Many of our clients have been kind enough to write comments
about their experiences with Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures. Here
is a small sampling:
"The BCPA workshop I attended in France struck the right balance between shooting/processing/critiques and good fun. Lessons will challenge how you think about photography as well as providing perspectives that can lead to more personal creativity. In Burgundy we were able to get into places and meet people your average wandering photographer would never have seen – priceless! "
Wes Sullivan,
Colorado, USA
"I just returned
from the Northern New England: Fall Foliage workshop
put on by Margo Pinkerton and Arnie Zann. This was
my third photography workshop in the last two years
and was the most useful for how it helped me to
develop as a photographer. I came to it with hopes
of capturing beautiful fall foliage, which I did,
but more importantly I made a great leap in the
quality of my images based upon the close attention
given to me by both Margo and Arnie.
"They
are both able to communicate in such a
way that the suggestions take hold and
transform good images into special images.
They care about the workshop participants,
something that was missing from my most
recent workshop experience. There is nothing
hurried about these two. We would stay
at a location for however long it took
to capture the light. Often we were still
out in the field after the sun went down
so we could experience a quality of light
that many photographers fail to even know
exists.
" Without
any hesitation, I would strongly recommend
Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures for
anyone interested in taking their photography
to the next level, wherever they may currently
be. Not only do you receive generously
of their time and expertise, but you also
have a great time making images. To know
Margo and Arnie is to love them. If your
passion is photography, then you need to
share it with these two, because they will
reflect it back to you."
Dave
Robertson , California, USA
"We really loved our weekend with your team.
Let's say that we are enthusiastic about getting better!
And, I am sure that next time, Marie-Jo will be a student.
Thank you again!"
François
& Marie-Jo Parent ,
Québec, Canada
"Thanks so much for a wonderful photo adventure.
I had so much fun, learned so much, and enjoyed all
of the other participants. Would love to do it again
sometim ... And, Margo, I AM going to work like crazy
on learning Lightroom! You inspired me."
and later...
"It was helpful
to me to have you right at my side learning some of
the facets of LR... Your critiques were so helpful...all
of you."
Sandy
Wittman,
Illinois , USA
"I want you to know that I had an amazing
experience at the workshop. I learned so much, and
on top of that, had so much fun. I look forward to
taking another workshop w/ you."
Harry
Goodman, Pennsylvania ,
USA
"Besides having a great time in a new environment,
my experience with you three at Warm Springs has put
tuning forks in my brain. I will forever look at my
photos differently - and hear the mantra - simplify
and isolate, whether I am composing in the camera or
fine tuning on the computer. Thanks so much for this
experience."
Joanie
Alexander, Florida ,
USA
"Wow! You have successfully provided me
with one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences
of my life. While I learned a great deal about photography,
it was so much more than that! It was about creating
wonderful memories, enjoying new experiences, making
new friends, and leaving my photographic comfort zone.
Thank you for helping open my eyes to a myriad of new
and exciting photographic possibilities. You both went
above and beyond the call of duty. Honestly, I'm at
a loss for words. You are simply the best!!!"
Les
Phillips , California, USA
"Phyllis and I both enjoyed the workshop
immensely, I truly did not know what to expect but
the workshop far exceeded any expectations I may have
had. I was thrilled that Phyllis found that she enjoyed
photography, and I was much appreciative of the reception
that you guys gave her.
"I learned
so much, but I am sure my retention will need
refreshing. I thank all of you for spending
so much individual time with me; I certainly
did not expect this...
" Again,
thank you for a wonderful experience."
Mac
McDade, North Carolina, USA
"I learned more
about how to make a good photograph in three days
of a Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventure workshop
than I had in the previous five years of reading
and experimenting on my own."
Tony
Miller , New Jersey, USA
"My son, Pete,
and I both wish to thank you for a wonderful workshop.
It far exceeded our expectations. We found all three
of you to be more than helpful and both patient
and thorough in answering all our questions. Your
critiques were gentle and yet penetrated to the
problems of the images under discussion. And the
little impromptu birthday celebration was such a
surprise to me!"
and later...
"I have just gotten
around to looking at the disk you sent me and WoW,
I'm blown away! The disk alone is worth the price of
the workshop. Thank you so much for this gift."
and yet later...
"Guess what? My
lighthouse picture won a first in the News & Observer
travel contest and they are sending me $... Thank you
again for such a great workshop. I am looking forward
to Virginia!"
and six months later...
"I wanted to let you know that
the picture set of the lighthouses is still paying
off. This one won first prize in our Capitol City Camera
Club Architectural contest Monday night."
Don
Simpson, North Carolina, USA
"I really, really enjoyed the weekend.
I'm seriously thinking that I should convince my husband
that we need to do the Lighthouse workshop...
" I'm
going to enter the leaves in a photo competition on
Wednesday. My instructor here always says that we can't
get a good black and white print from digital. I haven't
worked at black and white much because I don't trust
my eye in changing from color to b&w. [Now], I
think I'll work more on that.
" Thank you again
for mailing the picture, but even more for the great
workshop experience!" and later... "I'm going
to try to get the small group of my friends to all
join the lighthouse workshop. I'm excited to do that."
Kathy
Bowler ,
North Carolina, USA
"The Northern New England Photo Workshop
was an experience of a lifetime for me. TBC and Company
were a delight to be with. Thank you both for a fantastic
week."
Jim
Rowse, New Hampshire, USA
"I want to thank both of you for providing
me with the wonderful learning experience that I had
in your recent workshop. When I was heading home, I
realized that as I was driving and looking at the scenery
around me, I was seeing and visualizing what was around
me in a way that I had never really done before. I
did stop from time to time along the way to photograph
what would catch my eye. As I walked around, I was
much better able to visualize how I wanted the image
to look. In particular, I am seeing light now in a
way that I had not really attended to prior to the
workshop. I now think about how to use light to make
a much more impactful photograph. I believe I am also
better able to discern what it is that will make an
image compelling, rather than merely a pretty picture
post card."
Arnie
Berkman , Michigan, USA
"The Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventure
Tour of Alaska was far superior to any tour —
guided or self-directed — that I have ever experienced.
The planning, logistics, and timing were all impeccable,
and the weather-influenced alternatives were as viable
as the original itinerary! We saw vistas and areas
off the beaten track that were so picturesque and unique
that the stock photos I got are worth more than the
cost of the trip.
"The meals were
scrumptious; the accommodations were warm and welcoming,
and The Barefoot Contessa's informational dialogue
was fascinating. We learned things we never thought
we'd learn in a lifetime. Margo took us to areas where
we saw wildlife in its most natural habitat and shared
one-on-one experiences we only dreamed of.
"If you appreciate
nature in all its glory, enjoy adventure and new
experiences, Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures
are something you need to put at the top of your "Must
Do" list. I can think of no greater adventure
for photographers, nature lovers, or people who
want to see what only a handful of humans experience."
Lee
Balgemann, Illinois, USA
"As you drive
by the many scenic areas in New Hampshire, one wonders
where to stop, what to photograph. Margo took us
straight to various locations that offered great
photo opportunities. Her intimate knowledge of the
area combined with her experience as a professional
photographer resulted in a very productive adventure
providing a variety of photographic challenges.
"Margo's knowing
where to go and what was appropriate for the conditions
at the time, led to full days, without feeling rushed
or having missing something better."
Barry
White, Arizona, USA
"I thought I
was getting pretty good at shooting landscapes when
I met Margo. While respecting my talent, she pushed
me out of my comfort zone and helped me improve
on several fronts:
First, she taught me to isolate compositions
more rigorously and stay focused on what attracted
me to the scene in the first place;
Second, she re-educated me about depth of
field, and encouraged me to use it more consciously
to eliminate distractions; and
Third, she pushed me to develop a faster
shooting style in order to seize opportunities
that won't wait for a lens change, a tripod,
or too much thinking.
"Unlike other workshops
I've attended, Margo provided added value in customized
assignments, leads, suggestions for further study,
and even a mini-course in commercializing and marketing
my work. She expects you to work hard and pushes you
to improve (I've never had a tougher, albeit gentle,
critic of my work), but what great teacher doesn't?
Getting to know Margo, as well as her partner-husband,
Arnie Zann, was a treat. I feel like I've tapped into
a great resource, and made friends as well."
Tom
Darnall, Oregon, USA
"A year in planning and anticipation of
the New Hampshire Fall Color 2000 Workshop with The
Barefoot Contessa, culminated in a trip of beauty and
a high percentage of "keeper" photographs
we could not have been taken without the help of Margo
and Arnie. This was our first trip to the northeast,
and we were most pleasantly surprised by the personal
interest, support, guidance, and the fantastic hospitality
shown to us by them.
"They not only opened
their house to us, but The Barefoot Contessa prepared
detailed map routes to take when we were on our own,
locations to be photographed, fantastic restaurant
suggestions, and exhibited a genuine interest in our
activities while in the area. All these efforts were
certainly above and beyond the call of duty and were
most welcomed by us. We feel like we now have new friends
that became old friends, sharing many common interests
even outside photography. We look forward to going
on or participating in other photo adventures with
them."
Ray
Granberry, Louisiana, USA
"The Barefoot Contessa (Margo) gave my
daughter and me a great week that far exceeded my expectations!
She taught us so much more than photography.
"We now have the
confidence to venture out on our own, and that is so
freeing for each of us! In fact, the first week I was
home, I bought my DeLorme Utah Atlas & Gazeteer and
dedicated a whole day just to go off and make photographs!
I do plan on time away once a week. When I visited
Connecticut soon after the workshop, I went off exploring
and photographing, something I never would have done
on my own before. The Barefoot Contessa gave us so
many useful and practical ideas!
"We learned
so much about photography and making a better,
stronger image! I know I was a stubborn learner
at times, but I did progress a lot. Margo taught
me in a way that will help me to retain what I
learned. She worked on helping me think
"out of the box" which was very good for
me. I am excited to keep practicing and learning from
the great resources she shared with us.
"
Margo
worked very hard to make sure we visited plenty of
visually stimulating areas! We sure saw some beautiful
locations, and I know we could never have seen so many
great sights on our own. It was a great trip! We loved
Margo's enthusiasm, patience, teaching, and caring.
I value our new-found friendship!"
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