Skip's Summer School 2011 Wrap-Up

Most photographers will say that they learn something new each day on their journey to fine tune their photography skills, want to move forward in their business, and also want to be able to networking with others. Last month, I got a chance to do all of those things by participating at the greatest photographer conference, Skip's Summer School, in Las Vegas for 3 days.

I want to thank you to Skip Cohen who called me on the phone and told me to go to the event. It was one of the best moment in my photography business to be able to talk to the man who has helped the photography industry to be where it is now. He is a humble and knowledgeable person who is ready to help others to grow/develop their skills. Thank you Skip for the phone call and the friendship.

Skip Cohen, Tony Corbell and myself



At the conference, I learned from best of the best in the wedding/portrait photography: Jerry Ghionis, Clay Blackmore, Tamara Lackey, Bob Davis, Kevin Kubota, Jules Bianchi and Joy Bianchi Brown, Doug Gordon, Roberto Valenzuela, and Bambi Cantrell. Lastly but not the least: Skip Cohen, himself, and the man of social media, Scott Bourne.

With Scott Bourne



On the second day, we had a chance to get involve in hands-on workshops with the speakers of our choices. They showed us on how to improve our photography skills from lighting, posing, and composition.

A photo from Clay Blackmore hands-on workshop


They are famous and successful. They are also willing to help us to be a better photographer/person in any way they can for us to be excel on what we love to do. It was a wonderful thing to be able to connect with them and just talk ... and talk... not just about photography but also our personal life with them... (what amazing moment to share!!)

With Jerry Ghionis, the only Australian named by American Photo magazine in their first ever list of Top Ten Wedding Photographers in the World.


Picture together with Dustin Meyer.


Tamara Lackey gave a lecture. She never forgot her Grand Latte Coffee :)


With the duo: Jules Bianchi and Joy Bianchi Brown


Posing with the master of Flow-PosingDoug Gordon


Picture from Bob Davis's Hands-on workshop






The platform programs in the conference taught us about how to take care our business and how to hone our photography skills, from developing great photography skills to ensure that clients are receiving the very best of our skills, maximizing our marketing, and caring our clients. Thus, we are able to GROW!! in every aspect of our business in this challenging economy.

Throughout the conference, we're able to get connected with AWESOME vendors from photography equipment, software, and photography products.

Corina and Roxanne from Pixel2Canvas


Kevin and Clare Kubota from Kubota Image Tools


Joel from Adorama


On the third day/the last day of the conference, we had the honor to listen the closing keynote presentation from Vincent Laforet. He shared an amazing thing that will help us to adapt to the ever-changing technology landscape and bring your story-telling ability to a new level (from mei500.com ).
A picture with him after the presentation.



The best part of the conference:
I am so glad that finally be able to meet in person with some of my friends I met over the social media (Twitter and Facebook ) at the conference. It is all about networking!!!

With the local celebrity Kenny Kim


With Gustavo Fernandez


Tried to get a snapshot with Clay Blackmore at the end of the conference



The man behind WPPI, George Varanakis


Lindsay from PIF Photo


With Beverlee Barthel


Christy Penn, Tracy Moore, Hanssie Trainor and me.


A good time to be able to get together again with my friend from West Coast Tamara Young, and introduced to a new friend, Ara Roselani


P.S.: I never eat In-n-Out Burger before; thus, Tamara Young took us there for the treat. Now, I can declare myself that I am not "In-n-Out Burger Virgin." LOL....
This is the proof of it: :D




What a memorable and learning experience that I had over the Skip's Summer School.

"If you want to be a better photographer ... be a better person." ~Jerry Ghionis


See you all next year at the conference again.. or might be sooner as now we are a family!!!

***Note: Pictures on this post were compiled from cell phone, point-and-shoot camera and DSLR***