One very cool photographer

I have been in this business for almost 15 years now, and I must say, most photographers are pretty territorial. When I moved to North Dakota, there were only 20 photographers in my town, and when I went by to introduce myself, NONE of them even invited me in to see their studios, so I just got really shy about the whole thing and have never really extended myself to the big guns, expecially to ask for help.

I guess because of that, I pretty much help anyone who asks, which has been great because I get to help people and see their creativity. I needed help today, with a shoot that I simply had no experience in doing...shooting shiny metal and making it look great. I looked all over the web and found Dino Petrocelli...he is incredible at what he does and shoots really beautifully, and I mustered up my courage and asked him how he does it.

Dino really went the extra mile. He totally held my hand through the whole thing, going as far as to give me his cell number in order to make it really easy for me. I was so appreciative! I couldn't even believe how cool he was about the whole thing. He even complimented my pictures, and asked me to tell him about them. What a mensch. Good Karma to you, buddy. You totally rock.

So You Want To Be A Model-Help Someone Change Their Life--Forever!

Here are some photos of the amazing Amanda, who took my modeling classes in North Dakota and Kauai





I was a model for 10 years, and never EVER want young people and the people who love them to go through what I went through, so I have been giving modeling classes for the past 8 years, in North Dakota, on location throughout the United States, and, most recently, here in Anthem, Arizona. Not those "you're 4'10", 250 lbs, but who cares, if you pay me $5000, you can be a model Barbizon/John Robert Powers deals. I hand pick my models from amateur photos that they send in to me, for their potential. I don't charge a lot for the classes, but we cover very important specifics that you need if you are interested in getting into the modeling business, plus, we take tons of amazing, cutting edge shots. If the girls want to own their pictures, they purchase them. If not, well, at least they have taken some great pictures, know enough to make informed decisions and have an idea of their potential. I have heard from a lot of people who want to be in my modeling classes but don't have the cash, so send me a picture with your reasons for wanting to be in my modeling class, I'll post everything on my blog, and you, my dear readers, can choose one lucky reader to come to class for free and get an awesome start on your portfolio. Tell all your friends. You could help change someone's life.

Workshops Announced!

Wow, What a great response to my last post! and I didn't think anyone read this blog. I am almost full of photo shoot bookings on the Cayman days...I still have some room in Florida and Jamaica, and due to overwhelming response, I will open a photographer's workshop and a model's weekend in Jamaica and Florida. Please email me at photobarb@aol.com for details and dates.



I am one of those people who doesn't keep any photographic secrets...I really feel that if you and I were standing right next to each other shooting, even if I told you every single thing that I know, we would each take totally different photographs. Plus, when I was starting out, I wanted a mentor so badly, and everyone just guarded their secrets so closely that I had to learn it all the hard way. I used to feel very inferior, because I pretty much gerry-rigged everything with fishing line and and eyelash curler, until I noticed that everyone else gerry-rigs too! Maybe not with an eyelash curler, but fishing line is a universal must in the photographic world. Who knew? My mentor, the goddess Marilyn Sholin, http://www.marilynsholin.com/, has always been ultra generous in sharing her secrets, and I can only hope to give back as well as she has.



So for those and many more words of wisdom, come on over to my workshops. No, really, I have been giving workshops for 11 years, and my specialty, beside spilling all of my secrets in plain, easy to understand language, is working with you individually to help you achieve your goals, no matter where you are at in your photographic or modeling process. I'm starting to get excited about this!

Location Portraits and Weddings

This is kind of an aside, but If you are interested in having an exceptional portrait experience, I will be shooting on location on the following dates and would love for you to be a part of it.

May 13-30 Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bahamas.

June 15-July 15 Watercolor, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Pensacola, Destin, San Destin Florida.

I am also available for small groups of clients who live in the same geographical area and would like me to create one of a kind portraits for each of them. I have taken and painted portraits here, in Arizona, and my clients have shown their friends and relatives, who wanted to book me, but they were far away. I must admit, this wasn't my idea...after her shoot, one of my good clients, and friend, Lori Goodnight, of Houston, Texas, who has a winter home out here, kind of shyly suggested that 5 of her closest friends and family would be interested in having me out to shoot for them. We had such a fun time! The shoots were fun and free and amazing, and everyone, including me, had a great time. I left feeling like I made a great group of friends out there. And I'm now addicted to sweet tea.

Take a look at my website, http://www.barbstitzer.com for an idea of what we could do together.

Please let me know if you would like me to be a part of your memories this spring and summer. I would love to be there for you.

Barbara Stitzer Photography...Photographs for the Way You Live.: Oh Famous Me!

Barbara Stitzer Photography...Photographs for the Way You Live.: Oh Famous Me!

Oh Famous Me!

Yes, I feel very famous today. I have been asked to be the lead photog for a brand new magazine! Woo Hoo! I'll let you know more as I learn more. Here is something I shot of my hubby and little girl at her daddy daughter dance. I wonder if she knows that he looks at her with that much love?

Penny, the Amazing Weiner Dog!

I had the distinct pleasure of shooting Penny, the amazing wonder dog. She was so cute and tiny, and, even though I had a daucshund when I was a little girl, I hadn't realized or remembered the range of emotions that could come over one tiny puppy's face during one shoot! She went from sweet and excited, to crazy for her cookies, to mad as heck that she was getting teased with the cookie and back again in mere seconds. I love that dog!