SPA Event 2008 in Tucson, Arizona

This month I had the awesome privilege of spending six days in the glorious Arizona sun with hundreds of the best senior portrait studios in the world... very cool. Plus it just so happened to be the weekend it hit 5 degrees below zero in Chicago. I didn't plan that, but Andy Bondurant and his crew planned every detail of the weekend, from all the speakers, instructors, models, fashion shows, to photo shoots, to make the weekend the best it could be. I had a blast and met some amazing photographers and made some great friends! 

This is my self portrait, steps away from the resort, which was so first class I have to give a shout out to the people at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.

We had fun photographing the models selected from the studios that did their senior portraits, and were entered into a contest to be with us at SPA. And they had a great time too, especially with Chicago stylist Sara Lebovitz by their side, and she gave us some tips for what style's are HOT this year!

I want mention Sara Petty who got the weekend started off right with her awesome marketing and identity philosophy. And I was so excited to sit in her class with Erin and Linda, from then on we stuck together with Mary and Lisa and Ana had a blast! They are such fun girls and kick butt photographers!

I love Kaiden's jaw line and clear green eyes, and for this session Jeff & Michelle Richardson coached us in this shoot, which was especially cool because this year Jeff won his second SPA artist of the year award. Congrats Jeff!

Dakatoa, had an fun chick look in her cowgirl boots! and Krik Voclain worked the situation with his Louisiana twang, and gave us his ideas.

Shots in the kitchen

Talk about a culinary bliss... and fun cooks in the kitchen. Karaline was a great sport as she hopped into a huge salad bowl. Jeffrey & Julia Woods and Paker J. Pfister demonstrated their skills and high fashion look to this unusually shinny studio.

Jake was a great model as you can see, here at the resort waterfall and with the planes. Tina Slusser - Ley was a rush of energy as she worked with us to create some moody images.

These shots were taken at the Pima Air Museum, it exhibits more than 275 military, civilian and commerical planes, including JFK's Air Force One. It is an awesome location to make some really unique images with a rock star look. Special thanks to Gary & Pam for their perspective and sweetness!

fashion lighting

The picture to the left is a picture using a fashion lighting technique that I will offer this year in my senior portrait packages. It's an awesome look!

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I am looking forward to 2008 and all the new things it has in store for us all!