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--- Peggy Farren --
Avant-Garde Images, Inc., Understand Photography and Boutique Destination Weddings.
Key West Nov 29 - Dec 2

Join Joe and Ed in Key West, FL!
Improve your photography and have fun!
Never more than 5 photographers per instructor.    

4 Day Key West Field Workshop/ 3 nights
Thursday 11/29/2012 - Sunday 12/2/2012

Save $50 by registering early!

 

$795 early registration (double occupancy) through November 2
$845 regular price Nov 3-29

http://understandphotography.com/key-west-photo-trip-november-29/

Key West Slideshow Ad 2012
Key West Slideshow Ad 2012

Babies and Children -
The Incredible Hug Pose!
Funny expression on baby
Children and babies can be the most difficult to photograph! 
Here are just a few tips to get fabulous pictures.
1.  Closeups create impact, especially if you get a great expression.  Remember the rule of thirds - it's okay to crop off a part of the head if the eyes stay on the top rule of third line.
Close up of Aiden A.
2.  Clear the clutter out of the background so that the child stands out.
3.  The hug pose is the best pose to get great expressions!
Hug pose brothers Mom and Son hug pose
Throw baby for Hug Pose










































Throw baby up, catch in the hug pose and Voila!  You've got a smiling baby!
Please be careful anytime you throw a baby! 


Schedule for
Understand Photography 

Understand Photography offers inexpensive workshops and excursions, private lessons, photowalks and short photo trips.  We also rent out our studio and studio lighting equipment. 

 

Everything we do is hands-on for optimal learning!   

 

We have a mix of beginners to advanced and professional photographers.  You will love our friendly group!

http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/#calendar       Steam Punk Model Carly  
November

4    1:00 to 6 p.m. Wedding Photography with a "real" fake wedding $129 

7    10 a.m. To noon DSLR Naples $45/60

10    4:30 p.m. Simple HDR $69/89

14    6-9 pm Studio Lighting $79/99

15    6-9 p.m. Beginning Lightroom Ft Myers $69/89

17    10-3 Masterpiece class $149/169  SOLD OUT 

21    6:15 p.m. Studio Model Shoot $29/49

25    2:30 pm The Outdoor Portrait sunsets $69/89  

28    10 a.m. To noon DSLR Fort Myers $45/60

29    4 day Key West trip $795

 

December

1    8:30 a.m. Successful Bird Photo $79/99

4    9:15 am Elements Cram $59/79

8    10 am Steam Punk Creative Editing $149/169  Only TWO spots left! 

9    2:30 pm Posing Individuals & Groups $79/99

10  6:15 pm Holiday Lights excursion $59/79

15  3:45-6:45 p.m. Simple HDR Naples $79/99

19  6:15 p.m.Studio Model Shoot $29/49

27  10 a.m. To noon DSLR Naples
27  7:30 a.m.  Ding Darling excursion $149/$169 

28  2 pm Everglades excursion $149/169

 

 Please note that classes sell out quickly so don't procrastinate about signing up for events!  We also have early registration prices.  Why pay the regular rate when you can sign up early and receive a discount?  

 

Trips planned - no more than 5 photographers per instructor!
Nov 29- Dec 2  Key West Photo Adventure $795
Feb 5-7  Mount Dora Ladies Photo Retreat  $795
Feb 22-24 Fun in the Everglades!  $495
Apr 13-14 Miami!!  $275
May 2-5  St Augustine $695
October 2013 date to be determined St Croix, Virgin Islands

   

New classes and events are added frequently.  Join our club for free to keep up with all we offer!   

http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/#calendar  

About us:
Understand Photography training center is a division within Avant-Garde Images, Inc. Portrait Studio. Avant-Garde is owned by professional photographer Peggy Farren, who is well known around Naples.  Florida Weekly newspaper voted Peggy as having the "Best Smile in Naples"! 

Peggy loves photography and loves helping other photographers. Every instructor in our training center is QUALIFIED to teach.  They know their subject and are all constantly striving to become better teachers.  We are all evaluated by our students and other teachers.  We want our students to have fun and to learn!
Recent Awards

  2012 Readers Choice Award 2011 choice award Wedding Wire 2012 WeddingWire2011 NAWP award
Join Our Mailing List
 

Wedding Photography Workshop THIS Sunday! 
KirstyThis is one of our most popular workshops!
Peggy Farren has been a wedding photographer in SW Florida for over 14 years. 
  • Learn marketing techniques that work for THIS area.
  • Learn to manage clients and expectations so that everything goes smoothly the day of the wedding.
  • Processing with speed - Don't spend your life on the computer editing.
  • Ceremony Do's and Don't's.   
  • Posing tips, including a handout of poses.
  • Hands-on practice with real models on the beach!

    Only $129.  Don't miss it this Sunday, November 4:
    http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/events/80983612/ 
Season has come early and we are ready!
Think of us for
Photo Classes, Private Lessons,
Excursions and Trips

and of course
Family Portraits, Weddings and Events!
This will take you to all three of our websites:  www.NaplesPortraits.com
LOVE HDR?  15% discount on Photomatix

Use code UNDERSTANDPHOTO to receive a

15% discount on Photomatix

Order at www.HDRsoft.com  

 
Saturday, November 10 Join us for an HDR workshop!
Only $89 for a small class size and hands on learning!  

You will LOVE instructor Gavin Lowe's workshop on Simplifying HDR! http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/events/84207412/ 

 

Check out the video Gavin put together: 

HDR High Dynamic Range class
HDR High Dynamic Range class

Did you miss our Speedlight or Business Class?
wedding We have a workshop called "The Outdoor Portrait", which is a workshop on the basics of flash.  We teach how to balance the camera settings with the flash settings for beautiful images.  We also take the flash off the camera and show you how easy it can be!!  As always, this class is hands-on!   It's Sunday, November 25 - yes Thanksgiving weekend.  :)  http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/events/84627202/


Business class - Please let me know via email if you are interested.  [email protected].  I generally offer this class about twice a year.  It gets great reviews and you should increase your income IMMEDIATELY after taking this class.  I am thinking January - let me know if you'd like it scheduled!
~Peggy
$95 Tuesday Headshots $95
Our studio is centrally located on Linwood Ave.                                                                                                                                                        We'll have you in and
out of our studio in
about 15 minutes.    

 

We give discounts if
several people come
in at once.  

We will al
so come to your
place of
  business for
location headshots and
group portraits. 


Call today for an appointment. 
(239) 263-7001
Now with two locations - Naples and Fort Myers!
Please check the calendar for classes near you!
http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/#calendar
Steam Punk Model Shoot was AWESOME!
Steam Punk Model AliePlease check out all the pictures on our meetup site:

http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/photos/11355072/

Our model shoots attract mostly professional photographers and we also have a few novices.  Small teams work together to come up with fabulous pictures!

We had TEN styled models!  Thank you so much to the models for donating their time, Kat Ebaugh, also known as Pixel Winters for the incredible costuming, Ursula Gibbons for helping with the costuming,
The team of FIVE stylists from Salon Tease Hair Salon, Tim Gibbons Photography, Joe Fitzpatrick Photography and Patricia Martinez.

Without all of the volunteers, this would not have been the incredible event at the even more incredible price! 

What's next?  I need ideas for the next big model shoot!!!  What about ballet and other dancers?  Is there interest?
Email me!  [email protected]
:)
Peggy

Join our Facebook Group for Learning and Inspiration
OCF Michele sunset Share your pictures to show off, to ask for critiques and to be inspired!  Tell us how you achieved the picture and we'll all learn!

 

Feeling the LOVE from clients and photographers
"Thanks sooooo much for your time today!  The first time EVER I have been comfortable having my picture taken!!!  You made the experience fun and relaxing.  You're a real expert, in every respect.  Thank you." -Karen Conley

"Absolutely terrific shoot. Peggy has outdone herself again, beautiful models, a great setting, but the most incredible parts were the costumes and makeup, it was movie quality - better, movies would LOVE to have them. What's next Peggy? You have set the bar high, now exceed it next time!"
- Linwood Ferguson
Note:  Regarding Steam Punk Model Shoot -- the costuming was done by Kat Ebaugh aka Pixel Winters and Hair/Makeup by Salon Tease in Naples.

"Joe Sanfillipo
and I celebrate our 1 year anniversary tomorrow. There's not a day that goes by that we don't see our beautiful engagement and wedding photos and relive the day. Thank you again for spending our day with us and capturing each and every special moment. You two are amazing!
"
-Laurie and Joe Sanfillipo

"It's not very often a photographer has the unique opportunity to take pictures of 8 beautiful models in full Steam Punk make-up and costumes; surrounded by texture rich scenery on a gorgeous October Florida. So the real question is...Why didn't you sign up?"
-Greg Agee
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(239) 263-7001