Inspiring kids through photography

Posted on March 20, 2010

Infinity Photography & Design attended our very first WPPI conference down in Vegas a little over a week ago and it was absolutely amazing. We learned so much valuable information for taking our business and portraiture to the next level. We were lucky enough to win a free pass from The [B] School which helped make this experience possible. The [B] School is a great photography forum that Infinity belongs to where we’re able to learn, share, and help other photographers with questions and problems they might have. We recently came across this wonderful post and video about several photographers and businesses that made it possible to share with the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas the wonderful world of photography. Here’s the full post:

Inspiring Kids Through Photography

By Ron Dawson

Think back to that time when you were just a lad (or lass) in elementary school…when that fireman, policeman, astronaut, or some other cool grown-up came to teach you about their job. Remember how inspired you felt? Well, a couple of Saturdays ago, our long-standing client Pictage partnered with Canon USA to give a group of kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was just a couple days before the official start of the 30th WPPI expo and conference and I had the honor to film the event and create a recap video. Some of the top photographers in the country were on hand to teach kids ranging in age from about 8 to 16, how to take photos. The all star team included (in no particular order): Justin & Mary Marantz, Zach & Jody Gray, Mike Colón, Ray Santana, Kenny Kim, Will Jacks, René Tate, Shawn Reeder, Mike Larson, Chelsea Nicole, and Matt & Stevi Savage. Behind the scenes documentary photos taken by Joe Buissink and Monty Jessop.

The day started with Pictage CEO Jim Collins addressing the crowd of about 80 kids. Then it was pizza time and mingling with the photogs. Next was about a 30-40 minute classroom session where the photographers gave primers on composition, lighting, and use of the equipment. Then all the groups headed over to a preserve for a photo scavenger hunt. The festivities ended with all the kids getting certificates.

The video I shot that saturday was finished by sunday and showed at the WPPI awards ceremoy Wednesday night, March 10. About 40 of the kids from the event were on hand to watch themselves on the big screens, then get a standing ovation from the crowd of photographers. As the kids marched out of the ballroom to go back home (it was a school night after all), they were greeted by high-fives and congratulations. How cool an experience must that have been for these kids, many of whom are underprivileged.

This was an amazing and fulfilling project to be a part of. As my company Dare Dreamer Media turns its primary focus to highlighting worthy causes, this is just the kind of work that is right up my alley.

How can you inspire a child today?


Pictage brought out some of the top photographers in the country to teach kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas about photography. Co-sponsored by Canon USA.

Other inspiring videos located at http://inspire.pictage.com.

Directed & edited by Ron Dawson
http://daredreamer.net
Shot with Canon EOS 7D & DP Slider

Photographers involved:
Mike Colón
Zach & Jody Gray
Will Jacks
Kenny Kim
Mike Larson
Justin & Mary Marantz
Chelsea Nicole
Shawn Reeder
Ray Santana
Matt & Stevi Savage
René Tate

Event documentary photographers:
Joe Buissink
Monty Jessop





FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Hiram Trillo Art-Photography

Posted on February 3, 2010

Hiram Trillo Art-Photography

Article by: PhotoBiz

About Hiram: I have been involved with photography for about 15 yrs. I have always been infatuated with photography. From childhood I use to love the photography of the 1920’s thru 50’s. All the images where so captivating, from cinema to the great depression every image told a story. I bought my first camera at the age of 17 from a pawn shop. Most of my early photography was shot and developed guerilla style. I would buy old film (yes film) from camera stores and would develop them at the univeristy campus darkroom even though I did not have a photography class. I got caught a few times, but I paid my way in by helping clean the room or anything they needed. I finally ended up taking a position at the university news paper and worked my way to becoming one of the sports editors. A professor at the university saw some of my photographs and added me to an art exhibition that his senior students were having at a local gallery. It was there that a soon to be bride approached me and asked of I would do a bridal portrait, I had never shot a bride before, but I gladly said yes. After that I decided to learn more about the industry and just felt in love with the idea of creating art pieces for such a great occasion.

After working and learning under some great wedding photographers I decided to do it on my own. I began honing my skills by learning everything in sight about wedding photography the likes and dislikes of it all and how I would take my artistic approach to this industry. We created a couple of stand alone pieces for a friends’ wedding soon after that we had our first client and Hiram Trillo Art-Photography was born.

Visit Hiram Trillo Art-Photography

Hiram Trillo
Hiram Trillo Art-Photography
www.hiramtrillo.com
806-252-3952
htrillophotography@sbcglobal.net

Are you a “VisionMonger”

Hiram Trillo: book review

First off, I want to thank everyone for the great comments, emails, and friend requests I have received since I started writing these articles. I really enjoy it and you guys have been very kind. This month I thought I would write something a bit different. In the other two articles I touched on two subjects that we can all relate to. Developing a brand or name is always a work in progress. Why? Well it takes time to develop that name and recognition, and once you have it you have to work hard to maintain it. The other is gear; we all need it, however it’s not how much gear you have, but how much you do with what you have.

This article is going to give you another tool. Last month I purchased a copy of the new David duChemin’s book VisionMongers. As many of you know duChemin is a professional photographer who specializes in humanitarian projects and world photography. His first book “With in the frame” was well received in the photographic community and it also helped cement deChemin as a true visionary for his knowledge and passion for photography. VisionMongers is a real, stay true to the art read. From the introduction the author tells it like it is. That is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. The tone of the first chapter set the tone for the book. Many will take it as a negative, duChemin through out this chapter warns amateur and hobbyists about the negative side of going into photography as a profession. I have had many tell me that it was discouraging to read about how negative the book sees the professional photography world. I completely disagree. The author warns of the negative side of becoming a professional photographer. He does not sugar coat the facts, he just presents them. It is hard to make it in this industry with out (as Larry Perez’ article read) finding your niche. You must educate, build, and discover yourself before heading out to venture into an industry that is saturated already.

Once you get passed the first chapter you will discover a world of knowledge. VisionMonger, short of doing it for you, is a blueprint for how to as the title says “make a life and a living in photography.” David dedicated a great portion of this book in developing your personal brand. Branding is everything now and duChemin gives you the tools to develop it, with advice on your logo, business cards, and social media such as website, blog, and twitters. David is an active blogger and twitter (@pixelatedimage). He recognizes the importance of trends and following it. Social media is heading in a direction where it will soon surpass traditional media such as print and television. We literally have the power at our fingertips. More and more people are going online to find what they need, and unless you meet them there you will be missing key clients. It is wise to establish your web presence. Remember it’s free so use it.

VisionMongers deals with the work that needs to be done in order to succeed. The author encourages the reader to stay a hobbyist until one is ready to venture out. He speaks of education and the importance of it, he discusses the business aspect and its operations, such as contracts, negotiation and even sponsorships. You will get a very clear understanding of the business side of photography and how to better yourself as a business person. Business is the backbone of photography. If you are planning on making a living in the industry then you must balance the business side of things with equally great photography.

One of the things I truly enjoyed about this book is the biographies within. David gives an insight into the beginnings of some of the great photographers in the industry such as: Kevin Clark, Darwin Wigget, Dave Delnea, Gavin Gough, Zach Arias, Karl Grobl, Grace Chon, and Chace Jarvis. All of these are success stories and all have an incredible web presence.

This book is a must read for any level of photographer. If you have been in business for years, it will refresh your attitude towards your business as well as modernize it, and if you are an inspiring pro photographer then it will guide you through and explain key aspects necessary for your success. Unlike David’s first book “With in the Frame” this book is not intended to better yourself technically, it is a book to help you make a living out of your passion and what you need to support your hobby and make it in this great industry.

I truly enjoyed this book. I have been a duChemin fan for many years. The only down side to this book is that it was published after I started my own business. It was great to see how on target I was on many things, but also how I could have avoided many headaches. Although I believe you are never truly done building and maintaining your brand, David duChemin hit a homerun with this book, and it shows how dedicated he truly is to the industry. If you have a chance I highly recommend picking up a copy as well as visiting his website and blog pixelatedimage.com/blog. For now I leave you with a quote that has always inspired me to stay creative, “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein.

As always all comments are appreciated.

Hiram Trillo





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