Tag: Teresa Berg

Portfolio Shooting in Minneapolis | Studio Shooting in Dallas

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If you’re interested in moving past the basic automatic settings on your camera and taking PRO quality photographs, we have a couple of great workshops coming up this summer.

dallas dog photographer teresa berg

First, Teresa is doing some portfolio shooting in Minneapolis on August 1st (and possibly August 2nd if we have enough people interested in a second day). This is for photographers with DSLRs that know a little bit about their camera but are tired of making “snapshots”. They’re looking to add depth and interest to their compositions and expand their tool kit when it comes to lighting and posing. You don’t need to be GOING PRO, but maybe you’d like your work to look like you are?

We won’t be shooting in a studio at all — it will be outdoors, with possibly some indoors but on location, not using studio-type lighting. This type of workshop will be  great learning as we move from location to location setting up shots and getting the lighting right.  No sitting in a classroom, no business lectures, no paperwork or handouts.  We will set up shots, troubleshoot, talk about composition and lighting as we go and learn, learn, learn.  Lots of walking and lots of fun.  The cost to you is $500 per day.  Maximum of 6 people in the group shooting with live models.

Secondly, Teresa is holding her third annual Studio Shooters Unleashed at her studio in Dallas on July 10-12.  July in Dallas is a great time to stay indoors and experiment with light and all types of equipment.  Learn the ins and outs of a working studio. We’ll use anything and everything to create beautiful portraits using Teresa’s props, backdrops and equipment. All you bring is your camera. Because we have a little more time, we’ll go deeper into exposure, metering, adding people to your shots, multiple dogs, litters of puppies, using unusual props, and more.  We cater in lunches so we can maximize our time. We’ll have an optional group dinner at the end of the first day so everyone can relax and get to know each other. Cost for this two day workshop is $995. Maximum of 10 people.

 teresa berg puppy images

 I you are interested in either of these workshops, please email us at TERESA@TERESABERG.com or call the studio at 972-250-2415 and we will send you the registration email with more details. Payment in full is due when you register and is non-refundable. If you find out later that you cannot attend, you can sell your seat to another photographer, but we do not issue refunds.

You can pay via paypal, credit card or check.   Discount hotel rooms will be available in just up the street for $64 per night at the Springhill Suites Marriott. This price includes breakfast and internet!  If you’re flying in, check flights into DFW or DAL.  Southwest Airlines recently opened up many affordable flights in and out of Dallas, so check them and American Airlines.  You will not need a rental car in Dallas as we usually have plenty of drivers to shuttle people back and forth from the hotel to the studio.  Lunches and snacks are included.

So grab a seat and launch a fun summer with your camera and a four-legged friend!

A Letter to Santa. Six seats left for the Unleashed Workshop in January 2014

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Dear Santa,

I know I wanted new photo equipment for Christmas but I’m starting to have second thoughts.  I’m thinking maybe I need to really learn to use the equipment I already own….. and I’d love to meet some other photographers and find out which lenses they use for what kind of shots. I want to make some new friends that are as crazy about dogs and cameras as I am. And while I’m at it, I think I’d like to try some new shots….. with some different types of dogs. My dogs are getting a little tired of modeling, you know what I mean? 

And I’d really like to find out how to make a little money at this. You know — since I’ve invested a ton in all this equipment. And what about setting up a website? And advertising?  Do I really want to spend money on advertising?  And what should I charge? Everyone wants me to photograph their pets for free but I think I should be charging SOMETHING, right? 

Okay, Santa. I think what I really need is The Unleashed Workshop.  Can you help?

Thanks. 

P.S. And could you please do it right now? They only have six seats left!

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Registration now open for Unleashed in Dallas : January 18-20, 2014

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The dates are final, Robin at Good Dog Fetch is lining up some awesome models, the hotel is a go — all we need is you!  We’ll have a full day of business and marketing, a full day of outdoor and natural light shooting and a full day of studio shooting with two instructors. The agenda is posted on this site, as well as information about the hotel. Email us via the contact page of this site and we’ll send you a registration packet.  We are limited to 15 participants, so don’t delay!

Unleashed pet photography workshops
Harper and the PUParazzi at Unleashed

Lenses: What Do You Need?

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As we review our curriculum for Unleashed VA we often look over our “most asked questions” list.  Lens choice is always on that list. Especially for photographers who are just entering the pet photography market.

Through the years I’ve found that I have 1-3 “foundation” lenses.  Those that, if every other thing in my bag malfunctioned, was lost or stolen, I could complete a session, give the client depth and variety, and still expect a good sale.

Those lenses will differ for everybody -depending on your style, whether you’re a studio shooter or location photographer, and your client base.

For me, my go to lenses are the Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8, Nikkor 85mm 1.4 and the Nikkor 17-35mm 2.8. These are my “base” lenses. If I wasn’t shooting pets I probably wouldn’t use the 17-35mm but it’s the perfect lens for “hip-shooting” and while I’ve found that style isn’t necessarily a big seller for me, it allows me to deliver a really well rounded and thorough session.

Please note, all of my lenses are FIXED APERTURES! I’d rather see you save for a fixed aperture lens rather than buy less expensive variable aperture lenses just to round out your kit.  You can do a lot with a 50 mm 1.4 lens!

After the set of base lenses I think it’s up to you. Give it some time. Develop your style and see what you like to shoot. And what your clients like to buy.  I’ve bought and sold many lenses through the years. Sometimes I’d try a lens because I liked a certain look, only to find my clients weren’t as enamored as I was. Sometimes I tried a lens, such as a perspective control or “tilt-shift” to find it really fit my style and added a touch of uniqueness to images I delivered.

The good news about quality lenses – you can sell them! I bought a fish-eye lens years ago because I liked the quirky distortion the lens rendered. I found, while it made my clients laugh, my client base, known for purchasing large fine art canvases, wasn’t really buying these shots.  So, I sold it for about 90% of what I paid.

Of course, renting is always a great way to go. Many Unleashed attendees rent a specific lens for the workshop. What a great way to try out a lens and get some great shots in the meantime!

Wherever you are in your pet photography path I recommend you go slowly, develop your style, and build a kit of quality lenses that will help you be a better photographer.

Below is one of my images, shot with that fish-eye that left my bag about 8 months after I purchased it!

June Bride
June Bride

 

Virginia – Are You Ready to Get Unleashed? Registration is OPEN!

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We’ve finalized our plans for Virginia Unleashed 2013 and we couldn’t be more excited!

We start early and go late so book your flights accordingly. And bring your running shoes for some non-stop action!

DATES: June 8-10

Where: Northern Virginia (Dulles [IAD]), Leesburg and surrounding area

Cost: $1395 (see Workshop and Agenda tabs for more info on what’s included!)

Email us through our contact page here for registration links.  Hotel links will be available in the registration packet.  See you in Virginia and come ready to be Unleashed! There are only 15, 14, 13, 12,  11, 10, 9, 8,  7, 6, 5,4,3, 2 spots remaining so make your decision soon!

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One seat left…

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for the most amazing pet photography workshop in the country! As much as we hate to brag, we really think we’ve got a great mix of business, marketing and shooting. And Sept 29th will be here before you know it!

We’re putting the final touches on our list of dog models and it looks like we’re going to be super busy setting up lots of cool shots in a wide variety of locations.

Will you be the one to snag the last seat???

We’re SO excited for September’s Unleashed!!

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If you’re looking for a program that cuts through all the fluff, gets down to what it really takes to succeed in the genre of pet photography, and gives you TONS of shooting time – you won’t want to miss Dallas in September.

Our program is fast paced and action packed – bring your running shoes! (And camera gear!)

See you in September!

 

Why Unleashed? | Join us Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2012

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When Unleashed began in 2009 there weren’t many options for learning fine art pet photography. What was obvious was the lack of professionalism and the real need for in-depth training for pet photographers.  We continue to have the most thorough, in-depth business training of any pet photography workshop available –and we have two instructors with very different styles and approaches. So some of you may lean in one direction or the other, but beware… keeping an open mind and learning a different approach may just be what sets you apart from your competition!

Bev Hollis is known all over the country for her gorgeous outdoor dog portraits and dreamy, dramatic lighting. She was recently featured in  Country Woman magazine and her dog portraits have been published in the Workman calendars, Nova Dog magazine and are on display in many private collections. Her studio in the Washington DC area consistently racks up big sales for high profile clients.

Teresa Berg is known nationally for her studio work and warm, crisp, detailed images of dogs and their people. She was recently profiled by Steve Hartman for CBS Sunday Morning, has done live interviews on Martha Stewart Living radio and BBC live in London.  She was recently featured in Country Living Magazine, Guideposts and The Today Show online for her work photographing rescue dogs. She’s been published in Bark Magazine, Professional Photographer, Doxie Digest, the Dallas Morning News, the Toronto Star, Indulge and many others.  Teresa’s portraits of pets with their people continue to draw big business for her studio –and the bottom line? It’s profitable!

If you’re going to learn pet photography, why learn to be average?  Why not learn hands on, side by side with these two photographers and create your own distinct blend of art and profitability?

unleashed pet photography workshops

Get Unleashed this fall!

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unleashed teresa berg bev hollis

We’ve had so many requests, that we’re adding another Unleashed Workshop to the calendar! Join us this fall in Dallas for three days of fun and intense learning. The agenda has been expanded to add a few more hours of business and marketing for the first day. We’ll talk about products, pricing, marketing –even a little search engine optimization! Then for days two and three we shoot, shoot, eat, sleep, shoot, eat, sleep, shoot –well, you get the idea –it’s lots of shooting.  We’ll have lots of different dog models as well as some dogs with their people  –at multiple locations and differing lighting conditions.  In other words, we’ll help you prepare for lots of different shooting scenarios and lighting challenges. We will only accept a limited number of participants so don’t wait until the last minute to secure your spot!  Email us via the contact page of this website and we’ll send you the registration information.

Okay, Okay, Unleashed is back!

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Thanks to all of your kind and gentle urgings, we’re setting the wheels in motion for a new Unleashed Workshop!  A few changes and lots of energy are going in to the plans for our next pet photography adventure. Early summer 2012 is looking pretty good, but please stay tuned to this blog for all the latest information!

pet photography workshop