Since starting my photography journey, somewhat later in life than most, I've become a bit of a workshop junkie ........
When I first got interested in Wedding photography one of the first people I noticed was the amazing Aga Tomaszek www.agatomaszek.com/ .... I wanted more than anything to record stunning images & emotions like she can ..... I even contacted her a few times to see if she'd be doing workshops, the answer was always "sorry, no".
With disappointment I booked another couple of Wedding Workshops which were fine, but people were so busy getting 'the shot' for their portfolios it was a struggle to gain anything too momentous out of them.
Fast forward a couple of years, the passion for Wedding photography simmering in the background.
Suddenly on my FB timeline a post from Aga popped up, a workshop, in Cheltenham at a ridiculous price for two days ................... And it included Dan Morris danmorrisphotography.co.uk/ & Eirik Halvorsen www.eirikhalvorsen.com/ too .... WOW, WOW, WOW !!!
Within seconds I'd emailed Aga and paid :) :) :) ... I HAD a place ... (the workshop had sold out within the hour !!!!)
A couple of weeks later after a few brief exchanges on the new FB group, the attendees growing excitement mounting and it was time to go !
So off I went, arriving at Dan's flat in plenty of time ..... I knew no-one when I got there, it didn't matter within seconds we were warmly welcomed and offered refreshments.
And so started an exciting whirlwind two days - so much passion, excitement & love for their work ... a really good knowledge base on the subject & three different ways of working with clients .... it was awe inspiring to watch Aga, Dan & E-irik take it in turns to guide & advise us - fountains of so much knowledge, all with different ways of displaying & teaching us .....
Their enthusiasm was certainly contagious - I think we were a little shell shocked at how dynamic they all are together, we certainly felt like we earned our meal in the evening ......
Aga had lovingly prepared some special soup for lunch & left the boys in-charge of heating it !
And so started an exciting whirlwind two days - so much passion, excitement & love for their work ... a really good knowledge base on the subject & three different ways of working with clients .... it was awe inspiring to watch Aga, Dan & E-irik take it in turns to guide & advise us - fountains of so much knowledge, all with different ways of displaying & teaching us .....
Their enthusiasm was certainly contagious - I think we were a little shell shocked at how dynamic they all are together, we certainly felt like we earned our meal in the evening ......
Aga had lovingly prepared some special soup for lunch & left the boys in-charge of heating it !
Day 2 started just as enthusiastically, after lunch, a live shoot with two lovely ladies had been planned (I think they wondered what an earth they'd let themselves in for). We watched, we enquired, we learnt .... again so much information & helpful advice, freely given, our confidence growing by the hour .... even the pouring rain didn't dampen our spirits, in fact we benefited from it, with the team adapting the session to help & advise us through typical British weather.
Back to the flat where once more, after a hot cup of tea we received more advice on using flash, once dark we ventured outside to put our knowledge to the test or simply observe the experts at work ....
Our feet by now frozen we came back into either say our goodbyes or continue out to a restaurant with the promise of light painting & stars later in the evening, unfortunately I had to leave (however if Dan's clock had been the correct time and not frozen an hour later, I would probably have stayed.)
But in all honesty it didn't really matter, I was exhausted from the vibrance of the course, the boundless energy & the knowledge I had gained.
I think we all felt "we had arrived as strangers, but left as friends"
But in all honesty it didn't really matter, I was exhausted from the vibrance of the course, the boundless energy & the knowledge I had gained.
I think we all felt "we had arrived as strangers, but left as friends"
As I mentioned before, I am a workshop junkie, this was by far the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable & fun workshop I have been on ..... it reached to the very core of me & dragged my dormant enthusiasm to the surface - it is now up to me to let it expand - let the fun begin !!!!
My very deepest thanks to the combined team of Aga, Dan & Eirik :) (already saving up for Norway)