I remember the first e-mail that I ever got asking me “how do you do that?” I laughed and thought…are you seriously asking me this? I responded promptly with an extensive explanation and then kindly thanked her for thinking enough of my work to want to know “how I did that.” Soon enough those similar types of e-mails came more often. I always did my best to respond…I still do! But, as my business has continuously grown, I have found myself feeling guilty for not having the time to adequately respond to each e-mail. I wasn’t sure what to do about that because I never want people to think that I am being rude for not responding with a complete explanation. So, I started a “feeler” poll on my FB fan page regarding a one on one workshop. Were people genuinely interested in what this little ‘ole Southern Gal does? To my delight the repetitive answer was yes!

So, after careful consideration and several “you must” persuasive e-mails, I ultimately decided to create a one on one {Walk The Shot} workshop for anyone interested in learning to do what I do. That said, I will be the first to say that I am…in no way…claiming to be anything that I am not! I am genuine, honest and upfront about how I got to where I am today. I am a self taught photographer driven by a fierce obsession to deliver the best images that I know how to my clients who have entrusted me with the most precious moments of their lives. I have a passion for photography and a steadfast determination to succeed. Those things coupled with incredibly hard work has gotten me where I am today. I will share with you things that I have learned…both the easy way and the hard way. However, this is not a workshop for everyone. This is a workshop for photographers who enjoy my personal style and would like to work one on one with me to see how I do what I do.

The outline for the day will consist of the following aspects, in no particular order…

• Initial meet and greet over lunch (my treat, of course) and for you traveling folks…some sweet tea!
• Q&A session for you to pick my brain about whatever it is that you would like to know about my style, workflow, business strategy, clients expectations and relations, experiences, weddings, blogging, shooting preferences…whatever you want to ask…my attention is 100% yours for the day!
• Shooting a complete session…either one of yourself or a stand in model…your choice.
• The why’s, how’s and strategy behind the process of the session start to finish including exposure, aperture, depth of field, composition, natural lighting and shooting RAW.
• Edit your session, step by step, right alongside me…from SOOC to print ready images.
• Take your 10 fully edited favorites (along with the additional unedited images) home on disk with you for your own website, Blog, Facebook.
• Last but not least, take home a super cool goodie bag from the most awesome Sponsors! Believe me when I say you will LOVE this!!!

I am incredibly excited…and a little nervous… about this new journey. Almost as nervous as I was when I first started getting paid to shoot weddings…almost. ;-) But, I know that there is nothing to be gained in life by sitting back and waiting for things to happen! You must take risks and challenge yourself beyond your believed limits. Nothing holds us back but our own selves. So…self…move out the way! I refuse to block the path of my own success! I can’t wait to share my experiences and “my way” of shooting and post processing with many of you! If you decide that this is something that you would like to pursue you can Email me to request the detailed online registration form. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Are you a fashion forward Bride who dreams about a day of being pampered like a supermodel, dressed in couture bridal and being the talk of the town among all of your family and friends? If this sounds like a dream day to you then I have an amazing opportunity awaiting. Myself and the incredible Faythe Mesic have teamed up to bring you the contest of the year! Spring Bridal Glam Extravaganza! Complete with every fine detail of beauty that you can fathom. All we need is YOU! See just a small collaboration between Faythe and I in the images below. She will rock your socks off Brides! There are always sparks when Faythe and I work together. And this, my friends, will be as explosive as the fourth of July!

The prize package includes:

#1 A glam fashion bridal shoot with yours truly, Dawn McCarthy.

#2 Bridal glam day makeup by Professional Makeup Artist Faythe Mesic.

#3 Bridal glam day hair by Faythe Mesic.

#4 Couture bridal gown will be provided and styling assistance by Faythe Mesic.

Here’s how you can enter:

#1 Submit the cutest snapshot that you have of you and your fiancé.

#2 Write a short story on how the two of you fell in love…we want details!

#3 Once the contest begins and your photo story is posted on our blogs have all your friends and family vote once a day every day for the 7 day voting period.

Contest submissions are being accepted now thru March 15th and the contest will run from March 16th -March 23rd. E-mail your submissions to faythemesic@gmail.com

BONUS VOTE POINTS: Fan both Dawn McCarthy Photography and Makeup Artist Faythe on our facebook fanpages and receive 10 bonus votes for every person that you get to fan us on facebook!!!

See some of our other collaborations…Junkyard Pinups, Disney Princesses, Dolls In Toyland, Glamour.

I captured these images of the stunning Bride below at the August JaxShoot Club.

The first winner is WENDY comment #61. Congratulations Wendy!!! Thanks so much for your entry.

The second winner is GRACE comment #11. Grace is all the way from Malaysia. Holy smokes!!! That’s commitment to travel all that way to take part in WPPI!!!

Congratulations ladies!!! I can’t wait to meet y’all in person! What a fun contest. I loved seeing all of the new names pop up on the Blog. I do hope that each one of you who entered will join me on Monday for my meet and greet at the Hooters Hotel & Casino Pool from 11:00am-1:00pm. It is located right across from the MGM at 115 East Tropicana Avenue. We will chat about WPPI, Vegas, photography and no doubt make some new friends over the course of our visit. I am super excited!!!

If you’re number was not chosen…I’m so sorry. Blame it on Random.org ;-) And don’t feel too bad…I never win anything either. If you would still like to get new, fresh images for your website or Blog just shoot me over an e-mail and I will do my absolute best to accommodate your Vegas schedule. I truly appreciate all of your participation in this contest. I wish each of you safe travels to Vegas! Let’s have a great time and learn a ton!!! See ya there!

XOXO,

Dawn

Lord have mercy! This took forever to figure out. There is so much to cover and only so many hours to do it. Whew! I hope I can stay awake for all of it. This is where I’ll be for the week as it stands now…subject to change of course. I hope to see all of you, my Blog readers, at some point during the week. Please do not hesitate to say hello! I would love to meet you and put a face to a name. Seriously. Safe travels y’all!

WPPI 2010 Schedule:

Friday March 5th:

• Arrive, check in at WPPI registration, relax, take in some sights.

Saturday March 6th:

• Enjoy a “tourist day” with my Momma.
• Possibly an impromptu meet up with some Blog readers…who will be in Vegas on Saturday?
• Upward Spiral Event with Jesh De Rox

Sunday March 7th:

• Tagging along with a super cool chic and a {Walk The Shot} Sponsor, my friend, Ali Hohn for a little OCF.
• Joe Photo Workshop 12:00 – 2:00
• Audrey Woulard 2:30 – 4:30
• Photographing headshots for my Blog winner 5:30
• Super awesome dinner date with some amazing business people! 7:00

Monday March 8th:

• Jesh De Rox 8:00 – 10:00
• My Blog Contest Meet & Greet plus headshots 11:00 – 1:00 at The Hooters Hotel and Casino Pool 115 East Tropicana Avenue…directly across the street from the MGM
• Tradeshow 1:30 – 3:00
• Jim Garner 3:30 – 5:30
• My FAVORITE! Jasmine Star 6:30 – 8:30
• WPPI Pool Party 8:30 – 10:00

Tuesday March 9th:

• John Michael Cooper or Marcus Bell 8:00 – 10:00
• Tradeshow 10:30 – 2:00
• I’M SPEAKING IN THE SMUG BOOTH! Come see me! : ) 2:00
• John Solano & Brian Marcus 3:30 – 5:30
• Jay Maisel 6:30 – 8:30
• Mike Colon 9:00 – 11:00
• SmugMug Slumber Party UNTIL…

Wednesday March 10th:

• Lori Nordstrom 8:00 – 11:00
• Tradeshow 11:30 – 2:00
• Clay Blackmore 2:30 – 4:30
• Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. : )

Thursday March 11th:

• Kevin Kubota Ignite Presentations 9:00 – 11:00
• Take in a few more sights and then head home to Jacksonville to see my babies. There’s no place like home!

Heather sent me the absolute sweetest testimonial about her {Walk The Shot} workshop with me. I was already crying when I received her e-mail because I was actually composing a piece about my Dad. When I read Heather’s words I turned into a complete blubbering mess! Good thing y’all can’t “see me” through the computer today. ;-) Anyhow, here is a recap of my {Walk The Shot} workshop from Heather’s perspective.

Hey Dawn,

I can’t believe it’s been a little over a week since our “Walk The Shot” day together (I’m going through Dawn withdraws already….lol). Seriously, I remember reading your announcement of the workshop and thinking “WOW! This is something that I really need to do.” I have always been a HUGE fan and supporter of your work and to have the ability to learn from you was an opportunity and experience that I just knew I couldn’t pass up. When our day finally arrived, I was super excited and strangely nervous. This was odd for me since I’m not normally a nervous person but once we found a seat (a nice comfy booth to spread out in) you instantly made me feel at ease. From your professional yet personal approach, to your well organized and thought out materials/agenda and of course I can not forget to mention the adorably wrapped “swag bag” you so proudly carried and placed in front of me. It was like Christmas all over again!! I LOVED IT and I know you enjoyed watching me open it as much as I enjoyed receiving all of the awesome goodies! (Special thanks to all of the Sponsors for their amazing generosity!!)

Everything that you do comes from your heart and it shows not only in your work but in how you package, present and share it with others. I learned so much from you and I feel the information you shared and the questions you so openly answered throughout our day (from a business perspective to setting up a shot to post-editing) really opened my eyes and made me look at photography and all of it’s components in a brand new light.

Our day was truly unforgettable – we laughed, we almost cried, we dodged golf carts, and we even shared hunger pains (lol). I will never forget this amazing experience and I just know that any one who decides to take this workshop will not only love spending the day with you but will also walk away feeling excited, inspired and more knowledgeable than they could ever possibly imagine. That is what you did for me and I thank you!

Thanks again for sharing your love and passion for photography. You are truly an inspiration and a genuine soul.

With sincere thanks and appreciation!
Heather
XOXO