Today marks the start of the annual Thirst Relief auction where some of the world’s top professional photographers auction off valuable one-on-one consultation and advice to raise money for a worthy cause. Almost two years ago I interviewed the founder of ThirstRelief, Jim Davis-Hicks. Listen to that interview again and learn how it all got started.
Also, I’m pleased to announce that I am also throwing my name into the hat. If you need help on branding, sales, marketing, social media, or if you want some help getting into filmmaking with HD DSLRs, you can bid on my services as well. Go to thirstrelief.shootq.com to see all the amazing talent giving to this cause. Special thanks to ShootQ for being a co-sponsor of the auction.
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This is the 12th and final part of our “Live at Brooks” series with celebrity wedding photographer Mike Colon. Mike finishes up his talk about his favorite photos, sharing with us tips and tricks. He then offers some very inspiring final words for all you out there who are looking to make this your business.
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Every year online studio management software producer ShootQ offers a $10,000 grant to a wedding photographer who is interested in doing a special photojournalist project. Last year’s winner is today’s guest. Annie O’Neill was a traditional editorial photojournalist for the better part of two decades. As many in that field are now want to do, she made the cross-over to wedding and portrait work. Annie’s story is quite an interesting one. She’s a twin sister, ninth of ten kids, from an Irish Catholic family on Long Island. She shares with us her stories growing up and making the trek into photography. She then shares with us about the subject for which she won the grant: military post traumatic stress syndrome as it specifically relates to sexual abuse. Annie gives us a no holds barred interview that you won’t want to miss.
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Annie O’Neill on F-Stop Beyond.
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Next week we have the WNYC Street Shots winner Joe Wigfall.
This is the second of four remaining “forgotten episodes” of our live interview with Mike from Brooks Institute Fall 2008. In this episode Mike starts to talk about his images and the one in particular that helped his career break out. He mentions the importance of capturing images that connect with and relate to your target audience. Mike also gives us insight into shooting and dealing with celebrity weddings.
You can catch this and all other episodes online at fstopbeyond.tv. And be sure to follow us Twitter at twitter.com/fstopbeyond.
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Speaking of Triple Scoop Music, as a sponsor and long-time supporter, they are offering a great gift. As a listener supported show, your donations will help keep our great programming going. You can donate whatever amount you feel comfortable. But, for those of you who donate $20 or more, Triple Scoop Music will give you a song of your choice from their collection of over 5,000 amazing tunes you can use legally in your slideshow, film, or video productions. That’s a $60 value for only a $20 donation. Not bad. Just click the “Donate Now” button below and the rest is self-explanatory. Only while supplies last, so act now.
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This is the first of four remaining Mike Colon Live at Brooks – The Forgotten Episodes. Originally filmed at the famed Brooks Institute October 2008, in this episode Mike talks about what it’s like being considered a sex symbol. the importance of image, and how long it was before he was able to afford to put an ad in a magazine. This is a fun and informative episode you won’t want to miss.
Support FSB and get a great thank-you gift
Speaking of Triple Scoop Music, as a sponsor and long-time supporter, they are offering a great gift. As a listener supported show, your donations will help keep our great programming going. You can donate whatever amount you feel comfortable. But, for those of you who donate $20 or more, Triple Scoop Music will give you a song of your choice from their collection of over 5,000 amazing tunes you can use legally in your slideshow, film, or video productions. That’s a $60 value for only a $20 donation. Not bad. Just click the “Donate Now” button below and the rest is self-explanatory. Only while supplies last, so act now.
http://blip.tv/play/gZ1bgbrHHgA
WARNING: Listening to this episode of the show could cause you to pee in your pants from sheer laughter. Besides being extremely talented photojournalistic wedding photographers, today’s guests, Pepper Nix and Mitch Burt, are a riot. They really could take their act on the road. Except, it’s not an act. They are genuinely easy going and very, very funny. They are great examples of how not to take life too seriously. Today they each talk about how they got into professional photography. Mitch by way of USCs film school then a switch to a neurobiology graduate course. Pepper is a proud art school college drop out. (Her photography professors told her she didn’t have what it took to make it as a professional photographer. Now she’s internationally renown, award-winning wedding photographer who’s shot celebrity weddings.)
They also share with us how they got hitched and what it’s like being in business together, then becoming “friendly” competitors. This is an interview that will greatly entertain and inspire you. You’ll also learn tips on how to keep your 2-year-old from getting pink-eye.
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Next week I speak with Alex de Jong from the Netherlands. You may not have heard of him, but after this interview, I guarantee you’ll be inspired by him. The story of a terminally ill and blind photographer and how he hasn’t let his blindness prevent him from creating his art.
Every now and then I get a show where the conversation flows so naturally and is so engrossing, I lose track of time and don’t want to stop. Today’s interview with Anna Kuperberg was such an interview (thus the hour+ long episode). But, don’t let the length scare you. I have no doubt you’ll savor every second of this wonderful interview, in fact, you’ll probably be wanting more.
Anna covers the whole gamut. Born to Polish parents (it was her first language) who emigrated to Houston, TX, then moved to Auburn, AL when she was very young. Eventually moving to the St. Louis, MO area where she attended college. Anna was voted this year by American Photo as one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world, and is by far one of the most successful photographers in the San Francisca Bay Area. Anna talks about what it was like getting a degree in photography but not learning the business side. (That was something she had to learn on her own, which she’s glad she did). We have a wonderful discussion about improvisational jazz as an analogy for photography, which leads to a fun tangent about my stint as a swing dancer (don’t worry, I tie it back into the interview quite nicely). We talk about living in the south, why immigrants make terrific photographers, how she improves her craft, using social media effectively, how the switch to digital has affected her work and business, and her take on the use of Photoshop and other such tools. (You may be surprised at the information she shares). From the funny anecdotes to the insightful advice, this is an interview that will inspire you.
Next week we have a Thanksgiving Day special. Another thoroughly engrossing conversation with a real “rock star” photographer, Gabrielle Geiselman, photographer for such groups as Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson. You definitely do not want to miss what Gabrielle has to say.
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A year and a half ago I had the honor to interview Emilie Sommer, photojournalist turned wedding photographer. As someone who has had loved ones touched by breast cancer, Emilie feels very passionate about the topic. So, since this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it would be great to pull this interview out of the archives. Recorded live at WPPI 2008, this was one of those gems of an interview that’ll make you laugh and cry. From her experiences on the road with US presidents, to her unhappy encounter with Oprah, you’ll be amazed at the experiences this young lady has had: all before the age of thirty (at the time). Enjoy!
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A quick note about the interruptions. Since we were at WPPI, we were frequently interrupted by passersby. A kept a few of the interruptions in the interview for comic relief. 
Sorry this week’s show is late. Last Thursday and Friday I attended a terrific leadership conference called Catalyst. One of the causes supported by the organizers of the conference is the plight of orphaned children throughout the world. Some of the stories I saw moved me. So, I’m inspired to re-run an interview I did with Orange County photographer Annette Biggers of Triple Cord Photography. In this interview from June of 2008, Annette shares how she got into photography, why she gives away 90% of her income from photography, and the story behind her family’s adoption of two at-risk youth. Be inspired.
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Be sure to visit Annette’s personal cause, Heart 4 Africa, dedicated to helping orphaned children in Africa.
A growing trend I’m seeing in the world of professional photography are photographers branching out their businesses to offer products and/or services to fellow photogs. Everything from camera bags and CF card holders to social media network sites have been started by pro photogs. Well. there’s a new player in the game who has a product she hopes will take the photo world “by storm.” Candice Cunningham is a successful wedding and portrait photographer who was literally tired of lugging around her cameras on two separate autonomous straps. So, with necessity being the mother of invention, she created the Camera Slinger. A single, dual-strapped device that allows the photographer to easily carry two bodies, with the weight being evenly distributed across the back. Simple and ingenious. Today we get to learn how Candice started this later endeavor.
But not before we learn about her personal and professional journey. From the challenges or starting her business, to her personal triumph over obesity and dealing with self-esteem issues. Candice shares with us how important it is for you to find what it is holding you back in life, and change it. Own up to that part you play, then change.
We top it off with how in the world she came up with perhaps her craziest idea to date. To photograph a bride and groom…in front of a live tornado, then film a reality TV show about the process. It’s called, “Romancing the Storm“. With celebrity wedding photographer Robert Evans as her partner, they went on a wild and wacky adventure. Today we get to hear about how it almost didn’t happen.
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Next week we have L.A. based fashion and commercial photographer Jason Christopher.
