Finally, I committed to putting together a slideshow from my trip to Venice, under Yervant’s mentoring.
I will keep some fond memories from the romantic city, the new friends and the lessons from world wide renown photographer.

Hi there,
Well, I’m back home and it always takes a few days to get my feet back on the ground. It’s wonderful to be back with the kiddos and Henry, I missed everyone, but I must say that aside from the HUGE leap in improving my skills each workshops gives me, they’re also quite a treat for me. I get a chance to be just me, for a short time nobody is depending on me (no children to take to school, no grocery shopping, no laundry, no mail to deal with.. you get it), but I get to do something that I LOVE, I get a chance to improve, I meet a new community of photography fanatics, and it’s so enriching. I come back each time a happier person, so full of energy to promote my business, a boost of confidence in my talent, and plenty of new tips to better my skills.
Today, I’m only posting pictures from the first day of the workshop in Venice. We were really supposed to just observe Yervant, but you can’t hold back photographers when they see the picture, the light, when all the elements are just there for a good image. And here, of course, with Yervant directing the couple, orchestrating the pose, the use of light… it was just too tempting, this is what we looked like:

By standers really wondered what was happening, was this a famous couple surrounded by an army of paparazzi?, shouldn’t they also take a few snapshots even if they didn’t recognize the famous couple? Maybe a movie?
Thanks to our models: Esther and Erico

I am in Venice, learning with worldwide renown , Yervant from Australia. He is simply put a master photographer, a pioneer in digital wedding photography, setter of all the trends.
The location, the most romantic city ever, is unlike anyplace I’ve ever visited. It’s a photographer’s dream, not only the light is magical everywhere, but you are surrounded by perfect architecture, textures, colors… The models provided for us are gorgeous, wearing some amazing gowns from australians fashion designers. The weather couldn’t be better, I’m in photographer’s heaven! The group attending is fantastic, and Yervant with his wife Anie are wonderful hosts. Words can not describe how ecstatic I am. I feel truly blessed to have a husband so encouraging, allowing me to fallow my dream, he’s back home taking care of our children, and I’m pursuing my passion, always in quest of new inspiration and to better my skills.
A teaser picture, taken on her first day, set up by Yervant:

I’m a little behind on blogging and this morning I woke up determined to not allow myself to let the day go by without catching up some. I may not write too much, because now that I’ve spend so much time on selecting and editing the pictures, there is little time left to prepare dinner, help with homework, give baths…
I’ve been a very lucky girl lately, traveling a lot, committed to improve my skills in photography. I went to Scott Robert’s workshop in London in August, and just 3 weeks later attended his next class in Paris (I just can’t resist a trip back home). Scott never ceases to impress me, he gives his students his best. He goes beyond professional and everyone who has participated in one of his workshops leaves with a “life-changing” kind of experience. There is some sort of magic, some bond that forms between all the members of the group, that I believe is the result of Scott’s “innerlight”.  Just about everyone returns, we call it to “join the Scott Robert wagon”, and he becomes our mentor.

Amber was there to learn, but lucky for us, she was also willing to be a model.  She could pose, than be in full photographer mode, and has made some beautiful images during this trip.  In fact everyone did, it is so inspiring to see everyone’s work (Scott, http://www.scottrobertjournal.com/, should have a link with all attendees blog addresses)

Jeanna, was an other of our photographer-models

The group. We went back to the “Chateau de Maisons-Laffitte”, and spend the day inside and in the castle’s park, a photographer’s dream backdrop. This place holds a very special place in my heart as 13 years ago I was married to Henry there, hmm, it feels like yesterday…
This is at the end of the day, enjoying some delicious sandwich, and chocolates.

One the first day, we bought tickets to the double-deck buses, to do some sight seeing. The weather couldn’t have been nicer.
The Arc de Triomphe,

Lyssa, from Canada, full of energy and enthusiasm, one of the students. This workshop moved her so, when it was over she realized she had to fallow her dream, she called her boss back home, her travel agent, and arranged to attend now (just 2 weeks later) Scott’s Next level workshop in Spain!!

The Paris town house,

I think everyone recognizes one of our landmarks..

The picture on the right (Amber with her husband) was set up by Scott.

The Sacre Coeur, has a magnificent view of Paris. There are always many entertainers on the steps leading to the church, and painters on a beautiful typical “place” further up.

This guy could do neat things with his “diabolo” (sorry I don’t know the english word, it’s 2 sticks connected by a cord, on which you throw this hour glass shape thing.., I’m afraid I’m not to good at explaining this). And he had a cool glass ball trick, he could roll it over his shoulders and arms. What I liked about it is that you could see the sacre coeur in it, almost like a fortune teller crystal ball.

We were very lucky to have “Le Grand Colbert”, a famous brasserie in Paris, to ourselves a whole afternoon to shoot our models. This is where Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson reunite in Paris, in the movie: “Something’s Gotta Give”

Thanks Janna for being so patient with me that day, I hope life in England is treating you well.

Gurm and Ray set up these next 2 shots.

Shortly after we took these pictures, a voice on the speaker system reminded us to please refrain from touching the furniture and chairs… this shot was originally set up by Amber, and once I saw it on the back of a camera, I had to get one like it,

This shot was Scott’s vision, he orchestrated it. It’s a beautiful pose.

The picture on the right, of Amber in the window is also one directed by Scott,

Vanessa in the classic Paris shot,

Although on a vacation, I’m not able to put my camera down, and when I heard my father’s best friend’s daughter was getting married near Paris and we were invited… my photo mind went in full gear. I am so happy I was able to attend this beautiful event, and so thankful for the opportunity to photograph their special day along their official photographer.
I can’t begin to describe how amazing the whole affair was, from the magnificent location, a small chateau with luxurious grounds filled with rare trees, to the marvelous table, the old church, the party lasting until early morning.. It was a sacred union celebrated in a perfect elegant style, with the famous french flair.
Olivia choose a dress with clean and simple lines. The veil is a family heirloom, worn by many other brides before her.

Both, Olivia and Alban are fond of literature, and explained to me that the great Victor Hugo sat at that desk, which definitely makes it very special.

This is Ambre, she was part of the “cortège”. In France we don’t have bridesmaid or groomsmen, but a cortège of children (usually relatives), and of course witnesses (but they’re not part of the wedding party). She is such a sweet 3 year old, with a very strong little mind, and she played her role of flower girl beautifully that day.

The children’s timing, holding the veil wasn’t always synchronized to Olivia’s step, and very often it gave her a little jolt back. I love this picture, because of the moment, the tug of the children on the train of the veil is classic. I’m sure many women will recognize it and see themselves in this image.

The church was magnificent, such work of art, conveniently located for the guests just across the street from the property.

The hats were just amazing, each more original and colorful as the next. During the service I couldn’t help photographing a few of them. Here is a little sample to give you an idea. As you can see women are very serious about their hats in France. I couldn’t quite display them all here, but there was plenty more, all fascinating.

Olivia is an accomplished carriage rider, she has developed this passion early on with her friend, Magalie. It’s on Magalie’s beautiful family home that they kept their horses and trained, and it made a perfect setting for Olivia’s wedding. They chose to leave the church on Olivia’s carriage, pulled one last time by her horse, before the new couple moves to Algeria.

In this part of the world, in this time of the year, the sun sets very late. I was lucky to have a few minutes with Olivia in his nice evening light to take a couple pictures.
The image just below, on the right side, was taken a little before 6PM, and the left one, close to 9PM!

Olivia et Alban, encore merci pour m’avoir invité et laissé participer à ce très heureux evènement
I have more to post, I hope soon. I’m leaving for a workshop in London given by Scott Robert in just 2 days, and I know he will keep us busy.