The Compelling Frame

If you caught yesterday's Apple announcement about the new iPhones launching soon, you'll know the advances in technology are truly stupendous. We are most definitely in the midst of a golden age in the visual arts. Technology is making it possible to create billions of photographs every day. Yet, world and humanitarian photographer, David duChemin believes the majority of the images produced on a daily bases fall short because they lack soul. In other words, the photographs we mass produce are not compelling enough.

The photographs we see today often don't stop us in our tracks or stir our curiosity or evoke an emotion. They tend to be much of the same trite look at our beautiful and surprising world. When we do encounter a photograph – be it our own or photographed by someone else – that has an impact on us, we remember it more vividly, almost as if we can experience it again and again.

Some are indeed so compelling that they create a response within us, perhaps, even a set of actions that affect humanity the world over. Now, don't you want to make an impact, however small or big, with your photography?

But what stands in the way? Practicing and producing the same photographs again and again is of no use to anyone. We've also been told about the classic rules of composition – the rule of thirds or the golden spiral – but these have held us hostage for far too long.

Going Beyond The Rules

We have limited ourselves with our visual vocabulary to go deeper and create stronger images. David duChemin, who has authored nearly 10 books on photography (see below), insists that it is possible to learn the visual language, or syntax, that is essential in creating compelling photographs.

Understanding and then expressing ourselves by using this new visual lingo, expands our abilities to do so much more. Better yet, you'll never ever feel like you are in a creative rut again.

Interviewing David

David just launched The Compelling Frame, an in-depth course for photographers eager to consistently create compelling frame. I spoke with him at length about how photographers can stop spinning their wheels and get on the path to making photographs that make them truly proud of their accomplishments. Give this a listen (approximately 35 minutes):

What's In The Course?

Just as soon as I recorded my interview with David, I knew I had to be a part of his course, so I signed up!

Here's what is in the course: 19 awesome lessons (videos you can watch again and again), 31 creative exercises, an opportunity to study the masters, a ton of bonuses that are actually useful and a vibrant and exclusive community called The VISION-DRIVEN.

I'm willing to bet that a year from now, my photographs are going to be several levels above where they are today because of The Compelling Frame course and The VISION DRIVEN community online.

This course is open only for a very short duration. I suppose that's one way to really gauge who is serious about elevating their craft, right? Here's my recommendation and it isn't biased in any way (the links in this post are not affiliate links at all):

You could continue making photographs and not sense any momentum in your artwork or you could spend a modest amount of money ($295), to enroll in this course (yes, with me) and truly accelerate your growth.

Enrollment for The Compelling Frame ends in about eight days. My suggestion is that you don't wait. Jump in now.

David's Books

Money could be tight, or now may not be the right time for you to be a part of this course, in your path as a photographer. I get it. So, really the next best thing would be to read David's advice through his books (these are affiliate links):

• The Soul of The Camera
• The Visual Toolbox
• Within The Frame
• Photographically Speaking
• Visionmongers
• A Beautiful Anarchy
• Vision & Voice
• The Print And The Process
• How To Feed A Starving Artist

I'm going to sound like a total fan boy, but I own every book David has written. In an environment where there is so much noise, David's words of wisdom are a clear and consistent signal that is well-timed. Wherever you are in your photographic journey, I highly recommend David's resources for photographers.

I've followed his work as a photographer and a teacher for a long time and in 2011 chose him to win the first Annual Tiffinbox Award.

Visit David's website, follow him on Facebook and Instagram. His YouTube channel is one of my favorites. You are in for quite a thrill.

And, to answer the question this post poses: yes, the compelling frame is most definitely within your reach. With the right guide, the right community and a lot of intentional practice or play, photography will cease to be a foreign language and it will become more intuitive for you.

Conference Season Is Upon Us

It's photography conference season, if you haven't noticed. Imaging USA, produced by PPA is on right now. WPPI‘s annual meeting and expo has apparently moved to a new space and will run in early February.

As I have said before, those are conferences that you should go to … at least once.

But if you prefer something more intimate and intellectually stimulating, check out Inspire Photo Retreats. It is coming up quickly. This year, like last year, it will be held in Newport, Rhode Island, from February 27 through March 1. Please visit and register for it here.

Four things dictate a photography conference's level of success:

1) Personal experience

Does your personal experience motivate you to keep coming back?

I can't recall attending any other annual photography get together more times than Inspire Photo Retreats. There is a vibe that is both positive and uplifting to me. This conference couldn't come at a better time in the year when I am starting to plan out the year and consider how my business will be shaped. When I attend, I can be sure of meeting amazing people and having a memorable experience. The conference is topped off at 250 participants and continues to foster a sense of community and fellowship that the larger conferences simply cannot provide. If this is what you are looking for, you are in the right place.

So the answer is, yes, I would love to go back to Inspire again and again.

2) Organizers

Is the conference organized and efficient? And are the organizers open to suggestions for change?

Eric Foley, Enna Grazier and Mark Higgins are all busy photographers. But every year, for the last several years, they have dedicated themselves to producing a phenomenal event that is rich in quality content. It's no easy matter to put this photography conference on, but they do so with the help of great volunteers and a hotel staff that is now well-tuned to their needs. I give Eric, Enna and Mark full credit for elevating their conference game each year. They provide a safe space for everyone to express themselves, in a format that truly feels like you are at a retreat. Year after year, they make it a point to send out a survey after the conference to see how they can improve the overall experience for everyone.

High marks for the trio on this one because I have seen this conference grow, not so much in size thankfully, but in quality.

3) Speaker Lineup

Are the speakers simply dumping information or are they teaching you a skill?

Sean D'Souza of Psychotactics has a great metric for workshops and conferences. If they are simply an information dump, he gives them a failing grade. What makes his own workshops stand out is the fact that you will never leave without learning a skill – a skill you can put to use right away.

The speakers at Inspire Photo Retreats do the same thing. There is information, for sure. But the skills that they teach are actionable. While there is some overlap, year to year, the organizers go to great lengths to find speakers who will add value to those who attend.

I spoke with six speakers (see below), but there are 19 speakers in all, over the course of three days. From my experience, every speaker prepares to wow with information that is actionable. I'm willing to bet I won't find a seat again when Spencer Lum speaks. Or, how about Sarah Dugan who will be teaching us to work with cyanotype and produce salt prints. Did you want to learn how to market using video? Kate McElwee is set to teach you just that. Wendell Fernandes, whom I haven't met, will help you hone in on creating and sustaining client relationships. Want to learn about the lucrative and colorful world of multicultural weddings? Petronella Lugemwa is the right person to do it. And there are others, each bringing their A game to a conference that they love.

4) Wonderful Vendors

How engaged are the vendors? Is the trade show only an opportunity for vendors to sell to us or for us to get to know them and their products?

What's a conference without a trade show, right? Well, again, the trade show at Inspire Photo Retreats feels different. Thanks to the limited number of participants, there is more time and more opportunities to sit down and talk with the vendors who will support you through the year. I recall having a wonderful time speaking with Kate Kauffman of Fundy Designer, Joel Wiebner of Perfect Image, Colin Breece of ShootProof and Kyu Don Kwak of Pictobooks.

I found pockets of time to steal away and speak with the vendors. ShootDotEdit, with Jared Bauman's leadership, really set the tone for what vendors can expect at Inspire Photo Retreats. As Bauman told me a few years ago, “We are in it for the long haul.” I believe every vendor understands and accepts this paradigm; you come year after year, not so much to sell but to see how to help photographers problem-solve.

Interviews With Speakers

I was asked to speak with six presenters – Dani Diamond, Andrew Funderburg, Jen Rozenbaum, The Scobeys, Vanessa Joy and Huy Nguyen – and record their aspirations for this conference.

Dani Diamond

The Scobeys

Andrew Funderburg

Jen Rozenbaum

Vanessa Joy

Huy Nguyen

You'll agree it's a diverse group of speakers. Do look at the full line up of speakers at Inspire Photo Retreats this year.

Community, The Common Theme

Whether it is on TiffinboxTV or here on the blog, I've talked about stepping away from your business to recharge your creative batteries. There is no better conference than Inspire Photo Retreats that will help you do just that.

Think of what you will learn, think of who you will speak with, think of the networking opportunities, think of just being away from home for a few days and think of the community you will begin building.

Whether you are a portrait or wedding photographer, there is a speaker who is meant just for you. So hop off of that fence and register now.

Join me at Inspire Photo Retreats this year!

If you take a moment to think about it, Mario Masitti is right. Lighting, posing, editing, sales, and marketing are all topics that are critical for portrait photographers.

Over the last five years, Mario has taught photographers the in's and out's of portrait photography – both the craft and the business.

Five Courses In One

After making multiple individual courses available, Mario recently bundled them all up for you, the portrait photographer.

The Modern Portraits Master Course by Mario Masitti is a bit of a monopoly. You get Mario's take on Lighting, Posing, Marketing, Editing and Sales.

Go ahead and click the links above to explore each of the options. You'll notice that they are each marked at $94.99. But you can score the entire course – all five “modules” – for only $394.99 (and if you are quick, you can get 25% off that price when you use the code: NEWYEAR25.

Variety & Depth

I haven't seen anyone offer so much under one banner course. And, if there are such an options out in the interwebs, I suspect it costs twice or thrice as much.

Poking into some of the course material, I can tell you that the master course has a ton of visual examples; photographs from actual photo shoots with clients and links to videos, where Mario talks you through situations that you will encounter. Each module has its PDF ebook to go with it, so you never feel left out in the cold.

The Modern Lighting course, for example, includes a 56-pae PDF ebook, a 25-minute supplmental lighting video and two special bonuses.

Mario's Crazy Guarantee

This straight from Mario's website: “Every Sessions With Mario product is backed by a 100% Money Back Guarantee. If you don’t absolutely love the course, it’s on me!”

Feel more comfortable now buying Mario's The Modern Portraits Master Course

Mario's promise:

This Master Course was designed for portrait photographers looking to take their portraits AND their business to the next level – to shoot better images, edit faster, market smarter, and sell bigger. With no-frill videos, beautiful PDFs, and awesome challenges, the Master Course equips you with what you need to grow into a 6-figure portrait photography business and rock your next seasons in 2017!

Interviewing Mario

It was a pleasure to connect with Mario, especially to discuss this new venture called The Modern Portraits Master Course. Check out our chat below: