Wirkshop with Tyler Wirken | 11.14.2011
48 Pictures / 10 Comments
(words by erin)
A couple of months ago we teamed up with one of the best photography instructors in the wedding industry – Tyler Wirken – to kick off the first of The Wirkshop Series. The Wirkshop Series focuses on documentary photography for the wedding day. Each installment in the series is be a little different, infused with the unique flavor of various guest instructors. Ben and I were honored to be chosen for the first one, held at Tyler’s gorgeous Kansas City studio. Even though it’s a documentary workshop, we included a portrait session for the shooting demo.
We have always used real couples for our workshop shooting demos, so Tyler asked one of his upcoming wedding couples if they wouldn’t mind spending a few hours in front of 15 cameras. Angela had her hair and makeup done while her fiance Matt sat beside her, probably spending the entire time laughing about the room full of photographers circling them, crawling under chairs, moving strobes around, and analyzing every angle and nuance of light. The prep session was shot totally documentary, with no interference from any of us. The makeup and hair stylists chose where to place our bride. After Angela was all gussied up, we headed out into the streets for a real engagement session, where Ben, Tyler and I fought for posing time with our couple. Angela and Matt were great sports and showed so much patience with all of us. We shot through sunset, and then rested our eyes and bones over martinis and barbecue.
The next day we looked at what we shot the day before and later had an open critique of every student’s current work. We also fit in a sales discussion, with a client sales demo from Tyler. What was intended to be a half-day turned into a full day, with a late-hour pizza order, and pricing discussions continuing well into the night, wrapping up at the bar downstairs. I think the last of us left Tyler’s studio around 2 or 3 a.m.!
We had an absolute blast watching everyone bloom, develop, experiment and figure things out. There were a few revelations and even discoveries of hidden talents, all of which made this workshop extremely fulfilling for us. We left exhausted, but with newly stretched brains and 12 new friends.
Definitely keep an eye on the Wirkshop blog for more Wirkshop date announcements. Tyler’s planning a few more of these with other guest instructors, and is also continuing the smaller advanced Wirkshop classes. Wish we could go again, but we’ve already had our turn. Can’t wait to see who’s up next!
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It was a really fun process of exploring light and composition, and finding something beautiful and interesting in an otherwise ordinary place.
Comments
Rosaura
The workshop was so wonderful! Thank you and Tyler for giving us so much love and support and guidance. Loved every minute of our time in KC. Learned tons - inspired tons! Gracias!
(11.14.2011)
Collins
A killer team and it looks like it was a killer workshop.
(11.14.2011)
Lindsay Pierce
Oh sweet, sweet KC. I'm so happy to see you enjoying it! :) Wish I could have been there for this workshop!
(11.14.2011)
Lane
I can't tell you enough how great and inspiring this workshop was. Thank you again!
(11.15.2011)
Todd Thiele
Ahhh, yes. Makes me want to do it all over again. Thanks to all for sharing.
(11.15.2011)
Tina Carter
for serious! you guys are amazing. and teaming up with tyler, that is some kind of crazy dream team and i could kick myself for not being there! :)
(11.15.2011)
Joaquin Bodas Valencia
I can´t wait to see you next year in Bodaf madrid. So excited!!
(11.25.2011)
mark
wish we could have been there :(
(12.08.2011)
Ivan Luckie
Fantastic Ben!!
(12.15.2011)
Kathryn Krueger
I love the pic of Ben standing with his arms crossed and the reflection. It's so Ben. And E you look so pretty in that bar shot all wrapped in leather with such great color dancing around you. You seem magic.
(01.04.2012)