A lesson in Creativity

To get our class of Taos, NM traveler's creativity started our instructor, Amy Bogard had us create collages. We had five minutes for each creation and used items from a small baggie she had prepared. Below are a few of the ones I made. After the exercise I walked around the room to see the collages of the other participant. It was amazing how different and artistic each piece turned out to be.

Taos, New Mexico

Later this week I jump on a plane for New Mexico. A state I love to explore and is a state that is always worth visiting over and over. This time I will be traveling to Taos to meet up with fellow students from the Cincinnati Art Academy for a class by Amy Bogard; Travel Sketching and Journaling. It is in the middle of wedding season and I had to pass on several photo opportunities, but this workshop will inspire my creativity and will help me find new ways to improve upon my portrait and wedding photography.

We will be staying at the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan House/Inn in Taos www.mabeldodgeluhan.com . A wonderful retreat for groups like ours. When I return I will be looking forward to using what I have learned to make L J Franklin Photography even better.

An April Wedding

Outdoor April weddings in Cincinnati, Ohio can be a challenge, but if you are flexible and prepared for inclement weather, it is a wonderful time of year for and outdoor wedding. John and Penny had a plan "B" if the rain did not stop in time for their ceremony, set at the historic Anderson Township Heritage Center in Cincinnati, Ohio  http://www.andersonparks.com/ParkHeritagerental.html . The couple had family and a few close friends join them in their celebration. Penny was beaming and looks fantastic in her tailored suit. John's over sized wedding ring fit him perfectly.

Monroe Elementary Career Day

Teacher, Megan Ehler, of Monroe Elementary School,Pierce Township, Ohio invited me to share with her students information about my career as a wedding, portrait and art photographer. The 4th-6th grade students who signed up to listen to me enjoy photography as a hobby. They are starting just like I did -- taking picutes of their dogs, families, cats, horses, nature and people.

After sharing some photography tips we set up a class portrait of each group. The next generation of great photographers are pictured below. Watch out world.

After Dark Cincinnati

"After Dark" is a great educational event for photographers and it is taking place right here in Cincinnati! I will be attending this four day workshop at the Underground Railroad Museum. I can't wait to meet and learn from some of the most creative photographers in the industry. Sessions go until midnight. I just hope I can stay awake that long.