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Pensacola Beginning Photography Class

Friday, January 4th, 2013

Welcome to my first blog post of 2013! Yahoo! :)

I’m betting many of you either A) received a brand new DSLR camera for Christmas, or B) made a resolution to finally learn how to use the one you already own! So no matter how long you’ve owned your camera, if you’re a beginner (or as some of my attendees used to say, “even-below-beginner-level”), this is the photography class for you!

 

If you come, you’ll learn how to:

Example of a photography technique: bokeh & low aperture.

Example of a photography technique: fast shutter speed.

Example of a photography technique: the rule of thirds.

 

and more! Honestly, I think the most important thing attendees take away from my class is CONFIDENCE. They know HOW to create the images they envision in their heads! 

 

We’ll also talk about the best labs for printing your photos (not all labs are created equal!), the best editing softwares (both free and not free), and where to find new lenses. My main goal is to answer all your questions, no matter WHAT they’re about.

 

This class will be at my house in Pace on Saturday, January 19th at 3:00 pm. 

UPDATE: there will be an overflow class the next day, Sunday, January 20th at 3:00 pm as well! The Saturday class is FULL!

 

I very much enjoyed the beginner photography class that Allison teaches.
She is very informative, and it was a very casual situation – that for me is a perfect way to learn.
– Deb P.

 

Allison’s class made it both fun and easy to get a grip on the skills I needed. I really enjoyed taking the same picture with different settings.  Allison’s feedback made learning a two way street. So much nicer than an on-line course!!! My photos have never looked better!
– Leslie A.

 

Allison’s knowledge of cameras and composition really helped me immensely.  She put me on the path to really hone my photography skills.

– John F.

 

Allison’s Beginning Photography class was a huge help in learning how to use my new DSLR. I left the class feeling a little more confident, and I’ve ditched my boring “how-to” books!

– Jessica R.

 

My husband and I really enjoyed Allison’s Beginning Photography class. The information she shared with us helped us understand lighting, shutter speed and what settings to put our camera on for the best picture. We have taken pictures on our cruise to the West Indies and of course our 4 dogs :)
– Traci M.

 

This class will last about 2 hours and cost $69. I’m capping attendance at 6 people, because there is only one of me and I don’t want you to feel lost. It’s very hands-on; you’ll need your camera, all your lenses, the manual if you have it, and something with which to take notes. Also, I tend to serve my famous chocolate chip cookies and/or wine. Hope that’s ok. :) Oh, and if you don’t feel like you got your money’s worth of info and tips, I’ll give you your money back.

 

To book your spot in class: email me at allison@allisonshamrell.com with your name, phone number & type of camera! That’s it! 

 

Answers to FAQ:

~  This will be held at my house in Pace; I live about 5 minutes over the bridge from Pensacola.

~  Yes, I’m a pet photographer, but this class will NOT be pet-specific. Instead, we’ll discuss techniques & strategies that can be applied to photographing people or any subject.

~  Yes, I’ve taught this class before. This will actually be my tenth Beginning Photography class. Why does this matter? I know what your questions & struggles are, and I know how to best illustrate the solutions.

~  You pretty much need a DSLR to attend – this is the big honkin’ kind of camera, not the kind that can fit in your pocket. Without it, you can still come, but most everything you’ll learn will be theory, while the rest of us actually do some hands-on practicing. (We’ll be using manual modes, so the dial on the top of your camera needs to have letters like M, A, S, P, Av, and Tv. Very few compact cameras have these modes, so contact me if you have questions about this.)

 

Hope to see you soon! :)

 

Doggy Paddle Party!

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

In case you don’t follow the Facebook page or subscribe to The Monthly Bark (gasp!), I wanted to let you know about an event coming up this weekend! Check it out:

 

 

The flyer has all the details, so you don’t need to read my chatter about it :)  I hope you can come! Even if not, feel free to share the flyer/this post with any friends/family you think would be interested! We want to raise as much money as possible for the Junior Humane Society… and we need YOUR help to do it! (I kind of felt like Smokey the Bear typing that sentence… but it is true.) Thanks for sharing, and see you Saturday! :)

Dog Days of Summer 2013 calendars are here! Buy one to benefit the American Cancer Society for only $20.

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

I am thrilled to announce the final design & official sale of the 2013 Dog Days of Summer calendar! We’re selling these great sturdy calendars for only $20 each, and 100% of the proceeds go to (who else?) the American Cancer Society! Check out the fun photos!

 

Cover of 2013 calendar benefitting the American Cancer Society.

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite parts of these calendars are the photos on individual days of each month. If you attended the Dog Days event and your dog wasn’t chosen by our judges as one of the month “headliners”, don’t worry – your dog still made it in the calendar! Every one of the attendees was given their own day, if they didn’t already have their own month!

There are two ways you can order your calendar:

  1. Go to the office of the American Cancer Society in Pensacola and pick it up right then & there. It’s right by Cordova Mall; click here for a map.
  2. Email me: allison@allisonshamrell.com
Please consider making this calendar your Christmas gift to family and friends (and yourself!) – it’s all for a great cause. And why wouldn’t you want to see these cute dogs all year long? :)

 

Dog Days of Summer 2012 – the First Annual Event!

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

When I was first asked to be on the planning committee for Dog Days of Summer, I had NO IDEA what a huge event and ridiculous amount of fun it would turn out to be! (Plus, all the planning meetings at La Hacienda Mexican restaurant were pretty delicious/wonderful too.) We designed the day to be similar to the Gulf Breeze Pet Fest or Pensacola’s huge Barktoberfest, but with one big difference: all proceeds would benefit the American Cancer Society. Human & canine cancer is so prevalent and any donation we could make would be worth the effort – so after several months of planning, August 18 was the big day! And guess what: the results are in, and we raised over $1000 for the American Cancer Society! YAY!

 

This post is full of just a few dogs from that day who stopped by to say hello! These photos will also be used to make a 2013 calendar, the proceeds from which will also benefit the American Cancer Society. (If you keep scrolling down, you’ll see some of the funny themes and props we put together for each month!) Stay tuned to the blog and the Facebook page for more info on how to get your copy!

 

Let’s start with a photo of the head organizer’s dog! This is Rusty, Becky’s boy, and he’s only about a year old – but I photographed him when he was a tiny puppy! It was so much fun to see him “all grown up” and much bigger than I remember!

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

This pomeranian is appropriately-named Bear.

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

This is cute little Dixie the basset hound!

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Serious contender for cutest puppy at the event: Fiona the shepherd mix. I think she looks a bit like my Bailey! And WHAT a smile!

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Rocky is another one of the organizer’s dogs – you really should check out Premier Pet Grooming if you’re in Milton!

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Here are two Boston terriers, Odie & Charley. Adorable!

Photo of two dogs at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Conway is a chug (chihuahua/pug mix), don’t you love that underbite? And Sonny the lab mix will help us introduce the many props and costumes for each month…

Photo of two dogs at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Ha!

Cinco de Mayo themed photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Stiff competition to win the month of May is Bitsy the chihuahua, and at 17 years old this little trooper is also one of my past clients!

Cinco de Mayo-themed photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

For October/Halloween we have Dozer the Therapy Dog, who has a super-busy Facebook page! He’s pretty famous!

Halloween-themed photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Oliver helps represent the month of July…

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Bear is Becky’s grand-dog, and he let us wrap him up in red tulle for December/Christmas! Look at that sweet face. That’s a rottweiler stocking to the right of him.

Christmas-themed photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Easter/April brings us to Briana the shepherd…

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

and also Goose! Can you believe this puppy-faced Golden retriever mix is actually 10 years old?

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

One of my personal favorites: Georgie may just have a lock on March/St. Patty’s Day!

St. Patrick's Day-themed photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Mardi Gras beads look great on Rascal… I love the little bit of tongue!

Photo of a dog at Dog Days of Summer 2012 in Milton, Florida.

 

Whew, there are a TON of photos in this post! But if you can’t get enough, check out the full day’s gallery here: http://proofs.allisonshamrell.com. More importantly, a HUGE thank-you goes out to everyone that came on the 18th, whether it was for several hours or just a short time! We really appreciate your support, and 100% of your donation went to the American Cancer Society! Thank you so much – and be on the lookout for more info about next year’s event!

 

 

MINI-SESSIONS!

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

It’s that time again! We’ve waited months and months, and I’m soooooo excited to go back to 3 Dogs & A Chick for another round of Mini-Sessions!

 

A few Mini-Session images: Riley the golden retriever and Lilly the puggle, relaxing on the dock and in the park.

 

Bella the Coton de Tulear, dancing in the studio!

 

Jonesy the doberman, gettin’ crazy in the studio and relaxing outside.

 

In the photos above and the video below, you can see a few examples of the great images that happen on Mini-Session days! Keep reading for all the details and what you can do to sign up!

 

WHAT: pet photography sessions for an entry-level investment of time and money; $75

 

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

~  30 minutes of session time, which will be spent capturing the personality of your pets in a fun, no-stress, non-posed way

~  an online gallery of at least 10 frame-worthy, artful images to browse (probably more!)

~  an 11×14 print of your choice

~  the opportunity to purchase prints, digital images, and canvas gallery wraps

~  and a simply wonderful time!

WHEN: June 9th, during your time slot

WHERE: 3 Dogs & A Chick in Ft. Walton Beach – here’s a map.  It’s the perfect location: we’ll have a studio, a park, a cute courtyard, and a dock leading to the water! You can have a great variety of final images!

WHO: me, you, and 1-2 dogs

WHY: so you can have high-quality pet portraiture that you will adore. I guarantee it! After the session, we’ll have as many phone conversations, emails, video chats, and letters-by-pigeon as you need to determine what’s best for your house and lifestyle. I want to create something you’ll absolutely love – and nothing less!

HOW TO RESERVE YOUR TIME SLOT: Call 3 Dogs & A Chick at 850-243-7297. The first available session is 9:00 am, and the last will be at 6:00 pm. The time we’ll spend taking photos is 30 minutes, but we’ll need an extra 15 minutes of non-camera time so I can meet you and your dog(s), and answer any questions you might have. I’ll also show you exactly what a canvas gallery wrap is, if you’ve never seen one before. So, plan to spend 45 minutes with me that day.

 

Check out a few photos from Mini-Sessions in the past! (These were all taken at the same locations we’ll have access to on the 9th.)

 

(Wondering what a photography session with dogs is like? Click here to watch a fun little video featuring one of my sessions!)

 

As always, the event promises to be a TON of fun! Don’t wait to reserve your time slot; we’ve always sold out quickly after announcing the event! Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you there!

 

 

 

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