I wonder why they call it the Badlands...

Actually, I do know why they call it the Badlands - I was just being facetious.

I'm at the Badlands modeling for a workshop (Dramatic Portrait: People and Nudes) for Doug Beasley. It is really fitting that I'm here because as of late I've been on an intensely personal spiritual search, and Doug's philosophy on photographing people and nudes comes from such a like-minded approach. He encourages his students to really get to know their subjects/models, and I think we can all agree that that is a cornerstone of making very powerful and substantial images, especially with portraits and nudes.

I'm getting along fabulously with all the participants, Doug, and my fellow models - Jordan and Dave. I'm getting lots of sun (and using a ton of sunscreen), getting well-fed, and feeling very connected to the world and people around me. It's like seeing something for the first time - I'm so intrigued, curious, and accepting towards everything. I feel still and love down to my bones. It's not always and continuously present, but it becomes more frequent and stronger each week the more I practice being aware - present - conscious of every moment. And that's all that I could ever hope for.

Because that's all that we ever have. It's this moment right now that means everything. There is no past or future. All there is, is this moment.





I get to see and work with good friend Dave Levingston for a good portion of a week in about a week and a half. We'll have a wonderful time of conversation, connection, collaboration and creation, for sure!!


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Dave Levingston. <-- Check out his awesome new website!

Palm Springs Photo Festival

Um, WOW!

Can I do this every year? Pleeeease?


In complete seriousness, I don't think I've ever had as much enrichment and just plain fun in those four days than in any consecutive 4 days in my life.

Jock Sturges is a master photographer for a reason. Not just because of the quality of his photographs, although if that was the only thing he had going for him as a photographer it would be enough, obviously. He utterly respects and treats his models exquisitely. He is a remarkable instructor, and goes way above and beyond the call of duty. He is extremely approachable, has a razorsharp wit, and is pretty much a genius. You'd be hard pressed to find any photographer who fits that description.

The workshop was wonderful. All the students were very respectful, and most of them had serious talent and potential. The locations that we shot were pretty interesting as well. I can't wait to see some of the results!

And the models, oh my word. Nettie, Zinn, Meghan, and Gavyn were off the charts! Seriously. All of them, and I mean, all of them were utterly wonderful, talented, gorgeous, and just plain fun people to be around. Jock said that this was the best group of workshop models he has ever worked with. And from the reports we got from the assistants and students, Jock had been raving about us even when we weren't around, so I don't think he was just saying that to boost our egos.

I also met a lot of other wonderful people, one of the highlights being Zoe Wiseman. What a fiesty bundle of awesome, that woman is! We didn't get to shoot, but we will one of these days, dammit! But I have her to thank for this incredible opportunity. Without her, I would have been spending the week back in Minnesota! So thank you, thank you, a million thank you's, Zoe!



So, to sum up: It was fucking amazing.


Any questions?





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Matt Blum.

You can't always get what you want

but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need.

A few local things happening.

A new organization aimed to foster rewarding collaborations between the professional, creative forces of fine art figure photographers and figure drawing models has just been born here in the Twin Cities. It is called Phigural. Once I have more information, I will gladly pass it along here. I went last night to its first meeting, and it was very well received; I saw a lot of familiar faces and hopefully met some new people I will eventually have working relationships with.



So my original plan to get out to Palm Springs was to take a roadtrip down and shoot along the way before and after the workshop. That fell through because of the car's condition. I resolved to fly out there, and was gathering the capital to purchase the ticket when I was approached with an opportunity to travel with another Twin Cities photographer who just so happens to be taking the workshop that I'm modeling for. So I'm on another roadtrip, just not my own. But we will be hitting some marvelous hotspots, and hopefully get some amazing art out of this process. I know I'm going to be taking and shooting a lot of film myself!

My next week will consist of me preparing for this roadtrip and making sure I have all the necessary essencials without overpacking. But good news is, I can finally wear shorts again, as long as the weather cooperates. My legs need some sun.


Some amazing things have been happening lately, both good and bad. I'm just trying to sponge it all in, learn, and grow.





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Chip Willis.

...often go astray.

So, life has thrown another curve-ball. I'm no longer making the roadtrip due to my car's condition. It's a big letdown, which is a bit of an understatement. But I will still be making it to the Palm Springs workshop, I'll just be flying out there and back.

Figure/Life Drawing sessions have been picking up, which I'm very excited and grateful for. I just modeled at Hamline for the first time this past Tuesday. The instructor was wonderful (with British charm to boot) as well as all the students. So respectful, and very talented. I'm scheduled for more sessions there in the upcoming weeks, which will be great!

All for now!




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David Winge.

The best laid plans

...often go astray.

That's what I'm expecting when I go on my roadtrip in a month. Something unexpected always happens. But I'm doing my best to prepare myself, and have started planning a 'Plan B.' Different routes... different options. The only thing I can't really prepare for is cancellations. Oh boy, the nemesis of the photography world. Perhaps I should instate a cancellation policy, but I don't know how often photographers really abide by those anyway.

But I'm still booking away, and still have room for a few more slots, especially on my way back to Minnesota. So if you're interested, hit me up at brookelynne@me.com

Here is my revised map.
Although, if the weather is bad in the mountains, I will take I-25 south after my stop in Denver, head down to Albuquerque and then west on I-40 with a quick jump up to Las Vegas before Palm Springs. Going back home will be another story as I'm planning on heading up to San Francisco and then across Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

So, anyway, I'm planning away. Hopefully my plans wont go too astray.

Next weekend I'm going to be modeling again for one of Doug Beasley's workshop at the Minneapolis Photo Center. It was a great experience last time, and I'm expecting the same, if not better, this time. It is already full, otherwise I'd offer registration information.

And I have quite a few life drawing sessions before my trip, so that will also be fun, as well as decent start-up capital for the trip.

Blah blah, sorry this is not the most exciting topic, but its been weighing on my mind a lot lately. So out it pours.




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Bill Earle. From my recent trip out to PA.

buggy...

I'm going a bit buggy here in snowy, cold Minnesota. I need ouuuut! I need sun and warmth and beaches and no more fucking snow. Don't get me wrong, the first month or so of winter and a fresh new snow are absolutely wonderful... but after a while, it gets really old. Anyway... enough complaining.


I'm going to be doing a roadtrip at the end of March from Minneapolis to California. It will look something like this map, but with lots of stops along the way, depending on where I'm needed to shoot. If you are nearby my route and would like to shoot, please contact me at my email address here: brookelynne@me.com .


The main purpose of this roadtrip is to get to Palm Springs, CA March 28-April 2 for the Palm Springs Photo Festival to model for Jock Sturges' Workshop. I'm incredibly excited for this opportunity; to meet Jock, and even more excited to be surrounded by such like-minded artists in such a wonderful location. It will be an amazing experience, I'm sure.

I just have to remember to bring tons of film and all three of my babies. :)

Hope February is treating you all wonderfully. So far mine has been wonderful (with Valentine's day and my birthday) so I have much to be grateful for. I hope that no matter what your situation, you all take some time each day to be grateful for what you have.



________________

Sylvie Blum.

I Understand...

As I was going through my blog roll this morning, I noticed Dave Levingston's blog about being bestowed with an award called "I Understand and Wish to Continue." Well, of course, my curiosity got the best of me and I browsed through the awards and found out that I had also been awarded on July 4th, one award previous to Dave! Too cool!

So go check this blog out. It's pretty interesting.

-----

Here's a photo from the workshop I did in Long Beach, California. My first bodypainting!



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Adam Chilson.

Makeup and bodypaint by Lisa Berczel.

I'm back!

I'm back from my 2 1/2 week long west coast tour. Whew! All in all, everything went off without a hitch (well, I guess I did have a couple of cancellations, but that's not a huge deal) and I have so many wonderful memories from my travels.

But of course, I will not write about them in detail because I have no time! Lovely Erin is here spending a week with me, and we have so many plans and ambitions of things we want to do but of course not enough time to do them all.

Tonight were getting together with a bunch of her friends at a cool motor bar in N.E. Minneapolis called Psycho Suzi's. We will have a blast, I'm sure.


I'll leave you with a photo from the workshop I had in Long Beach.



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Wendy Levin.