Roots Workshop blog

You could win this:

Yes, this is a joke trophy, but its 2009 recipient takes her win very seriously. Earlier today, I presented photographer Audra Bayette with this handsome trophy (kindly made by Ray Messier at Creative Awards in Scarborough) from our goofy Chubby Bunny contest at Roots Workshop last July. It started as a spontaneous game in 2008 on the last night of our workshop with leftover marshmallows from s’mores (workshop staffer Jenn Domenick’s husband Ethan took the crown then) and, well, I guess with the implementation of a trophy you could say it’s now a tradition. Audra hopes to defend her own title when she returns for her second summer at Roots this July. I hear she’s been practicing.

Who wouldn’t want a trophy with a camera on it, anyway?

Think you’re up for the challenge? We are sold out for 2010 with a waiting list, and have already started a list for when we open Roots 2011 registration next fall as well!!

ps- Congrats on your recent engagement, Audra! So happy for you and Matt! I know a really cool place you could get married on Cape Cod this summer…

Meet the Roots Workshop class of 2010! Registration forms are in and this is our official list!

1. Emily Sterne Emily Sterne Photography Cambridge, MA

2. Amanda Herzberger Orchard Cove Photography Windsor, CT

3. Erica Pelaccia Erica Leighton Pelaccia Marblehead, MA

4. Audra Bayette** Audra Bayette, Photographer Scarborough, ME

5. Amie Otto Amie Otto Photography Ashburn, VA

6. Allison Britton A Britton Photography Woodbridge, VA

7. Robin Shetler Robin Shetler Photography Decatur, GA

8. Melissa Coe Melissa Coe Photography Danvers, MA

9. Whitney J Fox emilie inc. associates Portland, ME

10. Neysa Ruhl* Neysa Ruhl Photography Cincinnati, OH

11. Ian Riley Ian Riley Photography Arden, NC

12. Elisha Tablada Love Life Images Columbia, MD

* denotes Roots 2008 alum

** denotes Roots 2009 alum

Well folks, with just three days of open registration, Roots Workshop 2010 is sold out!! How exciting is that!?!? I am absolutely thrilled to spend the winter cooking up some excellent assignments and not stressing about enrollment. Weehoo!

I realize there were some photographers who were on the fence about signing up and have thus missed out. If that’s you, please be sure to email me as we will have a waiting list in the event extra seats be added.

I have received a flurry of excited emails today asking the procedure for tomorrow’s registration process. This is how it will happen:

1. Registration officially opens at 9a (EST).

2. Email info@rootsworkshop.com to let us know that you want in!

3. I will send you a confirmation email, acknowledging that you are one of the 12 students who made the cut. Attached will be a simple registration form.

4. Return the registration form with a deposit of $1500 to PO Box 2703, South Portland, ME 04116.

5. Registration will close just as soon as the seats are filled tomorrow or by Monday, September 21st. Should there be any remaining seats, we will announce a second registration round before the end of the year.

Flexible payment options available. Please inquire for details.

My winters are typically much more relaxed compared to the harried pace I keep in the summer’s height of wedding season in New England (except for this one, of course, with planning our own wedding!).

It’s during this time that most wedding photographers have the opportunity to reflect on the past season and look forward to the next, identifying what areas of their business need improvement. Many focus their efforts on marketing or purchasing updated equipment, overlooking the basis of successful photography: skill. It is for this reason that I started the Roots Workshop last summer, and look forward to another fulfilling week of creative growth this July on Cape Cod.

Many thanks to instructor Arnold Miller of Newsday and emilie inc. videographer Morgan for putting together this recap of our experience. It’s a much-needed reminder of why we do what we do, and how important it is to push away the clutter of running a business and perfecting the craft first.

Need a brush-up on your skills? We still have a few seats open for this summer’s workshop, and welcome all inquiries to info@rootsworkshop.com. Not a wedding photographer? No worries. We don’t spend any time talking about weddings, it’s all about shooting. We’d love to have you join us!

Photographers: I am so excited to announce that Roots Workshop returns for another week next summer with more staff and less students for more personalized instruction!

dates: 7/19-24, 2009
location: Cape Cod, MA
website: www.rootsworkshop.com
staff include: myself (emilie inc. photography), Greg Gibson (Greg Gibson Photography), Arnold Miller (multi-media editor at Newsday), Jennifer Domenick (Love Life Images), Mark Adams (LaCour), Tyler Wirken (Wirken Photography), Rachel LaCour Niesen (LaCour) and volunteers J Sandifer (liveBooks) and Eric Laurits (:e:).

The details:
12 students. 9 staff. 3 teams. 6 life-changing days.

If you are planning to attend PartnerCon next week, I’ll be there to present with J and would love the chance to talk to you about the most beneficial shooting workshop you can’t afford to miss! In the meantime, be sure to check out the picture stories from the ‘08 students by visiting www.rootsworkshop.com.

I am thrilled to report that the Roots Workshop has sold out! We have 14 amazing photographers coming from all over the U.S. (and even Canada!) to stay for a week on Cape Cod next month! It promises to be an exciting, fun experience of growth and enlightenment!

Samantha DePoy-Warren, owner of I Do Click Photography in Farmington, Maine (as well as a dear friend to us and a consulting and portrait client too), received a pretty cool Christmas gift… tuition to Roots Workshop! It was such fun secretly coordinating this with her great hubby Kyle and mother to ensure the surprise. Sam says she had a hunch it was coming, but that she still bawled on Christmas morning.

From Sam: “It’s just a really meaningful gift and an exciting opportunity and I am just so grateful to everyone for supporting me in this and you for helping Kyle coordinate!”

Hooray! SO excited to have you on board, Sam, as well as the others who have signed up, too.

There are still a few seats left, so don’t delay in submitting your registration form. The total cost is $2500 and includes 5 days of instructional fee with several of the nation’s top photographers and photo editors, 5 nights lodging and linen service, the welcome bbq, the final night’s sunset cruise and clambake, as well as some other meals! Wow!

And, as a special New Year’s bonus, if you refer a friend you’ll receive $250 off your tuition!

I am so, so, so excited today! After planning since March, I can *finally* announce some big news!!!

Next summer I am hosting a photojournalism workshop for wedding photographers on Cape Cod! I’ve rented a great house on the water and gathered together a handful of dear friends and talented photographers and photo editors in the industry to teach.

You can learn more by checking out the website which launched today (and yes, that link in the left column is finally active)! If you know any wedding photographers who might benefit from this type of experience, please send ‘em my way!

Many thanks to liveBooks for sponsoring the workshop with this great site!