It’s been awhile since I put together a gathering.  Planning is something I LOVE to do – especially when it involves gatherings of like-minded folks and rest, relaxation, fun, rejuvenation.  It started with the original OSP-South, then 20 of us in a mansion in Laguna Beach for Mike Colon’s initial workshop in 2006.

I’ve recently been inspired by a number of local photographers and by a larger national group that goes by the name UNITE.  One of my favorite parts about WPPI this year was the UNITE gathering on Wednesday morning.

Before we go ahead with plans though, I’d love to get some feedback on what dates work best in 2010.  Here are the choices:

May 16-19

June 27-30 (weekend before 4th of July)

Aug 8-11

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The retreat would be a mix of planned group activities, prayer, and worship and equal amounts of free time.  It’s not a workshop or class, but time to get to know other photographers and celebrate/rest in the Lord together.

It would start on a Sunday with a group dinner – so people can drive down Sunday AM so as not to interfere with Saturday photo shoots. It would end Wednesday AM so that anyone who has other jobs only have to take off three days. We would give you the option of coming a day early and/or staying a few days later if you’d like to extend your vacation. It would be less than $280 per person for food and shared accommodation for the 3 nights, only a bit extra for those extending their stay.  We could carpool from Atlanta, Macon, Jacksonville, Nashville, and other SE areas.

There will be a women’s house and a men’s house. 8-12 individuals in each house. If there are many more that want to come, this may be a possibility. We have actually stayed here before and there are a number of different rental homes available in the same development. All new and lovely!  They share an amazing community area with infinity pool with views of the ocean (shown above), BBQ area, workout center,  and it’s all nestled in a nature preserve.

Let me know your thoughts!

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Soup for Sláinte!

by Liana on March 17, 2010

In honor of St.Patrick’s Day, today I whipped up a batch of homemade potato soup. Mike and I would usually be out celebrating in proper style – at some jam-packed Irish favorite such as Fados where we had our Jack & Jill wedding shower just over a year ago. After all, we both have Irish in our blood! But we’re old married folk now and I’ve resolved to making this a “Four Hour Work Week” for my health. A lot of going to bed early, sleeping in late, long naps, reading good books, watching movies, cooking and eating soup.

Sláinte, by the way, is the Irish saying for “health!” So for all those celebrating with a pint of Guinness tonight, lift those frothy glasses high and “Sláinte” – a toast to good health!

While most wedding and portrait photographers get some down-time November through February, I’ve been going a million-miles per hour and my health continues to suffer. Especially after massive jet lag, and all the craziness that is WPPI.

March and April this year finally brings some of this down-time which I’m purposely fighting for. I will intentionally be saying “no” to a lot, and resting and recovering and working towards rejuvenation. We had blocked out most of April 2010 for a first anniversary trip to Europe, but with us just coming off of a last-minute and long month abroad in Australia and Asia, I canceled our plans so we can spend it at home instead. Europe can wait a little longer.

And since I KNOW you’ll be asking for the recipe, here it is! This is fairly close to the Outback Steakhouse potato soup, modified to be less Paula-Deanish (read: one less stick of butter!!).

Peel and cube 6-8 potatoes. Boil in water until tender. Drain and set aside.

Melt one stick of butter in soup pan on medium heat on stove. Cast iron pans work best! Don’t let the butter burn. Add in one diced onion and cook until soft.

Add 3/4 cup flour and stir for three minutes – this creates a rue of sorts. It should look like weird yellow-grey-colored kindergarten paste and will boil a bit.

Slowly add in one large can (48-50oz) of chicken broth. Stir. Add 1-2 cups water. Stir. Then add spices: a dash of sugar and basil, salt and pepper to taste. Your guess is as good as mine. I went a little light to start and added more salt and pepper in the end after I tasted it. Boil and stir with wisk.

Slowly add 1 1/2 cups heavy cream until desired consistency is achieved.

Add in cooked potato cubes last. Cook so they are heated through. At this point I lower the heat and let it simmer and thicken. This is where you taste it and add more spices if necessary.

Serve with grated cheese, chopped chives and/or fresh chopped scallions. It’s fan-tabulous with sourdough garlic bread to dip in it. Mmmmmmm.

This recipe is fairly quick and easy to prepare, super easy on the pocketbook, and makes about 10 hearty bowls-full.

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WPPI Schedule

March 6, 2010
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Tomorrow morning I leave for WPPI in Las Vegas.  WPPI is like “spring break for photographers” – a HUGE photography convention for wedding and portrait photographers.  In 2008 I had to cancel going last minute do to illness after traveling abroad, and in 2009 we got married so this is the first time in a [...]

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100 Portraits in 100 Days Project

March 5, 2010
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I would like to formally invite you to take part in our 100 Portraits in 100 Days Project.
After 10+ years in business I am about to embark on what is sure to be the riskiest, most challenging, hair-pulling, nail-biting,  joyous, freeing, exhilarating, and all-encompassing projects of my career as a photographer.

(above portraits captured 2002 – [...]

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Bridal Portrait in Angkor Cambodia – At Ta Prohm Ancient Ruins

March 4, 2010
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This was one of the most exhilarating photo experiences of my life! Running around barefoot (long story) through the ancient ruins of Ta Prohm, dodging crowds and smiling at congratulatory remarks from Japanese tourists.
Angkor Cambodia is a UNESCO World Heritage site comprised of over 1,000 ancient temples of the Khmer empire.
Ta Prohm was the [...]

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Day 30: 30 Hours to Travel Home

February 26, 2010
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1. Getting checked in at Bangkok Airport = 3 hours. Lots of running through airport, waiting in lines, pushing through lines, hoping and praying we do not miss our flight. Thinking to ourselves “we thought Asian countries were very efficient… guess not!”
2. Thailand to Japan = 6 Hours overnight. Guy two seats down [...]

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Day 29: A Stop In Japan

February 25, 2010
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On our way home from SE Asia we had a 9 hour layover in Tokyo, Japan. Since the Tokyo airport is actually 1 1/2 hr train ride to Tokyo we opted to view the small town of Narita which is just a 15 minute train ride away. It was cool and crisp out [...]

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Day 28: Glimpse of Bangkok

February 24, 2010
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Today we got up early to try to see a glimpse of Bangkok before we leave tonight for HOME!
We rode the sky train to the Central Pier and navigated the city sites via the river

Out of focus self portrait on the boat

Saw some sites

Had some Thai food (WOW – they like it super super super [...]

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Day 27: Sick in Bangkok Thailand

February 23, 2010
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We arrived in Bangkok Sunday around noon, checked into our hotel, settled in, then walked around the corner for lunch. We each had a sandwich and split a side of Thai wings. Back at the hotel, I wasn’t feeling to well so we decided it would be good to have a siesta. [...]

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Day 26: The Children of Cambodia

February 22, 2010
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During our trip out to the floating village in Cambodia, we visited a school on the river to bring the kids some notebooks. This was one of my favorite parts of our trip so far – I didn’t want to leave! They were so excited to see their picture in the back of [...]

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