So, for my inaugural post I’d like to talk about my 5th workshop this year! I plan on blogging about my other experiences but they will not be in order, so stay in touch! And you will see soon enough that I love “!!!!!!!!!!” Just personality. The Nichole Van workshop I attended was an off-camera lighting (OCL) workshop. It was THE BEST workshop I’ve attended so far. In a time and land of a photographic wild west where any photographer can make up a workshop and charge exorbitantly, Nichole stands out because she truly offers a jam-packed session with lots of well-thought out details. Mystic Rhode Island new London Groton Family Children Children’s Kid Kids Photography Photographer
I learned the basics of OCL, the technics of the camera and lighting set-up and how to work through the nuances of light so I can adapt the light to my situation (bright sunny day vs night time shoots). I also got to meet and have gotten to know some pretty cool fellow photographers who were kind enough to share with me their experiences and correct me when I could do better! I will break down the pros of her workshop below.
Why you should attend her workshops (in no particular order):
1. The relationship begins the day you pay for the retainer portion of the workshop (about 1/3 of workshop price). You will get an email confirmation and you are given the privilege of contacting her with thoughts/questions up front. Most workshops will love to get paid, then you don’t hear from them until like 2 days before it starts. With Nichole, there was constant email communication from the beginning to even after the workshop. I never felt forgotten or left alone.
2. You gain access to her forum where you have another way of getting in touch with Nichole and also with past and future participants.
3. Weeks later you get a package in the mail with a gift certificate to get cool stuff such as textures, actions and brushes. You are also provided clear expectations of the schedule and plan for the 2 days. When you do show up, things go according to schedule but remain flexible enough to make changes as needed. Usually the changes work around location choice and which models show up or not. Subject matter had a good flow from topic to topic and timely breaks were inserted when needed.
4. Small class number. Mine had 10. Perfect number of people for interaction and small-group learning and low enough not to hog models. There was also enough personal attention from Nichole and her husband Dave (and fellow photographer) to help you with your lighting set-up if needed.
5. On models. Of all the workshops I’ve attended, Nichole wonderfully provides a SUPERB model:shooter ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 max. Even though at times a workshop leader may warn the attendees to be courteous to each other and not to hog models, people end up doing just that because of selfish ambition. Nichole takes care of that by both having a small class size and making sure there are plenty of models (including her 2 adorable, playful and fun kids!).
On the 2nd day I think we had some models that didn’t show up but her 2 kids more than made up for it.
6. Goodies. LOTS of them! You get a custom box that holds a 200+ page MANUAL AND DVD reviewing all that she teaches for the 2 days. It’s great for visual learners and repetition. You also get discounts, a lighting tips flipbook, a frilly girly hair clip and other surprises that I don’t want to spoil!
7. Snacks, drinks, lunch and dinner is provided!
8. Extra shooting session the first night. Great for practice.
9. Relationship. Again, it continues after the workshop via email and forum.
10. Classwork. Lighting scenarios are reviewed and discussed over and over again throughout the 2 days in short Q&A format so you can get into your head how the basics work and how to troubleshoot.
Overall, I was most pleased with the fact that she was a university professor and that she understands and knows HOW to TEACH. In any industry or discipline, one may know how to perform but teaching is a separate skill and Nichole handles the two with ease. The main downside coming with a gender bias is that at times it’s a housewifery chatting session! But again, the workshop was very well-done and I am so glad to have been a part of it. If you’re a fellow photographer and are wondering if the investment is worth it, the answer is YES, you should go!
If you’re interested in booking a portrait session with me, please email me at rem@remilai.com.
Photography, photographer, kid, kids, kid’s, kids’, modern, children, children’s, family, new london, groton, mystic, ct, connecticut, ri, rhode island
by Remi Lai Photography
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