workshop details

march 8th, 2023

private estate, ojai, california

There will be 3+ hours of education covering a whole range of topics, but with a focus on light (indoor and outdoor), motion, story-telling, composition, and posing/authentic direction. We will also be talking about how to create a dynamic and emotive wedding narrative. Business and marketing principles will be touched on, but won't be the focus of the education.

Whether you are brand new to photography, or whether you have been shooting for years, you will find this workshop fulfilling and rejuvenating.

WHat topics will be covered in the education portion of the workshop?

This 12-Seat workshop will be a blend of in-depth education and a stunningly styled editorial.

A full styled wedding! From the party-esque vibes of the  Bride and the Groom getting ready, to the pool party on flash after sunset. This editorial will be dynamic, with multiple moving parts. The groom will be paired with a best man, and the bride with a maid of honor, so that they can have all the fun interactions a couple might have on their actual wedding day.

The theme of the Editorial will be that of a chic/stylish wedding day full of energy and movement. The party vibes notched up in all the right moments.

The editorial will be completely constructed as a dynamic wedding day, with Getting Ready moments with a Bride and her Bridesmaid, Bridals, First look, Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Reception, ending the night with a jump into the pool. The overall vibe will be high-end vogue in both the outfits and details.  Be prepared to shoot fast and be creative! We will be telling stories through our cameras during this workshop.


This workshop will be located just east of Santa Barbara California in the hills of Ojai. The education and editorial portions of the workshop will be held on a private estate with 40 acres of golden hills and vineyards. The property sits on a hilltop with sweeping views of the valley. The estate is a blend of Old World Spain mixed with Modern California, surrounded by stone walkways and courtyards. The landscaping is a mixture of Spanish countryside and California wine country. 

When the sun sets, the golden rays coming from over the ocean will light up the surrounding hillsides, giving us the best end of day portraits we could ask for.

Where will the workshop be located?

Three meals will be included. Hotel accommodations will not be included. Once the contract has been signed, and your seat secured at the workshop, we will send you a list of recommended places to stay, with locations close to the estate being the priority.

Are hotel and meals included?

While we will be covering film it will not be the sole focus of the workshop. The photographers who want to learn more about film, how to shoot it in all manner of lighting scenarios, how to meter appropriately for proper exposures, how to understand and work within the limitations of each film stock, and much more - those photographers will gain quite a bit of knowledge from this workshop. However, for those photographers that have no desire to shoot film, we will be covering a wide range of topics that every photographer will find valuable regardless of the equipment they use to capture the image.

Photographers that on shoot digital cameras will be learning all about light, and how to see it in all of its various qualities and strengths. They will learn how to shoot in every lighting situation, gaining confidence in their skills to create stunning images no matter the light. Do you want to shoot in direct mid-day sun, and not be constrained to "Golden" or "Blue" hour? Do you want to learn how to see light indoors and find those perfect spots for gorgeous portraits? Learn how to shoot flash in all types of styles?

Film is just one of many topics we will be covering. We will also be covering natural posing and direction, movement and energy in photographs, unique and creative ways to create interest in composition and crops, and much more.

Do I need to shoot film to attend?

planner:

rebecca

indigo event design

Santa Barbara, CA

HOST & EDUCATOR:

Sean

Sean Thomas Photography

Boise, ID

March 8th, 2023
8:00 am – Attendees Arrive; Welcome Breakfast and Mimosas
8:30 am – Education
11:30 pm – Hosted Lunch
12:30pm – Flatlay/Details Shoot
1:30pm – Bride/Bridesmaid and Groom/Groomsmen Vignettes
3:30pm – Mock Ceremony
4:30pm – Full Mock Interactive Wedding Reception with Tablescape that becomes Hosted Dinner, Dancing, and Ending with Our Couples Jumping into the Pool
8:30pm – Poolside Chat, with Late Night Snacks and Drinks, Question and Answer with Sean

what is the itinerary of the workshop?

The workshop is $2750, and will be booked on a first-come first-served basis. As soon as the seats fill, we will no longer be accepting additional registrations for attendance! 

what does the workshop cost to attend?

To register please contact me with the inquiry form below and add "book me a workshop seat" in the prompted field. You will receive an invoice within 24 hours, which you can pay to reserve your spot. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder.

HOW Do i book my seat?

This is the first time we are offering this option. I understand that some of you really want education, and are afraid that the limited seats might book out before you can secure a spot in the workshop. I am offering a pre-workshop education day (half day) on March the 6th, 2023, and a post-workshop education day on March 9th. The pre-workshop and post-workshop education days will be focused on:

- Business decisions that helped me succeed in the current wedding market
- Elevating your brand with intentional marketing
- Building Planner relationships
- Getting noticed in a saturated industry
- Communication is key
- Your brand is so much more than your pictures
- Concepts of storytelling and providing honest galleries
- And more!

**Education will be followed up by a 1:1 brand/social media consultation/critique from myself and Rebecca with Indigo Events, an award winning planner based out of Santa Barbara, CA and Portland, OR.

You can book a seat for the optional education by filling out the inquiry below and add "Book me an education seat" in the last text box. The cost of the optional education and brand/social media consultation will be $750 and will include a lunch and dinner.

Optional education day discounted to $500 if also booking the Workshop seat.

Additional education option?

inquire

Thank you!

We'll be in touch soon!