Amy Wenzel Photography

The May 14-16 Workshop

When I was about 4 years old the little boy and girl down the street decided to put on a carnival of sorts in their basement for all of the neighborhood kids.  They recruited the help of me and my sisters and we spent what felt like weeks but was probably only a few days dreaming up the games, entertainment and refreshments.  We filtered through toy boxes and selected all sorts of prizes to give away…everything from G.I. Joes, to matchbox cars, to bouncy balls and costume jewelry.  We even planned and semi-rehearsed a dancing marionette puppet show to the song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”  We then walked around the entire neighborhood and deposited a flier into each and every mailbox.  We thought we were soooo cool.  That is until the morning when everyone started showing up.

Typical of the 80’s parenting style, there were no adults present and we kids were left to run the show.  More kids than we ever could have imagined started pouring into her house and down into the basement.  Our eyes grew larger by the minute and we started to sweat.  We were short staffed.  BIG TIME. Nothing was running according to plan and it was only a matter of minutes before the total chaos ensued.  All rules went out the window and I just started handing out prizes because I didn’t understand how to run my game (cut me some slack I was 4!)  The puppet show was a total flop.  Kids just stood their staring at my sister blankly as she danced around with her puppet feeling like an idiot and forgetting all the words.  We grew more and more mortified by the minute as kids decided it just wasn’t worth their time and started filing out the door to traipse back home.  And the lovely grand finale included me accidentally dumping over a gumball machine. I stood in horror as the whole room went silent and turned to gape at me while the little boy who it belonged to gave me a public verbal thrashing.  I fled out the back door weeping and ran home only to find my house locked and my mother gone to the grocery store.  Just mentioning this carnival to my now adult sisters makes their faces turn pale and their eyes glaze over.

So fast forward to the future. The night of the workshop as David and I sat waiting for everyone to arrive at the mixer I couldn’t quite get my dinner down.  My stomach was churning.  It came to me quite out of nowhere, the memory of the basement carnival.  The memory of planning a grand event that goes horribly, horribly wrong.  But once everyone started arriving and introductions and the laughter and stories started flowing I knew that these women were not going to file out the door disappointed and leave me with a handful of G.I. Joes.  In fact, meeting everyone at the mixer proved to be some of the most fun I’ve had in a long while!  At one point I was laughing so hard the tears were rolling from my eyes as I crouched on the floor.  These girls brought so much positive energy, authenticity and talent to the workshop.  They put me at ease from the very beginning.  I don’t think I could have asked for a better first time teaching experience.  We spent 3 intense days together packed with learning, sharing and practicing.  We were all pretty exhausted by the end of it.  But the whole experience was such a blessing to me and I know I will be that much the better for it. I wanted to share with you some of the photos I captured of the models and some quotes from the girls who attended.  I can hardly believe another group of 20 will be flying in just 5 days from now!

And then there was the senior day which was a total blast.  I felt so bad for these girls though because it turned out to be so windy and chilly.  They definitely got a taste of the real world of modeling having to look so relaxed and natural even though they were freezing their butts off!  Here’s a quick few of my favorite captures.

Just to get you guys excited who will be arriving in a few short days, here are a few words from the girls who attended the last workshop!!  A few are personal notes they sent and some are testimonials they submitted.

“It’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve attended Amy’s first workshop, and I’m still under the spell.  She obviously put a lot of effort into organizing the workshop.  Logistically it was perfect.  The meeting room was spacious, in a lovely downtown area, everything was in walking distance, the food was delicious…  The quality of teaching was as professional as Amy’s images.  She was an open book to her talent and skills.  She was as delightful in person and as witty as on her blog.  I returned home refreshed after spending 3 days in company of a fabulous group of 20 photographers, full of new ideas and a plan to take my business and photography to “the next level”.  Thank you so so much Amy!

-Arielle  www.ariellelanghorne.com/blog

“Just wanted to say that I am still flying high from the past few days!!  So amazing really!!!  I have been sitting here all day trying to think of the words to write and I can’t really think of anything more than amazing.  I came home with such inspiration and more knowledge than I would have ever thought I would.  You made it so comfortable for everyone to just ask you anything that was on ours minds.  I just downloaded my images and can’t believe I took half of them.  You gave me that push I needed.  Thank you thank you thank you a million time over for teaching us what makes you - you!!”

-Allyson  www.allysoncrozierphotography.com

The Amy Wenzel Workshop was an absolutely fabulous time!  Every thing from the snazzy lunches and cozy talks over breakfast to the sassy little booklet Amy gave me to write my notes down in was planned out in top notch detail and was straight up classy!  And of course, I’ve yet to mention all the exclusive details she gave us on how she sets up such exquisite shoots with her clients… She shared all her secrets on editing, client prepping, and more!  She was such a sweetheart and I am thrilled that I was able to be a part her of workshop…  I am certain my business will profit from the things I learned - And *that* makes me very, very happy!
Thanks Amy!

-Reata  www.sugarshotsphotographysite.com/blog

“The workshop surpassed my expectations in so many ways!  You thought of so many wonderful details from the pretty flowers on the table, to the great sign in the window (even with the help of a GPS I was looking around to find the specific address and voila, there was your bright cheery logo!).   Your warmth and the camaraderie you fostered (loved the ice breaker games!) amongst the participants made it a wonderful learning atmosphere.  In spite of my relative new-newness to this field I didn’t feel intimidated by you or anyone else.  You gave very helpful information and I appreciated the tips that others shared in the sessions as well as around the meal table.  I just wish I could have stayed longer!  It was a like a fun summer camp but without the uncomfortable cabins or overcooked cafeteria food!  I came home recharged and excited to put into practice so much of what I’ve learned.  And thanks also for the vendor list in the back of the book — I’ve already ordered some of the products you’ve recommended!  So helpful!”

-Cydil