Roots Workshop blog

After the flutter of excitement with such quick enrollment in the fall, this blog has remained mighty quiet. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been a busy bee in the background preparing for this summer’s 3rd annual Roots Workshop! I’m excited to finally share our staff line-up and also our team assignments so that you might have the chance to learn a little about each other and extend an introductory hello to your group before meeting at the Cape. Unlike in years past, this year each team will have two team leaders- there will be no designation between leader and mentor- both will work together as equal entities to visit you in the field and facilitate critiques each night.

And so… without further ado, and in no particular order, here are our three teams for this July!!

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TEAM 1:
leaders: Jennifer Domenick (‘08, ‘09) and Arnold Miller (‘08)

I go way back with these two. Jenn and I met while working at the Washington Post in 2001, and Arnold was my boss at the Cape Cod Times where I interned for two summers during college (and hence why Roots is hosted on the Cape!) in 1998 and 1999. Jenn is co-owner of Love Life Images in Columbia, Maryland, and Arnold lives on Long Island where he is the multimedia editor at technology powerhouse Newsday.

students:
Erica Pelaccia
Emily Sterne
Jennifer Badalamenti
Robin Shetler

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TEAM 2:
leaders: Rachel LaCour Niesen (‘09) and Mark Dolan

Smart and savvy Rachel, co-owner of LaCour and online studio management software company ShootQ, is paired with Roots first-timer Mark Dolan, a bbq-loving bearded teddy bear who also happens to be my very favorite photojournalism professor from when I was a student at Syracuse University. He now teaches photography at the Southern Illinois Carbondale campus and is a fantastic addition to our staff.

students:
Amanda Herzberger
Audra Bayette (‘09)
Ian Riley
Amie Otto

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TEAM 3:
leaders: Tyler Wirken (‘08, ‘09) and Mark Adams (‘09)

I first met both Tyler and Mark while teaching at the Foundation Workshop in Texas in 2007. Both have big personalities, extensive backgrounds in photojournalism and are currently running successful wedding photography studios in Kansas City and Atlanta respectively. Tyler co-owns Wirken Photography and Mark co-owns both LaCour and ShootQ, one of our generous supporters.

students:
Neysa Ruhl (‘08)
Whitney Fox
Elisha Tablada
Alison Britton

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Also returning as workshop staff photographer is wedding photographer and Roots ‘08 alum, the always fun and insightful Eric Laurits, and my husband, photographer, Roots ‘08 alum and liveBooks rock star J Sandifer as cook.

So, yippee! I’ll be sending you more information as to what you should pack and such within the next few weeks. And look forward to seeing y’all real soon! Get ready to work hard!