Bruce’s BAD video has been tearing up the charts on the Internet recently. It’s been posted on Reddit and now I see it posted on Adobe Lightroom’s Facebook group. Bruce said he saw it posted on other sites as well. I posted it here in August so maybe I was the first to link it. Who knows?

Anyway back to the autograph…Bruce also included a couple signed prints. He’s such a great guy. I thought I would post the things he sent for your enjoyment.

You may not be able to read the autograph because I had him sign using a silver colored sharpie.

The autograph says; “For Todd with Best Wishes & a Great 2011! Bruce Dale”

The photo above is included in the article.

The prints below are from the American Southwest and the lighthouse on Old Mission Peninsula. 

Courtney McCatty and I have known each other for quite a while. She’s been modeling for a couple years and is featured on a billboard that is located in various places in Northern Michigan. She’s also a very talented photographer. She’s great on both sides of the camera.

This is my first time working with Nikkie Hollis. I like her eyes in this shot. I also like the textures and colors in the top she was wearing.

If you have visited my blog in the past you have obviously seen Amy. She chose this location because of the stairs. She is a great model and her photos always turn out wonderful. The lighting effect in this shot is straight out of the camera. It’s not a photoshop vignette.

This is Nikki with her friend Jessie Golota;  a couple fun gals who enjoy being in front of the camera. I saw this wall and knew I had to get the girls from this angle. The shot just popped into my head. It’s nice to see that it turned out as planned. The girls also mentioned that they are part of the Traverse City West Titan Dance Team and they are heading to Miami to perform at the Sun Life Stadium during this year’s Orange Bowl. Very Exciting!

This is Amy’s friend Kayla Lehn.  She’s learning about modeling by hanging out with Amy.  She gets better every time we shoot together.

We had so many models who showed up to the workshop that I wasn’t able to photograph them all. This is just a small sampling.  The photographers have told me that the workshops offer an opportunity to try out new techniques.  The workshops also help me in much the same way. My style and expertise has grown since I started these workshops two years ago.

Part of the battle with digital or film photography is knowing what you are going to get when you push the button. Even though I still test lighting set-ups during the workshops I know now which settings to use and which lenses will give me the effects I’m after. I used to shoot by the point, click and pray method. Now I shoot with a look in mind and the knowledge of how to get there with the equipment at hand.

I also love the fact that the workshops inspire others.

(from left)  Nikki, Jessi and Paige

Jessi Golota

Nikki Hollis taking over the stairs.

We finished pretty late because several photographers wanted to try this effect. This is one of the photographers who also modeled for a night-time shot. Her name is Brandi Angela Nelson.

Walking on the dunes with all our camera gear in 80 degree heat is no easy task but we were able to manage.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is a perfect setting for photography workshops. The water is warm and inviting and the views are spectacular. If I would have had my swim trunks I would have taken a dip.

Brian Harwood.

Bevin and Sarah

This is me talking to Sarah and Ashley about exposure and camera settings (photo by Brian Harwood).

We met Bree on the beach. She was visiting the dunes on her way to California and she was nice enough to model for us.

The girls practicing the hair whip.

Bevin and I are hosting another workshop tomorrow, August 8th,  at the State Hospital in Traverse City.  We have 27 people signed up so far on Facebook and another 25 who said they might come. That should be lots of fun. Photography is a fun way to meet people and interact.  I always enjoy getting together and talking about photography.

This time the workshop was looking like the biggest one yet. I didn’t know if I could handle it. Once people arrived, however, the workshop started really humming with creativity. My main focus was helping photographers figure out how to use their cameras and the various lighting set-ups they brought. It was interesting to see all the different lights that people use for their photography. One local photographer brought a whole studio set-up. He had all the Alien bees and diffusers. I was very impressed with that.

We had a pretty good turnout of models but it wasn’t as many as I expected. We also had Victoria Mather there to do make-up and hair. She calls herself an MUAH (make-up and hair).

Here are some of the reviews I got from  a few of the photographers who attended:

Bevin Buchler  of Sweet Pea Photography said;

Todd, thank you so much (and others who helped) make the workshop happen. I had SO much fun, and it was amazing to meet so many talented people! I can’t wait for

Casey Lynn Browning said;

Had a great day today … thank you Todd L Church and all who made it possible … and thank you to everyone who was there who helped me … you guys are amazing!!!

My friend Joe and I set up a website forum for the workshops. It’s at www.modelphotoworkshop.com.

Here are a few of my images from the workshop. I didn’t get the chance to take too many because I was running around helping others.