Erwin Darmali photographs me to demonstrate a technique as Ray Soemarsono looks onward.

Normally, we can all mark and remember the pivotal points of lives in retrospect. I knew this workshop would be one of those pivotal moments as soon as my plane touched down in California. It’s pretty hard meeting someone in person for the first time when you have followed them online for so long. It’s like you know them, but not really because – well, you’ve never met. When I first was introduced (in person) to Ray and Erwin, I was already looking for all the hints of their personality that I find so prevalent on their blog and tweets.  And actually, I was a bit surprised.  They were exactly how they say they are except much cooler and down-to-earth.  I am not sure who was more excited about this opportunity, them or me!  As the discussions and training continued, I was glad to see it was of mutual benefit.

I do not profess to be “professional” nor “hobbyist”, but everything I thought I was I “parked to the side” and allowed my mind to be completely receptive to the overflowing, wealth of knowledge that these two, nationally ranked, young professionals offered.  Ray and Erwin were completely open to explain, demonstrate, and answer anything I wondered about photography and photojournalism.  The course was well planned and executed, and did not feel rushed or boring in any way.  There are only a few, great photographers that are willing to present such a large amount of information to the other photographers.  In fact, there are several photographers that are outright rude and nasty when they are approached with questions.  I can definitely say – this was not the case with Apertura’s Workshop!  It is very hard to go into great detail about the course because it was (at least I felt like it was) designed for me as a photographer at the level I am currently.

As I mentioned in a previous posting, this course was where I located my fortune.  It was where I found how to communicate my expression as a photographer to others, and even better, to myself.  Apertura’s 2on1 Workshop is an advanced training for a range of photographers from amateur to veteran.  It is as philosophical as it is rational.  Being that you learn from and work with 2 different photographers,;you get multiple lessons and perspectives on any one concept of photography.  After taking this workshop, I know I am a better photographer and I can’t wait to show the world my perspective!  Words can’t say it enough – thank you Ray and Erwin!  I will be returning for another session, but this time I will bring a more matured portfolio so you guys won’t slice me up too much:)!  Ha!

A few days before I was scheduled to fly to California for photography training with nationally renowned, photographers, Ray Soemarsono and Erwin Darmali of Apertura Photography, my wife and I had dinner in Washington, DC’s Chinatown district. After eating we cracked open our fortune cookie and mine read…”You will be traveling and come into a fortune.” I knew I would be traveling, so I kept that fortune in my wallet to look for whatever signs might lead me to this said “fortune.” I am not sure what type of person you are, but I am a person that believes in signs – perhaps because I am a visual person not really sure. All I know is I can fill a notebook with various signs I have experienced throughout my life and can tell you some crazy stories that have save my life, challenged me, and changed me. In any case, I kept it and packed my bags for California.

The flight to California from Dulles is pretty long and I honestly get tired of listening to music for that long, so I actually listen to audio books. I know that might sound kinda corny, but oh well I listen to audio books. Recently, I have been really involved with Eric Jerome Dickey’s “Gideon Novels.” I was on the latest installment – the fourth book, “Resurrecting Midnight.” Somewhere in between Salt Lake City, Utah and Arizona, I came across a passage that struck me. It was a passage from the book that stated, “Every man is the architect of his own fortune..fortune favors the bold.” As soon as I heard this my expression quickly motioned to a smile. That was it! It was all clear in that moment. I knew why that particular fortune cookie crossed my path and I knew where my fortune was. My legs were jumping in anticipation to get to Corona, to get to Apertura, to train, to ask a question, to get an answer, to make clear what always was there but to hazy to see.

The best way to explain it is to show you. So stay tuned why my site morphs and photos speak…

How Are You Living?

Thanks to the gorgeous ladies that took part in a BoldLifestyle Portrait Session at an event at the Red Door Spa in Washington, DC, we are able to see a definitive look at the BoldLifestyle concept that asks the question, “How Do You Live?” The BoldLifestyle Slogan is “LiveBold.” These women did just that as they posed for the camera in a personality photo session. They are definitely living bold – What about you!?

 My first Creative Session.  When I was a painter, I used newspaper clippings from around the world with very specific headlines.  For my first creative session, I wanted to involve a similar style that I have come to love.  My model, Kellyn, was absolutely fantastic to work with.   She was able to give me the type of look I needed to pull this creative session off!