Vincent Laforet is keynote speaker at the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar.

The Stars

I always am interested in who is the faculty of a workshop/seminar. I come wanting to see their work and learn something that I cannot get from just seeing their work online or in a publication.

Vincent Laforet did a great job impressing us at the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar with his work, which most of us will never shoot.  It was still inspiring.

While I learned years ago to go up and ask the instructors questions I learned how to make better use of my time. I learned that if I get to the event early I could grab the speakers before when few people were wanting their time.

The more I went to these events I got braver and then asked the speakers to eat lunch or dinner. I then got great time with some of the best in the field.

Christians in Photojournalism had dinner together at the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar

Fellowship

Slowly I started to realize those people going to the seminar were just as valuable a resource as the “Stars.”

Today I cherish my time listening to just about anyone. I love to hear what they are doing. Usually this gives me a very unique time to learn something new.

Ron Sherman shares with a few of us during lunch break.

 I love to sit around and just listen to stories people are sharing. Today I listened to a lot of photographers. Ron Sherman told us some fun stories.

Tip

While you may go the the seminar/workshop for the stars the people sitting next to you are just as valuable as a resource. The other thing is by just being interested in them and what they have to share you can learn a great deal. What I also learned is I get more time with them than the stars. They have more time and do not have a line of folks waiting to talk to them.

The key is spending time with someone. It is about getting to know them. Now when I see them again we acknowledge each other and catch up with each other.

Bill Fortney the Nikon representative has become one of my best friends and resources.

Another great reason to go to conferences with Nikon is they often will do “free” camera cleaning.  I had two cameras cleaned that would normally cost about $30 to $50 each.

Going to conferences is where I grow and learn. I get the side benefit of getting my cameras cleaned and learning about the latest gear. I can put my hands on the new gear and ask questions to those who are experts.

The first thing you want to be sure you do if you do not already have a photography seminar/workshop on your calendar is to put one on for next year.  I personally recommend joining me in Fort Worth for the Southwestern Photojournalism Seminar, March 1 – 3, 2013.  Here is a link to that conference www.swpjc.org.