I have friends and fellow photographers who have been questioning me about the possibility of a teaching a photography workshop. I get a little goose-bumpy when asked about this, as I have been missing my Art classroom and that magical, hands-on atmosphere of exchanging ideas and creating.
If you are interested in a workshop please leave a comment or email me: alyssaflaten@mosaicphotography.net. Feel free to let me know what you want to learn most, in what type of environments, and in what kind of time frame. And don't worry, you are committing to anything; I just want to know how serious you are!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mentors and Friends...
I can't tell you how much I have benefited from lovely, wonderful, generous people who have taken the time to answer questions, give a few pointers, and instill a little confidence.
So today, I just want to say thank you to these wonderful people, artists, family, and friends: my Mom and Dad (Sam and Karen Adams), my husband--Scott Flaten, my sister--Aarie, Katie Bracken, Joyce Robles, Wayne Gudmundson, Alison Lea Geier, Don Clark, Dave Arntson, Britta Trygstad, Kevin Kubota, Craig Strong, Kecia Kubota, Amber Larkin, Becca Hamilton, Christina Beck, Emily Heath, Catherine McKinley, Ticia Mangino, Caron Von Orman, Elaine Begley, Eryn Wags, Jacqueline Amparo, Heather Lussier, Jonnie Maunder, Lora McKnight, Sherlynn Borkgren, Toria Mole, and Tawyna Hood, Doug Gordon, Evan Lipson, Tanya Martineau, Penny Burns, Ty and Lindsay Hagerott, Ria Czichotzki, Mandy Anderson, Ann Monteith, and Dane Sanders...and of course all you brave people who caught a glimpse of my enthusiasm and trusted me to tell your story from my point of view.
If you don't recognize these names, google them--and you might catch a little inspiration too!
Oh, I'm sure I missed someone--so many people have impacted my life! Thank you friends--you have encouraged me to stay the course and pursue my niche--to do what I have been created to do!
So today, I just want to say thank you to these wonderful people, artists, family, and friends: my Mom and Dad (Sam and Karen Adams), my husband--Scott Flaten, my sister--Aarie, Katie Bracken, Joyce Robles, Wayne Gudmundson, Alison Lea Geier, Don Clark, Dave Arntson, Britta Trygstad, Kevin Kubota, Craig Strong, Kecia Kubota, Amber Larkin, Becca Hamilton, Christina Beck, Emily Heath, Catherine McKinley, Ticia Mangino, Caron Von Orman, Elaine Begley, Eryn Wags, Jacqueline Amparo, Heather Lussier, Jonnie Maunder, Lora McKnight, Sherlynn Borkgren, Toria Mole, and Tawyna Hood, Doug Gordon, Evan Lipson, Tanya Martineau, Penny Burns, Ty and Lindsay Hagerott, Ria Czichotzki, Mandy Anderson, Ann Monteith, and Dane Sanders...and of course all you brave people who caught a glimpse of my enthusiasm and trusted me to tell your story from my point of view.
If you don't recognize these names, google them--and you might catch a little inspiration too!
Oh, I'm sure I missed someone--so many people have impacted my life! Thank you friends--you have encouraged me to stay the course and pursue my niche--to do what I have been created to do!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Good Reads
Hey Friends, just wanted to share some good reads that have inspired and challenged me in the last few months:
The Business of Wedding Photography (Business of Photography) by Ann Monteith
The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews
Fast Track Photographer: The Definitive New Approach to Successful Wedding Photography (Aug 8, 2008) by Dane Sanders
The Business of Wedding Photography (Business of Photography) by Ann Monteith
The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews
Fast Track Photographer: The Definitive New Approach to Successful Wedding Photography (Aug 8, 2008) by Dane Sanders
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Heart Gallery
Anyone get to see the February appearances of the ND Heart Gallery?
I LOVE THE HEART GALLERY!! If you are a photographer and want to donate your services, or you are just curious, check it out here
Happy Valentine's Day!
West Acres Mall, Fargo
January 22 to February 14, 2009
Buffalo Court
I LOVE THE HEART GALLERY!! If you are a photographer and want to donate your services, or you are just curious, check it out here
Happy Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Passing on a Little Encouragement
JUST A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT I WANTED TO FORWARD ON TO YOU GUYS from photographer Mera Koh!
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Monday, February 9, 2009
Starting up and Gear
I've been asked, "What kind of Equipment do you use? And How did you first get started?" And here's my answer
My first real camera was a Canon AE-1, (why did I ever sell it???) I took Black and White Darkroom/Photography classes in High School, and studied Photojournalism, Photography, and Graphic Design in college. (Wish I would have taken some business classes too!)
Now I shoot all digital, all Canon. I primarily use the Canon 5D. My favorite lenses are the Canon 100mm 2.0 and the Canon 70-200 IS 2.8. For studio stuff, I use Alien Bees.
For software, I use Photoshop CS3, Illustrator, and LightRoom.
Cool Beans!
My first real camera was a Canon AE-1, (why did I ever sell it???) I took Black and White Darkroom/Photography classes in High School, and studied Photojournalism, Photography, and Graphic Design in college. (Wish I would have taken some business classes too!)
Now I shoot all digital, all Canon. I primarily use the Canon 5D. My favorite lenses are the Canon 100mm 2.0 and the Canon 70-200 IS 2.8. For studio stuff, I use Alien Bees.
For software, I use Photoshop CS3, Illustrator, and LightRoom.
Cool Beans!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Staying Fresh
Here are some tips for staying fresh as a photographer and artist:
1) take care of yourself! Go do something that you enjoy whether a cup of coffee and a good book, getting your nails done, or just going to bed earlier. If you feel good, you'll enjoy life so much more.
2) Overload your brain with visuals. As an Art student and teacher I found this so helpful and sang this tune over and over to my students. I find inspiration from others work--don't try to copy--just look and enjoy; and somehow, somewhere it will sink into your subconscious and affect your creations. But don't just look at photography; look at films, videos, paintings, sculpture, magazines, blogs, etc... That's the fun of creativity--a new idea can be inspired by any random thing.
3) Go into each job or project with a new challenge for yourself to try something a bit out of the ordinary for you. For example, try something different with depth of field, with the rings, with details, shooting from a different angle (maybe climb a tree), asking the family or bridal party to act out or sing something, be outlandish if you please.
1) take care of yourself! Go do something that you enjoy whether a cup of coffee and a good book, getting your nails done, or just going to bed earlier. If you feel good, you'll enjoy life so much more.
2) Overload your brain with visuals. As an Art student and teacher I found this so helpful and sang this tune over and over to my students. I find inspiration from others work--don't try to copy--just look and enjoy; and somehow, somewhere it will sink into your subconscious and affect your creations. But don't just look at photography; look at films, videos, paintings, sculpture, magazines, blogs, etc... That's the fun of creativity--a new idea can be inspired by any random thing.
3) Go into each job or project with a new challenge for yourself to try something a bit out of the ordinary for you. For example, try something different with depth of field, with the rings, with details, shooting from a different angle (maybe climb a tree), asking the family or bridal party to act out or sing something, be outlandish if you please.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Getting the Word Out!
Different photographers and artists have asked me how I get the word out about my work and company. Sometimes, I think, why are you asking little old me? I'm just a stubborn girl that obsesses over just about anything I do.
Nonetheless, this is what I have found to be the most helpful:
1. A sweet website! We live in a Cyber Age people. Kids today, elementary aged kids, can't image life without cell phones--my little nephews have their own! I didn't get one til I was in college and had to commute an hour for work in the winter. And that's one example of how technology affects the culture of today compared to the culture of 20 years ago.
So websites are key. All my clients have either found me through a google search or through referral, which leads me to #2.
2. Word of mouth is SO important! I send out quarterly newsletters to all the clients who have ever worked with me. I blog on a fairly regular basis. I have lots of friends on FACEBOOK and have now joined Twitter--it's crazy but there is power in social networking like that and it gets my name in front of people.
3. I have been very fortunate to have been involved with students (as a teacher and as a youth sponsor and leader in different youth groups, campus organizations, etc.) from junior high up through college for the past 10 years--so it's been natural to photograph these different people with whom I have worked and had relation. So RELATIONSHIP is super important! Get out there and get to know people--there are so many amazing people in this world! Not only do relationships lead to paying jobs, but it leads to personal growth and development. I have had the great privileges to work under Kevin Kubota and Doug Gordon and maintained friendships from those experiences--these are peers and friends who I can bounce ideas off of, vent to, and pick their brains. Get involved and build relationships with other photographers--those friendships are priceless.
Nonetheless, this is what I have found to be the most helpful:
1. A sweet website! We live in a Cyber Age people. Kids today, elementary aged kids, can't image life without cell phones--my little nephews have their own! I didn't get one til I was in college and had to commute an hour for work in the winter. And that's one example of how technology affects the culture of today compared to the culture of 20 years ago.
So websites are key. All my clients have either found me through a google search or through referral, which leads me to #2.
2. Word of mouth is SO important! I send out quarterly newsletters to all the clients who have ever worked with me. I blog on a fairly regular basis. I have lots of friends on FACEBOOK and have now joined Twitter--it's crazy but there is power in social networking like that and it gets my name in front of people.
3. I have been very fortunate to have been involved with students (as a teacher and as a youth sponsor and leader in different youth groups, campus organizations, etc.) from junior high up through college for the past 10 years--so it's been natural to photograph these different people with whom I have worked and had relation. So RELATIONSHIP is super important! Get out there and get to know people--there are so many amazing people in this world! Not only do relationships lead to paying jobs, but it leads to personal growth and development. I have had the great privileges to work under Kevin Kubota and Doug Gordon and maintained friendships from those experiences--these are peers and friends who I can bounce ideas off of, vent to, and pick their brains. Get involved and build relationships with other photographers--those friendships are priceless.
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