We’re in the process of making changes to the show to make it more reliable and stable. So, I want to get an idea how most of you are listening to the show. Please take 2 seconds to answer this poll for me. We’re really excited about what’s coming down the pike!
Earlier this year we had an amazing interview with Nashville, TN commercial photographer Jeremy Cowart. Today I asked Jeremy back on the show to tell us about a terrific worldwide movement he’s started called Help-Portrait. Help-Portrait is a project where on December 12 of this year, photographers all over the world will find people in need, take their picture, and give those people the print. It is an opportunity for you to use your craft to love on somebody. To make them feel beautiful. To give them a sense of dignity. Jeremy shares with us how and why he came up with the idea, and he also talks about the controversy that surrounded the project when it first started. We hear some inspiring stories about the project, some behind the scenes info about the promo video (see below), and Jeremy tells us how you can get involved in your local community.
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Here is the current Help-Portrait promo.
http://www.youtube.com/v/F9tu1XrBn3A&hl=en_US&fs=1&
Next week we have an hilarious interview with wedding photojournalists husband and wife team (and friendly competitors) Pepper Nix and Mitch Burt. Don’t miss it.
In this episode, Becker shares some valuable insights into his business philosophies. Many thanks to the Bui Bros. for helping out on this one. Enjoy!
It’s the interview you’ve all been waiting for. Christopher Becker (bka “[b]ecker”) really like? Would you be surprised to know that Chris was really shy in high school? Or that he used his photography to get close to the cute cheerleaders? (Well, that last part is probably not a surprise. 
It’s well known that [b]ecker has strong opinions, and is not shy about sharing them. Whatever your opinion of the man, I hope this FSB series on him will shed some new light.
Below is part 1. (Part 2 is is already uploaded to iTunes also). Many thanks to the Bui Bros. for helping out on this one. Enjoy!
Would you believe that Kevin Kubota, an American Photo Top 10 Wedding Photographer and creator of Kubota’s Image Tools (one of the most commonly used action sets in the industry), once peddled shoes at Nordstrom? And when he lost that job, he turned to multi-level marketing? Well, if you watch this episode, you’ll learn those details and a whole lot more. Like what it was like for him growing up half-caucasian and half-Japanese in Hawaii (his “kind” were referred to as a hapa-Haulis, Hauli being slang for white boy). Luckily, being part Asian saved him from getting his butt kicked on the annual “Kill Hauli Day.” And wait till you hear the story of how he first got into photography. Beyond business and branding. Beyond talent and technique. These are personal interviews to inspire and entertain.
http://blip.tv/play/gZ1b1f5KAA
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Special thanks to Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride for manning the camera as my associate producer on this episode.
DENIS AND JOE Q &A SESSION
“To a person of discerning taste, when a moment is authentic, that’s everything.”
~ Denis Reggie
Below is a bonus episode from the Q & A session with Denis Reggie and Joe Buissink. They answer the question “Where do you think photography can go from here?” Denis pulls no punches in letting his true feelings be known. (Seems only fitting to have this episode side by side an interview with one of the most prolifiic Photoshop action producers in the world.
To watch the episode, you’ll need the secret password for the Denis and Joe episodes. If you’ve subscribed to our CSI:ProPhoto e-newsletter, or if you’re a member of our Facebook Group, you’ve been emailed the password. If not, join our email list now, and it will be sent to you. Just click the “Sign me up” link in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Our, join our Facebook Group.
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2080708&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
Denis Reggie and Joe Buissink Q & A – Part 1 from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.
Thanks to Joth Riggs of Whitestone Productions for helping me produce this episode.
Here is the second part of our tour of David Jay’s house. In this episode we get to see the sweet attached apatment where DJ lived during his first few months in the house; the unfinished area that’ll soon be a killer A/V theater; DJ’s unusual master bedroom set up; his amazing back patio with the million dollar view; and more!
Remember, to view this bonus episode, you need the secret password. If you’re a member of our Facebook Group, it was mailed to you last time we posted. If you subscribe to our CSI:ProPhoto Newsletter, it was emailed to you then. If you’re not already a subscriber, the password will be emailed to you in the sign up confirmation email. Click on the “Sign me up” link in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Enjoy the video!
As a reminder, you DO NOT need to log into Vimeo to view it. Just enter the password in the appropriate field in the video image below.
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1919503&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
David Jay’s Crib – Part 2 from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks once again to Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV and David Ethridge of A Video Reflection for helping me with this episode. And to Pictage for being a sponsor.
Next week we plan to have our interview with “action” hero Kevin Kubota.
I want to thank everyone who came out to the live webcast interview with Mike Colón at Brooks Institute this past Monday. I know we had some technical difficulties maintaining the live video and audio feed. The A/V team went out there last week to check the equipment and of course, everything worked perfect then. Murphy’s Law was in full effect the night of the event. Thanks a million to Carlo Baez for stepping in to entertain the folks in the chat room and take questions.
The great news though is that we have almost three hours of an in-depth interview with Mike. He covered the gamut: how he got started in the business (the “real” story as he jokingly puts it. The anecdote about how he first called up [b]ecker as a groom in order to get info about wedding photography is classic); exactly how and why he raised his prices as quickly as he did; balancing work and family life; the importance of inner beauty; why he’s so open about his faith on his website and blog (for the record, it was a question from the chat room that prompted that discussion. 
; sponsorships; and much, much more. We even had a quest star appearance from David Jay who I invited on stage for a bit. All around it was a terrific event. Again, I apologize for those of you who tried to log on to the webcast. The 2-camera edit of the episode will definitely make up for what you missed. And we learned alot for next time.
THANK YOUs
I want to thank everyone who helped make this event happen: The Brooks Institute team (Tri, James, David, and Bethany), the PhotographyMentor team (Robert Evans, Curt Apanovich, Solomon and Drew), Julie Colón, and David Jay for being another surprise guest and for being a gracious host afterwards. And, of course, a huge, huge thanks to Mike for taking the time to come up and share with the Brooks students and the F-Stop Beyond audience FREE! Mike’s one class act! Thanks everyone.
GRACE ORMONDE CALLS IN
One of the highlights of the event was a call from WeddingStyle Magazine chief honcho, Grace Ormonde herself. I made arrangements for Grace to call in and surprise Mike. She talked about their professional relationship, why she gravitated towards him, and gave talked about what she looks for in photo submissions. Considering it was 11:25 pm her time when she called, I want to give her much props and a big “thank you” for helping make the event special.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The episode will air in December some time. It’ll probably be a 4-part series. You’ll be able to check it out at fstopbeyond.tv, or PhotographyMentor.com. There will be exclusive bonus episodes too, of course. In the meantime, tune in later this month for our interview with “action hero” Kevin Kubota, then next month with [b]ecker. Great stuff in the works!
THIS JUST IN. We got confirmation to have an after party at David Jay’s awesome pad after the Mike Colón interview at Brooks. Will be a great opportunity to network and have fun with friends and colleagues. As a reminder, here are the details for the event:
Looking forward to seeing you there. Bring a friend.
On a beautiful May afternoon, in the Santa Barbara hills, I arrived at the premises of a one David Jay. I had heard all about the magnificent view, and seen little snippets here and there of his “Freedom House.” But today I was going to get to see the whole kit-and-kaboodle, from stem to stern. David gracioiusly invites the F-Stop Beyond cameras into his house, for what I believe is the first ever, head-to-toe tour. It’s so long I had to break it up into two episodes. In true F-Stop Beyond style, it’s more than just a exposition in real estate appraisal. No, folks, along the way, I pick DJ’s brain, learn some technology tidbits, and get a further peak at the man behind the house. From the living room to the library, each room holds a piece to the puzzle of who David Jay really is.
GOT YOUR PASSWORD?
This is a bonus episode viewable only with the right password. If you’re a subscriber to the CSI:ProPhoto newsletter, or a member of the F-Stop Beyond Facebook Group, I’ve already e-mailed you the password for the bonus DJ episodes. If not, just click the “Sign me Up” link in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Once you have the password DO NOT LOG INTO VIMEO. Just click on the lock on the image below, then enter the password in the field provided. Or, if you already see a white field, enter the password there. You do not need to log into anywhere to view the video.
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1867451&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
David Jay’s Crib – Part 1 from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks once again to Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV and David Ethridge of A Video Reflection for helping me with this episode. And to Pictage for being a sponsor.
In this episode, we surprise David Jay with a special guest who gives us a little insight into Mr. Jay. Here is a tease preview:
http://blip.tv/play/gZ1bzrVmAA
If you’re a subscriber to the Cinematic Studios CSI:ProPhoto e-newsletter (click on the “Sign me Up” link in upper right-hand corner of blog), or part of our Facebook group, you should have received the special password to view the video below. Do NOT click on the word “Vimeo.” You should see an image of a lock on the video, or a white field may already be there (depending on your browser). Click on it and a field to enter the password will appear. Then enter the password:
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1771524&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
