We’re in the process of making changes to the show to make it more reliable and stable. So, I want to get an idea how most of  you are listening to the show. Please take 2 seconds to answer this poll for me. We’re really excited about what’s coming down the pike!

Earlier this year we had an amazing interview with Nashville, TN commercial photographer Jeremy Cowart. Today I asked Jeremy back on the show to tell us about a terrific worldwide movement he’s started called Help-Portrait. Help-Portrait is a project where on December 12 of this year, photographers all over the world will find people in need, take their picture, and give those people the print. It is an opportunity for you to use your craft to love on somebody. To make them feel beautiful. To give them a sense of dignity. Jeremy shares with us how and why he came up with the idea, and he also talks about the controversy that surrounded the project when it first started. We hear some inspiring stories about the project, some behind the scenes info about the promo video (see below), and Jeremy tells us how you can get involved in your local community.

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Here is the current Help-Portrait promo.

Next week we have an hilarious interview with wedding photojournalists husband and wife team (and friendly competitors) Pepper Nix and Mitch Burt. Don’t miss it.

In this episode, Becker shares some valuable insights into his business philosophies. Many thanks to the Bui Bros. for helping out on this one. Enjoy!

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It’s the interview you’ve all been waiting for. Christopher Becker (bka “[b]ecker”) really like? Would you be surprised to know that Chris was really shy in high school? Or that he used his photography to get close to the cute cheerleaders? (Well, that last part is probably not a surprise.   It’s well known that [b]ecker has strong opinions, and is not shy about sharing them. Whatever your opinion of the man, I hope this FSB series on him will shed some new light.

Below is part 1. (Part 2 is is already uploaded to iTunes also). Many thanks to the Bui Bros. for helping out on this one. Enjoy!

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Would you believe that Kevin Kubota, an American Photo Top 10 Wedding Photographer and creator of Kubota’s Image Tools (one of the most commonly used action sets in the industry), once peddled shoes at Nordstrom? And when he lost that job, he turned to multi-level marketing? Well, if you watch this episode, you’ll learn those details and a whole lot more. Like what it was like for him growing up half-caucasian and half-Japanese in Hawaii (his “kind” were referred to as a hapa-Haulis, Hauli being slang for white boy). Luckily, being part Asian saved him from getting his butt kicked on the annual “Kill Hauli Day.” And wait till you hear the story of how he first got into photography. Beyond business and branding. Beyond talent and technique. These are personal interviews to inspire and entertain.

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Special thanks to Joshua Smith of Cinematic Bride for manning the camera as my associate producer on this episode.

DENIS AND JOE Q &A SESSION

“To a person of discerning taste, when a moment is authentic, that’s everything.”

~ Denis Reggie

Below is a bonus episode from the Q & A session with Denis Reggie and Joe Buissink. They answer the question “Where do you think photography can go from here?” Denis pulls no punches in letting his true feelings be known. (Seems only fitting to have this episode side by side an interview with one of the most prolifiic Photoshop action producers in the world.

To watch the episode, you’ll need the secret password for the Denis and Joe episodes. If you’ve subscribed to our CSI:ProPhoto e-newsletter, or if you’re a member of our Facebook Group, you’ve been emailed the password. If not, join our email list now, and it will be sent to you. Just click the “Sign me up” link in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Our, join our Facebook Group.

Denis Reggie and Joe Buissink Q & A – Part 1 from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.

Thanks to Joth Riggs of Whitestone Productions for helping me produce this episode.

Here is the second part of our tour of David Jay’s house. In this episode we get to see the sweet attached apatment where DJ lived during his first few months in the house; the unfinished area that’ll soon be a killer A/V theater;  DJ’s unusual master bedroom set up; his amazing back patio with the million dollar view; and more!

Remember, to view this bonus episode, you need the secret password. If you’re a member of our Facebook Group, it was mailed to you last time we posted. If you subscribe to our CSI:ProPhoto Newsletter, it was emailed to you then. If you’re not already a subscriber, the password will be emailed to you in the sign up confirmation email. Click on the “Sign me up” link in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Enjoy the video!

As a reminder, you DO NOT need to log into Vimeo  to view it. Just enter the password in  the appropriate field in the video image below.

David Jay’s Crib – Part 2 from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.

SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks once again to Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV and David Ethridge of A Video Reflection for helping me with this episode. And to Pictage for being a sponsor.

Next week we plan to have our interview with “action” hero Kevin Kubota.

I want to thank everyone who came out to the live webcast interview with Mike Colón at Brooks Institute this past Monday. I know we had some technical difficulties maintaining the live video and audio feed. The A/V team went out there last week to check the equipment and of course, everything worked perfect then. Murphy’s Law was in full effect the night of the event. Thanks a million to Carlo Baez for stepping in to entertain the folks in the chat room and take questions.

The great news though is that we have almost three hours of an in-depth interview with Mike. He covered the gamut: how he got started in the business (the “real” story as he jokingly puts it. The anecdote about how he first called up [b]ecker as a groom in order to get info about wedding photography is classic); exactly how and why he raised his prices as quickly as he did; balancing work and family life; the importance of inner beauty; why he’s so open about his faith on his website and blog (for the record, it was a question from the chat room that prompted that discussion. ; sponsorships; and much, much more. We even had a quest star appearance from David Jay who I invited on stage for a bit. All around it was a terrific event.  Again, I apologize for those of you who tried to log on to the webcast. The 2-camera edit of the episode will definitely make up for what you missed. And we learned alot for next time.

THANK YOUs

I want to thank everyone who helped make this event happen: The Brooks Institute team (Tri, James, David, and Bethany), the PhotographyMentor team (Robert Evans, Curt Apanovich, Solomon and Drew), Julie Colón, and David Jay for being another surprise guest and for being a gracious host afterwards. And, of course, a huge, huge thanks to Mike for taking the time to come up and share with the Brooks students and the F-Stop Beyond audience FREE! Mike’s one class act! Thanks everyone.

GRACE ORMONDE CALLS IN

One of the highlights of the event was a call from WeddingStyle Magazine chief honcho, Grace Ormonde herself. I made arrangements for Grace to call in and surprise Mike. She talked about their professional relationship, why she gravitated towards him, and gave talked about what she looks for in photo submissions.  Considering it was 11:25 pm her time when she called, I want to give her much props and a big “thank you” for helping make the event special.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The episode will air in December some time. It’ll probably be a 4-part series. You’ll be able to check it out at fstopbeyond.tv, or PhotographyMentor.com. There will be exclusive bonus episodes too, of course. In the meantime, tune in later this month for our interview with “action hero” Kevin Kubota, then next month with [b]ecker. Great stuff in the works!

THIS JUST IN. We got confirmation to have an after party at David Jay’s awesome pad after the Mike Colón interview at Brooks. Will be a great opportunity to network and have fun with friends and colleagues.  As a reminder, here are the details for the event:

Looking forward to seeing you there. Bring a friend.

On a beautiful May afternoon, in the Santa Barbara hills, I arrived at the premises of a one David Jay. I had heard all about the magnificent view, and seen little snippets here and there of his “Freedom House.” But today I was going to get to see the whole kit-and-kaboodle, from stem to stern. David gracioiusly invites the F-Stop Beyond cameras into his house, for what I believe is the first ever, head-to-toe tour. It’s so long I had to break it up into two episodes. In true F-Stop Beyond style, it’s more than just a exposition in real estate appraisal. No, folks, along the way, I pick DJ’s brain, learn some technology tidbits, and get a further peak at the man behind the house. From the living room to the library, each room holds a piece to the puzzle of who David Jay really is.

GOT YOUR PASSWORD?

This is a bonus episode viewable only with the right password. If you’re a subscriber to the CSI:ProPhoto newsletter, or a member of the F-Stop Beyond Facebook Group, I’ve already e-mailed you the password for the bonus DJ episodes. If not, just click the “Sign me Up” link in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Once you have the password DO NOT LOG INTO VIMEO. Just click on the lock on the image below, then enter the password in the field provided. Or, if you already see a white field, enter the password there. You do not need to log into anywhere to view the video.

David Jay’s Crib – Part 1 from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.

SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks once again to Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV and David Ethridge of A Video Reflection for helping me with this episode. And to Pictage for being a sponsor.

In this episode, we surprise David Jay with a special guest who gives us a little insight into Mr. Jay. Here is a tease preview:

If you’re a subscriber to the Cinematic Studios CSI:ProPhoto e-newsletter (click on the “Sign me Up” link in upper right-hand corner of blog), or part of our Facebook group, you should have received the special password to view the video below. Do NOT click on the word “Vimeo.” You should see an image of a lock on the video, or a white field may already be there (depending on your browser). Click on it and a field to enter the password will appear. Then enter the password:

In this this final part of the main interview series with Denis and Joe, Joe shares what makes him so passionate about weddings. Denis recounts the story of the photography that became Time Magazine’s photo of the year, of the decade, and of the century. Special thanks to my buddies at Elysium Productions for allowing me to show a scene from the wedding movie of Gary and Melissa Fong. Also, special thanks to the Los Angeles, Orange County and Claremont, CA PUGs for hosting this event. And kudos to my friend, colleague, and associate producer on this episode, Joth Riggs of Whitestone Productions in Westlake Village, CA. I also want to thank Elysium Productions who gave permission to use footage from the incredible wedding video they made for Gary Fong.

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Help Us Out in iTunes

If you like what you’re seeing (or hearing on the audio show) write up a review in our iTunes pages. That helps us out in rankings and makes it easier for new audience members to find the show.

• Here’s the link to the video podcast iTunes page
• Here’s a link to the audio podcast iTunes page

Thanks a million. And don’t forget to join our Facebook Group, or sign up the the CSI ProPhoto e-newsletter (click the “Sign Me Up” link in the upper right-hand corner) to get access codes to upcoming exclusive episodes.

Thanks for watching!

My wife and I love to shop at Whole Foods. Whenever we can, we pick up fruit, milk, frozen food, protein bars, cereal, and my favorite, Rice Dream. (Hmmmmm!) But, every now and then we go to Lucky’s too. What does any of this have to do with today’s episode starring celebrity wedding photographers Denis Reggie and Joe Buissink. Well, you’ll have to watch to find out. But keep this in mind. You know how a square is a rhombus, but a rhombus isn’t necessarily a sqaure? (C’mon, think back to junior high math). Well, a person who hires Denis Reggie to shoot their wedding most likely shops at Whole Foods; but just because a person shops at Whole Foods, that don’t mean they can hire Denis Reggie (present company included. Are you adequately confused yet? Good. Then hit play and gain some insightful, no holds barred wisdom from these two masters.

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SPECIAL THANKS

I want to say thanks to Pictage and the Los Angeles PUG for letting us use their meeting to host our show. And thanks to Joth Riggs of Whitestone Productions as associate producer and manning camera.

BONUS EPISODES

Later in this series we’ll have five bonus Q&A episodes. It’s a great opportunity to get FREE advice from two industry giants. All Pictage users will get access to these videos video the forums. Also members of the F-Stop Beyond Facebook Group, or those of your subcribed to our CSI:ProPhoto e-newsletter will have access too. Stay tuned.

MORE DAVID JAY BONUS EPISODES

And we haven’t forgotten the other David Jay bonus episodes. Be on the look out for the Cribs episode and the DJ’s surprise visit from an old protege of his.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Lydia Takeoka and James Garland for winning the David Jay episode 2 drawing. Lydia wins a free Triple Scoop Music download and James will get a free audio book download of Dane Sanders’ “Fast Track Photographer”. I should note that these guys were NOT the first people chosen the drawing. The people who were actually drawn didn’t not include any way for us to contact them. We therefore had to move to the next person in the list. So remember: PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CONTACT INFO when you leave a comment. Don’t worry, we’re not going to spam you. But, if you want to win, we gotta know how to reach you (and we don’t have time to do Google search to track you down).

You all have one more chance to enter again. Leave a comment on this week’s video by next Wednesday, August 20 for next week’s drawing.

DAVID JAY – PART 3

This is the last part of our main interview with David Jay. In this episode, we get to meet and have a chat with THE Assistant, Crystal Hutchinson. If you follow DJ’s blog, you know that Crystal is a crucial member of DJs team, keeping everything flowing smoothly. We find out how she got the job, what it’s like having DJ as a boss, and whether there’s a Mr. “THE Assistant” in the works. In this episode, we also learn the origin of DJ’s do (as in “hairdo.”). Don’t miss it!

“PLEASE SIR. MAY I HAVE SOME MORE?”

We have much more of our visit to the Freedom House. Exclusively for subscribers to our CSI:ProPhoto Newsletter, we also have three bonus episodes. Two where we surprise DJ with old friends from his past, and a special full-fledged tour of David’s “Freedom House.” Sign up for our FREE newsletter to get the password to view these episodes when they go live.

Also, members of DJs Freedom Club will get their own extended interview with DJ  where he’ll discuss more business related topics.

Be on the look out for these exclusive episodes later in the month. Also later this month we’ll have Episode 4 starring wedding photojournalist masters Joe Buissink and Denis Reggie. Don’t miss it!

WIN VALUABLE PRIZES IN OUR DRAWING

Leave a comment about the video by Wednesday, August 20, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of two great prizes. First, Triple Scoop Music is offering a free song download from their library of over 4,000 songs. Perfect for the photographer looking for a great and legal way to set their images to music . A $60 value! Second, author and photographer Dane Sanders is offering a free download of the audio version of his book, “Fast Track Photographer“—an inspirational resource for anyone looking to make a go at the wedding photography business. A $25 value! This is your last chance to win, so enter now!

SPECIAL THANKS

Once again, I want to thank my associate producers and amazing videographers, Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV and David Ethridge of A Video Reflection for helping me make this episode a reality.

Enjoy the show!

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