Week 25 | Oct 19-25
Previously on the vanlife adventure tour:
Last week was a bit of a rollercoaster, and I’m looking forward to a more sedate week ahead. I got some work done on the van, drove to a campground outside of San Diego and spent the latter part of the week at a Regional Burning Man event called YOUtopia.
That’s where we pick back up today.
This whole week I'm attending a portrait photography workshop in Las Vegas.
Sunday, October 19. Day 168
A Sunday drive
San Diego -> Las Vegas
The YOUtopia regional burn closed out today. There’s not a lot going on, just everyone packing up and heading back to their regular lives. I was moving slowly this morning and finally got packed up and ready to leave around noon. It’s a 6 hour drive to LV, which I expect to take closer to 8. (My formula for driving is +15 minutes for every hour driving, this accounts for traffic, gas, food, and other pitstops.)
At one point on the highway a police car turns on it's lights and drives in the middle of the road acting like a pace car, weaving slowly across 2 lanes and intentionally keeping traffic slowed down. There’s no discernible reason we’re all being held to 30 mph. After 20 minutes he peeled away just as randomly as he started.
It was a long and uneventful day driving. I wanted to drive back past Imperial Dunes but the gps took me in the other direction. The drive was all highway and not scenic at all. But probably a good way to decompress after a few very eventful weeks.
Watching my fuel gage tick slowly down, I was counting the miles to Nevada for cheaper gas. Somehow though, it was more expensive across the state line. I filled up enough to get me back to Vegas, where I knew the gas prices were "normal."
I booked a night at the same RV Park I stayed at last week. (And booked 2 more nights at the end of this week.)
I also partook of the hot tub again, a little more decompression was welcome.
Good: there was a really beautiful layered sunset that I got to enjoy while driving through Barstow, California…
Bad: …but I wasn’t able to get any good pictures of it as I was driving.
Unexpected: The check engine light came back on. sigh
Monday, October 20. Day 169
No pressure
Las Vegas
Started the day in the rv park. Dump & fill the van. Shower & shave. I wanted to look presentable at the workshop, which starts at noon. I took my time getting ready and it was an easy 20 minute drive over.
The workshop is something I learned about in April before I left on the trip. The instructor is Jerry Gheoinis, he did a bunch of workshops at Unique Photo camera shop in Philly.
Jerry is most known for shooting weddings, but also does general portraiture.
From the workshops I attended at Unique Photo, I liked his approach and his teaching style. The thing that caught my attention the most was his approach to working with clients - really connecting with them, and prioritizing their comfort during a shoot. It matches my own approach, and I wanted to learn more. When he plugged his 5 day workshop in LV, I pulled out my phone to check my travel itinerary and found that I could fit this in towards the end. (Figuring out how to pay for it was another matter, it was not cheap!)
This will be 5 days of instruction at Jerry’s house in the Las Vegas burbs, with 7 other students. Jerry’s wife and business manager Melissa was also there and kept everything running smoothly.
We started off the workshop sitting outside on the patio, Jerry asked the group what we each want to get out of this workshop. I explained how I’m trying to figure out my direction for the next year and beyond, how photography fits into my plans, and that I’m hoping to get out of this workshop an idea how to do this professionally*. But no pressure.
The other attendees were a bit more focused. Most of them already have photography businesses and want to improve their skills. A few were wedding photographers, which the workshop did focus on a bit.
*I'm also trying to discern if I have enough talent/skill to do portrait photography professionally.
After the introductions we moved inside. One of the women, Elisha, told an emotional story about her husband and the roundabout way of getting here (to the workshop). When we got inside I quietly asked if she wanted a hug, and she very much did. And with that, I made a new friend!
The workshop officially kicked off with Jerry critiquing the photos we all submitted. We sent in 5 unprocessed (straight out of camera) and 5 finished photos. Jerry gave very good, very honest, feedback to everyone. And everyone was pretty receptive to hearing it, even me!
The critique and discussion ran late. Jerry and Melissa had dinner for us and we hung out chatting and getting to know each other a little more over dinner.
After dinner I headed over to a campsite just outside of town that I’d booked for the week. It’s primitive, basically just a safe and legal place to park overnight. It was also quiet and remote, which was nice.
Good: The people in the workshop are super friendly and the hosts are so welcoming.
Bad: I didn’t get a chance to do laundry this morning before the workshop. For the rest of the week the workshop starts early and runs late every day, I don’t foresee any time this week to get it done. Though I'm sure I have plenty of clean clothes to get me through the week.
Unexpected: We all submitted 10 images for review. I was excitedly waiting for my photos to be torn apart, but he had very little to critique. He kind of rushed through them a bit. I think that’s a compliment.
I didn’t take any pictures today, so here are some of the ones I submitted for review.
The musician is a shoot I did in April after taking Jerry's workshops in Philly, and used some of what I had learned.
Funny that I turned around and used those pics as samples at this workshop. Full circle.
Tuesday, October 21. Day 170
Community
Las Vegas
Woke up to a beautiful sunrise at the Red Rocks campground. The place was a little out of the way, but worth it for the views.
At the house (workshop), Melissa had set up a beautiful breakfast spread for everyone. In addition to the other attendees, there were 3 models there to pose for us in the afternoon, and another photographer doing BTS for Jerry.
With a full house and photos awaiting, we got to it.
Jerry showed us some pointers about shooting outside, we went out back and he showed us practical examples with photos in the midday sun. Then all the attendees split up, found a model, and tried to use what we just saw.
I struggled for the lighting lesson to really click, but still fumbled my way into a few good shots playing with shadows.
We moved between lessons and practical shoots for the rest of the afternoon. At one point Jerry was showing (off) us about doing reflection shots. He used my van for the reflections.
Melissa had made an amazing homemade dinner. We had been looking forward to this meal all day, because the chickens were in a smoker out back while we were shooting. I used the smoke in one of my photos!
The next morning Jerry reviewed our images and gave feedback. He said that the poses I shot in the shadow were like shooting "on difficult mode" and that I did well. High praise, thanks!
Good: The workshop is going well and I’m learning a lot. I’m excited for what’s next!
Bad: The end of this van trip is starting to loom large. I’ll be glad to be going home, see friends, and get back to my life. But I’m sad for this chapter to come to a close.
Unexpected: Even after only 2 days*, there’s a sense of community among the workshop attendees. We’re all here for the same thing and helping each other out.
I’ve missed community. I’ve had friends visit and I’ve gone to large events, but that’s not the same.
*It may be “only 2 days”, but in those 2 days we’ve spent almost 20 hours together!
All photos below taken by me.
Some are Jerry teaching or showing how to do something. The rest are practice shots I took.
Wednesday, October 22. Day 171
Irish Goodbye
Las Vegas
Today we put together everything we learned from the last few days into our own custom shoot. We picked a model to work with, chose outfits, props/furniture, set lighting, and crafted the scene. Then we had 30 minutes to shoot.
30 minutes might seem like a lot, but it goes by in a snap!
I worked with model Cierra to craft a pinup style shoot. Other attendees did; a punk-rock prom, glitz & glamour, a shoot in the rain!, and just before me Elisha did a 40’s jazz singer shoot - also with Cierra - that was stunning. I was a little jealous! Funny thing, Elisha said she was a little jealous when she saw Cierra in the leopard print for my shoot.
I really enjoyed doing the shoot; crafting the scene, directing the model, working with the light, and taking fun pictures. I was even a bit silly and showed Cierra a pose suggestion, then asked her to photograph me. It was fun, but I lost track of being on a time constraint and wasted some time playing around. Still, I think being playful is part of my process, so I can’t be too hard on myself.
After we all did our shoots and were flipping through images in our cameras, we were talking with each other about the experience. Congratulating each other on clever ideas well executed. A consistent bit of feedback I got was that I came across as calm, confident, and intentional in my shoot. This is in contrast to how I felt; rushed and hectic. Like I didn’t get many great shots.
However, my ‘old’ process was to take a ton of photos and trust that some of them are good (or even great!) The new process is (or, strives to be) slowing down and being more intentional. In doing so, get fewer but overall better shots.
Another aspect is that when I slow down I come across more confident and intentional (those words again), and that calm demeanor helps the model feel more comfortable and confident with me.
As we were all discussing our shoots and experience, I was lamenting feeling rushed and hectic, and that I didn’t get many good shots. Jerry took that as a cue to have us bring 3 shots the next morning for review. Going through my shots I found a few genuinely good ones, and the feedback the next day from the other photographers was that they came out well.
Good: During the shot I felt in my element, it felt good. If I can slow down and focus I will nail this.
Bad: Been feeling a little low all day. Not surprising, it’s been a tumultuous couple weeks. The stress about the van, getting invited to do a photography presentation, the utopia burn, and now an intense photo workshop. I was going to ‘come down’ eventually, and today is the day.
Unexpected: Melissa offered for me to do laundry at the house! I surreptitiously brought in a bag of laundry and snuck off to their laundry room. Hooray for clean clothes!
My photo shoot below is the model in leopard print and red chaise lounge.
The rest of the photos I took of the other photographers doing their scenes.
Note from 2 months in the future - I’ve done 6!! shoots since I’ve been back. I was slow and intentional, using a lot of what I learned, and they went really well. 5 portrait shoots and one municipal wedding. For all of them, but for the wedding in particular, I used a bunch of what I learned here!
Thursday, October 23. Day 172
It’s Just Business
Vegas
In the workshop today we started the first of two days about photography business. A lot of it was focused on wedding photography, but there were bits in there I could use for a portrait studio kind of business. There was a lot to think about. We also reviewed each person’s business material, name, and website. I would have liked more of a deeper dive into my material, but he didn’t have much to say. To be fair, I don’t have a particularly robust business presence. Just my cards and this website. (Btw, I’ve added a bunch of pictures to the portfolio section and cleaned things up a bit. If you haven’t poked around the site, please do!)
Tonight was the groups’ final night together, and Melissa prepared an amazing feast for our sendoff. She made some greek recipes from Jerry’s family restaurant, we had excellent wine, and everyone was in a good mood.
Good: We reviewed photos from yesterday’s shoot. I thought I rushed through it and didn’t get good shots, but there was a lot of genuinely positive feedback. There’s a chance I might be overly hard on myself.
Bad: We’re having an amazing dinner and everyone is talking about how great their relationships and spouses are and how lucky everyone feels. I’m extremely happy for them! But I’m also just chillin quietly over here alone. *sigh*
Unexpected: Jerry gave feedback about our website and marketing, I wanted to hear it and I wanted feedback, but I still responded a little defensively. *double sigh*
Friday, October 24. Day 173
What Happens in Vegas?
Today’s workshop was focused on the business. Jerry shared tips for finding business, how to sell the craft and the product, and how to sell ourselves. ie. positioning ourselves as high-value photographers, offering photo packages and price points that are higher-end.
The class wrapped up early in the afternoon and we all said our goodbyes. We created a group chat and have kept in touch sporadically since then. Elisha and I made tentative plans for me to swing by and visit her on my way home!
After the workshop I headed up the street to a Whole Foods and worked on the blog post from the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. In the evening I went back to the RV park I stayed at last week and booked a few nights there. Long, hot showers and another soak in the hot tub were on the agenda for the night.
Good: I got some good ideas out of the marketing talk.
Bad: A lot of the business suggestions and processes are more aggressive than I think suits my personality and my business needs.
Unexpected: Melissa sent me packing with a bunch of delicious leftovers! The fridge is stocked for at least a few meals.
Saturday, October 25. Day 174
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
Before even leaving on this trip I was chatting with a young cousin and we realized we’d be in Vegas at the same time! We arranged to meet up and she asked if I’d take pictures of her and her friend at the Las Vegas sign, which of course I was happy to do! We met at the sign, and of course there was a line! It didn’t occur to me, but it should have been obvious. Heck, in Philly there’s a line to take a picture at the Rocky statue and the LOVE sculpture, and those are a fraction as well known as Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.
Afterwards we got breakfast at a little hole-in-the-wall spot and hung out a bit. The girls grabbed an uber back to their hotel and I set out to walk the Vegas Strip. Popped into a few hotels to see the scene and the decor. It’s all very much not my thing.
I walked most of the morning and well into the afternoon. Fending off offers for salacious shows and overpriced nightclubs. I got a giant cup of fruit from a street vendor, and some ice cream. Caught an uber myself back to the RV park.
There was a stunning sunset that I struggled to get a good picture of in the RV park.
Later that night I went to an early halloween party off the strip. It was billed as ‘dress to impress’. Having brought some nice and fun clothes for festivals and such, I did my best. However, while the women were definitely dressing to impress, most of the men were in tshirts and faded jeans. The music was decent and the crowd was attractive, but in a cookie-cutter kind of way that wasn’t enough to keep me hanging around for the people watching.
Good: Met up with my cousin and her friend who happened to be in Vegas this week! I took their picture at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
Bad: Even with all the stuff I learned this week, I still didn’t get the lighting right!
Unexpected: A western/cowboy shop on the strip was having a big in-store event, and for some reason part of that was giving free haircuts! So I got a trim. Nailed the timing, too. The stylist told me they only just got through a rather long waitlist!
In the photo below, the light on the Sphinx' face is called 'Rembrandt Lighting' and is identified by the triangle of light on the cheek. Spending a week at a photo workshop has me spotting this stuff as I'm walking around!
Looking to next week
After finishing up in Las Vegas I head East to Utah and the amazing national parks there. Visiting 3 of the "Mighty 5", and managing to survive overnight temps diving down to 22º!
I got to (another) lame halloween party, gorge myself on post-halloween candy sale, and begin my languid trek East towards home.
