On My Way Home

Here I sit playing with my trusty MacBook in the Las Vegas airport. You ask - Why aren't you on the airplane? Good question, it seems that New York (JFK) is the culprit. They're holding up the whole system.

Today wasn't as fast paced as the previous few days, but busy. We started again at 8:30 am in class, this time with the Todds. They are this really high energy couple that do everything together and have a cool marketing program. After checking out of my temporary home away from home in Ballys I went back to the tradeshow. Yes, I know it's like an addiction but there is some much cool stuff to see and play with. But there were wonderful classes again at the Pictage booth. I got to hear Michelle Celentano, Denis Reggie (yes, again) and Pepper Nix. I've been looking forward to meeting Pepper in person. We've been emailing and messaging thru a forum but have never met until now. Pepper is such a loving and sweet person! After the tradeshow I needed some non-hotel/casino type air.

I went on one of my famous (infamous) walks. This time I walked from Ballys to In N' Out Burger. I'm talking about 2-3 miles easy. Now, what makes a hamburger worth that kind of walk you ask? Obviously you haven't experienced the sheer joy and zen like experience of eating an In N' Out Burger. Ok, I'm done with my little heaven on a bun and fries. Now, I had to walk back to the Las Vegas Strip and back to Ballys. My little legs gave out at the MGM Grand Hotel. I got to watch the trainers feeding two of the six lions that MGM has in they're habitat. The lion's names are Frank and Jesse James. I thought it was kinda cute, anyway the fool (trainer) walks into the habitate as cool as a cucumber and proceeds to feed Frank and Jesse. Cool stuff!!!

Out into the world I go, back on my trek to Ballys. Then the wind starts to blow and the clouds start to come in and the tempature drops 20 degrees. Even I'm too smart to hike the Las Vegas strip in cold weather. The bus, oh the wonderful bus comes and all my worries are gone.

Back at Ballys its Awards Dinner time. How boring can they make this program? Self Important speech and speech, etc. I did get to hang out one last time with Pepper, Jerrod, and Mark. Cool stuff!

So here I sit, in the Las Vegas airport blogging away. I must get some sleep! I'm falling asleep at the keyboard.

Goodnight,

Day Two

You know the saying - "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." I hope it's not true, I've been learning all kinds of great stuff this week.

8:30 am (how do they expect me to think at this terrible hour) - Matthew Jordan Smith.

What a talent! Matthew specializes in celebrity and fashion photography. His concept of light is so cool. He even stayed behind after class to answer questions. Great class and even classier guy.

Tradeshow - I thought day one at the tradeshow was crazy. The place is packed with eager buyers marching up and down the aisles. A quick message to all my future brides - I picked up great gear and plenty of artsy ideas for you. More classes at the tradeshow - Denis Reggie, Joe Buissink, Michele Walker and Mike Colon.

Lunch with Michelle - The Publisher of Alabama Weddings Magazine is out here also. So, Michelle, Steve (her hubby), Frank and I all went to Ceasars Palace for lunch. The food was wonderful, the conversation was wonderful and the tequilla was Cobo Wabo (smooth as silk).

4:30 pm - Kevin Kobuta

Kevin's view of the world is different if anything. He's a marvelous teacher and his Photoshop actions are killer!

7 pm - Pictage Party

Let the drinking begin! My lab (Pictage) held it's annual cocktail party at the Paris Hotel.

7:30 pm - John Solano

John's from Bevery Hills, California and he was some wonderful ideas on marketing and client interview techniques.

Dinner (finally) with Jerrod

Jerrod and I went over the Paris Hotel to have dinner. Our meal was great. I got picked of by Tammy Lynn from Mississippi while were waiting on our table. Then we become part of the conversation at the table next to us during dinner. It was a very social dinner.

After dinner I went on adventures , on the way back to my room here I met up with Amber and Charles Ford. It's so cool to see so many photographers from our state here.

Day Three tomorrow

Let The Games Begin

Convention Day One - 8:30 am (yuck) first class with Liana Lehman.

What a wonderful speaker. I know Liana from the Atlanta PUG (Pictage User Group). She was nice enough to invite me to Atlanta while we were waiting on Alabama's PUG getting started. The two hour class went by much to fast.

The Trade Show - Coming from beautiful Brimingham, Alabama the tradeshow was quite scary. We just don't have access to all the vendors that the big city has to offer. So, when Frank, Jerrod, Mark, Michelle, Caroline and I walked into the tradeshow we know we weren't in Alabama anymore Toto! The tradeshow takes up three entire ballrooms at the Paris Hotel. Every aisle has new and exciting goodies.

There's also more classes inside the tradeshow. I got to take a class with David Jay and also the one and only - Denis Reggie.

4:30 pm - Class Two with Bob Davis.

Bob is a photographer from Chicago and has worked for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey. His work is gorgeous and he's so nice and patient. Great teacher!

7:30 pm Class Three with (I'm so tired I can't remember his name right now).

And after class we have to party, yes another party. I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to the bed. Well, must get some sleep, class starts up again first thing in the morning.

Goodnight,

Playing Tourist

Today Julie and Aron went home and the rest of us played tourist. We ate and then ate and then we gambled some. Now, I'm not exactly Mr. Gambler so when $2 lasted me 1 1/2 hours and 3 free drinks I was one happy camper.

We took the Deuce (City Bus) from Bally's to downtown and up to Mandlay Bay and back to Bally's. It was fun playing tourist, since there was 7 of us we got to take over the front of the top section and had our own little tour thing going.

Travelling anywhere with 7 people is a new and exciting experience. Everything turns into a broadway production and takes forever to do anything. Having said that, it is wonderful having my family here to celebrate the big 50 with me and I wouldn't have done it any other way.

OK, it's time to go into convention mode. I have my first class in the morning and my feet are killing me. I can't wait to learn and play with my mentors. I've already spoken with Frank and Jerrod, two wonderful photographers and friends from our great state, sweet home Alabama. I can't wait to study and party with these guys.

Goodnight

Dave in Vegas

Sorry, the photos suck. Have you ever tried to get a camera into a concert? Think strip search!!!!

Dave Matthews Band at the MGM Grand Theatre, oh my!

Just me and 20,000 close friends got to see DMB's first show of 2007, we weren't disappointed. The set list was awesome, the lighting was awesome and the sound was (you can figure out where I'm going with this). They started with "Rapunzel" and ended the normal set with "Stay." Dave started up the encore with an acoustic solo and then the boys went into "Everyday" and they ended with "What You Are." Dave's voice was great. He was rested and eager to please this crowd. He spent half the time doing the "Dave dance" much to the crowd's delight. "Jimi Thing" turned into a huge jam session with RaShawn (trumpet), L'Roi (saxophone), Butch (keyboards) and the one and only Boyd Tinsley on the violin all taking they're turn.

What a night, what a band ...

Tomorrow (well, this morning) we're going to Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill for brunch, oh boy!

Adventures in Sin City

Hello from our hotel room at Ballys in Las Vegas. The view of the strip is wonderful from up here. We've been here since Wednesday. Our room wasn't ready so we hiked over to Todai (Japanese for heaven) and had a Sushi fest. I don't know why but fresh Sushi is soo good !!!

Aron's in Los Angeles looking at colleges and Julie and I are hiking around the strip and getting into all kinds of trouble. Everyone that frequents Las Vegas kept warning us about horrible food here. Where are these people eating? We're enjoying nothing but wonderful food and booze. We even found our favorite red wine last night in this cute little italian place in the Paris Hotel - Chataneuf du pape. The wine was wonderful and the meal to die for.

This afternoon my sister, parents and Michael and Linda are coming in so we can party like I'm turning 50 years old. But of course the main event tonight is the Dave Matthews Band in concert !!!

I'll report on the concert and other party activities tomorrow.

Headshots

Ok, I just had one of my brilliant ideas (don't panic).

As I was photographing this attorney for my client - Linda Verin with "Ads that Work" this week. It struck me that I do alot of corporate publicity portraits (headshots) and that I should branch out more.

Thus, any actors or models out there that need headshots? Let's trade. I get images for marketing purposes and you get headshots. Give me a yell at Barry@altmarkphoto.com

They're Here ...

Sorry about the lack of posts this week. I've been doing corporate work and they don't like their images being used even on my blog.

Anyway, the big news of the week is - Our Dave Tickets came yesterday !!!!
Next friday Dave and the boys are in Las Vegas. Can you tell I'm just a little excited?

Jamie and Barry's Engagement Portraits

I did Jamie and Barry's engagement pictures yesterday.

Although Barry didn't want to be there, he put up with it really well. The secret - let him play with Jamie. These two are so cute together.

Today's Deep Thought

"There are always two people in every picture.
The photographer and the viewer."
~ Ansel Adams

Purim in Birmingham, Alabama

On Saturday night Temple Emanu-El and Temple Beth-El celebrated Purim. On Sunday afternoon the Chabad Learning Center celebrated.

Purim is from the Book of Esther. It happens once a year and is basically Mardi Grais with Halloween and New Year's all mixed together. It's a major party with a very serious message. The Jews were almost annihilated in Persia. Purim is the story of how this came to be and more importantly how it came to be stopped.

This Morning - Callie's Bat Mitzvah

What a morning! Callie knew her stuff. Her hebrew was great, her confidence level was awesome.

After the Bat Mitzvah we went to Abroms Hall for lunch catered by Roz Bloomston.

Tonight is Purim (major party). I'll report on Purim tomorrow.