Texas Wildlife Workshop at Fossil Rim

Photograph © Rick Sammon

I hope you can join me and 10 photographers for my 2012 Texas Wildlife Workshop: April 13 - 15, 2012. I have been to Fossil Rim four times, and each time I have come back with nice photographs and wonderful memories. It's almost like being in Africa - tent and all.


If you can't get to Africa, or if you are planning a trip to Africa, Fossil Rim, which is about two hours south of Dallas, Texas, is a great place to shoot. 


Here are the details:


Friday

Arrive at Foothills Safari Camp Pavilion by 3PM

4-6 PM Game Drive (our cars)

7 PM Dinner in Safari Camp

8 – 9 PM Rick’s Slide Show in Safari Camp

Overnight in Safari Camp Tents

Photographs © Rick Sammon

Saturday

7:30 AM Breakfast at Safari Camp

9 AM Game Drive

11 AM Jason’s talk on cheetahs

12:30 PM Lunch at Fossil Rim Cafe

2 –4 PM Download/Photoshop work in Safari Camp

5 – 6 PM Game Drive

7 PM Dinner out (at local BBQ restaurant)

Overnight in Safari Camp

Photograph © Rick Sammon

Sunday

7:30 AM Breakfast

8 –10AM Rick’s Photoshop Session

10 – 12 Noon – Group slide show

Noon – Checkout and depart (or do a final game drive on your own)

Photograph © Rick Sammon

Workshop fee:

            $    800 per person -- double occupancy

            $ 1,000 per person -- single occupancy

Space is limited – there are seven tents – we will take a maximum of 10 participants

Cost includes:

            2 nights lodging in safari-like tents

            Dinner Friday night

            Breakfast Saturday and Sunday

            Meetings in Safari Lodge  

            Guided Game Drives and Tours on Saturday

            Rick’s presentations and on site photo guidance

Not included in Cost:

            Lunch Saturday

            Dinner Saturday

            Bar bill at Safari Lodge

           

Fossil Rim Web site: http://www.fossilrim.org

Here’s a video from one of my previous visits to Fossil Rim.

Photograph © Jeff Kane

Here's a review by Jeff Kane, one of my past Fossil Rim participants. 

Space is limited. Email Susan Sammon for an application.


Explore the light,
Rick


P.S. To see all my workshops, click here.

What's Your #1 Priority When You Take A Portrait?

Portraits by Rick Sammon

Someone recently sent me a picture of yours truly that he wanted me to post on my web site. The photographer caught me with a very silly-looking (actually stupid) expression. Hey, that's not the first or last time that will happen. :-)

I told that photographer that I looked silly in the picture and did not want to share the photo. He blew his top, as my dad used to say.

I can't tell you what he wrote in the nasty series of emails late last night, but he blasted me for not helping him further his career.

I can tell you that my mother washed out my mouth with a bar of Ivory soap for using that word.

He asked for a list of the folks I have helped. I did not answer any more of his emails, but the Comments at the bottom of my Tough Love post list a few folks that I have helped with my honesty. The post and comments also illustrates that some folks actually want a honest critique of their work. This cranky photographer did not want to hear of it.

When I take a portrait, I feel my #1 priority is to the subject. I want the subject to be pleased with the picture.

I would like to hear your thoughts. What is your #1 priority when you take a portrait?

Please leave your comment in the Comments section here - rather than on facebook, Google+ and twitter.

Thank you,

Explore the light,
Rick

Save Some Bucks and Make Some Bucks with SmugMug

Wanna save some bucks and make some bucks?

Set up a SmugMug account and start selling your prints. You can save 20% on a SmugMug Pro account by using this code: RICKSMUG20.

While you are on the SmugMug Pro site, be sure to watch the movie, Why SmugMug Pro?

Keep in mind that you don't have to be a full-time pro to have Pro account - it just makes you look more professional.

Good luck with your new venture.

Here is a link to my SmugMug galleries. I am in the process of setting up more galleries!

For now, all my prints are on sale for the holidays.

Explore the light,
Rick

Social Media Marketing for Photographers & The Business Side of Photography: April 10th Webinar

When I started out in the photo biz in 1979 as editor of Studio Photography, the buzz phrase for photographers was, "Publish or Perish." If a photographer did not get his or her name out there, they had a good chance of disappearing from the photo scene. I saw that happen more than a few times.

Today, the same philosophy holds true. A photographer must get his or her name out there or run the risk of falling by the wayside. I see that happening more and more . . . and more.

The photographers who are hurting - or not growing - have one thing in common: they have not embraced social media, using free tools like Google+ (the best social media tool), facebook and twitter to gain a following.

So my friends, you need to "Socialize or Succumb."

I'm doing a live webinar (a narrated Keynote show) on Social Media Marketing for Photographers on April 10th at 5 PM Eastern time. Cost for the one-hour webinar is $29.95. The download after the event is also $29.95. Durning the webinar, I will discuss the social media tools and techniques I use. I'll also give some business advice.

This webinar is designed for those just getting started in social media. Shoot me an email to get on the info list. Space is limited.

Until the webinar (and after the event), set aside some time each day to socialize your photography. The more you put in, the more you'll get out.

Sure, you can spend a lot of time with social media, but... never mistake motion for action.

Explore the light,
Rick

Discovery Channel's "Frozen Planet" is Fantastic

Did you guys see "Frozen Planet" last night on the Discovery Channel? It was awesome. Tune in for the series!

Above is a shot I took on one of my Antarctica workshops. Recognize any animal?

Below is a shot I took in the sub-Arctic. Look familiar?

See more images in my SmugMug gallery.

When shooting in the snow, a polarizing filter is a must.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. If you plan on shooting in cold conditions, check out these cool gloves, which will keep your fingers warm.