I am very excited to announce that Bootcamp 2011 will be held in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, England on the 6th – 8th May 2011.

This is your chance to be a part of the ultimate photography learning experience over two and a half days at an incredible price.  Teaching includes on-location, natural light, studio lighting, shooting time, photo editing and question/answer sessions.

Bootcamp fee includes: In-depth teaching and sharing plus a detailed workbook.  Shooting and interaction in both small and large groups, helping you gain knowledge from each other as well.  Single room Accommodation with refreshments and all meals (the only things not included is transport and alcoholic beverages).  Additional free extras – fun, laughter, getting together with a group of like-minded individuals that share the same passion you do!

The days are going to be very full…so be prepared for walking, moving, having a fantastic time, heaps of laughter, and some really intensive fantastic training and shooting! There will be a LOT of hands-on stuff….this WILL NOT just be sitting in a classroom with a book, whiteboard, etc, listening to someone else speak, although that will make up part of the teaching days…the rest will be YOU, your camera, shooting locations, looking for light, posing (fantastic models provided for you to work with) and LEARNING to create art out of the everyday, in different lighting situations.

We have booked out Pearse House which is a picture perfect Victorian Mansion with a fully equipped conference centre, on the border of Hertfordshire and Essex.

Pearse House is close to the motorway and public transport.

M11 – 3 Minutes
Stansted Airport – 10 Minutes
Bishops Stortford Station – 10 Minutes (from London Liverpool Street)
M25 – 15 Minutes

COST: £420.00

ACTUAL COST: PRICELESS!

DEPOSIT to secure your place : £70.00*

There are two payment plans available (with no payments due Nov/Dec/Jan) and an extra special package for those that want to pay in one hit – email me for more info.   There are a limited number of places available. Once they are sold then I cannot sell anymore because of the limited availability of rooms at the Hotel. *If for any reason you have to cancel you will be refunded any monies paid as long as your place is filled.

This is just a little of what we got upto earlier this year ……..

The first SIX photographers to sign up will receive a FREE mini photo shoot during the weekend with a CD of images

Any questions email me: cheryl@feelgoodphotos.com

We had gorgeous weather and spent most of our time in or around the pool, which is unheard of for me as I have a real problem with chlorine. It stings my eyes, ruins the little sense of smell I do have and completely kills my taste buds for several hours after encountering it. My very own kryptonite but fear not the Lagotel has two pool areas with one being salt water – heaven ! The boys seem to grow webbed feet and gills when they are around water and it’s almost impossible to get them out of it.

Brian taught Theo how to dive in a couple of hours and I was despatched to get my camera and video him in action. Funny how the camera’s OK when it suits the boys.

Most evenings we wandered down to Port d’Alcudia for dinner in one of the many yummy restaurants which was followed by a stroll around the marina with an ice cream (my fave was ferrero rocher Theo loved the bubblegum, Ethan was keen on the Red Bull and Brian loved them ALL)

Like true Brits abroad they had to watch the opening match of the season in a bar . . . . (excuse the iPhone quality snapshot)

The day after Theo learnt how to dive we went to the beach where all three of them thought it would be great fun to dive off the pier – I was a nervous wreck but somehow managed to record the action while my stomach was in knots . . .

I’m quite pleased with the video quality of the Canon 5D MkII even though the last video is not so good as they were actually dots on the horizon until I zoomed in during edit. I think I might to start to play some more seeings Ethan & Theo like the idea of video far more than stills.

It was Brian that came off twice which of course we teased him terribly about. Gosh it seems so long ago already.

People Imagery Portraiture Workshop has finished and what a talented bunch they were.  Here are just a few of my FAVE images from the four weeks (apologies for the web sized images that do not do them justice).  Special shout out to returning photographers: Gwyneth, Zena, Christine, Helen, Chris and not forgetting Gemma, Ann, Sheila, Karen, Clare, Julia, Tracie, Heather & Jayne – great work ladies

Advanced Artistry finishes this week then I’m off to hopefully some fun in the sun with my extremely patient family – can’t wait.

During the last week of the Not going Green workshop, the assignment involved the sun and as most of the country didn’t have any they ALL did amazing well.  Here are my fave three …….

The People Imagery photographer’s had a little pre workshop homework to do – easy peasey really – just a patriotic or sporty self portrait – see nothing to it LOL.  Here’s a selection of the homework turned in.

It’s never simple selecting my fave three, but this time I just couldn’t and ended up with my fave four instead !!

Well done, Tracie, Sheila, Helen and Lainy

Princess Ella celebrated her 7th birthday in style with her four very best princess friends

Delight the princess in your girl’s heart with a Princess Birthday Party Photo Shoot.  With a little magical fairy dust and  birthday glamour, your guests will be talking about your perfect princess party for months!   Princess parties are NOT just for little girls big girls enjoy them too and she doesn’t have to sleep with a pea under a pile of mattresses to prove that she is a princess!

Here are my fave three images of the week – great work ladies.

Registration is now open for the four week Photographer’s Toolkit Advanced Artistry Workshop starting on 16 July 2010. This workshop is 50% Photography and 50% Photo Editing using Photoshop Elements and is open to all camera owners. Each week will involve a photographic assignment and a specific editing technique like portrait retouching, head swapping etc.

Sign up now using the paypal button below, once you receive transaction confirmation you’re in !! Workshop details and forum registration will be sent out Sunday 11th July.

Fee: £20.00

Location: Comfort of Your Own Home

Duration: 16 July – 12 August 2010

If you don’t own Photoshop Elements you can download a 30 day trial but I’m sure by the end of the workshop you will want to buy it. Fortunately it is much much cheaper than the full version of Photoshop.

While its not essential that you have already taken the Painting with Light Workshop it can help. That way you’ll have an understanding of creative techniques and how the workshops flow as this is fast paced specialised course. There won’t be time to explain and learn the basics. Photography pretty much dominates my life at work and at home. I’m either talking about it, writing about it, reading about it or my most fave thing of all is actually doing it ! Over the last thirty years I’ve tried just about every type of photography there is but my passion has always been for people.

Portraiture is so much more than pointing your camera at your subject and pressing the shutter. Yes, you need to know how to use your camera and an understanding of the principles of photography but equally as important is your ability to relate to people. You’ll get the best out of your subject by putting them at ease in what is generally an unnatural situation for them. The aim of this workshop is to inspire and educate by giving you additional skills and confidence to create images that stop you in your tracks. During this four week workshop we will cover the best possible light, posing, candid imagery and action shots. There is a private forum for photographers to share images, inspiration and receive feedback or you can work along at your own pace.

You will need access to models of the human kind

This workshop is for all camera owners – you can register now with the paypal BUY NOW button – once you have confirmation of transaction you’re in !!! A welcome information pack will be emailed to you on Friday 2nd July with details of how to register for the private photographers forum.

If you have any questions leave me a comment below but be warned space is limited – the paypal button will be removed when the workshop is FULL.