GEP 2015 Paris Travel Video Expedition

Ah! Paris

What an amazing fun-filled week we had at the Great Escape Publishing Travel Video Expedition in
Paris, France, with experienced travel videographer, Tom Reissmann. We had a value-packed, action-packed full 5 days, and learned so much about the techniques, and business side of travel videos, that we are all set to take that first scary step as travel videographers.

Here is a collection of my clips from that wonderful week in Paris.

Paris, J'adore!

Elizabeth Coughlan

AWAI Stock Photography Workshop, Paris Day4&5

A rainy evening in Paris

On day four, it was our turn to shoot the models in the apartment, which was just as well as it was raining. Here, Lise and Louis were there to help us. We learned about studio lighting and how to use reflectors to get the light exactly where we needed it.

Our first models were partners, so their interaction was playful, 

which helped a lot for getting ideas for our shoot.

Our other model was the beautiful Alison, 

who was so lovely and easy to work with. 

Each of us was given the opportunity to be in charge of the shoot; to direct the models and set the scene. It was quite challenging to think of how to set the scene on the spur of the moment! Lise gave us a good tip for the future. She keeps a notebook where she jots down ideas before a shoot, so she can get down to work quickly.

We tried shooting Alison in a small mirror, 

but the reflections were difficult

So we moved to a larger mirror, which was much better

That evening, Valerie and I went out to shoot Paris at sunset.

 These are the locks that lovers have attached to 

a bridge over the Seine

One side of the bridge was full of locks,

so they have started on the other side

We were taking photos of the setting sun...

...when we turned around in time to see the sun

shining on the Notre Dame Cathedral

We were getting some interesting shots, when it began to rain, so we took shelter under the awning of a nearby cafe. We hadn't thought about rain, so I had only taken my camera and tripod, and Valerie only had 15 Euro with her. We then had to decide whether to buy umberallas or wine? Umberellas or wine? ...and plumped for the wine. The rain then came down in torrents and we had to wait for a break in the weather to make a run for it back to the hotel. We got soaked, but managed to save our cameras by tucking them under our t-shirts.

Rain on a window in Paris

On day five , after all the practical work of the week, we had the opportunity to ask questions of Lise, Shelly and Louis. We also heard how we could take  a giant step forward in in finding success in our stock photography businesses. I learned such valuable lessons during the AWAI Paris Stock Photography Workshop, that I cannot thank the team enough. Shelly, Lise, Louis, and Bonnie, you were all amazing. I had the happiest time. And John and Mimi, your hospitality was second top none. I am off out to shoot some more now. Wish me luck!

AWAI Stock Photography Workshop, Paris, Day 3

This is me, concentrating hard on my task. Photographer, and friend, 

Jerry Newsome took this. See more of his work here.

This is another shot of the group taken by Jerry.
Bonnie, on the left, is checking up on us!

On day 3, we split up into 2 groups. One group went to an indoor model-shoot in an apartment, while the group I was in shot in natural light on the streets of Paris. Unfortunately, it kept on trying to rain, but we managed to keep our cameras dry and complete the assignment.

 First, we chose a quiet street, although people kept popping up in the background, like this road sweeper.

We then went down to the lower walk-way of the River Seine to continue our shoot. We chose a spot where we could include the Notre Dame Cathedral as our background. This was the first time I had used professional models, but our instructor, Shelly, was so patient in explaining how to get the best from the model for great shots, that everybody thoroughly enjoyed this session.

The models were great fun too, and we enjoyed getting to know them, 

and interacting with them. 

Later, we went to a cafe for a coffee, but couldn't resist continuing to shoot. Other patrons were wondering what was going on and many people wanted to know if we were photographing famous French film stars, while others got out their cameras to take photos of us taking photos! We had such a fun day!

Style is everything! (by Jerry)

AWAI Stock Photography Workshop, Paris, Day 2

On day 2, we hit the metro system and headed for Place du Trocadéra.

 Louis looked very dapper while riding in the metro

 on the way to the venue

We set up our cameras on tripods opposite the Eiffel Tower, ready to shoot our models, Allison and Louis. We were an attraction in ourselves, as lots of tourists took photos of us as we worked. They soon turned their attentions onto our models, however, and began snapping them too. Louis and Allison were great. They were cheerful all morning, while we took endless photos of them as they moved from one location to another.

This shows the problem of trying to shoot when people are milling around,

Louis appears to be growing a third leg!

Our task was to photograph people in natural light. The weather had been pretty miserable up to then, and a cloudy day would have suited us fine as we were shooting late morning. As luck would have it, the sun came out and the very bright conditions were very challenging.

Louis and Allison worked very hard for us...

...and they kept smiling the whole time!

We paused as a wedding photographer arranged his clients...

...and as this guy lept into the shot to have his photo taken

Shelly, Louis, and Lise, taking a well-earned break

Louis made me laugh, I almost expected him to break into a tap routine!

We had such fun shooting that day. After the afternoon feed-back session, we attendees went off for dinner and a glass or two of wine, before collapsing into our respective beds. Exhausted, but happy!

AWAI Stock Photography Workshop, Paris, Day 1

 Ah, Paris!

I've just spent a wonderful 5 days at the AWAI Stock Photography Workshop in Paris. On the first day, we made an early start and headed over to an apartment near our hotel, to meet our instructors. We were shown the way by Bonnie, who organised everything for us. The apartment belongs to freelance writers, John and Mimi, who work from home, and are thus able to live anywhere in the world they choose.

This American Diner was right by our hotel. We were amused to

see the never-ending queue outside. It was immensely popular!

Our instructors were Lise Gagne, the Queen of stock photography, accompanied by Louis Leblanc, who makes awesome videos, and Shelly Perry, an iStockphoto inspector, and a famous photographer in her own right. Our first session was on travel photography for stock, what we should try to capture, and what settings are best to use.

We saw this long row of public bicycles for rent

Montmartre was the site of our first photo shoot. We spent a happy afternoon roaming around the quaint streets and the artists' quarter. The crowds were a problem, though, and we had to find ways of capturing our images without having people stepping across our line of vision and ruining the shot, just as we clicked the shutter.

Our group on the streets of Montmatre, waiting to start

There were street artists strutting their stuff

We passed this man several times and he never moved once, 

not even a twitch!

We thought this might be someone important, 

then found out he was advertising wine!

Barbara stopped to have a cartoon drawn of her

I didn't even try to go into Sacré Coeur, 

it was far too crowded

After the shoot, we rushed back to the hotel to dowload our images and select 3 for a critique session, back in John and Mimi's apartment. The critique session was a feature of each day. Shelly took these sessions and was very patient with us, kindly pointing out small improvements. She always made us feel we were doing a great job, and we were spurred on to try harder so as not to disappoint her.