Comments on: Curiosity Check: Who are the people who have influenced your career the most? http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/ Marketing Consulting for the Photography Industry Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:36:05 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Corinne Alavekios http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Corinne Alavekios Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:15:33 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-123 I can't think of five off the top of my head. I find myself not being able to take this question lightly. I remember years ago telling Stevn "Only look at work that inspires you completely. Look for inspiration in the beautiful images. Don't spend time looking at work that is not inspired or beautiful. A lasting impression from an image is critical. Let it be a compelling, beautiful image." With that being said. Bambi Cantrell has been my mentor in photography. Never stops teaching, sharing; reaching for the most stunning image. She pushes me on to reinvent constantly. Her work gets more beautiful every day. Photography and art is her life. Her concepts work. I went a completely different direction than wedding photography. Every principle I learned from this girl propelled my business to the top; we are still climbing. Stevn Alavekios... My inspiration in life as my husband and artist photographer... He is unpredictable and creative beyond anything. His connection with our clients and the work he creates is amazing. He is a man that can arise above circumstances that are unbelievable and his endurance...wow! His images amazing and very true. The energy in his photography happens daily and it shows. For visual inspiration I love Marcus Bell. Never met him in person. His work is beautiful. Yervant... What can I say. Amazing. Jim Garner, his work is gorgeous. His kindness immense. Luly Yang, a huge influence in my life as an artist and designer. Collaborating on projects with other artists is so great. Mixed media at its best. BTW... all these photographers and artists I speak of, are because Bambi Cantrell shares so passionately about beautiful work; great photographers and has encouraged me to look at their work. Oh...except Stevn. I found him, or actually he found me. I can’t think of five off the top of my head. I find myself not being able to take this question lightly. I remember years ago telling Stevn “Only look at work that inspires you completely. Look for inspiration in the beautiful images. Don’t spend time looking at work that is not inspired or beautiful. A lasting impression from an image is critical. Let it be a compelling, beautiful image.” With that being said. Bambi Cantrell has been my mentor in photography. Never stops teaching, sharing; reaching for the most stunning image. She pushes me on to reinvent constantly. Her work gets more beautiful every day. Photography and art is her life. Her concepts work. I went a completely different direction than wedding photography. Every principle I learned from this girl propelled my business to the top; we are still climbing. Stevn Alavekios… My inspiration in life as my husband and artist photographer… He is unpredictable and creative beyond anything. His connection with our clients and the work he creates is amazing. He is a man that can arise above circumstances that are unbelievable and his endurance…wow! His images amazing and very true. The energy in his photography happens daily and it shows. For visual inspiration I love Marcus Bell. Never met him in person. His work is beautiful. Yervant… What can I say. Amazing.
Jim Garner, his work is gorgeous. His kindness immense. Luly Yang, a huge influence in my life as an artist and designer. Collaborating on projects with other artists is so great. Mixed media at its best.
BTW… all these photographers and artists I speak of, are because Bambi Cantrell shares so passionately about beautiful work; great photographers and has encouraged me to look at their work. Oh…except Stevn. I found him, or actually he found me.

]]> By: Sunshine Sommers-Treon http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Sunshine Sommers-Treon Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:00:10 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-77 My first great influence were the rock shooters. Annie Lebowitz (sp?) has been a guiding force in my imaging for 25 years, and I have never had the chance to meet her. I have been blessed to meet just about all of my "heroes" in the photo world who have lit the motivating fire within. My first posing seminar was with the Powers. I wrote down every wedding pose Stewart was doing and adapted it into my weddings. And it was his lighting and Monte's lighting with one softbox and a reflector that reflined my wedding work. When I was a student I bought every book possible and Gary Berstein and Dean Collins were well worn then. As well as a collection of beautiful black and white books by Ansel Adams. Later in school, four instructors greatly influenced my work with their black and whites, Clay and Doug Boylan, and David Lezko and Mark Garber for their wedding work. When I joined PPA it was Don Blair, Monte, Tony Corbell, Darton Drake, Tim Kelly, Bruce Hudson, Arthur Rainville, Doug Box,Bambi,Jim Churchill,Joy Wilson and Jon Johnson who gave me either very direct hands on critique or their style that made a mark on my soul. Don Blair needs special mention because he was the father I didn't have and he taught me many things beyond photography as a young fledgling in this business. And their have been so many others along the way, you too Skip! I believe we learn from each person we encounter if we take the time to slow down and listen with our hearts. Then our creative mind can take that input and wrap around it to bring it into its own ideal of how your own personal art should be represented. Thus the output is a combination of so many things we learn and see over the years! The more we learn,the more life experiences we gather, hopefully the more depth and emotion will be evident and represented in our work as it matures. My first great influence were the rock shooters. Annie Lebowitz (sp?) has been a guiding force in my imaging for 25 years, and I have never had the chance to meet her. I have been blessed to meet just about all of my “heroes” in the photo world who have lit the motivating fire within.
My first posing seminar was with the Powers. I wrote down every wedding pose Stewart was doing and adapted it into my weddings. And it was his lighting and Monte’s lighting with one softbox and a reflector that reflined my wedding work.
When I was a student I bought every book possible and Gary Berstein and Dean Collins were well worn then. As well as a collection of beautiful black and white books by Ansel Adams.
Later in school, four instructors greatly influenced my work with their black and whites, Clay and Doug Boylan, and David Lezko and Mark Garber for their wedding work.
When I joined PPA it was Don Blair, Monte, Tony Corbell, Darton Drake, Tim Kelly, Bruce Hudson, Arthur Rainville, Doug Box,Bambi,Jim Churchill,Joy Wilson and Jon Johnson who gave me either very direct hands on critique or their style that made a mark on my soul. Don Blair needs special mention because he was the father I didn’t have and he taught me many things beyond photography as a young fledgling in this business. And their have been so many others along the way, you too Skip!
I believe we learn from each person we encounter if we take the time to slow down and listen with our hearts. Then our creative mind can take that input and wrap around it to bring it into its own ideal of how your own personal art should be represented. Thus the output is a combination of so many things we learn and see over the years! The more we learn,the more life experiences we gather, hopefully the more depth and emotion will be evident and represented in our work as it matures.

]]> By: Denis Reggie http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Denis Reggie Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:04:43 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-76 and Dean Collins... he was the greatest photography teacher evr and simplified the complex in such a funny and telling way. I really miss him. and Dean Collins… he was the greatest photography teacher evr and simplified the complex in such a funny and telling way. I really miss him.

]]> By: Denis Reggie http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Denis Reggie Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:01:35 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-75 I learned so much from that real Southern gentleman and awesome wedding photographer Ron Warwick. I also was inluenced by newspaper photojournalist and book author Philip Gould of Louisiana, Amy Arbus, artist Janet Hanchey, Tibor Horvath for his pricing techniques, Monte for his tender heart and quest for beauty, Sebastião Salgado for his powerful eye and striking images, Skip Cohen and his amazing ability to take on any challenge then instantly cut to the chase and solve it, still admire the amazing images from Cartier-Bresson - what an eye and such timimng, Joe Buissink - he really gets it and his work is as lovely as his heart, Rachel LaCour Niesen has one of the most amazing eyes - one terrific photojournalist, I love Marcus Bell's work, Jeff Ascough gets it bigtime, too. Geez, ther are so many that I really admire and credit, sorry to go on and on.... DR I learned so much from that real Southern gentleman and awesome wedding photographer Ron Warwick. I also was inluenced by newspaper photojournalist and book author Philip Gould of Louisiana, Amy Arbus, artist Janet Hanchey, Tibor Horvath for his pricing techniques, Monte for his tender heart and quest for beauty, Sebastião Salgado for his powerful eye and striking images, Skip Cohen and his amazing ability to take on any challenge then instantly cut to the chase and solve it, still admire the amazing images from Cartier-Bresson – what an eye and such timimng, Joe Buissink – he really gets it and his work is as lovely as his heart, Rachel LaCour Niesen has one of the most amazing eyes – one terrific photojournalist, I love Marcus Bell’s work, Jeff Ascough gets it bigtime, too. Geez, ther are so many that I really admire and credit, sorry to go on and on…. DR

]]> By: Kenny Kim http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Kenny Kim Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:47:19 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-68 Please forgive me lack of guys that have gone before us. I've been in this industry for only short 3 1/2 years. Here's my list of people in the photography industry that have influenced me: 1. Bob Davis 2. Mike Colón 3. David Jay 4. Skip Cohen 5. GH Kim All these guys mentioned above have given me so much when I was just starting out. I'm humbled that they reached out to someone like me and gave me a chance at this industry which I am in absolute love with. There are so many others out there that I can mention - in the past couple of years I met most of them and walked away from it a better photographer/person. But for sake of time, you know who you are. Thanks! Please forgive me lack of guys that have gone before us. I’ve been in this industry for only short 3 1/2 years. Here’s my list of people in the photography industry that have influenced me:

1. Bob Davis
2. Mike Colón
3. David Jay
4. Skip Cohen
5. GH Kim

All these guys mentioned above have given me so much when I was just starting out. I’m humbled that they reached out to someone like me and gave me a chance at this industry which I am in absolute love with. There are so many others out there that I can mention – in the past couple of years I met most of them and walked away from it a better photographer/person. But for sake of time, you know who you are. Thanks!

]]> By: Charles Maring http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Charles Maring Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:49:38 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-64 Our industry is so full of visual genus' that are givers. I've learned from so many photographers. Some famous and some not. Every time I speak, I learn something from several people in the class. It isn't always what we learn, but what we get the opportunity to see in people's work. Sometimes it is simply a vision of what is possible to help push us to new heights financially. Marcus Bell, Joe Buissink, Monte' Zucker, Stewart Powers, Gary Fong, Dennis Reggie... all from different backgrounds and styles have all helped shape my career. Some I know personally, some vaguely, but regardless of opinions I may have or others may draw of anyone... Thank you all for sharing! Our industry is so full of visual genus’ that are givers. I’ve learned from so many photographers. Some famous and some not. Every time I speak, I learn something from several people in the class. It isn’t always what we learn, but what we get the opportunity to see in people’s work. Sometimes it is simply a vision of what is possible to help push us to new heights financially. Marcus Bell, Joe Buissink, Monte’ Zucker, Stewart Powers, Gary Fong, Dennis Reggie… all from different backgrounds and styles have all helped shape my career. Some I know personally, some vaguely, but regardless of opinions I may have or others may draw of anyone… Thank you all for sharing!

]]> By: Jasmine* http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Jasmine* Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:29:00 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-62 Skip Cohen, of course!! ;) Skip Cohen, of course!! ;)

]]> By: Kevin Kubota http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Kevin Kubota Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:48:45 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-61 Good question Skip! In the early days when I got started, (hah, makes me sound old) I was in to commercial photography and I got my first taste of seminar education from Dean Collins. He was an amazing teacher and I was hooked! My first ever wedding seminar was actually with Dean Collins and Dennis Reggie speaking together - which seems like such an unlikely combination, but it worked for me. I really admired what Dennis was doing at the time and I also loved the technical side of Dean. A couple years later, I attended my first WPPI (dragged there by my first mentor, George Carranza) and I saw Joe Buissink speak. I was so inspired by his beautiful work and passion for weddings that I knew that I was in the right profession! I never looked back :-) In all the following years, though, the reality is that I get inspiration from all the amazing "un-known" photographers that I am privileged to meet at my seminars and workshops. Their is some really amazing talent and enthusiasm out there and it can be contagious...if you are open to it! Good question Skip! In the early days when I got started, (hah, makes me sound old) I was in to commercial photography and I got my first taste of seminar education from Dean Collins. He was an amazing teacher and I was hooked! My first ever wedding seminar was actually with Dean Collins and Dennis Reggie speaking together – which seems like such an unlikely combination, but it worked for me. I really admired what Dennis was doing at the time and I also loved the technical side of Dean.

A couple years later, I attended my first WPPI (dragged there by my first mentor, George Carranza) and I saw Joe Buissink speak. I was so inspired by his beautiful work and passion for weddings that I knew that I was in the right profession! I never looked back :-)

In all the following years, though, the reality is that I get inspiration from all the amazing “un-known” photographers that I am privileged to meet at my seminars and workshops. Their is some really amazing talent and enthusiasm out there and it can be contagious…if you are open to it!

]]> By: Phat Photographer http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Phat Photographer Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:52:49 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-59 Probably sounds cheesy, but my father. Funniest and nicest guy there is. All the technical stuff is easy, but having a sense of humor - I don't know how you teach that. ... laughter puts my clients at ease (sure they're mostly two-year olds) and the rest follows naturally. He even booked me to<a href="http://blog.phatbabyphotography.com/2009/02/awards-and-early-fathers-day.html" rel="nofollow">photograph his award ceremony</a> awhile back in a show of support (even though I'm sure he'd prefer if I was a doctor or lawyer or something). Probably sounds cheesy, but my father. Funniest and nicest guy there is. All the technical stuff is easy, but having a sense of humor – I don’t know how you teach that. … laughter puts my clients at ease (sure they’re mostly two-year olds) and the rest follows naturally.

He even booked me tophotograph his award ceremony awhile back in a show of support (even though I’m sure he’d prefer if I was a doctor or lawyer or something).

]]> By: Bryan Stovall http://skipsphotonetwork.com/2009/07/curiosity-check-who-are-the-people-who-have-influenced-your-career-the-most/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Bryan Stovall Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:35:23 +0000 http://mei500.com/blog/?p=333#comment-58 Elliott Porter, with his environmental advocacy for Glen Canyon, the Appalachians, Coastal Maine, etc. showed me what a single image, or compilation can say. I've been trying for forty years to translate that.I'm still trying. Elliott Porter, with his environmental advocacy for Glen Canyon, the Appalachians, Coastal Maine, etc. showed me what a single image, or compilation can say. I’ve been trying for forty years to translate that.I’m still trying.

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