a smidge bit terrifying

picture this. 20 photographers, none of which really know each other, and certainly don't know their clients, in a location they have never seen, given five minutes each to photograph a couple, get to know them, and shoot something different. all the while being critiqued, and judged by the other 19 who just happen to be behind you photographing your subjects at the same time from a different angle. this my friends is called a Shoot Out, and it's scary.

i went to chicago last week to meet a man that i've been working with for the past couple of months named Dane Sanders. he is leading the charge in the photography industry to make it more about being collective and less about being grumpy amongst photographers. he put on the best workshop i've ever been a part of. it was more than just photography, it was personal.

part of the workshop included the shoot out. as i explained above i was shaking in my boots. i really enjoy the personal parts of photographing people; learning their story and not rushing the shot. five minutes to connect? WAY out of my comfort zone. our "clients', erica and cory were judging us on who connected with them, made them feel most at ease in the most profound way.

as we walked along ridge street i heard them yell, "this is our first location, who wants it?" i'm not sure if it was because i thought i might throw up if i waited too long, if the location looked good to me, or if i just was so excited i couldn't handle it, but i threw my hand up in air charged forward, and yelled, "I want it".

it was an incredible experience to watch other photographers, ask questions, and shoot along side leaders in the industry who weren't too cool to share ideas or cheer for us. when all was said and done erica and cory were allowed to choose 2 photographers to win the shoot out. i happened to be one of them.

here are a couple of shots just for fun. i need to thank pixel2canvas for the incredible 20x24 gallery wrap.