Many of our private-photo-workshop clients have been kind enough to
write comments about their experiences with Barefoot Contessa Photo
Adventures. Here is a small sampling. For more comments from other workshops, click here.
"Margo, Arnie, Thanks again for a wonderful 5 days. It was a truly unique and educational experience. Needless to say the instruction and attention I received was way beyond what I had expected when I signed up for the workshop. Besides the camaraderie and having a lot of fun, I came away with a wealth of knowledge on shooting and processing images. Fusssssy is my new mantra. "
Steve Goldin, New York, USA
"I have had the opportunity to attend numerous photography workshops, and I can say without a doubt that the Barefoot Contessa workshops have proven to be the most effective for me in actually improving my photographic skills.
"The double team of Margo and Arnie provides the one-two punch that delivers results. Their interplay and different perspectives has helped me improve my pre-visualization, composition, and impact. Whether it is field work, post processing in Lightroom, or image critique, I found their input and perspectives to be valuable in improving my photographic skills."
Cam Garner, California, USA
"I have had the opportunity to attend numerous photography workshops, and I can say without a doubt that the Barefoot Contessa workshops have proven to be the most effective for me in actually improving my photographic skills.
"The double team of Margo and Arnie provides the one-two punch that delivers results. Their interplay and different perspectives has helped me improve my pre-visualization, composition, and impact. Whether it is field work, post processing in Lightroom, or image critique, I found their input and perspectives to be valuable in improving my photographic skills."
Cam Garner, California, USA
"Glad
you guys made it back to NH. After a trip to Quebec,
it's good to finally be home. I had a blast in CB [Crested
Butte]. Great shots!
"You guys are the
best!"
Bruce
Salzberg, Georgia, USA
"Wow! Bob and I had a great time this week, and we both learned a great deal. I think that it was probably the best workshop that I have every participated in. Of course, having a private session contributed to our experience, but that was probably not the most important factor.
"Both of you approached photography and teaching with knowledge, enthusiasm, and encouragement. For the first time in my life, I actually worked slowly and deliberatively in looking at a scene and composing a picture. Then came the hard part. Adjusting the image until it was just right. Looking at the edges of the image, the lines, the point of interest, the focus - all important factors, and all take time. This was the most important lesson that I learned, and hopefully I will retain the routine in the future.
"You handled us "old farts" extremely well and laughed with us and not at us. We had a good time! We enjoyed your company.
"My hope is that Robin and I will be able to find a time when we can either join one of your regular workshops or work with you privately, possibly with another couple. Robin and I will discuss our options when I get back to Cayman.
"I will follow your web site to see what you are up to and to learn from your experiences.
"So, I will end with my beginning. Wow!"
George Dalsheimer, Cayman Islands
"One
of the best decisions I've ever made as of recent
was to book a private workshop with Barefoot Contessa
Photo Adventures. I was completely impressed with
your professionalism, kindness, patience, experience
and enthusiasm! Your photographic talents and creations
go beyond my expectations which blew me away (sand
and all).
"I may
be quiet at times, but I was absorbing everything
we did like a sea sponge. Thank you for giving
me the courage to control my camera, instead
of my camera controlling me. My favorite
tips were cropping, tipping, composing, and
lighting in addition to shooting in the various
modes, HDR, and light painting. It's all
so amazing! I wish we had a few more days
together. Truly. Then there's imaging and
managing my photos with Lightroom 2. I like
it, love it, and gotta have it. Actually
I've decided to bite the bullet and get the
CS4 bundle.
"...I was
tired on Sunday. Could you tell? Too much
fun at dinner and one too many glasses of
vino. I could have spent all day imaging with
you, but we had to head home.
"Thanks
again for opening my eyes!"
Pat
Gardner,
Virginia, USA
"I
had the great privilege of spending the better part
of a week in October with Margo and Arnie during a
2008 private photo workshop in New England. With great
eagerness I drove the five hours from New York City,
anticipating the sheer pleasure of time off to devote
to photography, imaging, and nature.
"On my agenda were
days of challenge, fun, exploration, and adventure.
This was an opportunity to make a complete mess of
everything I thought I knew with regards to composition,
and then to begin an intense, dynamic reconstruction
process ... a chance to update my technical skills
(my last instruction was 20 years ago, and yes, I just
converted to digital!) ... as well as expand my
tool-set to capture my current aesthetic. Of course,
we did all of these things and more — scrambling
out onto scoured rocks to capture the sky above the
river, sitting at the base of a waterfall for as long
as it took to capture the swirl of an eddy or the glow
of the rocks, discussing the use of one strong subject
to anchor a broader landscape. Tasks were meted out,
some completed more successfully than others, but all
sources of new insight for future photographs. Indeed,
I can now feel their presence (one perched on each
shoulder) when I start to compose an image, and can
hear them gently suggesting alternate angles, framing,
and composition ('Had you considered…?').
"What I could
not have anticipated was the warmth, humor, and
generosity of spirit that accompanied their guidance.
I was immediately adopted into the BC family by
Margo and Arnie, who exude not only a love for
photography and art, but also a personal delight
in the growth and achievements of their students.
This was an experience beyond any that I could
have imagined, and I cannot recommend it strongly
enough for anyone wishing to challenge themselves
and explore the potential of their photographic
vision."
Lauren
Golden, New York, 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
"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
"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!"
Kim
Spanos, Utah, USA
"A
year in planning and anticipation of the private 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."
PRIVACY POLICY: Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures is respectful of your privacy and any information you give us, either through our interactive forms or via e-Mail. We are committed to ensuring the security and safety of this information. To that end, our policies are outlined in our Privacy Statement.
