Won't be around for the next couple of days because I'm going to be shooting with Erin Cobb (one of my favorite photographers in the whole-wide-world.)
I just checked her blog (I check it every day because I'm enamored with her.) and saw that she mentioned coming to visit me and very diplomatically said, "She (me!) asked me (Erin) to come out for a little bit of her own professional development."
"Professional development."
That sounds so...professional of me.
Really though...I asked her to come out here because I want to pick her brain until she cries mercy.
I've never even met her.
In fact, it was a student of mine who pointed me to Erin's blog a year or so back because she knew I would love her.
She's brilliantly-talented.
I've been shooting longer than her but she'd totally kick my butt in a shoot-off.
She does stuff with natural light that I can't wrap my brain around.
I'm not talking about creating amazing shots in amazing lighting because that's not what I need to know (although she does indeed create a lot of amazing shots in amazing lighting.) I'm talking about creating amazing shots in mediocre to crappy lighting. (Seriously, look here, here, here and here.)
That's why I need to pick her brain.
I feel all nervous. Like I'm going on a 48 hour, blind date or something.
What am I going to wear? What if she doesn't like me? Should I wear mascara? What if I say something stupid? What if I can't think of anything to say? What if she thinks my butt is big?
Just joking about the butt thing.
My butt is unquestionably big right now.
And a photo...
Back in a few days.
You 2 are going to LOVE each other I just know it. Can't wait to hear about it and see pics!!!
Posted by: nicki | April 19, 2010 at 03:01 PM
How fun and exciting and so cool!!! Have a blast getting professionally developed! :) Maybe you could add that as one of your photography options...us hiring you for one-on-one developing. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Val | April 19, 2010 at 03:03 PM
PLEASE pass on your new knowledge! I learned so much from your class but have miles and miles to go before I'm competent behind the camera!
Posted by: Nicole | April 19, 2010 at 03:15 PM
How exciting...enjoy every minute, and I will be excited to read the blog after your rendezvous! Have fun!
Posted by: janel | April 19, 2010 at 03:31 PM
Lucky you!!! I love her!
Posted by: Eva | April 19, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Hey Karen...I just checked out those four posts you linked on your blog, and I just wanted to let you know that while Erin is indeed awesome, from looking at those posts (I've never heard of her before), and being a past student and avid follower of your blog, I think you're just as every bit as good as her! (If not better, but I'm biased of course, you were my teacher, and a great one at that!!) But anyways, I love the fact you're always trying to improve and learn from others!! A great tip for all of us!! Have fun!!
Posted by: Pam Heggie | April 19, 2010 at 03:49 PM
I love how phenomenal a photographer you are and that you are still this excited about it! Love it, and of course, that face of Annie's! Can she possibly be cuter than ever?
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | April 19, 2010 at 03:53 PM
That is great~how exciting! You will have a fun time!
Share everything when you get back!
Posted by: Lauren | April 19, 2010 at 04:33 PM
Uh, forget about shooting with crappy lighting. I wanna know how she makes clutter look good?! Those bar photos would look just plain awful if I shot those! Have fun!!!
Posted by: Dani B | April 19, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Oh my gosh, I wish the two of you would put a class on together! That would be awesome! I've followed Erin for a long time & she does amazing pictures.
Posted by: Melanie C. | April 19, 2010 at 06:22 PM
Karen, you make me smile!! That would be how I would feel if I was about to meet you!! :0) I hope you have a blast!!
Posted by: Jen | April 19, 2010 at 06:45 PM
Have a wonderful time! If she is every bit as inspiring as you, then, you will indeed have fun!
Posted by: Nita | April 19, 2010 at 07:09 PM
I'm off to check out her site. BUT, everyone loves you as you are, so just be you!
Posted by: Addie | April 19, 2010 at 07:40 PM
i have loved erin for years now - she is a gem. and you are too... you will have such fun. tell her i said hi!
Posted by: jennifer mcguire | April 19, 2010 at 07:57 PM
oh, how I would love to be the little fly on the wall watching both of you, and gathering up all the talent that will be shared!! Have a wonderful time -- looking forward to hearing a couple hints (please??).
Posted by: Sandy Brown | April 19, 2010 at 08:09 PM
um and you're inviting me down to CP to hang out with both of you right?
Posted by: mandy friend | April 19, 2010 at 08:49 PM
I LOVE Erin's stuff. I stalk both of her blogs daily, even when they don't show up in my google reader. The 2 of you will be the absolute brains of photography together. Can't wait to hear all about it and see what you come up with.
Posted by: Meg | April 19, 2010 at 09:29 PM
How fun it will be!?
You will do a fine job with her..
both of you will have lot of laughs with lot of fun too!
Posted by: Jennifer | April 20, 2010 at 03:27 AM
Hey karen, Can you do a tutorial on sharpening in photoshop? I am lost on this subject and there is SO much information out there. I dont know where to start!
Posted by: kristen | April 20, 2010 at 04:02 AM
Have fun!!!
Posted by: JeanetteB | April 20, 2010 at 04:13 AM
she's going to love your bottom! hooray for meeting photo friends!
Posted by: tess s. | April 20, 2010 at 04:22 AM
You two are going to be the BEST OF FRIENDS! I mean, seriously. I have never read her blog before today, but can instantly tell she is one cool chick. And then there will be two cool chicks hanging out together. I must say, I'm a little jealous ;-) . I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Posted by: Ally | April 20, 2010 at 05:33 AM
So jealous! I got an opportunity to speak with her a few months back when she helped out with the Haiti Relief by offering mentoring for a donation. Loved her before speaking with her, loved her more after speaking with her. That's when she shared mentoring with you and I was in awe because of course I had already taken your class when I first got my sdlr and totally feel in love with you after months of being on the waiting list! ;-) You two are awesome and everyone continues to learn - right? I check both your blogs daily for inspiration! Enjoy your time it will be wonderful!
Posted by: Martha - EP | April 20, 2010 at 05:49 AM
Erin is one of my top faves and is AMAZING!
but so are you (one of my top faves and AMAZING!).
have fuN! can't wait to see what pix you all take!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | April 20, 2010 at 06:36 AM
I think I need to come and tag along with you and Erin! Her photos are AMAZING!! Especially the ones out in the woods in the post titled "Ridiculousness". Thanks for posting these. I am a fan now and this will be a blog I'll be checking regularly.
Posted by: Terri | April 20, 2010 at 07:45 AM
When I win powerball I am having YOU, and Erin and Wendy Schulz (who taugh erin initially about photgraphy) all to RI. For lobsters, and scrapping, and fun. Of course the one hicuup to my master plan is winning powerball...
Posted by: Stacey B | April 20, 2010 at 08:14 AM
You'll be fine! Don't wear mascara, it gets mucked up because of the camera and if you are like me, you might get emotional at meeting her and then your mascara might run a bit and that wouldn't be good.
Posted by: Kelli | April 20, 2010 at 08:15 AM
How fun! I love her photography too. And yes, please share what you learn!! :)
Posted by: Alena H | April 20, 2010 at 09:23 AM
I want to see a shoot-off:) Have fun!!
Posted by: Shelly | April 20, 2010 at 12:06 PM
I cannot wait to hear how things go with you and Erin! I love everything about the two of you and how each one of you are so talented in photography but yet so different. I have NEVER and probably will never take a class from an instructor that has taught me as much as you did but oh, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall when the two of you are together. So much knowledge and talent!!!!
Posted by: Amy Snyder | April 20, 2010 at 02:34 PM
I'll bet she could make your butt look good with some of that natural lighting...ha.
Have fun!!!
Posted by: kat-in-texas | April 20, 2010 at 03:34 PM
You two are going to have so much fun!! Good for both of you...that will be awesome to pick eachother's brains! Oh have a great time Karen and please tell us all about it. And yes, I too am a new fan of Erin's blog!!
Posted by: Tracy | April 20, 2010 at 03:50 PM
Aw, you rock Karen! And I'd just like to add that now thanks to you and the Rogue River salad, fried zucchini, beers, danishes, Starbucks and fish and chips MY butt is officially big too. And we're both short. But whatev.
Posted by: erin cobb | April 20, 2010 at 09:00 PM
Karen, you are MY Erin Cobb! Can we have a blind date? (I live in Canada)
Posted by: cinback | April 20, 2010 at 10:43 PM
I met Erin in Boston a few months ago and she's a delight! Enjoy!!
Posted by: Ellen Patton | April 21, 2010 at 08:41 AM
Now that I have explored Erin's blog too. . . thanks so much for sharing. . . . I hope you found out how she managed the wonderful photo of her son in the ER --- with her iphone!!!!
Posted by: Sandy Brown | April 21, 2010 at 08:46 PM
Oh she is going to luuuuurve you!!! Have a wonderful time!!
Posted by: ♥ Debbie | April 22, 2010 at 10:11 AM
OK, just checked out the links to her blog and they are great. Ironically I was checking your blog while printing out pics from my own daughter's Christmas program that I am still attempting to PS to a good skin tone. I can't believe her shots of the kids in what I assume would be a similarly bad lighting scenario. Can't wait to here what you learn from her before next year's show!
Posted by: Tammee Donaldson | April 22, 2010 at 10:45 AM
OK, I have checked back like a million times looking for an update :) :) :)
I just know it went well and can"t wait for pics.
Posted by: nicki | April 22, 2010 at 06:45 PM
Can't wait to hear all about it.
Posted by: Melanie | April 22, 2010 at 07:03 PM
I found your blog from Erin's. I had the pleasure of meeting her in December at PW's book signing and what you said is EXACTLY the way I feel. I told her that- getting amazing looking shots in no good, crappy lighting- like the basement of a bookstore late at night. Can't wait to read your post, post-Erin. :)
Posted by: Amy R | April 22, 2010 at 08:51 PM