Andrew Niesen

I am in Allen, TX, teaching at the Foundation Workshop 5, (photo by Sergio)which is a workshop developed to help wedding photographers improve their photography and editing skills. The workshop is structured very similarly to great photojournalism workshops like the Eddie Adams Workshop, Missouri Photo Workshop and the Western Kentuky University's Mountain Workshop.

What happens at this workshop is each participant is given a photo assignment and then spends a couple of days making pictures to tell a story about the assigment - very similar to how we worked in the newspaper and magazine journalism world. And then each evening, the workshop participants sit down with a team of photo editors and talk about the work they shot that day and figure out how to improve. My role in the workshop is to go out into the field with students and help them think about the story they are telling and give them tips and instruction to improve their shooting and their "seeing" of moments.

There are amazing faculty members at the Foundation Workshop who I've already learned so much from, just by talking and sharing ideas. I'm updating the workshop blog daily, so check it out for fun photos this week. The workshop started Sunday night and ends Thursday night. I'll post more throughout the week.

The Peninsula Hotel Ballroom
A model with one of Vera Wang's gowns previewed at the show.	We've had a whirlwind week! After our workshop concluded, Andrew and I flew to coastal Georgia for a destination wedding. And Mark and Erin drove to SC for a 3-day Indian wedding! After the wedding, Andrew and I flew to Chicago to shoot an exclusive Vera Wang event at the beautiful Peninsula Hotel. Thanks to Chicago Social Brides and our friends at Belle Vie Bridal Couture in Chicago, who sponsored and organized the event! Sunday morning, Mark left Atlanta to fly to Dallas to join the faculty of the The Foundation Workshop. We added new images to our blog post about our inaugural workshop! Be sure to check it out!
Models exit the Peninsula Ballroom Andrew flying in the groom's plane (groom as pilot!) on Saturday morningCrane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel

Erin Reed Adams and Mark Adams played Bride and Groom for the "hands off" shooting demo at Biltmore Ballrooms
We had an amazing week with everyone who attended our first Business of Storytelling workshop. We've added new photos below...
It was great to see so many talented people eager to learn and grow. And what really made an impression on us was how insipiring it was to see everyone helping each other. It seemed like every day, everyone would share their thoughts and ideas with each other. The sense of community and collective desire to help each other was powerful.

We miss all of you and can't wait to see you again!

We'd like to extend special thanks to Carrie Hopson (Biltmore), David Jay, Tim Zielenbach and Denis Reggie for their generous help in making our first workshop a success!
Cameron Clark and Eric Shunk at the shooting demo
Andrew Niesen explains bounce flash at the Biltmore
Rachel LaCour Niesen caught the "reverse angle" on the first dance
Mark and Erin joke with Eric Shunk during the "available light" portion of the shooting demo
The talented Hollye Schumacher chats with students during the shooting demo
Mark Adams waxes eloquent with Tammy Chambers

Patty Boge and David Jay
N'neka Scruggs, Erin Reed Adams, and Jenn Linke at lunch with David Jay.
David Jay charms the ladies :)
Rachel LaCour Niesen is always smiling!
Jerry Tomko promises to be Erin's dance partner at the next LaCour shooting demo! (There's always Vegas, Jerry :) )
Mark Adams tells us about his traumatic parmesan cheese incident (T-shirts coming soon!)
Macintosh Users Group (MUG) members Regina Holder, Kelly Lee Flora, David Jay, Andrew Niesen, Rachel LaCour Niesen, and Jerry Tomko
Patty Boge, Ernie Russell, Eric Shunk, Amanda Kohn and the back of Cameron Clark's head
Many thanks to all who attended! We didn't get our cameras pointed at everyone, but we love you all!

Labels: workshops

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Read the Entire Article

We had a great time catching up with fellow photographers during our quick trip to Laguna Beach. Thank you to everyone who welcomed us so warmly.

Dane Sanders, who I first met a couple of years ago at one of Mike Colon's workshops, invited Erin and me to a lunch meeting with some of the best photographers in the OC. From Left to Right: Jules Bianchi, Dane Sanders, Jim Kennedy, Ryan Phillips, Joe Photo, Jessica Claire, Becker, Chenin & Doug Boutwell and Erin and me.

During lunch we talked about how networking has influenced our businesses. I've always felt a responsibility to share with others what I have learned throughout my life. I have grown directly as the result of other people - mentors, friends, colleagues - sharing with me their stories and helping me to improve. I sincerely feel that I have an obligation to pass that knowledge on and help others. It was simply great to join in the conversation with other like-minded photographers. Ron Dawson videotaped the luncheon and Dane will soon be featuring portions of the conversation on Simple Photo TV.


Here I am on Becker's lap begging him for an invite to his world famous party in Las Vegas during WPPI/DWF. This was the first time I've met Becker. Simply put, he's hilarious! I wish I had half the wit as Becker.


Erin and I also had the pleasure of having breakfast with Paul Gero Paul is a fellow newspaper/magazine photojournalist turned wedding photographer. This year, Canon named him an Explorer of Light. Not only is Paul a talented photographer, he is an amazing person. What stands out to me is his pure love for and excitement about his family. When he talks about his wife and daughter, Paul simply glows like no one else I've met.

Check back soon as we'll be sharing a little bit about the wedding we photographed while we were out in Orange County.