remember the kid in the classroom who’s desk would be floating around in an abyss…ALONE…like an island?

the kid the teachers would play “musical student” with, the kid who fell asleep in class, challenged authority, NEVER studied, & NOT only scurry by doing homework in homeroom but shouting about…”what were we supposed to do?”…and being late to homeroom to boot!

obviously i’m talking about myself. 

YES, i have sympathy for just about all the teachers who had to put up with yours truly.

what is a mentor? quoting my beloved Webster’s…mentor: a trusted counselor or guide; tutor,coach.  i had one mentor in my life.  my amazing guidance counselor (yes, the geographic area of HS i spent most of my time)…to this day, i light up when i see bruce seward…thank you bruce for enabling me to ascend into my life.  i am forever grateful. 

MY FRIEND, MY MENTOR

before meeting bob davis i’ll be honest.  i didn’t know how to feel about a photographer who was named “a celebrity photojournalist”…what was that supposed to mean? paparazzi? i’m a HARD sell & i’m not caught up in the “who-ha” of this industry of “THE ROCKSTAR PHOTOGS” …as a matter of fact i’ll shy away from it… 

BUT

i attended one of his classes @ WPPI in 2006(?) & then here in my area of balt/dc when he was here on tour.  at one point he was describing his photoshoot during the Oprah car giveaway.  i will never forget how he lit up with such enthusiasm as he described what it felt like to photograph these shrieking hysterically happy women receiving their gifts.

THERE I OBSERVED IT. this guy is REAL.  this man LOVES the art of photography.

additional experiences occurred…ahem…(double decker bus)…& our families formed a close relationship. 

BUT

it wasn’t until the first time i second shot for bob during one of his weddings last summer that i had some “aha” moments.  after the wedding, as my files were being downloaded…oh boy…can i just say how many shots i sc***ed up.  the three of us stayed up very late talking…and i was humbled…i felt discouraged not because of the CC i was receiving from my friends but because of my lack of focus.  bob drove me to the airport the next day & talked to me… & reminded about the gift that God has given me.

well…this is when i self appointed him as my mentor (whether he liked it or not…lol) it’s completely separate from our friendship…we run around like kids taking silly pictures & acting like goofballs while my husband shane & dawn have to tap their watches or beep the horn.

BUT

for the first time in my life i actually cared about what being a student is really about.  he told me, “PRACTICE.PRACTICE.PRACTICE.” and yep, it sank in…and i try my best to PRACTICE as much as i can.  i listened.  not as a friend but as a student.

for ME having a mentor is not about trying to impress…it is about patience, listening, & implementing what i’m being taught.  it is about RESPECT.

my friend, my mentor who LOVES to teach, continues to be a student himself, & shares his knowledge with integrity.  and ME now a student at the ripe YOUNG age of 37 & enjoying it…

WOW.  i can’t believe i used the words “enjoy” & “student” in the same sentence…  ;) 

 

 

 

 BEHIND THE SCENES DURING A WORKSHOP

THE LIRIODENDRON in bel air, md

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and so the DAVIS LOVE STORY workshop begins…

 

thank you kim blair of nvs salon in bel air, md & crysal jo of crystal jo makeup!! 

 

 

 

 

behind every bob stands a FANTASTIC dawn.  there is a reason they are named davis love story.  i never realized how much work goes into a workshop until helping my friends out.  ESPECIALLY all the DETAILS & heart dawn puts into each individual workshop.  not only did the attendees benefit from her marketing, photoshop, & album design skills but walked away with a few goodies…from each bow tied, jellybean, thank u cards, etc…i’d have to say the vision boards are an AMAZING gift to receive…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as usual, the song “let’s get ready to rumble” is playing in my head.  many of my friends know how much i truly enjoy shooting photogs in STEALTH MODE…

 sure i enjoy shooting models…but i LOVE seeing the smiles of photogs as they are capturing their OWN images…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

beautiful reanna…

 

 

uber talented photogs, friends, expert steamed crab eaters & during this workshop models kelli marsh & tomas flint

 

 

 

 

 

 

bambi & ontel…i adore them!! i’m so lucky to be photographing their wedding next month!! YAY!

 

 

 

 

 

a little more behind the scenes..bob’s image from this is one of my faves (can’t wait for dawn to post it)

it is phenomenal what you can accomplish with only 2 strobes.

 

huge props to my jedi & good friend armin!!!

 

 

 BOB AND DAWN DAVIS WORKSHOPS

i suppose i could be dubbed as bias because they are my friends.  the truth is this: if i did not BELIEVE in what they are doing, i would just nod & smile…& not really say too much one way or another.  i’m honest.  sometimes brutally so…

i trust in what they are doing and am extremely proud in the direction they are heading.  working as a TEAM bob & dawn are a strong force.  i have attended their workshops not only as an attendee but most recently helping as an assistant.  i’ve witnessed first hand the energy, organization, & yes, even the stress of what it takes to put together a workshop….BUT…the devotion for what they are achieving to accomplish is sincere & unfiltered.  in my opinion & experience of attending various workshops…i truly believe in dawn & bob’s “hands on” approach & teaching techniques.  they are stellar artists in this industry & i would recommend anyone who wants to take their own passion for the art of photography to a higher level to attend ANY of their workshops.  and not only come away with additional “tools” & knowledge…BUT…just to have a FANTABULOUS time…