Scott Robert and CM Leung China Workshop

My very.long.over.due blog post that I very much couldn't wait to share is finally here!! This past September I went on an amazing journey for 5 days that has left me with a life time of memories. It was definitely a miracle, but no accident that I was able to attend. I honestly don't know what to say or where to begin because there is way too much to say and nothing I say can do it justice. You just have to be there :) 

Scott Robert and CM Leung, amazing masters, showed me a whole new side of the art of photography. They opened up my eyes to so many more possibilities and expanded my vision beyond what I would have ever imagined. What I loved most about this workshop was working with other awesome photographers to implement each other's visions. I have to say holding lights has never been so much fun!!! 

Special thanks to Scott for all his time, effort, and energy that he puts into mentoring each one of us. I've learned so many things beyond photography. Scott is a living proof of his teaching and I can't think of anyone who can do what he does better. 

I can't forget my peers who have helped me through my journey. Without their help, I would not have been able to create these images. JeZa, Michelle Ng, David Lok, Riz Crescini, Darrell Lee, you guys amaze me in so many ways. Your vision, commitment, passion is beyond what I am used to. I received much needed mentoring from these people as well and the experience would not have been the same without them. 

The very first day when I felt like I was the worst photographer and knew nothing about what I was doing, David took time out to show me the basics of OCF, tips and tricks that gave me so much more confidence throughout the trip. Thank you Michelle for being such a great Roomie and sharing with me your experiences and giving me the encouragement that I much needed. I look forward to having more crazy times with you. I can't forget Jeremy and Zabrina, who poured their souls into planning this trip.  They put their passion on hold to make sure that we were getting the most out of everything. 

Even though I miss everyone and is so sad the week is over, I know we will have many more adventures together and I can't wait. Cheers to this crazy journey called photography that never ends!!!

Me

I went into WPPI hoping to greatly improve my photography skills, I walked out of the conference barely learning anything about photography, but yet my experience there brought me 10 steps forward.

I've sort of lived my entire life in fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, fear of exposing the real me. Fear is a strange emotional response. At times it can greatly protect us, but many times it can destroy the person who we are meant to be. I am ready to take a deep breath and throw that fear behind. What do I have to lose? I'd much rather fail at something I love than succeed at something I hate. Success can never be achieved without failure.

Jasmine Star's seminar had tears oozing up in me a few times. Not because of her rags to riches story or her story about her mom battling cancer, but she made me realize that I'm selfish, insincere, and extremely narcissistic. I mask who I really am and reject the person who God himself created. Jasmine challenged us to Keep It Real and to put others before ourselves, Thanks to Jasmine for such genuine advice. I can tell it truly came from the deepest part of her heart.

So here are a couple of accountabilities for myself:
- Keep It Real! Be different, be me.
- Find as many ways to help others. GIVE GIVE GIVE and don't hold back.

As Jasmine puts it, Cheers to many more failures!

The Bui Brothers Workshop (Pittsburgh Portrait Photographer)

I had the pleasure to attend The Bui Brother's workshop on Monday to learn more about off-camera lighting. These guys are funny, knowledgeable and they shoot in JPEG. 8 hours with them was just not enough!!