LARA RIOS ~ MODERN WEDDING & LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY » My Journey Into Wedding Photography

PORTFOLIO+WORKSHOP AT THE LEGENDARY BILTMORE HOTEL IN MIAMI

BY: RAY SANTANA & KENNY KIM - GUEST SPEAKERS: JIM GARNER & DAVE CROSS

IT WAS PERFECTION! On January 27th I went to the legendary Hotel Bitmore of Coral Gables in Miami to meet the most incredible group of photographers at the PortfolioPlusWorkshop. Let me tell you, I couldn’t finish telling you only great things about this awesome experience, seriously, IT BLEW MY MIND AWAY. All this is completely new to me and the only thing I can think about  now is “how come I didn’t discover the world of photography 10 years ago?” Well, I know God works in mysterious ways and I guess this is my time and not 10 years ago… Anyway, going back to the workshop, all those guys that you see in the pictures below are photographers – not wanna be photographers like me but the real deal. So I felt kind of bad asking a ton of beginner’s questions – or like I would say: stupid questions, but I had to!!! I didn’t mean to monopolize the workshop for myself but I don’t get opportunities like this very often and there’s so much I need to learn. Actually the more I learn the more I realize that I know NOTHING! So regarding my non-stop-asking-stupid-questions at the workshop, let me tell you that these guys (Ray, Kenny, Jim & Dave) went ABOVE & BEYOND to answer all of them. They are the coolest, funniest, nicest and more down to earth people in this world. Some of you might know that these dudes are like up there, very successful photographers yet they are so approachable, non-egostistic kind of people. I felt right at home. Besides that, I’ve got the opportunity to meet some of the photographers attendees and the same thing, they are very nice people. I wish we all stay in touch. Gosh! where have I been all my life? Sitting behind a freaking computer designing corporate brochures and websites, agh… I still like graphic design but photography is my cup of tea. Ice green tea from Starbucks that is

The workshop was packed with priceless information. The experience of the shoot was a lot of fun. The instructors were right there teaching, showing and even lending their bad-a.. lenses. Of course everyone is at a different level, I am at a “baby-in-diapers” level and the following is what got stuck in my mind:

• Exposure is everything: This is what Ray said. “Exposure? Shoot! where’s the manual?” (That’s what I thought when he mentioned that) I shouldn’t say this but I’m not even sure if I know where or how to control the exposure in the camera, hahaha, pathetic I know. I’m actually starting to understand it though.

• Gear, Gear, Gear: Don’t even get me started with this because I could cry! I NEED A CAMERAAAAAA NOW, wuahhhh… I actually had to return my rental on Thursday and I swear I felt like if I was sending my son to college – like that, ok? Ray showed off all his gear and I’m in the process of finding out what his address is to pay him a visit when nobody is home!!!

• Kelvin Temperature: When Ray said Kelvin I thought Calvin Klein. What in the world is Kelvin temperature? Those were my questions during the class. I just can imagine what the other photographers were thinking: Who the hell let this woman get in here? Hahaha… OMG, how embarrassing! Well, at least I know now who that Kelvin is and that he can be very Hot and Cold!

• Tell a Story: Ok. This guy, Jim Garner was really impressive. His method of photography is telling a story of the wedding day but in the most creative and fun way. His albums and photography were GORGEOUS. I can only suggest you check it out in his website because it’s out of this world. I think his photography style of storytelling is the future of wedding photography.

• DO NOT TILT YOUR PICTURES: This made me crack up really bad. I guess because I’m learning photography and I have no technique whatsoever, I usually tilt my pictures a lot. I guess is a way to make them look “interesting” when in reality is sometimes disturbing. Thank God Kenny Kim saw me during the shoot and asked me: “Why are you tilting your camera so much?” hahaha… well, then we all had an entire conversation on tilting images. Only tilt in some cases like when you need something to fit in the picture. So no more tilting for me. They are so right, how embarrassing, tilted images make me dizzy now.

• Smart Objects: The photoshop guru, Dave Cross, shared some incredible tips on how to handle files. One thing I didn’t even know it existed was the “Smart Objects” option. It is so cool to preserve the original file while you edit and giving you the opportunity to go back to an edited picture and adjust the settings. Very cool, I suggest you check it out.

Ok, there was a lot more than this but that’s what comes to my mind right now. I decided that (some day) after I buy my camera I’m going to invest a lot of money in these kind of workshops. Really, it’s the best way to learn, to connect with other photographers in the industry and to be up-to-date with what’s going on in the world of photography. Now enjoy some pictures of that glorious day, courtesy of Kenny Nakai.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES I TOOK HERE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK – BE NICE PLEASE, I’M A PHOTOGRAPHY APPRENTICE! I don’t think they are that bad although the “exposure” wasn’t so good. Lots of editing, hahaha. It helped that the models were super gorgeous and the gowns by Ines Di Santo STUNNING. Stay tunned!

All the photographers, models and me (the photographer wanna be)

The masters: Jim Garner, Ray Rantana, Dave Cross & Kenny Kim

Kenny Kim, Me & Ray Santana

Jim Garner & Me

Ray Santana

Kenny Kim

Jim Garner

Dave Cross

The beautiful Thalita Getting ready for the shoot

I wasn't aware that Kenny was proposing that afternoon!

Is this cool or what?

Show Off, hahaha, just kidding!

I GUESS THAT ONLY LEAVES ONE DAY FOR ME TO LEARN HOW TO USE THE CAMERA – HOLLY CRAP!!!

Ok, so you need to understand I’ve been crying for a camera for months. Finally I decided to go to LensRental.com and order a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a 50mm f/1.2, a 70-200mm f/2.8L and a 24-70mm f/2.8L. Do I know what these lenses are for? No clue. Do I even know how to turn on the camera? Nope. I don’t even know how to change one lens for another. Ahh… but who cares I contacted all of my girlfriends and I booked 6 photo shoots, hahaha (that was a nervous laugh big time!) I’m so freaking excited, my mind is going a thousand miles a second and I have no idea how the heck I’m going to pull this off. My guess is that this and next week I’m going to be very happy and probably very frustrated too (nervous laugh again) I’m receiving the camera tomorrow Thursday and Friday I have my first session. I just hope the pictures won’t suck. And I also hope that my models won’t kill me and come with a LOT of patience, hahaha, thank God they’re all my good friends.

Next week Wednesday I have another very exciting event: The Portfolio+Workshop at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables (Miami) with the super & duper cool Kenny Kim and Ray Santana. Today Ray received one of the three cool dresses by Ines Di Santo that we’re going to be shooting at the workshop – How exciting is that? BY THE WAY, THERE ARE STILL TWO SEATS AVAILABLE, YOU SHOULD COME TOO! Anyway, like Ray Santana always says “GOODTIMES” Not that I personally know him but I’ve read it!

This is one of the gorgeous dresses Ines Di Santo sent to Ray Santana for the workshop!!!

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Last but definitely not least, I want to thank all of my friends and all the bloggers that I don’t even know for all the support and nice words from my previous post. I even received separate emails and facebook messages about it. I have no words to describe how grateful I am and how all of you gave me hope and encouragement when I most needed it. Thank you, I love you all and I promise you now that no matter how horrible my pictures look next week I WILL NOT GIVE UP!