Don Polo Blog

New Photography Workshop Groupon Offer

adilfaford — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Groupon is doing a two day special on Photography Workshops today and tomorrow. For anyone interested in learning more about the art of photography this is a great opportunity. See the workshop section of the blog or below for the list of available classes and dates. Additional classes may be added later if needed. To purchase the groupon for $39 see the following link Groupon Photography Workshop Special.

If you have already purchased the groupon you can register for the workshop here.

“Photography for Fun or Profit”

(This is the Groupon Basic Workshop)

In this 4 hour basic workshop Adilfa and Russ Ford of Don Polo Photography will teach students what to look for in a digital camera and how to use the camera once you have one. What are the important camera settings and how to use them to get more creative portraits. How do the automatic and manual camera modes work and when to use each. How to take better photos of your own family without spending a ton of money on professional equipment. Posing and lighting for portraits. Did you know that how you pose a person can add or take away up to 2o pounds in the portraits? What is a RAW file and when and why would you use them? Basic photoshop tips and techniques for improving your images, and how and when do you choose a professional photographer. This workshop is designed for amatuer photographers and consumers wishing to take better photos as well as beginning professionals wanting to learn how to start their photography business.

Cost is $495 plus expenses for groups up to 5 people. Price for individual $295*

*(Groupon special just $39 - scheduled dates are Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Jan. 30. and Mar. 12 . Additional dates will be added as tbhese classes fill up. Class will be taught at Focal Point Studios 8665 South Sandy Parkway or Don Polo Photography Studio and Gardens at 3022 W. Mt. Logan Way in West Jordan, Utah. All Class times are 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Call 801-967-9106 to reserve seat or e-mail name, date of class, and phone number to russ@donpolo.com)

“Photographic Lighting and Posing Workshop”

If you’ve taken the basic workshop and find that photography is in your blood or you just want to know more about setting up a photographic studio and making people look their best then this workshop if for you. We’ll start with basic studio setup using one or more lights and talk about proper placement and power settings. What is the difference between a softbox and an umbrella and why would you use one over the other. Scrims, snoots, barn doors, parabolics, and more. We’ll show good and better posing techniques and what to avoid. Learn the rules so you’ll know when and how to break them to get better award winning photographs. We do a live posing demo and show the results instantly on screen so you can see the difference a little change can make. For anyone interested in being a better people photographer this is the chance of a lifetime to learn from the pros.

Cost is $495 plus expenses for groups up to 5 people. Price for individual $295*

*(Groupon special just $39 - scheduled dates are Jan. 31. and Mar. 13. Additional dates will be added as classes fill up. Class will be taught at Focal Point Studios 8665 South Sandy Parkway or Don Polo Photography Studio and Gardens at 3022 W. Mt. Logan Way in West Jordan, Utah. All Class times are 5:00pm to 9:00pm. All Class times are 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Call 801-967-9106 to reserve seat or e-mail name, date of class, and phone number to russ@donpolo.com)

“Basic Photoshop/Portrait Retouching”

This 4 hour class will give you a better understanding of what it takes to be a photographic retoucher. We’ll start with basic photoshop settings, preferences, and shortcuts to help maximize your productivity in front of the computer. We’ll also talk about some of the differences between Photoshop and Elements and what you can and can’t do with both. We’ll give a brief introduction to the basic toolset used in portrait retouching and talk about the power of layers, layer masks, and blending modes. Basic facial retouching includes blemishes, wrinkles, fixing hair and makeup, and enhancing the eyes. Slimming the body just enough to make your subject look better but not fake. Swap a head, insert a person or take one out. Changing the color of someones clothing and even changing the background will all be discussed and shown.

Cost is $495 plus expenses for groups up to 5 people. Price for individual $295*

*(Groupon special just $39 - scheduled dates are Feb. 1 and Mar. 14. Additional dates will be added as classes fill up. Classes will be taught at Focal Point Studios 8665 South Sandy Parkway or Don Polo Photography Studio and Gardens at 3022 W. Mt. Logan Way in West Jordan, Utah.. All Class times are 6:00pm to 10:00pm. All Class times are 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Call 801-967-9106 to reserve seat or e-mail name, date of class, and phone number to russ@donpolo.com)

Comments from earlier workshops

Thank you for an excellent workshop and an excellent summary. I couldn’t write fast enough, so this is very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to make it PERFECT!!!! I would recommend your class to anyone who wants to grow in their art. Kathie Keeler

Thank you for the handout – it is very helpful. I learned so much at your photography class and appreciate your tips and advice. My son needs to get some senior pictures and I am wondering if you could give me some pricing on your photo packages. Thank you! Elise Alles

Thanks Russ and Adilfa, Your class was fantastic, I learned a ton!! You guys are great teachers!! I would love it if you taught a follow-up class through the Groupon. Sincerely, Kari Livingston Highland, UT

Russ & Adilfa,

Thank you so much for the photography workshop on Tuesday night. It really opened my eyes to all the possibilities photography has to offer. I started taking a lot of pictures when my mom gave me a Canon Powershot after my mission in 2006. I took 8,000 pictures on it over the last 4 years before it started acting up and I decided to replace it. I bought a Canon Rebel T1i in January and I have loved it. I am so excited to apply what I learned in the workshop. I wrote a blog post about it and you can find it here: http://discoveramber.blogspot.com/2011/04/painting-with-light.html

Again I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I am sure I will be in touch with questions in the near future.

Sincerely,

Amber

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

adilfaford — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:52:08 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe how fast time goes by. I last posted back in November, yea, I know I’ve been bad but I’ve just been so busy these past few months that I guess blogging was the last thing I was thinking of. November and December, well enough said there but even January. Russ and I received our Photographic Craftsman awards at the National Convention of the Professional Photographer’s of America (PPA) in San Antonio. The Photographic Craftsman is awarded to those who specialize in teaching. After we got back we had about a 4 days before we left for Colombia. We taught a 2 day class in Medellin and then another 2 day class in Bogota. They begged us to come back with friends so we’ll be heading back down in May with Robert Lino to teach another seminar. We got stuck there a few extra days because of the storms and then the day after we got back had a seminar here in Salt Lake with Suzette Allen on Photoshop. It was great to spend a few days with Suzette and John but now the brain is on overload. Now it’s back to work until WPPI on the in a week and a half where we are teaching a Spanish platform class on Tuesday. I’ll get photos from Colombia on here and Facebook hopefully in a couple of days. We’re also teaching a workshop for photography enthusiasts here in Salt Lake through Groupon that should go out tonight they said. It’s been a lot of fun teaching and we’ve met a lot of new friends in the process. There no better feeling than having somebody tell you that you’ve inspired them and changed their life. Adding a new page to the blog for workshops so if you are an aspiring photographer or just want to learn to take better photos of your kids or what camera to buy check it out and let me know what you think.

Craven/Frandsen Wedding

adilfaford — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:48:53 +0000

Another recent wedding that hasn’t been posted yet. I have done Kelli’s sisters weddings so I have known Kelli for a few years. I was so excited to photograph her wedding. They were a beautiful couple and so nice to work with. This was at the Salt Lake Temple and the reception at the Woods on Ninth. It was great to see Kelli’s sisters and their growing families again also. I have such a great job.

See the full session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=925011

Keene/Prue Wedding

adilfaford — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:40:59 +0000

I am so bad at this blogging. Got really busy with fall family portraits and haven’t posted anything for a while so will be playing catchup again. Anyway back to posting recent wedding. This was at the Homestead Resort and the fall colors were just too good to pass on so I convinced the bride and groom to go for a drive up the canyon before the honeymoon. Of course I had a lot of fun and they were great sports about it.

See the full session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=919954

Smith/Mark Wedding

adilfaford — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:52:27 +0000

Another recent wedding. Cute couple, great family, and a lot of fun.

Engagement Photos

See the full session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=884085

Bridal Photos

See the full session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=902156

Wedding Photos

See the full wedding on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=906399

Lazalde Engagement

adilfaford — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:28:59 +0000

Engagement portraits downtown.

Brewer/Miller Wedding

adilfaford — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:16:14 +0000

Okay so I haven’t been doing very well updating the blog lately but I have lot’s of great excuses. I admit it I have a disease, I take too many photos and then it takes forever to go through and choose favorites. I just got back from Alaska and I’m still going through the thousands of photos to choose some to highlight and upload. Anyway, just before we left we did the Brewer/Miller Wedding at Millennial Falls and it was just perfect. By now we feel just like part of the family so I’m glad we were able to do it. Music was great with Durven of Laughing Gravy, we had great weather, a beautiful couple, and one of my favorite places to shoot in the whole world. Congratulations guys and I hope you enjoy these images.

See the full wedding on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=919404

Phillips/Bednarek Wedding

adilfaford — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:05:11 +0000

The wedding was at Magnolia Grove. This couple and their families were wonderful to work with. Thanks for letting me share your day and I hope you love your portraits.

See the full formal session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=892193

See the full wedding on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=902172

Sandra and Rod

adilfaford — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:45:26 +0000

Here are the engagement, bridal, and wedding slideshows all in one place. See my procrastination makes things more convenient for everybody. You can thank me later. Here they are.

See the full engagement session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=873029

See the full formal session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=892335

See the full formal session on Pictage http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=902069

Joanna and Layne Wedding

adilfaford — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:25:43 +0000

I know most of you saw this already on facebook but here it is again for those non-facebook friends.