So why are we hosting this? From our website, we get a lot of photography questions and it is difficult to answer all of them. The questions range from the basics to the more advanced. Even with a long-winded email answer, it is always better to explain it in person, then show you with camera in-hand. You will learn so much more/quicker when it’s actually shown to you rather than reading it from a book or manual. This is a chance for those of you who would rather be behind the camera to learn more! So while we are in the Midwest, here’s your chance to ask us your questions in person.

Outdoor Photography workshop details:

When: Saturday August 27th, 2011
Time: 2pm – 6pm
Where: St. Paul, MN
Location: will be sent via email to attendees (only room for 10. First come, first served)
Cost: $100 per person

We will start the day off indoors with a discussion on the principles of photography. Then, we will head outdoors to apply everything that was discussed. That’s the best way to learn! How many times have you read your camera manual and felt even more confused or felt like you didn’t learn anything!?. No this won’t be like a classroom where you doze off in 10 minutes. The whole afternoon will be an active discussion between you and us to keep you awake ;p

We will also take you through an actual photo session with a model and explain the principles behind outdoor photography (at least how we see it). YES, bring your gear! You’ll get a chance to apply what you learned earlier and take photos but then get feedback on the spot!

This is a great chance for some of you to see how we work, but most importantly, it is a chance to get out there and get a guided walkthrough on the principles of outdoor photography. Whether you just want to learn more about your camera, see how we create the photos from our portrait sessions, or simply want to greatly improve your family photos, you will definitely come away from this workshop with a better understanding of outdoor photography.

Some of the things we will go over:

1. Our photography workflow: how we process our photos from camera to computer to web site to print
2. Don’t let your gear limit you:
   - making the most of the gear you have
   - when and how you should upgrade to lower your costs.
   - gear recommendations. don’t buy gear you dont need.
3. How to conquer your fear of manual mode
4. Improve your composition and framing
5. What is “depth of field” and how to conquer it
6. How to use natural light to your advantage
7. How to use speedlights to your advantage (on and off-camera)
8. How and when to use light modifiers
9. How to engage and get the most out of your subjects
10. The business side of photography
11. … and anything else you might want to discuss, dresses? =p

Outdoor Photography workshop details:

When: Saturday August 27th, 2011
Time: 2pm – 6pm
Where: St. Paul, MN
Location: will be sent via email to attendees (only room for 10. First come, first served)
Cost: $100 per person

Here’s your chance! Reserve your seat before they’re all gone. Use our Workshop Entry Form page to lock in your seat.

>> Workshop Entry Form <<

The Fine Print:

• Entry fee must be paid online, in advance to reserve your seat. No entry fees will be accepted on the day of the workshop
• Seats will be filled via first come first served (after confirmation of payment).
• Location of meeting point will be sent out via email after confirmation of payment. We will start indoors on the principles of outdoor photography, then head outdoors to apply it.
• We reserve the right to change the location or cancel this workshop at any time. But so far everything looks pretty definite
• Entry fee is non-refundable. Entry fee will only be refunded if workshop is cancelled.

For Wisconsin photography junkies
You’d like to attend a workshop but you’re not in the St. Paul area? Leave us a comment below, we will also be in Wisconsin the first two weeks of September 2011. If there is enough interest we may host a workshop there as well.

Below are the trip details, book early to lock in your preferred date.

Appleton, Green Bay area: June 10 to Jun 23rd, 2010

St Paul and Minneapolis: June 24th – July 5th, 2010

Also, if you know someone who’s been thinking about it… please pass the word along. Thanks for your support,
Kay and Ty.

When we first started dating, it was during those unbelievable dusk-til-dawn conversations when I slowly started realizing…I was one of the lucky ones in finding someone who I could grow old with. I laugh more, celebrate more, live more – and not to mention, look better – when I am with you. =d You are so amazing – you tell me so all the time – and I couldn’t be more excited today to be celebrating six crazy beautiful years of treasured times with you. Happy Anniversary Babe!

I wanted you to know how precious these years with you have been, how much I look forward to seeing your face everyday, how your smile makes me feel like a girl’s impossible wish (I would like a magical red balloon please) could surely come true. I love you c: So where did those six years go? I thought a fun way to tell our story would be to photoshop the hell out of us , I hope you enjoy it Babe! (Thank you Lori for your perfect scribbles!)

Because their hired photographers were shooting, I didn’t want to get in their way… so I snapped when the timing was right and available. Here are some of the resulting photos.

Congratulations Nick and Lauren! Hope you had a blast on your Thailand honeymoon =).

Although many thousands attend, the Hmong new year celebration seems to tragically get smaller every year. Is it the unfortunate consequence of assimilation into the new American culture? Is it the slow death of a culture losing its core as the older more traditional generation passes on? The preservation is a struggle that the new Hmong-American generation must try to overcome. I for one, hope that we the younger Hmoob generation will be able to preserve and celebrate our culture. For this reason again, I try to make the 4 hour drive every year to absorb, observe and enjoy this annual celebration.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the Hmoob culture? How do you feel about it? How can we preserve the culture? Your comments and thoughts are welcome below.

Please share your comments below.
Additionally you can view the rest and many more photos at the Hmoob.com Gallery