Brianna Graham : Daily Blog

Announcing: Summer Studio Lighting Workshop...

(This post will be today's post as well. I have updated the Seattle workshop with the official dates, and I would like to leave this at the top for today too...not to mention, I blogged like 3 times yesterday! That's good, right?! ;) )

I have gotten lots of inquiries lately in regards to whether or not I will be offering another studio lighting workshop. I officially am, and it will be held June 11-12.

Please email: [email protected] for registration information.

**Please understand that in order to have the mechanics for a successful studio lighting workshop, I would like to have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 people registered for this particular workshop. Hopefully this will work out for people - I know it's semi short notice, but I am trying to fit this one in for everyone that has been asking!**

In answer to the requests that I have had for my Urban Session - Natural lighting workshop, there will be dates released for those very soon. There is more planning involved, due to the fact that I am working with several people right now to offer these in different parts of the country. I just have to make sure that I have all of my plans finalized, as I want these to run as seamlessly as possible - even on location. :)

BUT - in answer to the many many inquiries that I have had as to where, here goes:

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**UPDATED**
• Seattle - YES - I will be traveling to Seattle this summer - I can't *wait*! Official Date: July 21&22... I will be doing something a little different for this workshop. I will be offering a third day (actually July 20th - the day before the Urban workshop) as an add-on for those that would like studio lighting instruction. I have received several emails in regards to this location yesterday, but wanted to let people know the specifics:
July 20th (Friday) will be Studio Lighting
July 21&22 (Sat-Sun) will be Urban - Natural Lighting.
If you are interested in one or both, please email: [email protected] There will be special pricing for those that wish to add Studio Lighting as an add-on to their already reserved Urban Session.
This will be TONS of fun!!

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• Toronto - YES! Locking down the date and location right now...

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• Dallas/Fort Worth TX - YES! One will be held this fall...more details very soon. Again, I will be locking the date down, as well as a super cool location! I will be emailing everyone in the database that I have with exact information. If there is anyone else that would like me to add them to this list, please email: [email protected] and put in the subject line: Dallas Workshop. I have everyone that has emailed over the last few weeks, as well as a list from earlier in the year when I was asking about interest. There are currently 68 people in the database for this location....and no, don't worry, I won't book that many for the workshop. I want people to have plenty of one on one time, and due to that, I would like to keep the groups limited to 15 people at the most. If I need to have several in the same location, I will.

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I also wanted to put out there that I do love to travel, and if there is another place where you might be interested in having me attend, I would love to talk with you. As long as there is enough interest, nothing is out of the question. :) Please email if you are interested in hosting a workshop! Please put "Hosting" as the subject title... I need at least 12 interested parties to be able to come out.

Ok, how's that for blogging for the day.. and I am not done yet! ;)
I look forward to hearing from you!

Brianna Graham

30/30.15

I just adore adorable babies! This little one came in recently and was the same age as her little sister that came in 1.5 years prior.

Look at this little one - isn't she just a sweetie?

- Brianna Graham
(2:25 EST)

30/30.14

Announcing the winner of Saturday's challenge (please refer to: 30/30 for complete details):

Congratulations to:
Jen Jesseph - She is the winner of a $250 workshop credit towards any future workshop of mine.

I also had a second email literally 30 seconds after Jen's email...

Angela Monson - You receive $50 towards your registration as well. - Thank you both for emailing!

Congrats to you! :)
Brianna Graham

30/30.13

Since we are on the topic of weddings...

I thought I would put out some favorite weddings and engagements from last year. You already saw some in the last post, but I have many more... :)

So, in effort to stay on my game, here are some for the taking.

- Brianna Graham

30/30.12

How cool is it when you hear from a favorite bride that they will be returning to do maternity photos with you? How much more cool is it when you hear from TWO favorite brides - exactly the same thing?

I am honored to be working with two amazing couples soon... and what a joy it will be. Christy and Steve & Agne and Virgis... probably the sweetest couples you would ever meet. Both pregnant, and both coming in soon to have me document those moments in their life.

Thanks guys - I am honored, and can't wait to work with you!

- Brianna Graham

Here are two from Christy & Steve's wedding last July:

Two favorites from Agne & Virgis - last May:

30/30.11

I wanted to put some of my favorite senior images from last year here on the blog. If there is one thing that I really enjoy, it's photographing seniors. I have several scheduled in the upcoming months, but want to show some here as well...

** 3 Senior Models Wanted **
I will be photographing 3 senior models this year, free session fee - with a print credit. Potential models will have my unlimited creativity, as well as a very generous print package as thanks for your time. The only thing that I ask for in return is that you tell all of your friends... :)

So - send a photograph of yourself, with a short note detailing why you are the right person for this project to: [email protected]

Style and attitude is key here.
Funky clothing, great personality, and a love of being photographed are a must.
You will be rewarded in turn with some really wonderful images!

Would love to know what people think of these too...they haven't really been released on my websites before.

- Brianna Graham

30/30.10

I've *NOT* been slacking... on the contrary. Our internet has been 100% down, and is now fixed - finally. I have also been working really hard on a few things.

First: I will be announcing a new workshop (this time, a location workshop) by the end of this week. I am waiting on someone to get back to me on availability of their studio. :) Let's say Friday will be the tentative announcement date. I know it will make a few people happy, as I have been getting quite a few emails from this group.

Second: I am working like mad trying to get clients launched, and caught up on. Everything is a balancing act...that's just the way it is. Not sure if I have found the perfect way to do all that I want to, and still manage to have what is typically called 'free time', but I have come to terms with the fact that my work time, even at these late hours, is my time that I get to think and process all that I am currently committed to, and all that I want to do in the near future.

Images to come - first thing in the afternoon!

- Brianna Graham

30/30.8

3:30pm...

No winner today; I am having major internet issues, I actually have a tech at my home right now. My internet is in and out, and I am still responding to emails, albeit a little slower due to the issue. I will have everyone taken care of this evening, and into tomorrow. I am definitely not forgetting about anyone~!! Promise...

However: I wanted to release the winners of the last two posts that I was late on. Congratulations to:

Tiffiney - from Westminster, SC - she is the winner of a $250 certificate towards a workshop.
AND...
Brenda Kellam - a past client. She is the winner of a $250 session credit for the future!

More soon -
Brianna Graham

30/30.7

2:52 EST - I will be posting images in a short bit, as well as announcing the winners from the contest.

I will be posting images from my adventure in Chicagoland area with my new best friend in the world Jeff and his beautiful wife Julia Woods, Parker Pfister, and wonderful friend Jesh De Rox

Also, I wanted to add really quick that *everyone* that has sent an email in the last several days will be getting replies from me beginning today. I am guessing that I will be able to be finished responding by tomorrow, but I literally received HUNDREDS of emails... So cool, everyone; I can't wait to talk to all of you! :)

Stay tuned in a bit!
BG

30/30.6

Yup... traveling officially sucks, because I can't post nearly as much as I want to... I have winners from the last two days, and will announce them as soon as I get home. I seriously have to sort through these emails to see who emailed first... this is craziness!!!!! You are all really holding me to this! It's a good thing, actually, I don't mind being held accountable...it's forcing me to pay attention to aspects of my business that I have wanted to be a part of more frequently, so thanks!

OK, so, traveling still... still in Chicago, but wanted to share images from the workshop. This will be a long one, so here goes - grab a cup of coffee...

I wanted to say **THANK YOU** to the amazing amazing people that came to the workshop this time around. I am just humbled and amazed by the wonderful people that I had the opportunity to be around for 2 days... I had the best time talking, shooting, teaching, learning, and experiencing, it was just amazing. We had a great dynamic group, and had a lot of fun.. I loved our dinner conversations, and everything else as well. If there is anything that I love, it's sharing information, and having the opportunity to speak amongst like-minded people... what a great time, and I am so happy to hear that a good time was had by all... Some of the emails that I have received in private from workshop attendees - well, simply put, made me cry. I can not thank you all *ENOUGH* for the compliments, testimonials, etc. You have truly made my last several days so very enjoyable.

When I first decided to do workshops, it was somewhat of a struggle for me. I thought, "I don't want to share my techniques - that's mine..." - "I don't know if I have anything to say to people...that would really help them." - "I don't know if I will be a good teacher, and be able to articulate my thoughts.." But after thinking on it for a while, I decided to stop worrying and over thinking, and just follow my heart, and talk about exactly what I do, everything that I do, with no boundaries.

What I have come away with is that sharing information is one of the most rewarding things you can do. In doing so, we actually grow as individuals ourselves. We free ourselves from the things that confine us, and when we reach out to people, and open up, amazing things happen. Not only did I have a good time, I truly made friends with what I would say would be every single person that attended...and for that, I am most grateful.

Ann, Heather, Misty, Laura, Nanette, Rebecca, Nicole, Char, Wendi, Bobbi, Tara, Kathy, Joyce, Ashley, Melissa, Jan, and my dear longtime friend Jesh - Thank you to all of you. I will cherish our friendships! And a huge thank you to my wonderful husband and the little models as well... what an amazing group of little kids... love every single one of them!! I put so much effort into planning for this, it's just so wonderful to hear that it was appreciated. I really want to say thank you for that too.

I have been in contact with several people, and there *will* be workshops that will be released soon. If possible, could I have people email me here: [email protected] I have received a lot of emails already through the board, and via my website, and I will do my best to sort through them when I get home, but if anyone wants to send a duplicate email to this address, that would be wonderful, since I will be able to track them better. If you could please put in the subject line the location you are interested in, I will be traveling to (at the moment) at least 4 workshops before the end of the year, as well as having the October workshop here in Grand Rapids, and a studio lighting workshop here as well this summer. What I want to do is pick locations based upon the area, and the amount of interest. I am not sure I will be able to take my lights on the road, as I really need my studio to be able to show what I do, but that's just for studio lighting... Urban is totally free to travel. ;) Soooo, please use this email address. I will respond immediately with information, details, etc. (well, as soon as I return from Chicago, which will be this evening).

Here are some images from the day... and a few are of "Little Dude" a few days before the workshop, since his family flew in for me to photograph them a little early. I apologize for not posting more... I don't have a ton finished as of yet and I am still working remotely - and if the colors seem wacky, it's due to the laptop. Hopefully they will translate as they are intended to.

(The following two were shot by Tara - Great job Tara!!)