This month’s list includes a couple of events taking place outside of Alberta but I felt they were worthwhile events to attend if you can make it plus some of the locations get you out of a cold Canadian winter and into a sunny locale. I know that I’m very excited for the opening of our new Art Gallery at the end of the month and being able to see the Yousuf Karsh exhibition.

• Yousuf Karsh exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta – Jan 31st – May 30th, 2010
• POLAROIDS: Attila Richard Lukacs and Michael Morris – January 14th – March 13th – ACAD in Calgary
• Calgary Banff Photography Festival - Feb 1st – Feb 28th, 2010
• Understanding Lighting with Richard Berry – Feb 20th – 21st in Canmore
• Lightrein: Free Studio Lighting Workshop – February 21st, 2010
• Exposure Photography Symposium – Feb 26th – March 1st in Edmonton
• PMA 2010 – February 21st – 23rd in Anaheim, CA
• WPPI – March 4th –11th in Las Vegas, CA
• Shandro Photo Workshop with the Weibners in Edmonton March 12th – 14th
• Photoshop World East – March 24th – 26th in Orlando, FL
• Expressions of Hunger – Photography & Essay Competition in support of Edmonton’s Food Bank – Entry deadline is March 31st, 2010
• No BS Photo Success Roadshow – in Edmonton April 8th
• Nature Photography Workshop with Richard Berry – April 16th – 18th in Canmore
• Fast Track Photographer seminar with Dane Sanders – May 5th – 6th in Calgary
• Jerry Ghionis workshop in Vancouver – June 21st – 25th
• Ongoing events, seminars and workshops at the Camera Store in Calgary
• Ongoing events and seminars at Vistek in Edmonton
• Ongoing events and seminars at McBain Camera in Edmonton
• Maui Photo Festival – August 25th – 29th
• Sandy Puc 2010 Family Tour – August 30th, 2010

I’ve been following Melissa’s blog for awhile now. I can’t recall exactly how I first came upon her blog but once I did, there was something so compelling about her images and her complete openness to share her life and business that I was immediately drawn in. When I found out she was running a workshop (the MJ 2 Day) I knew it was something I had to register for right away and I’m so glad that I did.

I wrote a post last month about improving as a photographer and the importance of constantly looking for educational opportunities to improve not only on the technical side but also on the business side. I would highly recommend if you are just starting out as a photographer or even if you’ve been at it for a few years and are looking to take things to the next level, that you check out Melissa’s site and register for her workshop the next time she runs one. She is one of those rare people who are so genuinely nice, giving, supportive, and willing to share her knowledge and experience with others.

A met a ton of other great photographers too and learned a lot from them as well. Thanks again to all my new photography friends: Amanda, Anna, Courtney, Dallas, Denise, Holly, Janna, Jessica, Kelly, Lucy, Mary, and Robin. Best of luck to all of you in your future endeavors.

Here are just a couple of fun shots from the past couple of days:

October

Oct 17th – Edmonton Photographic Tradeshow sponsored by McBain Camera.  10:00 – 4:00 at the Greenwood Inn. More details here. Featuring exhibitors showing off the latest in Digital technology and seminars covering a variety of photographic topics.

Oct 24th – 25th – Digital Photo Expo in Calgary sponsored by The Camera Store. 10:00 – 5:00. More details here. This two day expo features exhibitions, displays, demonstrations and workshops. Notable speakers include renowned photographer Art Wolfe.

Oct 24th – Digital Camera Basics II Class put on by Vistek.

Be sure the check out Metro Continuing Education for a list of their fall photography courses. http://www.metrocontinuingeducation.ca/oncourse.php?sub=10904

November

Nov 7th – Working with Adobe Lightroom training by Vistek.

Nov 8th – Creative Lens Choice with Darwin Wiggett presented by the Camera Store in Calgary.

Nov 14th – Video and Your DSLR course by Vistek

Nov 24th – Get Wild About Photography with John Marriott presented by the Camera Store in Calgary.

If you know of any additional events or courses that I may have missed, be sure to drop me an email at bruce@momentsindigital.com.

Not only does this  benefit me but also my clients as they are hiring someone who is keeping up with the latest techniques and technologies to deliver a product that is fresh and modern. If you are in the market for a photographer, you may want to ask them what they have been doing to keep up their skills, learn new techniques, and otherwise improve their photography. This year I have already attended the following workshops and classes which have benefited my clients in several ways:

• PPOC Seminar at NAIT featuring sessions with Jesh De Rox and Rob and Lauren
• Wedding Workshop with David Ziser
• Photoshop World 2009 in Boston
• Continuous online training via Kelbytraining.com
• Photography Marketing Bootcamp with Rob Provencher
• GOYA Shoot with members of the PPOC

This weekend I will be headed to Canmore for another photography workshop with Richard Berry. This time the focus will be on landscape photography which I haven’t had a great deal of exposure to in terms of workshops so I’m excited to learn something new and try my hand at something less familiar. I find that no matter what the focus of the workshop or session I’m always able to take what I learn and apply it in a variety of photographic situations. Whether it be a session on lighting, posing, framing, or even how to use neutral density filters; I love that I can take elements learned in one workshop and apply it to a totally different shooting situation. I can’t wait to see what skills I pick up from this workshop that I can apply to my portrait, event, and wedding photography.

My training calendar doesn’t end there. When I get back from Canmore I will be taking another marketing workshop this time with Mitche Graf and then I’ll be flying down to Phoenix to spend a couple of days with Phoenix Wedding Photographer Melissa Jill and her MJ 2 Day Workshop.

2009 has been a very busy year for me in terms of photography training and I plan to continue that in the years to come. I encourage everyone, regardless of your profession, to continue to invest in yourselves not only for the benefit of your clients and customers but also to help you grow as an individual. If you are looking to hire a photographer for your wedding, event, commercial work or other project, take a moment to find out how they’ve been investing in themselves to ensure that you’re hiring a true professional who cares about their craft and invests in themselves.

June

June 27th – McBain Camera presents Lumahawk/Opus Lighting Seminar on Saturday, June 27th, 2009, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, 10805-107th Ave. Bring your camera down and try out Lumahawk/Opus lighting systems, we will have a lighting kit set up and a model in attendance. Lumahawk/Opus representative Tim Merrick will be on hand to answer your questions.

June 29th – Down & Dirty Tricks with Adobe Photoshop CS4 – Scott Kelby and Corey Barker are on the road teaching the latest cutting edge effects in Photoshop CS4. This one is happening in Calgary on Monday June 29th at the Telus Convention Centre. $99 ($79 for NAPP members).

July

July 3rd – Photography Tweetup #3 at the Edmonton Street Performer’s Festival. The theme this month will be motion. Be sure to visit the Wiki to register and view our Flickr group for photos from our last Tweetup.

July 18th – Scott Kelby’s 2nd Annual Worldwide Photowalk. Steve Allison will be leading one Edmonton walk from 5:30 – 7:30. Visit http://worldwidephotowalk.com/edmonton–ab-ab-ca/ for more information on the Edmonton Photowalk. Do to the popularity of the event, 2 more walks have been added. Jason Bouwmeester will be leading a 2nd walk from 11:00 – 1:00 starting at the Shaw Conference Centre. Visit http://worldwidephotowalk.com/edmonton-walk-2-ab-ca/ for more information on this walk. Ian MacKenzie will be leading the 3rd walk from 9:00 am – 11:00 starting at the Muttart Conservatory. More information on this walk can be found at http://worldwidephotowalk.com/edmonton-ab-ca/. Similar walks will be held in Calgary, Banff, Taber, Fairview, Red Lake, and Medicine Hat. Visit http://worldwidephotowalk.com/listing-of-all-photo-walks/?country=non-usa for a listing of the Photowalks in Canadian cities.

July 26th – The World Inside Your Door – a seminar presented by Technicare featuring Andrew and Arlene Simpson. This seminar will feature the following topics: First Impressions, Less is more, Working in a residential studio, Using available light —creating the perfect light, Posing demonstrations, Understanding the dynamics of your sale – viewing, Expanding your target market, Are you all you can be or is there more, Your unique selling point, and Learn the rules and then know how to break them. The cost of the course is $175 for the day or $299 if you register for the 2nd presentation on the 27th. The seminar will be held at the Greenwood Inn. Download the registration form here. Learn more about the presenters at www.photoart.ca

July 27th – How I Took the Grey Out of Seniors Hair in Canada. Spend a day with John Ratchford and discover a new income stream that you probably thought was not available in Canada. The cost of the course is $175 for the day or $299 if you register for the 1st presentation on the 26th. The seminar will be held at the Greenwood Inn. Download the registration form here. Learn more about the presenter at www.ratchfordphotographic.com

August

August 16th – Darton Drake Canadian Tour. Photographer Darton Drake presents a one-day seminar on the artistic approach to imaging portraits. The seminar will cover such things as composition, lighting, emotion, passion, etc. The goal will be to minimize the technical and maximize the spiritual aspects of portrait photography.  Location: Shaw Theater – NAIT Main Campus (11762-106 Street). Cost $249 + GST for non-PPOC members. $149 if you are a member of the PPOC. Contact Bev at 780-483-4275 or es@ppoc-alberta.ca to register.

August 18th – 19th – Summer Safari – Is summer camp for photographers. Nestled in one of the most beautiful places in Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park. At the Canyon Camp, aside from world class photography education, from some of today’s most sought after speakers and educators. You will be catered to with meals and housing enabling you concentrate on your craft. BONUS – you will have access to hiking, horse back riding, boating and camping. For more information or to register please visit www.idea-market.org or call 403-313-9353

September

September 13th – Dramatic Lighting for Portraiture by Dave Montizambert presented by Lightrein. Drop by 9513 – 56 Ave in Edmonton or call 780-430-0008 to pay for your spot. $195

October

October 24th & 25th – Digital Photo Expo in Calgary at the Roundup Centre, Hall E. Presented  by the Camera Store, this is Western Canada’s largest photo trade show and exhibition featuring free workshops, Keynote speakers and exhibits.

October 27th – Deadline to enter the Canadian Progress Club’s WOW Worldwide Photo Contest. Enter before October 1st to receive 2 free tickets to the Digital Photo Expo on October 24th & 25th.

November

November 13th – 15th – 3-day Wedding and Engagement photography workshop with Andras Schram in Calgary, AB. Visit http://andrasschram.com/blog/new-workshops/ for more details and contact information. Workshop includes 2 days of shooting and one day on work flow, gear, post processing, lighting, etc. Cost $1250 + GST for all three days.

If I missed any events be sure to leave a comment below and I’ll update the list as I find out about more events.