No Limits: Portland Workshop is a big success!

No Limits: Portland Wrap-up - Day One

Portland, Oregon - On March 23 and 24, Mike Long (of TimesTwo Studios and Portland Pin-ups) and Andy Armstrong (creator of design|house and owner of Andy Armstrong Photography) hosted No Limits: Portland - a two-day workshop focusing on Pin-up and Fashion/Glamour work.

Before things got started on day one, Andy Armstrong gave each attendee a little design|house "monkey love" (a four gigabyte USB storage key), and attendees got to know each other over coffee and donuts.

Day one featured Mike Long's complete overview of how he creates his stunning 40's and 50's style pin-up work from start to finish. Attendees learned what defines the "pin-up" label, the ideas behind the images, and how to light and pose for the work. Mike worked one-on-one with workshop attendess as they shot fabulous pin-up models in the studio.

In the second half of the day, Mike shared his pin-up post processing work, which included some amazing ways to use smart objects and masks to really get that great pin-up look. For most, there were many serious "light bulb" moments in this portion of the class.

Mike also offered his attendees a set of actions and files to create his pin-up look.

Here's some behind the scenes photos from Day One of No Limits: Portland 2009:

The Makeup Artist works on model, Mandy Apple before the shoot.

Julie Lowry snaps a shot of Mandy during the process.

Mike teaches about light and pose with Mandy Apple.

Mike gives Josh some personal instruction

Mike works with Photosensitve (Denise).

Day Two

On Day Two of No Limits, Andy Armstrong shifted the subject of the workshop from Pin-up work to Fashion/Glamour/Boudoir photography.

In the first half of the day, Andy discussed the dos and don'ts of working with models, pointing to specific examples of what to look for and what to avoid in working with models/clients. To let the ideas and concepts sink in, Andy moved the group over to the studio area and demonstrated his ideas and techniques as he shot with local model, Melissa. As he shot, Andy discussed "pose progression" and answered attendee questions.

After the demonstration, Armstrong split the group in two. He sent one half of the group to work one-on-one with a model and award-winning photographer, Julie Lowry (calgal), and he kept the other half to work in the studio space. After an hour of hands-on training, coaching and shooting, the groups switched models and locations.

In the second half of the day, Andy shared some of his post-processing technique and demonstrated how to "get creative" with images in Photoshop. He demonstrated general PS tool techniques and some specific ways to use design|house software and the new d|h destinations vegas add-on.

Andy also offered special workshop pricing on the design|house suite vol. 1, magazine templates, card templates, and design|house destinations vegas.

Here are some images from Day Two of No Limits:Portland:

Hollie works on model, Melissa's make-up

Andy demonstrates how to communicate direction with hand gestures and words.

Andy demonstrates the "up the nose" pose that is a norm from in-experienced models.

Danny (weshootya) asks a question during a Q&A session on Day Two.

Andy moves lighting while demonstrating a standard fashion/glamour session for the group.

Andy works with model, Melissa during the example shoot.

Demonstrating "Girl Scouts" vs. "Maxim"

Andy discusses results with Mike during a one-on-one session.

Group Shots

Back from the Grind 3: Detroit (More than Glamorous)

Well, I had an absolute blast in Detroit, Michigan leading The Grind3: Detroit workshop. Our class was amazing and our models were fantastic. We did two days of intensive photography and photoshop work, and folks got a lot out of it.

Special thanks to Julie Lowry of Chanterelle Photography in Montgomery, AL who once again came through as my assistant for this workshop and she co-lead some of the breakout shoots.

Next weekend we head out to Portland to conduct the No Limits: Portland two-day workshop with Mike Long. There are still seats available, so join us if you can.

Here are a few images from Day 2 of the event. When I get the Day 1 (engagement couples) done, I'll post some of those as well.

I can finally show you...

...the work I did for the 2008 Christmas card of fellow photographer, and incredible friend, Julie Lowry. If you recall, last year we did a GAP Ad theme for her Christmas Card, and this year we went whole hog: Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The concept and costume was all Julie, I just decorated the set, set up the lights and shot the images. I can't wait to see what we come up with next year.

Ah, the things I'll do...

...to make people laugh. These images are care of Tina Poppa who participated in my Grind workshop in Nashville, TN. In the first photo, I was sneaking into the back of the frame and trying to make Tina relax and laugh...and yes, I admit it freely. I look a little freakish. LOL

Chisa, me and Julie - posing with the Krispy Kreme, and then they shoved it in my nose.