When the Bebbinar opened Monday evening, we didn't know what to expect.  We worked hard to gather 20 photographers from around the world who were ready to take that next step towards greatness.  It was a mixed group with some very well established studios to some studios that were just getting started.  But the thread that joined them all together was the knowledge that they wanted to grow and the desire to take steps to make that happen.

We opened Tuesday with only one rule:  Egos and Excuses are checked at the door. 

Our goal for the Bebbinar was really simple - we wanted to give each person, regardless of their skill level or the amount of time they had been in business, tools to get to the next level.  We literally sat down and went through our entire program to ensure that there were take-aways for everyone:  things they could go home and do immediately to set themselves on a new path.  Just three things, because anymore would overwhelm and any less would be insignificant.  From the feedback we have received so far we didn't just succeed in that regard, we went above and beyond our original goal.

We started Tuesday with a lesson in style and branding.  One of the first things we wanted to do was help each person define their style by giving them the vocabulary to do that.  The exercise also brought out what influences and inspiration people were using in their imagery and I think that surprised some of our guests.  No one wants to think their work looks like anyone else's work, so seeing their images through a fresh set of eyes certainly surprised some people.  And that is a good thing - there is no way to grow if there is no room for growth.

After deconstructing and removing any ego that was left in the room, we moved on to our shooting assignments.  These were tough.  In fact, not one person in the group felt very comfortable with the parameters they were given.  And that was the point - we wanted to show them two things:  they are better technical photographers than they thought they were, and that you can only truly grow as an artist when you push yourself beyond your comfortable limits.  

At the end of the day, the group had really bonded together as they realized that there were more similarities between them than differences - that they weren't competing with each other but rather helping each other grow.  When I collected their homework for the evening and settled in to read it at about 11pm, I was truly moved by the way in which they were embracing their growth and committing to the process.  More than one person's words moved me to tears and I was truly humbled by the trust that had been placed in our hands.

Wednesday was all Laura Novak - a truly wonderful person.  We wanted to give everyone the chance to look at their businesses in a new light and to find a way to move forward.  Laura continued the theme of worksheets and assignments and had each person work through a series of steps that defined their goals, and laid out the path each wanted to follow.  These were intensely personal activities and when some people chose to share some of their goals, the tears flowed freely and we all realized the importance of taking these steps.  Laura put some fun and levity into a very, very important process.  I know that people's heads were spinning as we went out to dinner that evening.

Everyday, we had chosen restaurants and locations to reinforce the concepts that we were hoping to instill in everyone.  We wanted everyone to be aware of the ambience of a place, the perceived value that created, the overall service, the experience itself and the associated branding that each restaurant had created.  We saved our highest end experience for Wednesday evening when we brought everyone to the Ocean Club for dinner.  This was our way of showcasing a more high end, boutique style experience where you don't mind paying a premium price for a premium service.  They have a $25 fixed menu every Wednesday so it wasn't too pricey, but I think the overall experience helped drive home the point.  

Somehow, Steve and I ended up on the wrong end of the camera (again) and became the models for our very own seminar.  It started innocently with Mark Adams wanted to take a few images of Steve and I, and quickly evolved into a lesson in off camera lighting involving a manual flash, a dish towel and a sync process that consisted of yelling "GO!".  Needless to say, it was fantastic and a great way to really pump up the group.  Here are some of the images that Mark and Laura were able to make with this incredibly expensive and sophisticated lighting kit:

And, of course, we had to turn the tables on Mark as well:

 Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Mark that evening as his flight left at 7am on Thursday.  We invited Mark to come and show everyone the studio management system that the LaCour team has developed and is now making available for photographers.  It's something that we're using in our studio in an effort to streamline our processes and develop a more efficient workflow.  We knew this was something that would help our attendees immeasurably, so we were super excited when we found our Mark was coming.  ShootQ is an awesome system and I would strongly encourage everyone to check it out.  You can read all about Mark's version of events on the LaCour blog.

That's Mark in the middle, between Steve and I. 

Day three at the Bebbinar began with a review of the images from Tuesday.  I think that everyone was very nervous about this part of the day.  After all, these were jpeg images, almost straight out of camera, created in less than ideal circumstances and conditions.  No one was confident that they had done well.  In fact, the room was very quiet as the images started to come up.  It wasn't long before people realized just how great a job they had all done.  There were fantastic images being shown. It was an amazing opportunity for everyone to see the value of good photography before any processing at all takes place.  What was even more amazing to see was the support they all gave each other - they were all so excited when each person's work came up.  There was nothing but positive affirmation as we critiqued our way through the morning.  

We moved into the crux of the entire Bebbinar just before lunch - the importance of consistency and how one can become more consistent.  We didn't offer a magic bullet to make it all right, but what we did do was showcase the importance of presenting a consistent and cohesive product if moving up market is your goal.  By lunch, there wasn't a photographer in the room that was maligning the importance of consistency and who wasn't committed to making it happen. 

The rest of the day (and night) literally flew by as we moved into the details of our two button workflow and began our one-on-one sessions.  Steve, Laura and myself all split up and took separate groups for this exercise.  I have no idea what happened with the other groups, but with almost everyone I sat with there was a good cry taking place.  This was truly an amazing experience for me as a teacher to see that what we had tried so hard to do the past three days had made an impact and was having an effect.  The tears were of relief and joy, not sadness and fear, as each person or couple realized their potential and that they could reach it.  I am still moved and sit here with tears streaming down my face again as I write this.  For me, this affirmed that Steve and I have made the right choice to give back and to share.  It was a hard choice, but such a rewarding one in the end.  I hope that every single person that attended the Bebbinar is on the way to greatness - because each has the potential to get there.  All that was missing was the drive, the tools and the commitment.  To be even a small part of that is one of the most humbling and gratifying things we have ever done.

We have some huge, huge thanks to extend to the people that helped us put the Bebbinar on.  I hate to use the word "sponsor", so I'm not going to, but the following people were extremely generous to the Bebbinar and their continued support is something we are always thankful for.  In no particular order:

Finao

DWF

Shootsac

Parade 

Pickpic

Totally Rad Actions 

Bludomain

Boda

GKing Photo

ShootQ 

Showit Web

Wedluxe