Blog post by Dalisa Cooper Photography by John Michael Cooper

Amy came in to assist us this time… Some of you may know that we offer private workshops for other photographers.  Included in those private workshops is a couple of instructional shoots tailored to the specific interests of the photographer attending.  In this case, JMC was sharing techniques on lighting and portraiture and Amy made a fantastic model.  This post also provides a good example of how we do our “headshots” at the Altf Studio since we do not usually share those shoots on our blog.

Not only is Amy a stunning model and fantastic friend but she has also been my hair stylist for at least 9 years now.  If you are local and looking for someone who is amazing at color and adverse and current with cuts and styling, definitely go see her at Liasons Salon.

Yes, I Have Mariachi Pants!  Thank you Jimmy and Sanne!  Our grand opening party was a huge success, not just because I was wearing some of the coolest pants ever made, but because we had so many friends, family, clients and vendors that showed up to party and support us in a 23 year old dream to have our own studio.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  If you missed the party of the year, I will give you a small recap.  We had a Cool band doing some great covers - Dean Cortez, Greg Diaz and World Famous Drummer, Joe Esposito in form Southern CA, and killer DJ - Mike from Good Vibrations - spinning and keeping the party going and lighing up the studio making it more like a club, of course we have to hand it to Randi from Naakiti for transforming our ultra cool space to an even ULTRA-ER cool place, The crew at Ice Occasions for literally cooling some hotness down, JR Lighting for equipping us with some fun toys to play with, William Pfersching for providing the delicious cuisine, Lori White for making Dalisa beautiful and finally, to Loftworks for providing a unique and exsquisite location to fit our brand, lifestyle and business.

-jmc & dc

a little over due post.  This is just a little glimpse into of what an awesome time i had teaching with Jason Groupp for our Concept2Execution workshop back in mid October.  The video below by the Fabulous Darrel Aubert sums the event up much better then anything i can type here so just click and play to see what you missed out on..

If Dalisa and I were more secretive this might just be a teaser post saying that “we have some super secret exciting news and we can’t let the cat out of the bag just yet but please keep checking back later for our uber cool announcement”.  But, as most of you know, Dalisa and i are pretty open about our business and the direction that our photography is headed.  So, when we committed today and set in motion the fulfillment of a 23 year old dream, we just could not wait to tell everyone.

The announcement: After 23 years of waiting and dreaming we are finally opening up under our name and brand - our very own kick ass Studio!

coming very soon:

yeah!

.jmc.

Time to start getting excited about New York!   Play the video below and get a taste of what Jason Groupp, the other half of our killer workshop, has in store for you!  As a photographer if you’ve ever had any New York dreams, then this is the perfect opportunity that’s knocking at your door.  First there is the workshop,  2 intense days with Dalisa, myself, and the ultra cool Jason Groupp.  Then there is the party, Jason’s world famous party, i missed it last year and have been regretting it ever since.  And if that is not enough PDN’s Photo Plus expo is the following day.  What a no-brainer: workshop, party, photography expo, and NEW YORK!

click to check out the site:  Concept 2 Execution  October 19-20th, New York.

Concept 2 Execution from Jason Groupp on Vimeo.

what do you get when you add

I don’t know either but it is going to be exciting to find out this October when we team up with the ultra cool Jason Groupp for a 2 day intense lighting workshop.   We have been anxious to announce this workshop that will take place right before PhotoPlus and Jason’s world famous party in New York on October 19th and 20th.

So click on over to the site: Concept 2 Execution for more info and to reserve your spot!

We have been MIA for the last few weeks but are back with some love!  So, where have we been… well, here… but super swamped with the preparation and execution of the Very Altf Too workshop (a little spin off of our very altf tour last summer).  To make things even better for us? - the ever amazing and oh-so-hot Chad and Erin Fuller of Fuller Edge Photography agreed to be our models.  

JMC got some great photos - but you seriously can’t go wrong with beautiful peeps such as the Fullers!

Even after a super long day of running around Downtown, Erin’s hair and make up looked great thanks to Jolana Adamson

Thanks for helping us make our workshop such a great time!  

-dc

Photographymentor.com just posted the video of our SFMF technique along with the post session in HD.  I believe the entire thing is in their preview while they are switching over to HD for a short time..  check it out.

This was my third time speaking at the DWF convention, which, by the way is made up of the most progressive wedding and portrait photographers in the world.  To be asked to appear and speak to this group just once is such an overwhelming honor, but for a third time…. it just leaves me speechless with gratitude.   A big thank you to those that attended the night time shooting demonstration, below are the images that we shot.

Melissa and René were so generous to model for us, if the images are beautiful it is more because they are such a gorgeous couple and not because of our special techniques.  The above image and two below images were shot with two cheap video lights.

I’ve have been a fan of old “film noir” since I was a child - watching old movies on weekends with my Mom. All of that influence is paying off..  I love, love shadow rich images. 

Need soft light?  The image below was from a 4′x6′ improvised soft box from a table cloth or bed sheet. Camera all auto, flash ttl, no special math. 

The image below was shot with a pocket flashlight borrowed from the audience. 

Above, a group shot (wedding party) using a single flash over multiple frames. Not everyone was in the frame at the same time. 

Below, some good old fashion painting with light using a video light snooted with a glove.

A special thanks to those helping me put.  Above from left to right,  Christina Smith, which I teased a little bit about being my flower girl, the ultra talented “McLellans“, Mel and Sean,  the very hip “Fullers“, Erin and Chad, and the stars of the show - Melissa and René, the blob in the middle is myself, and playing the drunk groomsman at the very right is Jeff who’s wife and my long, long time friend, Rochelle was behind the scenes operating my camera.   Also, an extra big thanks to Ray Prevost for his photoshop mastery during my demonstration…  

below, more painting with light.

-jmc

Just back the other day from an amazing speaking experience, the DWF convention in AZ.  As most know, we have absolutely fallen in love with teaching and sharing the techniques and deepest secrets of our craft.   Now the next thing up on our speaking agenda will be our “veryaltf too” workshop just before WPPI on the 15th and 16th of February.  There will be loads of shooting, instruction, and not to mention, our new and improved “one day wedding workflow” (worth the price of admission by itself).

After the veryaltf workshop, we will be hanging out around WPPI and are planning a little get together Announcement coming soon (read anti-party)