipated each Christmas!
• I'd like to nominate Kerry for the prize of your workshop, Noemi. I guess for me it comes down to a few simple things, the first of which is passion. Kerry’s had a passion for photography for many years now and finally has the opportunity to invest herself in that passion. I have a feeling that the person that you want attending your workshop is the person who is going to fully throw themselves into the creative process and make the most of what they learn. That’s Kerry. And here’s another thing about Kerry…She’s a natural teacher and she passes on to others what the Lord gives her. So, if it’s important to you to multiply your skills and gifting out to others, which I think is probably the point of your workshop, then Kerry’s one who will be a ripple effect, passing on the skills she learns to others.
• Kerry has a caring personality and a giving heart and I know that any time you invest in her will be multiplied in the number of people she in turn shares those skills with.

THANK YOU to everyone who wrote in and nominated there friends! You're email were filled with kindness and love...it was a blessing to me! I love what I do and I love sharing the gift of photography. I'm so looking forward to this fall's workshop! If you haven't signed up yet...now is the time!

www.noemiphotography.com

Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop

I've loved reading  your nominations. It's so sweet when people take the time out of their busy day to write compliments about a friend. Seriously...I love this stuff. I've received a ton but, I want more! If you've been thinking about nominating a friend - do it now! I'm still taking nomination until the end of the month. AND I must say the more I have sent about one person the more I feel like they deserve to come. You know I'm an American Idol fan and love democracy so, even if you know a friend has been nominated send in your email to sway me further! I am going to chose one mom to come to the Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop for FREE! I can't wait!

Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop - CONTEST!

Alright, so, it's been way too long since I did a contest on this blog and I had a great idea last night...why not ask my blog readers to nominate and tell me about a Mom they know who has a passion for photography...Then pick one of those moms to come to the workshop for free! Times are tight but, I figure, people still need to learn about photography! I'm so excited about training moms...why not share my excitement with you? So here's how it's going to work:

1. You (my faithful blog readers) get to sit down and think about who you would like to nominate!

2. Ask them if they're available for the workshop dates and make sure they have a DSLR camera. Here's the dates and times:

Friday Sept 18 - 7pm-9:30pm

Friday Oct 9th - 7pm-9:30pm

Saturday Oct 17th - 9:30am-12pm

3. Go to my Contact page on my website and fill out the form for the person - I'll need their info in order to contact them if they win!

4. Fill out the bottom section of the inquiry form with your reasons of "Why your friend should be the one chosen to come for free to the Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop"

5. You must get your nomination to me before July 31st at midnight!

The winner will be announced the following week! I'm going to need some time to pour over all the nominations...so that I may chose wisely.

Are you excited? If you are a mom and reading this...call a friend and have them nominate you! Anything goes.

www.noemiphotography.com

Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshops

Ladies...I am so excited for this! I can't believe the responses I'm getting from Mom's interested. I know spending $250 on yourself isn't easy but, I know it will be worth it! I think may be one of my highlights of the year...just the thought of getting to invest in Mom's makes me smile. My goal is for you to walk away from these three sessions with confidence to capture the shots you see in your head but weren't able to get before, new ideas for shots, understanding of lighting and passion to do it yourself! I know that's a lot to pack in a short amount of time but, I'm a fast talker!

To be fair to everyone interested...I want you to know this Workshop is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The limit on the workshop is 15 because I want tons of time with each of you! If you're interested or you know you are coming please click the button on the right of the blog and register as soon as possible!

Can't wait to meet you...this is going to awesome!

www.noemiphotography.com

FOCUSED Photography Workshops

I'm not sure what to do. I'm having tons of conversations with women about the Mom FOCUSED Photography Workshop...and I'm cool with that. BUT if you are interested in the three Part series of developing your understanding of photography and your business. These workshops are totally user-friendly and designed to move you forward where ever you are at! Please contact me. If I don't hear from you, I will go with the supply and demand route...if people prefer waiting until the fall and joining the Mom FOCUSED workshop I'm happy with that. I will host each workshop as long as I have 5 or more.

If you want to register but don't know which Workshop is best suited to you just call and talk to me. (952.201.2943)

www.noemiphotography.com

Hel-lo Ladies!

I have been corresponding with some of you about the Mom Focused Photography Workshop and I am so excited! There's nothing like women gettin' together and chatting about somethin' we all love!

Okay so I went back and forth about having the first date on the Labor Day Weekend and heard that it might conflict because it's a Minnesota "go away for the weekend" type holiday...so I'm changing the dates before anyone registers...THESE ARE THE DATES AND THEY WON'T CHANGE AGAIN!

Session One - FRIDAY Sept 18th, 7-9:30pm

Session Two - FRIDAY Oct 9th, 7-9:30pm

Session Three - Saturday Oct. 17th, 7-9:30pm

I'm only taking the first 15 Mom's so check your calendar and sign up as soon as you can! Click the "REGISTER NOW" button to find out more.

Sorry if you're not able to make it but, I plan on doing these workshops yearly so plan on next year! I'm here to stay and I love workshops!

www.noemiphotography.com

FOCUSED Photography Workshops

I'm so excited for this year's FOCUSED Photography Workshops! Seriously, can not wait to inspire more photographers to go after their dream! Here's a glimpse of what a workshop is like!

SAVE THE DATE! Because their will be a limit of 10 per class.

Saturday, May 16th, 2009.

PART ONE - Learning your camera and building your portfolio.

(this is the same class I featured last November but, I know a bunch I people couldn't come...so we're doing it again)

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

PART TWO - Lighting, Posing, and Understanding Manual…Available for anyone from the first two PART ONE workshops!

October 24th, 2009

PART THREE - we’ll focus on Business strategy, Pricing, Website and more.

I’m really interested in having your feedback on what you’d like to learn about during the workshops. Please comment on this blog so other can see and add to your suggestions. Each workshop is $300 per person or $250 if you come with a friend!

DON'T WORRY I haven't forgotten about the Mom's! We're doing a three part series just for Mom's in the fall! I'm still booking weddings but, will have the dates soon!

www.noemiphotography.com