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You and (WPP)I and all of us together

I'm absolutely thrilled by my experience at WPPI this week.  Rebecca and I have seeped in amazing information about what works for other photographers, shared what works for us, we've expanded, stretched our imaginations, met fabulously inspiring people and are feeling great and excited about our businesses. What else could you ask from a wedding and portrait photography trade show?

It is possible that this grand success *might* have something to do with the fact that we have barely left the MGM Grand hotel where we sleep and conference.  In fact, I can count that I have stepped outside 4 times since I have been here -- for amounts of time varying from 20 seconds to five minutes.  So, unless they are pumping something through the oxygen here, I can say that this has been an incredible week for me.  

Joking aside, I just want to share that I was incredibly moved, and re-awakened by the Master Class led by the (in)famous Jesh de Rox.  By talking about what is important in life, and speaking nothing about photography, it was a beautiful reminder that the things that are truly important in life, are really the things that are truly important in photography. Things like Truth.  

His talk re-awakened my reasons for choosing photography as my creative expression.  It is to share my truth with you, and ask you for yours back. This is such a brief summation of what I got out of this class.  I just wanted to touch on it here, because I am feeling really great about the direction I have been going in this photographic exploration so far, and I am so inspired and excited for what is to come.  

I never knew that Vegas of all places was the place I would find this deep, reflective insight.  I am really looking forward to exploring this further, sharing it with you, and having you share it with me.

What happens in Vegas...comes home from Vegas!

I will be MIA in Toronto from Monday to Friday this week.  But I'll be AA (All Action) at WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) trade show of trade dhows in Vegas!  AKA How many photographers can you fit in one place without going insane?  

Well, you can fit two more!  I'm heading off with my dear friend Rebecca Wood of the amazing Rebecca Wood Photography.  

We are going for new ideas and new inspirations.  Then we'll come home, and apply it all here.  Or, come home realizing we're doing EVERYTHING perfectly, and just grateful for having made $648,989 at the casinos.  Either way, it's sure to be ridiculously fun. And informative. Yes, informative.  This is a business trip to Vegas.

while snow falls here, sun sets in Costa Rica

15 more cm of snow is falling on Toronto today.  I'm back, and in "weather-shock".  While I sort through my photos from our outstanding photography retreat, I thought I'd share some sunsets with you.  Help keep you warm!

Never have I seen sunsets so dramatic and breathtaking.  These photos were not Photoshopped or enhanced or altered.  I guess that's why they call Costa Rica Pura Vida.  

a quick hello from costa rica

Man, are we having fun on this photography retreat!!!

Don't have time to write much, as I am going for a dip after the fantastic photo practice session we just had.

To tie you over, here is a picture I took the other day of Emily.  She's practicing photographing motion.

It's this beautiful every day.  The group is taking amazing photos, they are getting so creative. It's SO much fun to watch their abilities change, expand and grow over the week.  

Don't be surprised if we don't get on the plane home tomorrow...

Costa-Rica-bound

There doesn't seem to be a way of writing this post without it sounding like I'm bragging, or rubbing it in.  So, I'll make it brief...

I'm off to Costa Rica this morning to teach a travel photography retreat.  

I know, it's cold here, and hot there.  I know, you've always wanted to try surfing.  I wish you were coming too. 

I can be reached by e-mail if you want to contact me. And do check back here -- if it's possible, I will post updates.

Have a great week!

catherine

New York, Baby. Baby, New York.

Someone thanked me for 'taking a break from blogging' the other day, so she could enjoy the back-postings of my blog.  And I thought, 'Oh, did I take a break?'  But I guess I did.  A break from photoshoot postings, anyway.

But not for lack of shooting!  Its been busy busy busy.  Even on my holidays last weekend in NYC, I had a family portrait session in Central Park.  What a treat.  I could shoot there for the rest of my life.  *sigh* 

All aboard! This ship departs for Costa Rica in 13 days

Ok, it's a plane, not a ship.  And you should be on it!  

$2300+GST all inclusive:

-flight to San Jose

-delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals

-accommodations at Cabinas Almas

-yoga classes with the talented healer and teacher Xenia Splawinski

-travel photography classes with moi

-sunshine, ocean, swimming pool, rainforest, fun

Jan 20-27.  There are still spots left.  Come along, get out of this snow, relax, rejuvenate and get creative! 

(This is Jes Vigars. She's another fabulous yoga teacher. We took this picture on a yoga retreat to Peru last year.)

Photography + Yoga retreat to Costa Rica in January!

Earlier this year, I went on a profound yoga retreat to Peru with Xenia Splawinski.  (See photos from my trip here, and some more here.)  I was so inspired photographically by my experience, I couldn't help but think of how well yoga and photography go together. 

For the past four years I have been enjoying teaching travel photography workshops, and have been anxious to take the classes 'to the field', so to speak.  After my experience in Peru, I think this combination of activities would be an even richer way to improve photography skills and expression of experience, as you re-connect with yourself through yoga.

So, we're doing it.

This January, Xenia & I have teamed up to lead a joint retreat.  

We're off to Costa Rica, and you are welcome to join us.  Click on the image below for details, and book your spot. 

For one-on-one attention, we're keeping the group small, so don't delay.  If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Why have a wedding day when you can have a wedding week?

One of the best elements of a destination wedding is that it's no longer just a wedding day.  It's a wedding week. This means you actually get to spend time and make memories with your favourite loved ones, not just see them for 45 seconds or less.  And when people are flying all around the world to be with you, this makes a big difference!

If you are hiring a photographer, say, me, for random argument's sake, it can be incredibly valuable to have me around for the days leading up to the wedding, in addition to the day of.  This way, all the other important days, all those juicy moments, are captured and shared as well.

That is what Gabriela and David did in Israel, and I must say, those days leading up were precious.

Here we are at 5am, climbing Massada for sunrise:   

And here we are later that morning at the Dead Sea:

(not a bad way to get ready for your wedding day!  a little mud mask!)

And, here we are exploring the Old City of Jerusalem:

David, speechless.

Gabriela at the Wailing Wall.

I am going to make like Israel, and side dish.

Yummy pics on the side.

 

Or maybe it's actually a first course.