Déja vu

To watch a larger version of this video, click here.

For the past two installments of LaCour's Business of Storytelling workshop, Mark and I have had the giddy pleasure of dressing up in our wedding clothes (from our wedding just last August) and acting as "models" for the ballroom lighting demonstration. For our most recent workshop in April, our friends Paul and Holley Jackson of Four Seasons Films filmed parts of the workshop for us. They surprised us last week by sending us a clip of Mark and me dancing for our workshop participants' cameras. Paul and Holley do such beautiful work. It was fun knowing what it would feel like to be one of their brides. Mark and I got goosebumps watching their film! For any brides or photographers interested in seeing Four Seasons Films' work, go to their website and click on Galleries to view trailers from recent wedding films.

Sweat the Details

"The details are not details. They make the product."

My favorite design catalog arrived today. I always look forward to seeing incredible furniture and lighting, from mid-century classics like Isamu Noguchi's sculptural coffee table to contemporary show stoppers like Marcel Wanders whimsical Zeppelin S1 lamp. When I opened the catalog to find this great quote from designer Charles Eames, I knew I would have to save it! I think "sweating the details" is what separates great artists from good artists.


PS: I'm adding a new label for my posts..."Rachel's Random Ramblings!"

Connections, Part 2

...And here is the rest of the story.

After Annette Biggers of Triplecord told us her amazing story of photographing this wedding in Uganda and running into the man to whom she anonymously donated an old camera two years ago (see previous blog entry), she explained that she was so moved by seeing how her camera had helped him that she planned to start her own project to send used cameras to Africa. It was just an idea that she had not yet had time to develop.

Well, on the last day of our workshop, April 12, Annette and another workshop participant, Veronica King were strolling around some shops near where our workshop was held, and they noticed a large group of people gathered in one area. So they went over to check it out. It was a team from Microsoft looking to interview people who are trying to start a new business. Annette looked at Veronica and said, "You want to start a business together?"

At that moment, they decided to create Photographers for Africa, a nonprofit that will send used cameras to Africa. Everything happened very quickly. They went up to a suite that was set up with cameras, lights and sound booms, and officials from Microsoft interviewed them for a segment that will be broadcast on Microsoft's website in May. Microsoft is also providing them with a free website to host Photographers for Africa.

It's a very new venture, and the website development is still under way, but Annette says they are accepting cameras now. Annette has several connections in Uganda and Kenya, with whom she is in talks for receiving and distributing the cameras. Contact Annette through either website linked above to find out how to send your old cameras to her. Africans are still using primarily film cameras, so look around and see what's hiding in the back of your closets. Your old cameras could give those less fortunate a way to support themselves and their families.

"That is the obstacle they have right now," Annette says. "They simply don't have the money to buy equipment to start their own businesses. There are little things we can do here that totally change people's lives."

It's amazing how these little happenstance moments throughout our lives can lead us to this one big place where our mission becomes clear. All the markers seem to line up and point us in the direction we're supposed to go. And in such a positive and supportive industry as ours, there are usually thousands of others eager to help us get there. Thank you for reading Annette's story. Please pass it to on to others so we can work together to change lives.

Connections

After our April Business of Storytelling workshop, I posted here about how deeply our workshop participants had inspired us, and how I hoped to share some of their stories with you. This one is about Annette Biggers of Triplecord in Laguna Beach, CA. Annette has one of the biggest hearts we have encountered, with wide-open arms eager to embrace new people and new ideas. One evening during our workshop, we all sat rapt as she shared the following story with us.

In late 2006, Annette and her husband Mike hosted a Ugandan boys choir at their home, while the group was performing in Southern California. They had about 15 boys spread all over their home, in beds, in sleeping bags. One night she struck up a conversation with the choir leader, Alex Mutagubya, and he mentioned that he would be getting married soon back home in Uganda. Annette knew that most Ugandans cannot afford to hire personal photographers for their weddings, so she immediately told him, "I am going to come to Uganda and photograph your wedding for you." The man's eyes welled up with tears as he told her he could not believe he was receiving such kindness from someone he barely knew. When she showed him some of her work, she said he cried in disbelief that someone was offering to make such beautiful photos for him, asking nothing in return.

So in late March, Annette made good on her promise by flying to Uganda on her own money, with her husband and their two youngest children, to photograph Alex's wedding to Faith. Annette and her family found themselves mesmerized by the astounding natural beauty of Uganda and the pure friendliness of its people.

The day of the wedding, a man she did not recognize approached her and said "Annette?" She was confused, and then she looked down and saw a camera hanging around his neck. A familiar camera. HER camera. She was completely bewildered and speechless, until it hit her.

Two years ago Annette had donated an old Nikon film camera to a Ugandan pastor who was visiting California. They were discussing photography, and the pastor, Peter Kasiviru, mentioned that most Africans still used primarily film cameras. So when he was leaving to return to Uganda, Annette gave him her camera and said to please give it to someone who would make good use of it.

And there she was, two years later, standing on Ugandan soil and face to face with the man who had received her old camera. The man was Godfrey - incidentally the bride's brother and a groomsman in the wedding. Godfrey told Annette that he used her camera to open a portrait studio. He also made some photos with it that he sent to the local newspaper, which began paying him for his work. He told her this camera had allowed him to make a good income to support his family. Annette and Godfrey hugged and hugged, and cried over the sheer improbability of this meeting. Annette says she remembers feeling bad that all she was sending was an old film camera, but when she got to Uganda she realized it was the nicest camera anyone had there. "It was nothing for me to send my camera over there," she says. "But it changed his life."

Annette came back home filled with new energy, and a new purpose. This story gets even better. We will post the second part of it tomorrow. But for now, to see more photos from Alex and Faith's wedding, go to Triplecord's blog.

Andrew's breakout performance

As promised, here is the footage that documents Andrew's first karaoke experience, which took place in Savannah last weekend. Thanks to our assistant Will Godfrey for capturing this momentous occasion on his cell phone camcorder.

My Third Decade

I turned 30 on Saturday. And I have to say, it was by far my favorite birthday. On Friday night, Mark (in cooperation with our studio manager Melissa Roth and friend Jenn Linke of The Decisive Moment) surprised me with a dinner at an Atlanta tapas restaurant.

The biggest surpise of all was how many people showed up, and how many people made an effort to be there despite hectic schedules. Chris and Katie Torres came straight over from the rehearsal dinner they were shooting, Nathan and Amber Holritz drove two hours from Chattanooga, our friends David and Sarah Hamilton drove over from Athens - all for little ol' 30-year-old me. Adam Linke of The Decisive Moment made this photo when we walked into the restaurant and saw all our friends smiling and clapping.

The night was capped off with roller skating (the old-fashioned kind with four wheels) at the Golden Glide in Decatur, where we all attempted to relearn a favorite childhood pastime. Nathan Holritz made this photo of Amber, Mark and me. This photo was made possible by Nathan's skillful panning technique, and the fact that we were hands-down the slowest skaters in the rink.

Sadly, Andrew and Rachel could not be there because they were shooting a wedding in Savannah. After the wedding Saturday, Andrew decided to brave karaoke for the first time. Thanks to our assistant Will's cell phone camcorder, we were able to experience this milestone in Andrew's life. I will try to add the video footage later!

What a Week!

On our workshop's last day on Thursday, we looked around as everyone said their goodbyes. People who just met four days prior were hugging, exchanging email addresses, clasping hands and saying that they hated to say goodbye. It warms our hearts to no end to be able to connect people like this. Our favorite part about hosting workshops is the amazing, new people we meet. We truly had a blast last week and can't wait to hear how everyone's businesses evolve over the next year. Below are photos from the last day.
Stuart Thurlkill gives an inspiring presentation. If you have not seen Stuart share his vision, you need to! He constantly inspires us with his selfless giving, enthusiastic optimism and pure passion for people.

Alice Gung and Terrell Clark say goodbye at the end of the workshop.

Lynn Townsend hugs Jenica Johnson.

Rebecca Kiger gives Livingston Jackson a hug.

Darlene Hildebrandt took this group photo of the LaCour team.

Light it like LaCour

Andrew helps participants with lighting questions before the lighting demo.

Mark talks with participants about bounce flash. From left: Alice Gung, Rebecca Kiger, Jeff Calbom, Darlene Hildebrandt and Kady Dunlap.


Veronica King practices bounce flash.


Mark and I played bride and groom for the lighting demo at Biltmore Ballrooms.

Andrew and Rachel got in a dance of their own at the lighting demo.


The whole gang! Our assistant Will Godfrey made this group shot to demonstrate the Denis Reggie flash brackets, which we use to light group portraits at weddings.

It had never occurred to us to host our own workshop, until we gradually started receiving more emails from photographers asking how we light dark ballrooms. So the Business of Storytelling workshop devotes most of Tuesday to the fundamentals of lighting, spending the evening at the historic Biltmore Ballrooms practicing LaCour's signature lighting techniques.

The four of us, along with our longtime assistant Will Godfrey, enjoyed working one-on-one with the participants.

Wednesday will be devoted to everything that happens after the shoot - editing and post-production - as well as our fabulous dinner at Ecco in downtown Atlanta. Stay tuned for more updates!

April Workshop Under Way

The second edition of the LaCour workshop, The Business of Storytelling, has gotten off to a great start. We have been blessed yet again with an amazing group of photographers from all over the country (and Canada!) who have already inspired us in so many ways.

We first met up Sunday evening at the LaCour studio for a welcome party. The real work kicked off Monday, when we shared our marketing and sales strategies, and discussed how to build systems in your workflow for more efficient and consistent productivity.

We have lots of great stories to share about this group, so check back later this week!

Kristin Byrum, with her husband, Aaron, talks with Andrew & Rachel during the one-on-one consultations.


Mark talks with Alice Gung during the one-on-one consultations.


Terrell Clark listens during Andrew & Rachel's marketing discussion.


Jenna Walker contributes to the discussion during the sales presentation.

60 Years In Love!

"Grow old along with me the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made."
— Robert Browning

Meet Ed and Jo. They are in love. They are my amazing grandparents who just celebrated their 60th anniversary!

Rachel and I spent the weekend with Grandma and Granddad Niesen in St. Louis, my hometown. The party wasn't elaborate or grand. It was a simple celebration of love and loyalty. It was a perfect representation of my grandparents' commitment to each other.

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Granddad! Thank you for leaving us a legacy of love and loyalty!

True Community: What I Learned at WPPI

Celebrating with Greg Gibson, Matt Mendelsohn, Brooks & Leigh Whittington, Tyler and Pam Wirken, Joanna Pinneo

It’s the question.

“What did you learn during the whirlwind WPPI week?”

And there is one thing –– maybe the most important thing I will ever learn.

Pepper Nix and Mitch Burt challenged me to think about it. My husband and business partners demonstrated it to me with continued acts of patience (even when I didn’t deserve it!) Me Ra Koh reinforced its meaning with her infectious warmth.

It is at the core of business, particularly a business built on a foundation of relationships.

It is the true meaning of community.

The word “community” is often used to describe a group of people who are linked by geography or by a common interest. True community, however, is much deeper –– and quite rare. True community is a group of people who, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs, are able to accept and transcend their differences, enabling them to communicate effectively and openly.

I believe the most important business principle is to love people without any expectations. When we don’t expect anything in return, we understand what it means to love unconditionally. And when we understand what it means to love unconditionally, we discover the true meaning of community.

In my opinion, a fulfilled life is one lived in community, rooted in unconditional love for each other.

"What life have you if not life together? There is no life that is not in community…"

-- T.S. Eliot

Government Takes a Bite

John Harrington is one of the most savvy business men in the photography industry. He runs a great photo business blog which is worth bookmarking.

He just wrote a great entry about taxes, which most new photographers (and too many veteran photographers) don't fully understand.

**Click Here to see his recent post about how much the government actually takes of your profits. As I read this, I kept thinking that these numbers don't even include what we pay in sales tax every day!