Skips Summer School Re-Cap

At the beginning of August, I thanked my lucky stars above because I got to go to the most amazing photography conference there is:  Skips Summer School, hosted by the handsome, friendly, knowledgeable and talented Skip Cohen. This was my second year in a row attending this conference. The best way I can describe it is: it’s where a (relatively) small group of photographers get to learn from the best of the best of the best in the wedding and portrait photography industry.  I came away with so much knowledge and a better photographer and business owner because I went.  The conference included both lecture, and hands on training. My favorite part of the conference was the “open panel discussion”.  At the end of one of the nights, whoever wants to come, can come and ask any question under the sun to the a panel of our instructors. And the amazing thing is, they are completely candid and honest, with a genuine care of helping you when they answer. They don’t believe in “industry secrets” and are willing to share whatever it is that you want to know. It’s an extremely rare opportunity to sit down, have an intimate Q&A session, and pick the brains of folks like: Jerry Ghionis, Tamara Lackey, Clay Blackmore, Bambi Cantrell, Roberto Valenzuela, etc etc. (I dare you to click on a couple of their links when you’re done reading, you just might have your socks blown off). You usually have to attend a conference with hundreds sometimes thousands of other photographers to hear from these folks.  The best part of the whole thing is the comradery and the friendship that everyone has for one another-attendees and instructors.  Our industry is extremely small and Skip leads the way in helping everyone collaborate instead of compete so that as a whole we can boost up our industry. I’m going again next year, who’s joining me???

Photos below comprised of cell phone pics, and actual photos.

Left to Right, Top to Bottom: 1. Photo taken during Clay Blackmore‘s hands on training. 2. Me and the best wedding photographer in the world (not my words) Jerry Ghinois. He is so stinkin nice, and funny, and his wife is just about the sweetest thing ever! I wish you could meet him! 3. Las Vegas Baby 4. Bambi Cantrell explaining that as long as you have good light, you have a good photo. Photo shown was taken in the bathroom of a Howard Johnson. 5. Photo taken during Clay Blackmore’s hands on training. 6. Open Panel Q & A session.

Below: For some reason each year, Clay Blackmore asks me to get up in front of everyone and demo some techniques with him.  He is just about the kindest, sweetest man you will ever meet! Not to mention that he is a canon “explorer of light” photographer. An honor only given to a few. Photos thanks to friend Brian David Casey aka “Buffet Brian”.

Clay was demonstrating a couple of different ideas, along with a few poses with me. In the last photo he says “Ok, now put your arms around my neck and give me a big hug. Squeeze! Squeeze! OK that’s great. Thank you! It’s been a while since I’ve been home and I miss my wife’s hugs so now I feel better!” haha Isn’t he the cutest? In case you didn’t know, Clay took my photo above in the “about Kate Pease Photography” section. Thanks Clay!

Who’s coming with me next year!?