greetings! welcome to the Foundation family

[Huy]

Hola!

You've found the home of some of the most badass photographers in the world. But before you go on, let me explain the difference between our three major entities.

1. THE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 9: Commonly known as FW9, this is the ninth edition of an annual photojournalism workshop for wedding photographers taught by the top wedding photojournalists working today. FW9 will be held January 30 through February 3, 2011 in Austin, TX. This even is open to the public. For more information, please visit the link below:

link : http://www.fworkshop9.com/


2. THE FOUNDATION CONFERENCE 2010: Our annual gathering of presentations, discussions, and fun. FC2010 will be held November 9-10 in Kansas City, MO. This event is open to the public

link : http://www.fconference.com


3. THE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP FORUM: You're here. The FWF is an online community of photographers sharing knowledge and fostering friendships.

If you'd like to apply for a free trial membership of up to 30 days :

https://huy.wufoo.com/forms/fwf-trial-membership-request/

Why we love it here:

- small, exclusive, and intimate
- innovative and fearless
- real, successful badass photographers
- our rockstars don't act like rockstars

- friendly, professional, and without all the drama
- higher entry cost scares off wanna-be's
- unencumbered by advertisers or vendors
- no heavy-handed moderation
- nice Brits hang out here
- swearing allowed

- home of the live, online critique sessions
- quality, not quantity
- biggest avatars around

- baked fresh daily!

During or after your trial period, you may be extended an offer for membership. Our membership dues are

- $129 for the first six months
- $129 for each year after that

Please come see what we're all about!

Huy

[Huy]

Here's what a member has to say about FWF :

This is going to be a bit mushy-gushy, but I just feel so much gratitude in my heart today for this community. I also want Huy to know how much this forum is having an impact on a future badass like me.

After a 2 year break (mostly) from wedding photography, I decided to give it another go. My heart was telling me not to abandon it. Taking time off was difficult - I lost my referral network and have grown much in the past two years as a photographer but don't have much to show for it with wedding imagery. So with older images and a belief that this was what I belonged doing, I put out the wedding photographer shingle again.

In the meantime, I decided that what I really wanted to do was tell unique stories in my imagery - something I really had no skill or training in. I could take pretty pictures, but found myself not satisfied with that. So I kept my membership here, and have been an avid lurker, who posts once in awhile. (I often don't feel like I have much to add, with the caliber of photographer and depth of knowledge found in the membership of this forum.)

My first wedding this year was rough. Beautiful, yes, with a sweet couple, but not much emotion and quite flat. The day was also very rushed and behind schedule. I felt discouraged. I loved the couple and they will love their photos, but it made me question whether or not I really learned what I was hoping I had learned.

Then last weekend was my second wedding of year. The day was amazing. The couple and their families were very emotionally connected and there were no photography restrictions for the ceremony, so I could get right in there and tell the story. I got some great lightstick shots at the dance and am finally getting more comfortable with how all that works.

I am so very happy with the images I got from the day. I was teary-eyed looking at them after the event.

I could see I was "getting closer"
I was watching the edges of my frame
I was working two cameras like a pro (35mm/85mm for most of the day)
I was making interesting compositions
I was having faith in the photograph I wanted
I didn't shoot everything from standing height
I shot more - almost 2950 images in 11 hours

When my husband saw the images, he said "Don't take this the wrong way, but you've moved beyond taking pretty pictures to capturing moments." I wanted to kiss him. That's the best compliment I could have received.

I truly believe I could not have gotten to where I am with my wedding photography without the online critique sessions (I've attended most) and just absorbing all that this community dialogues about on a daily basis.

I am working on trying to get to the FWC. I would love to meet you all in person and give you a big hug of gratitude!

[Ray Anthony]

This place is my home away from home, my virtual coffee station that I go for a break and hang out with all my friends, five minutes here or twenty minutes there. They are always there, for me, for each other....Friends who share my passion, share my vision, seekers of creative and thoughtful imagery, lovers of capturing life, true moments, funny moments, happy, sad, every emotion in the human experience....Our collective soul is found in our art of wedding photography. There is no other place like this place...it is home away from home.

[Romin Lee Johnson]

I freaking love it here. Thanks, Huy.