Skip’s Summer School from Clay Blackmore on Vimeo
The Background on Skip’s Summer School!
Ever notice how there’s virtually nothing to help you focus on marketing, your skill set or just help you recharge your battery in the middle of the summer? All the major conventions are in the first or last quarter of the year.
Skip’s Summer School is a series of programs to help you fine tune your photographic skills, realize the full potential of new technologies, strengthen your marketing efforts including your social media presence through Blogs and Twitter and diversify your skill set. All in just three days!
The 2011 Program
In 2011 we’re taking the programming up to a completely different level. The number one request after last year was for more hands-on training. So, we’re making a huge change.
Sunday night’s program and all day Monday will be classroom style teaching in the Grand Ballroom of the Mirage Hotel. Similar to past years, we have a terrific lineup of speakers with outstanding presentations to help get you thinking about concepts in working with your clients, creativity, diversification covering children, family, weddings and even special projects.
On Tuesday, everything changes. We’ll have eight different instructors teaching lighting and posing for weddings, portraits, boudoir and even ways to bring a commercial fashion look to your images. Each program will be two hours long and you’ll be able to pick three different classes to attend! These are hands on classes with no more than 50-70 people in each workshop. We’ll have models, professional lighting setups, complete with backdrops and the feel of a real studio setting to help you get the very most out of each instructor’s style.
On Wednesday we’ll go back to classroom style programming, finishing this year’s Summer School at approximately 12:30 on Wednesday, August 3.
One important quality in any Skip’s Summer School program…everybody always gets a seat. There are no lines to wait in, unless you hit the buffet in the hotel! You never have to pay extra for the seat you already paid for! Even the Tuesday hands-on workshops, while they do have a maximum capacity in each one, there are eight different programs to choose from and each one is being taught by an outstanding instructor!
Everyone, including our speakers, is coping with the challenges in today’s economy. As a result, there’s one unified goal from the entire Skip’s Summer School Team – to help you find new ways to strengthen your business, your skill set and increase revenue for the future.
Hands-on Demonstration Workshops
There are eight different workshops to choose from on Tuesday, August 2. Each workshop will primarily focus on lighting, posing and the techniques/style of the instructor. All of the instructors have been chosen because of their incredible skills and ability to teach in an informal environment. As an attendee, you’ll be able to choose three of these programs for the day. In addition, most of the instructors will be available at Summer School during the rest of the schedule.
In the past that’s been part of the fun and secret of Summer School, networking! There are very few other workshops you could ever attend where you could have the time to really meet and talk with some of the greatest instructors in our industry, not to mention build your network meeting other photographers from all over the world!
This year’s new hands-on demonstration programs are all thanks to input from past attendees. The request was for live demonstrations and even a chance to shoot a little here and there. We have eight different instructors all specialists in doing live demonstration shooting. These programs will be set up with models and where appropriate to the topic, studio lighting. Maximum attendance is 60 people in each workshop. They’re also meant to be casual, relaxed and somewhat unstructured, giving attendees a chance to interact more with the instructor.
These programs are designed to help you develop new ideas in lighting technique, not build your portfolio. Jerry Ghionis put it best recently when he was asked if attendees at one of his hands-on workshops could shoot for their portfolio, “Think about how it would look if you were to photograph shots I set up and use them on your website, while other photographers used the same images. What would a prospective client think seeing the same bride on multiple websites? You won’t learn anything if you’re just shooting images I create and then claiming them as your own. I’d rather see everybody with a point and shoot taking pictures of how I’m creating the image – then you’ll remember what I’m trying to teach!”
Encore Sessions: If you go to make a selection and you see one of the Hands-on instructors now has an Encore Session, that simply means their original program filled up and they’ve been scheduled for a second session. Each program will have basically the same content.
Please remember that you can pick only three programs during Tuesday’s Hands-on Demonstration workshops.
Special Summer School Alumni Program
The procedure for Alumni savings on the bring a guest program is below, although the program actually ended on June 5. However, if you’re an alumni and have attended either or both of the last two Skip’s Summer Schools and are not bringing a guest, there’s still an opportunity to save a lot on this year’s tuition!
Just enter “Alumni” in the discount box and the system will check the data base for the last two programs and you’ll receive an instant $79 discount on this year’s Summer School. That brings your cost for tuition to the greatest program of the summer to just $200. Please note, program discounts cannot be combined.
If you were participating in the guest program, here’s a reminder on the procedure and qualifiers.
- You must have attended one of Skip’s Summer Schools over the last two summers, 2009 or 2010, and be registered for the 2011 program.
- Complete the attached Alumni form (Click here to download form) and include the names of your friend or friends who are coming this year, along with their addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Email the form to info@mei500.com.
- All attendees, alumni and friends, must register online and be paid in full by July 20 to qualify. (Please note: Easy Payment Plan participants do not qualify.)
- Each rebate check will be made out to the Alumni.
- Limit of one rebate check per alumni.
- Cancellations disqualify the rebate.
- Program subject to change/discontinuation.
This year’s program is going to be another outstanding event, filled with great information, giving you the ability to build your network, expand your skill set and new tools to grow your business!
Terrific Added Benefits
All of Skip’s Summer School attendees will recieve:
* Full registration to WPPI 2012 for just $75. This includes all platform programs, evening events and the trade show.
* PhotoTools 2.5 ($159.95 value) from On One Software – You’ll receive the download code in your registration confirmation.
* Album Epoca Customized Event Book: You’ll need to just stop by the Album Epoca booth to pick up your certificate.
* Special discounts on all Photodex products – Visit the Photodex booth to find out more.
* Your choice of a FREE 16×20 print, set of 24 Designer Cards or a Beth Photo Necklace from H&H Color Lab
And these are only the beginning. Virtually all of this year’s sponsors will be offering special Summer School opportunities to help you expand your skill set!
The 2011 Speaker Line-up
It might be hot in Las Vegas in August (actually the last two years the weather has been terrific!) but we’re out to make it even hotter! We’ve brought together an incredible team, once again creating the strongest lineup of photographic educators in the industry. We know how difficult it is for you to get away to attend a program like this so we’re out to make it the very best bang for your buck you can get in photographic education!
This year’s theme is about GROWTH! We want to help you expand your skill set to become more diverse in dealing with the challenges in the economy. We want to beef up your skill set, help you with marketing and business and give you the tools you need to break you out of the mold of being a “one trick pony”. So, it’s about creativity, family portraiture, wedding creativity, lighting and social media.
In just two and one half (2 ½) days you’ll hear new ideas from Jules Bianchi and Joy Bianchi Brown, Clay Blackmore, Scott Bourne, Bambi Cantrell, Skip Cohen, Tony Corbell, Bob Davis, Jerry Ghionis, Doug Gordon, Kevin Kubota, Vincent LaForet, Bobbi Lane, Tamara Lackey, Matthew Jordan Smith and Roberto Valenzuela!
Jules Bianchi and Joy Bianchi Brown: Platform Program – Inside the mind of Jules Bianchi! From children to pets to family and brides, Jules Bianchi and Joy Bianchi Brown have done it all. The secret to their success starts with networking and building relationships with their clients. They’ll take you on a tour of the process from their first marketing efforts to network, right through to the delivery of the finished products. This is about marketing, relationships and diversity in your specialty and products.
Clay Blackmore: Hands-on Workshop – Clay is considered one of the most diverse wedding and portrait photographers in our industy. You can’t create outstanding portraits without understanding lighting and posing! Last year Clay stopped in to check out Summer School and stayed for two days, adding to the expertise of Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane in the lighting lab. From brides, to families to children he’ll be helping you with easy to remember pointers to help you make your images unique and spectacular!
Scott Bourne: Hands-on Workshop and Platform Program – Scott Bourne is known for his marketing and social media prowess, but he also happens to be an incredibly successful photographer. He’ll be involved in two different programs this year. Teaching together with Bambi Cantrell, he’ll be doing a hands-on workshop on Tuesday on high-impact boudoir. On Wednesday morning, together with Skip Cohen, he’ll help you with the latest tips on using social media as an effective marketing tool!
Bambi Cantrell: Platform Program and Hands-on Workshop – In her platform program Bambi will demonstrate extensive techniques in lighting, posing and capturing the decisive moment at every wedding. She will detail the step by step process which has helped her to develop imagery that has made her a household name in the photography world. She’ll be sharing new ideas with you on fast posing and building a relationship with your clients that brings out the very best in their images. Then, in her hands-on workshop she’ll be teaching with Scott Bourne, helping you understand how to create captivating images of the female form. Through effective use of lighting and posing, she and Scott will demonstrate techniques guaranteed to enhance the natural beauty of anyone.
Skip Cohen: Platform Program – What good is creating the greatest images of your career if nobody knows who you are? Skip will take an extensive fun look at ideas for marketing, publicity, self-promotion, community involvement, diversity and your website. Together with Scott Bourne, they’ll help you with ideas on how to strengthen your social media presence and turn your marketing efforts into business growth!
Tony Corbell: Hands-on Workshop – Tony is continually recognized as one of the leading educators in lighting. In his hands-on workshop he’ll help you develop techniques to allow you to shoot in any kind of light. He’ll help you understand how to control the light as opposed to the light controlling you! From Texas to Boston to Japan and the Phillipines, Tony has taught lighting techniques all over the world! Now it’s your turn to understand why he’s always in such demand!
Bob Davis: Hands-on Workshop – Photography is an art, but it is also a craft, you need to master your craft to become the best. Bob absolutely believes in hands-on practicing to master lighting. He’ll share with you how practicing the basics, until they become second nature, will build a solid foundation for you to be ready and confident when that big moment happens and help empower you to create only the finest images.
Doug Gordon: Hands-on Workshop Lighting and Posing – Doug’s ability to instinctively get the very best images of every bride has become legendary, but he doesn’t stop there. The bride, the groom, the couple and thousands of combinations in poses are all bouncing around in Doug’s head ready to be shared with other photographers. There’s no excuse for not being able to get your clients the kind of images they want! Doug’s program is about practical tips, and advice that will prove applicable no matter where you find your business!
Jerry Ghionis: Platform Program – From his legendary award-winning albums to his incredible images, Jerry Ghionis has become one of the most recognized photographers in our industry. He’ll be sharing ideas with you on developing a style that builds trust with your clients and allows you to capture images that are extraordinary! You need to understand that natural magic and the power you posess as a photographer to create images that never compromise the emotion, individualism or beauty of each client.
Kevin Kubota: Hands-on Workshop – Is there anything Kevin Kubota can’t photograph? As one of the most diverse photographers in our industry this workshop is about lighting with Kevin’s trademark, simplicity and understanding. You need to create the finest images with every client you work with under a variety of conditions. Kevin will help you analyze each situation and help you work to create your own signature look.
Tamara Lackey: Family: In Front of The Lens…and Behind the Camera – In this blended program of speaking to the significance of Family, Tamara will offer an outstanding presentation on incorporating Family Portraits into your art/business, with more creative/revenue upsides than you might expect.
In addition, she will present ideas about your own relationship with your family behind the camera, speaking to the importance of life & work balance and covering strategies and tactics that make “doing it all” more efficient – and way more enjoyable.
Her award-winning work has been described as “expressive, soulful, funny and beautiful” and her ability to teach is exactly the same!
Vincent Laforet: Closing Key Note Presentation – Vincent, a three-time winner at the prestigious 2010 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, is a director and Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer who is known for his forward-thinking approach to image-making and storytelling. In addition to having been commissioned by just about every important international publication—including Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, and Life—Vincent is considered a pioneer both for his innovative tilt-shift and aerial photography and in the field of HD-capable DSLR cameras. Vincent will be sharing ideas to help you adapt to the ever-changing technology landscape and bring your story-telling ability to a new level.
Bobbi Lane: Hands-on Workshop – It’s all about lighting, but Bobbi takes it one step further. Her experience primarily as a commercial photographer gives her the ability to help you see another dimension to your lighting technique and results. Her specialty is people on location for corporate and editorial clients as well as photographing real people for stock agencies. Her program will help you to understand how to control the light for the very best results –consistently every time!
Matthew Jordan Smith: Hands-on workshop – Matthew’s signature look to his portraits is unique, but it’s his passion that takes his images and his love for teaching even further. Each image he creates has a unique quality to bring out the very best of every client. His client list is the who’s who in fashion, beauty, entertainment and Hollywood. In every workshop he teaches attendees leave with new ideas in creativity, lighting and a more natural look to their images.
Roberto Valenzuela: Platform Program “Practice doesn’t make perfect – only perfect practice makes perfect!” – Roberto’s program is about creativity. It’s about maximizing the way you look at every possible image. How can you develop your skills as an artist so that every client receives the very best of your skills? This is about learning to see all the components of each image, the client, the light, the setting and the intangible –the emotion.
Skip’s Summer School Schedule
Sunday, July 31, 2011
3:00 PM Badge Pick Up and Registration
3:30 PM Sneak Peek Trade Show
7:00 – 7:30 Introduction and Welcome: Skip Cohen
7:30 – 9:00 Jerry Ghionis
Monday, August 1, 2011
8:30 – 10:00 AM Tamara Lackey
10:30 – 12:00 Bambi Cantrell
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 Roberto Valenzuela
3:30 – 5:00 Jules Bianchi and Joy Bianchi Brown
9:00 – whenever… Open Panel Discussion with the speakers*
*Please note: As we did last year, this is completely unstructured. It’s simply an open discussion with whichever speakers are available. Here’s a chance to ask some of your more challenging questions in an open forum!
Tuesday: Hands-on Workshops: Lighting and Posing (Locations to be announced on Monday, August 2)
8:15 –10:15 Tony Corbell
8:15 –10:15 Bobbi Lane
10:30 –12:30 Bambi Cantrell/Scott Bourne
10:30 –12:30 Clay Blackmore
12:30 –1:30 Lunch
1:30 –3:30 Doug Gordon
1:30 –3:30 Matthew Jordan Smith
3:30 –5:30 Bob Davis
3:30 –5:30 Kevin Kubota
Evening: Open
Wednesday, August 3
8:30 – 10:00 AM Skip Cohen and Scott Bourne
10:30 –12:00 Closing Key Note Speaker: Vincent LaForet
Note: While it’s unlikely, please be aware that the schedule is subject to change slightly
Sneak Peek Trade Show: Speakers and Sponsor’s Corner
All of this year’s sponsors and most of the speakers will have their own small exhibit in booths around the perimeter of the ballroom, where all programs will be presented. Take advantage of the “Sneak Peek Trade Show” on Sunday afternoon from 3:30 to 7:00 PM to see new products from all of this year’s sponsors and speakers.
It’s better than a trade show – it’s a mini support conference taking place at different times throughout the conference. Plus, many of the representatives from each company along with the speakers will be available to answer your questions often throughout the day.
All Summer School programs will take place in the Grand Ballroom or vicinity at the Mirage Hotel.
Coffee and Lunch Breaks: We’re sorry, but in order to keep the cost down on this exciting program, coffee, lunch or dinners will not be provided. However, the Mirage has a terrific selection of areas to eat, grab a coffee and network with new friends.
Program Costs
The cost for each attendee is $279 and we will cut off registration and not go beyond the maximum capacity. We want to make sure everyone has a seat! The room for Monday and Wednesday’s programs will be set up classroom style.
The rooms for the hands-on workshops are intentionally meant to be informal. Often, at programs like this attendees like to just sit on the floor around the instructor. There will be seating available, but these programs are more about hands-on demonstrating and we encourage you to bring your camera and at least one favorite lens.
Lodging, transportation and meals are not included. However, the Mirage has put together a special Skip’s Summer School rate of just $79 per night. The hotel room block will fill up fast and there are no guarantees on the room rate after July 10, 2011. So, book your room early by calling calling the Mirage or clicking here. Mirage reservation page for Skip’s Summer School.
Policy Reminders
Speakers:
Although unlikely, speakers are subject to change without notice. In the event that a speaker is forced to cancel his/her program, a speaker and topic of the same expertise and relevance will be substituted.
Cancellation/Refund Policy:
Cancellation requests must be made via email to info@mei500.com by July 1 2011, and will be subject to a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations after July 1, 2011. Persons who register and fail to attend will not receive a refund.
Special Assistance:
If you require special assistance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please write to info@mei500.com by July 1, 2011. Should you require a wheel chair or mobile cart please contact the Mirage bell desk directly.
Smoking:
All of Skip’s Summer School programs are in a non-smoking environment.
Cell Phones:
Please shut off or silence your cell phone during all scheduled programming.
Video-taping and photographs:
No video-taping or photographing of presentations is allowed without express permission by the speaker.
