San Antonio Shootout – DWFC 2011

San Antonio was the site of the Digital Wedding Forum’s 2011 International conference. Portrait and Wedding photographers from all over the globe meet to discuss industry trends, business practices, and all manner of things related to professional photography. Among the most exciting of the events are the “shootouts.”

We hire local models, and then individual groups fan out among the sites of the city to practice the craft. I have to say the models we ended up with were FANTASTIC. Imagine spending 3 hours being told by 25 different photographers to twist, bend, sit, stand, lie down, climb on to that little ledge – yes even in those 6″ heels, smile, no smile, look up, look down, sexy eyes, etc etc etc. Anyone who says modeling isn’t hard work, hasn’t done it.

These shootouts give us the opportunity to experiment with our shooting styles. Each of us takes turns directing the models, moving, adding, or subtracting lights. On occasion we shoot each other’s setups. Watching the thought processes of other photographers is enormously instructive. Combine this with the extreme quality of the convention speakers, and the connections with new friends and old, and you have 4 days of priceless joy.

Just a few shots from the San Antonio Shootouts:

Just a quick break here… When my group got to this model, I saw her black dress, the black iron bridge, and the beer bottle and this image popped into my head.

Shot this one over the shoulder of my good friend, Dallas Wedding Photographer, Lynn Michelle.