With another year coming to a close, It always seems I get very reflective about events, personal growth, and just stuff.  2008 has been a crazy rollercoaster for me as I am sure it has been for many others, and yet with that crazy ride, and the anxiety caused by change, I can't help but think of the many positive experiences I've had that have led to great personal growth.  There continues to be one photographic organization out there that challenges me, excites me and just gets my vision set for the new year.  That organization is WPPI or Wedding Portrait Photographers International.  The convention will be held from February 14-19 at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, NV.  At the risk of getting sappy, I know I wouldn't be into photography if it hadn't been for stumbling upon the WPPI organization so many years ago.  Not only  have I been inspired by the incredibly talented photographers I've met, but by attending the convention I've learned a great deal about being successful.  Those lessons are especially golden to me at this time when the economy is so tough.  Now more than ever, I feel a need to be in attendence at the convention.  It's the best investment I can make to grow my business.

Bambi Cantrell
Cantrell Portrait Design, Inc.
www.cantrellportrait.com

I am working with a really terrific couple from Florida, and just did their engagement session.  Here are some of the images from it.  What a great couple!  They would do anything to help me get the great shots!  A great thanks to Marcus Bell for great actions that helped enhance the photos, as well as Craig www.craigsactions.com.

Bambi

Hi Folks,  I am delighted to inform you of an exciting new venture I've undertaken with two dear friends, Denis Reggie and Joe Buissink.  We would love any and all of my friends to become beta testers for the Photography Network. Here is our press release. Please sign up right away to get on the list first!  The Photography Network will be a free educational service to anyone interested in taking better photographs. 

 

 

“From the hearts and minds of 3 top photographers – Denis Reggie, Bambi Cantrell and Joe Buissink -- comes a new upstart broadcast network for photography lovers of every stripe:  The Photography Network (www.thephotographynetwork.tv).  This venture (akin to HGTV or the Food Network) will focus on providing 24/7/365 TV broadcast quality “webisodes” to entertain, inspire and educate viewers on the inner workings of some of the world’s top photography talents, studios, schools and galleries.  In addition to watching fun and “edu-taining” programs of all types, viewers will be able to showcase their best images, network with other impassioned photographers, compete in contests, and interact with knowledgeable experts.

 

Some would say it’s about time, huh?!!

 

The beta launch is scheduled for December and the full network launch in February ’09.  To sign up to be a part of the private beta launch in December go to www.photographynetwork.tv.”

 

 

I had the honor of going to Moscow, Russia in August to teach photography at the first Wedding Biennal. I in America we would call that a Photography convention. Laslo Gabany, (a very talented wedding photographer) was a generous and caring host and the creator of Wedding Biennal.

Myself, along with international photo stars, Joe Buissink and Yervant shared the platform and performed a three day educational event. I must say Moscow is one of the most incredible cities I've ever been to. To stand in Red Square was just amazing. I also had the good fortune of sharing time with American photographer and educator, Bob Rose. Besides being a terrific educator, Bob is also the "go too" guy for anything electronic. As things would go, my laptop died just before I was to go on stage and lecture. Thanks to Bob's clear thinking, I was able to save my program.

At the close of the program, I was surprised and delighted to receive an unbelievable honor. That of receiving the Russian Guild of Professional Photographers "Golden Eye" award. This award has only been given 10 times in the history of the Guild.

Bambi Cantrell