Someone once told me that if you make your business about helping others, you’ll always have work. Last week was extra special to me, as it marked my very first international wedding photography workshop. And it was only fitting to have it in London, England, the very first out-of-country place I went to (back in 1998) after immigrating to the states 20+ years ago. The best part of the workshop was meeting new friends and sharing with them my 4-year experience as a wedding photographer. After stopping in VA for a wedding and then in DC for a few portrait sessions, I flew across the Atlantic for the workshop :).

Everyone from the attendees and couples who modeled for us to the make-up artist and staff at The Hoxton Hotel, where the event took place, were wonderful. Like the one back in March, this workshop was also two days. And even then, we barely had enough time to cover all the material and do the shoot. Nevertheless, I had a blast with everyone from 8AM all the way until 10PM+ both nights. In particular, I really liked having a small group of attendees, as it gave me the chance to know each individual and their own business model.

Special thanks to Liesl Cheney who made all of this possible, her dear friends Karin + Geoff and Nikki + Tom for being awesome models, Eloise for doing an amazing job with the make-up, and to Ross Dean of Photo Night Live and Claudia Carter of Photography Events for helping me spread the word to the UK community. Below are some behind-the-scene and “final results” shots. I didn’t take as many photos as I normally would (when at a wedding) as I wanted to do more instructing and have the attendees do the shooting. Thanks again everyone for welcoming me with open arms and giving me the opportunity to share with you what I love so much :). As far as the next workshop? Perhaps in 2012? We shall see :).

Venue: Hoxton Hotel in London, England

Models: Karin + Geoff and Nikki + Tom

Make-up artist: Eloise

Dress: Lisa Redman supplied by Luella’s Boudoir

I’ve always believed that one of the best things about being in the wedding photography industry is meeting passionate, giving, and open-minded individuals from all across the world. Several months ago, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Photo Night Live (PNL), a UK and web-based show on all things educational to photography. It was founded and led by one of the nicest gentleman I’ve ever met, Ross Dean.

When Ross found out that I was going to have a 2-day wedding photography workshop in London later this October, he was so kind to interview me and find out all the details of what I’ll be going over. Below is a 45-min chat I had with Ross last week about the workshop. If you’re interested in attending this event or just hearing about it for the first time, I encourage you to go to the PNL page or just click the play button below and check out the video! And if you have any questions about the wedding photography workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thanks again Ross for having me on the show, and spreading the photography education across the UK and online community. I look forward to finally meeting you in October, and hope to see everyone else at the workshop! Special shout out to my dear friend Liesl Cheney for introducing me to Ross and helping me make all of this possible :).

Okay, so I lied :). The wedding photography workshop I did back in March of this year won’t be the only one for 2011 afterall. For several months now, a good wedding photographer friend of mine has been asking me to come out to London and do a workshop. And since the first week of August is the soonest I can head out to that part of the world, I’m beyond stoked to announce my very first international wedding photography workshop in early August!

What: Wedding Photography Workshop for beginner/intermediate photographers.

Where: Hoxton Hotel in London, England. 81 Great Eastern St., London EC2A 3HU, United Kingdom.

When: Tuesday-Wednesday October 18th-19th with a meet-up/get-together/guest speaking event on Monday October 17th. Further details on this will also be sent in the coming few weeks. The workshop will definitely be two days from roughly 8AM-10PM with breaks for lunch and dinner.

Cost: 500pounds ~ 560Euros ~ $800US for both days. Does NOT include meals, any form of lodging, transportation, etc.

To officially sign up for the workshop, please click on this link.

Below are the details of the workshop, taken from the one I did in March 2011:

From shooting style and lighting to branding and maintaining a studio, join me in a two-day intensive wedding photography workshop in London, England at the Hoxton Hotel (81 Great Eastern St., London EC2A 3HU, United Kingdom). The dates are set for 10/18-10/19 (Tuesday-Wednesday) from roughly 8AM until the late, late hours of the night. There will also most likely be a meet-up/get-together/guest speaking event on Monday October 17th. Further details on this will also be sent in the coming few weeks.

This workshop is specifically for wedding photographers who are in the “beginner to intermediate” level, i.e. just got into the industry to being part-time or full-time for 1-2 years, and looking to take their business to the next level. We’ll go over every single aspect of wedding photography but more importantly tailor each part of the presentation to what you’re looking to learn. The following are only some of the things that I’ll be covering:

- How I approach a wedding and how/why I shoot what I shoot (settings, composition, posing, lighting, etc.).

- The importance of a consistent and high-end brand across your entire business and how to make the most of it.

- Entire workflow from start to finish (down to the nitty gritty details that will help you save time without sacrificing quality).

- How to get inquiries, respond to them, seal the booking, and getting referrals (exactly what/how/why I do this).

- And much, much more! You ask, and I will answer to the best of my knowledge :).

For photographers that are just starting out and want to learn the mechanics of using their equipment (what mode to shoot, what settings to use, etc.), I’ll have a special, 2-hour pre-workshop class from 8-10AM on the first day. That way, when the workshop officially starts at 10AM, the newer folks will be a bit more up to speed with the ones that have already been shooting for quite some time.

In addition, I plan on having a mock wedding/portrait session shoot during the afternoon of the first day with a couple (that are not models). The goal of this shoot is not just so we can all walk away with beautiful photos, but to actually see, learn, and experiment what it would be like to shoot an actual wedding; it’s the “how” and “why” as much as the “what”.
I’ll show you how to get those more creative/artistic/abstract shots that you might’ve seen on my website/blog. And in doing so, I’ll demonstrate how I interact with the couple (how to make them comfortable, what I actually say to them, how I pose them, etc.). I’ll not only show you exactly what I do at a wedding or portrait session, but I’m also going to ask all the workshop attendees to participate and interact with the couple (no more standing in the background shooting as the instructor poses).

I’ll also share with you real-life scenarios that can play out at a wedding (harsh lighting, lack of time, shy couple, distractions from guests, etc.) and how to go about handling them. In a nut shell, you’re going to get a hands-on, behind-the-scene look at what goes on at a Henry Chen Photography wedding or portrait session. I also plan on doing a low-light/night shoot during the evening of the first workshop day. Ever have questions about using off-camera lighting (be it strobes or video)? How to go about getting compelling getting ready/reception shots when available light is limited? Have no fear, I’ll will go over all these details as well.

In addition to the presentation lectures and shoots, I’ll spend at least an hour, if not more, with each workshop attendee individually and provide mentoring/coaching to them on their own business. This will take place during the evening of both workshop days. Whether you’re local to the London area or traveling from afar, I highly encourage you to make arrangements so you can participate with everyone else into the long hours of the night.

Out of the possible 48-hours, we’ll most likely be talking about wedding photography for a good 28-36 of that duration. In other words, don’t plan on getting much sleep :).
Cost of the workshop is 500pounds ~ 560Euros ~ $800US for both days. A 50% deposit is required to reserve a spot. The remaining 50% is due no later than two weeks before the workshop. Note: a reminder that this workshop is designed for TWO days so please make the necessary arrangements to attend both, as info covered on one day will most likely not be covered on the other. In addition, food is NOT included in the workshop fee, but I’m sure we’ll all find some local restaurants to eat at and continue our discussions/chats.

I’m not a very good salesperson, nor do I want to hype up this workshop, but rest assure I’ll be doing everything in my powers to make sure you walk away with so much knowledge and motivation that you will want to breathe, eat, and just live wedding photography for many years to come. Plus, the investment you’d make in this workshop will pale in comparison to the amount of monetary profit you’ll gain from being a professional wedding photographer.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. Space is limited to 10 attendees. Thanks!

- Henry

P: +1-626-664-6735
E: henry@henrychenphotography.com
W: http://www.henrychenphotography.com
B: http://www.henrychenphoto.com/blog

The agenda:

Tuesday, March 22nd

- Bringing everyone up to speed (8-9AM)

- Equipment (9-10AM)

- Shooting settings, styles, and techniques (10-12PM)

- Lunch (12-1PM)

- Preparing for a shoot (1-2PM)

- Afternoon getting ready and portrait session (2-6PM)

- Dinner (6-7PM)

- HCP studio tour (7-8PM)

- Evening portrait session (8-10PM)

- One-on-one coaching sessions (10PM-2AM)

Wednesday, March 23rd

- The wedding photography package (8-11AM)

- Processing and editing images (demo) (11AM-12PM)

- Lunch (12-1PM)

- Branding, pricing, and marketing (1-3PM)

- How to run a successful photography business (3-5PM)

- Miscellaneous topics and going over websites (5-7PM)

- Dinner (7-8PM)

- One-on-one coaching sessions (8PM-2AM)

The behind-the-scene stuff, photos courtesy of Will:

The results:

The folks that helped out and made all of this possible, from left to right: Kim, Gavin, Erin, and Katrina. Also special thanks to Jared and his wife Bindi for modeling the evening session, and to Brian for assisting me also in the evening.

And the group that gave me the chance to share what I love:

I’m inspired by each and every one of you. From driving all the way out from Arizona at 2AM to make the workshop at 8AM, to leaving your job and doing this full-time with a family to feed, to balancing 3-4 different jobs and making time for your photography business, to making the leap and investing in that equipment/computer, to taking care of your loved ones as well as others’ while working full-time, and even pursuing this business with a little one on the way…you’ve all taught/shown me more what it means to live life to the fullest than I could have in two days.

I’ll be following each and every one of your career, and look forward to the next time we connect again. Don’t ever look back, take this wedding photography thing, and for that matter life, by the horns and give it your all. Thank you so much for allowing me to share what I know with you. Your time, investment, and most importantly, your friendship mean the world to me. Good luck!

Venue: AVIA Hotel in Long Beach, CA

Models: Erin + Gavin Wade and Bindi + Jared Crawford

Make-up artist and hair stylist: Katrina Kassandra (for Erin and Gavin) and Mililani Brigoli (for Bindi and Jared)

Behind-the-scene photography credit: William Kim Photography

Assisting: Will and Brian Fletcher Photography