Feb 09, 2015Lazers & Blazers 2015

For those of you who don’t necessarily consider yourselves photography aficionados but still love to attend the infamous revelry of Lazers & Blazers, this year we’ve got a new option specially for you: a 2-day Vacation Music Pass. 
 
A new environment allows for new possibilities. Lazers & Blazers, freed from the stifling neon purgatory that is Las Vegas, has been stretching its legs; inhaling the salty air; rearing offspring; and, most importantly, evolving. Spurred on by its symbiosis with Photo Field Trip, Lazers & Blazers is in the process of evolving from a mere dance party into a multifaceted, micro music festival.  
 
But before you shut your laptop / throw your phone across the room / fog up your google glass / smash the monitor of your Gateway 5000, let’s be clear that this is not a “festival” in the sweaty, overcrowded, superficial, poorly-engineered, horde-of-wailing-manbabies sense. We’re talking about intimate, specially-curated live performances in ways you’ve never seen them before. Well-known artists, but in a unique setting that engenders a unique presentation. What better place to induce such a performance than an environment already brimming with artistic energy and community, an environment that elicits and fosters creative expression in its truest form. Photo Field Trip is the perfect place for Lazers to evolve and diversify. Don’t worry though, the unrivaled insanity of a dance party under the stars will still be at the core of Lazers & Blazers. But in addition to that tradition, we always want to be moving forward, providing the opportunity to expand your mind and be part of something that hasn’t been done before. 
 
For those of you particularly interested in this aspect of Photo Field Trip, we’re offering the 2-day Vacation Music Pass. You’ll check in Saturday evening and check out Monday after breakfast. In between, you’ll dance your ass off at Lazers on Saturday, attend this year’s live show featuring Phosphorescent (solo), on Sunday, participate in games and activities, and bask in the creative forcefield amongst hundreds of artists. There are only 20 spaces for this option, so if you’re interested, jump into the fold soon. It’s a welcoming community if there ever was one – just be warned you’ll probably photographed a few hundred times, so watch out. 
 
Thank you to Squarespace

Photo Field Trip from Field Trip on Vimeo.

Feb 05, 2015Field Trip India – Call to Action

Last fall, Field Trip India brought together an unusual assemblage: children from an orphanage in rural Rajahmundry, and a small group of unassuming photographers from around the world. If we thought we were going to document culture or to make beautiful images, we were thinking too small, too self-contained. My time at the orphanage created an image in my mind that couldn’t be contained in any photo: an opportunity to visualize my heart again – to see beyond myself. Sitting on a concrete floor with those kids, I was transported right back to my 12-year-old self, to my own experience as an orphan; yet here I was simultaneously present in a moment of indescribable kinship. We started our journey as observers and photojournalists, but ended our travels totally inspired and motivated to make a difference. 
 
Those kids are the reason why I’m participating in this campaign to raise funds for the orphanage. If you have no interest in looking through the photos, you can skip them – they are just my attempt to capture a feeling that was much more than the sum of its parts. They are the personal piece that I could take with me. The important thing is that you know about this campaign, that you have the opportunity to offer a little bit of yourself to a community that needs it. Please click here: teamrajahmundry 
 
Although we spoke different languages, we were present with them in ways that language need not inhibit. As you sit there in the room, they touch you – but secretly, sneaking in the touch. If you open your arms to give a hug to one child, three more fall into the embrace. And beyond touch, there was music: dancing, singing, sharing a joy much deeper than words. In addition to basic needs, our hope with this campaign is to provide the kids with resources to explore these joys of music and creativity. 
 
Field Trip is a community that gives back. The money for Field Trip India came from the first Photo Field Trip, and we hope to create a never-ending loop of opportunities like this. Thank you for sharing this with me, and thank you for supporting these children. 
 
If you would like to see the rest of the images, you are more than welcome to look through them here.

If you would like to see the rest of my personal images from the trip (and you have some time on your hands), you are more than welcome to look through them here. 
 
But what would be truly great is if you have the capability to donate to this wonderful orphanage: www.gofundme.com/teamrajahmundry

Dec 03, 2014Field Trip 2015!!!

Instead of simply admiring and copying the ideas of those around us, at Field Trip we challenge each other to sharpen ourselves against one another, to allow the cross-pollination of ideas. 
 
The result is an exchange of follower lifestyle for that of a pioneer. Cut a new path. Ask those questions that weigh on your mind but you’re afraid no one can answer. 
 
And guess what? We might not have the answer! That’s not what we’re about.  
 
What we are about is making answers together. Because this isn’t about the mere addition of brain power; it’s about exponential multiplication. Sorry, we swear that’s the only math analogy we’ll use. You are creatives, after all… 
 
But you get the idea: when our brains touch, they have brain children. Your amygdala is probably blushing, but this is just the nature of brain sex; nothing to be ashamed about.

Join us for hands-on learning, sharing, sharpening, connecting, puddle-jumping… 
 
You won’t just find facts at Field Trip – let’s be honest, and we’re not afraid to say this, you can google any fact you want to learn about photography. You can youtube just about any tutorial. If that’s all Field Trip was about, it wouldn’t be too big of a deal. The speaker-audience dynamic isn’t worth traveling for when you can just open up a new tab and put on a TED talk. 
 
But you can’t google an active conversation. No forum can put that interactive spark in your brain (and if it does it’s often in the form of trolling…). Field Trip brings together roundtable discussions, think tanks and interactivity that cannot be transmitted electronically. Plus — and this is no small thing — it makes the learning part inspiring and fun. When was the last time you had fun scouring a forum? I can’t remember, but I can remember the last time I almost threw my laptop out of a second story window.

Photo Field Trip from Field Trip on Vimeo.

There are all walks of life represented at Field Trip, all ages — and each one of them is equally important as the teachers. Because this isn’t a speaker-audience dynamic. It’s a conversation. It’s a connection that you are absolutely drawn into, unable to be that guy in the back taking notes. 
 
That can be uncomfortable for some who feel forced into contact with difference. 
 
Many of us stick to our forums and youtube tutorials, convincing ourselves that it’s logical and efficient. Whether consciously or not, we’re usually avoiding direct criticism, as well as the expectation of our own input into the lives of others.  
 
You have a lot to share, but you might not even know what it is until you encounter that difference. 
 
Field Trip is always evolving and compounding. And how could it not be, after we learned so much last year about what people responded to? So yes, we’ve been listening to your voices – one of the resulting changes is that we’ve added a day (that’s why the cost is higher this year). And what are you gonna do with that extra day? This year we’ll have hands-on opportunities with whatever kind of equipment you want to learn, or just play with. Want to learn to shoot film? We’re providing the cameras, the film, and even the developing labs. Want to play with that weird lens that you probably don’t need but always wanted to try? Go for it. 
 
What about classes? All same-old story? Not a chance. All the classes will be different, with the exception of the really key central ones. We’ll have over 10 new teachers. Want to learn how to get into stock or commercial photography? Attend the agent panels. Want to blow off class and go bike riding? No judgement here. 
 
Keep checking the website (photofieldtrip.com), Instagram (@yeahfieldtrip) for updates! 
We are adding a ton of cool new stuff this year including: teachers, classes, activities, etc! We took so much of the feedback to heart from last year and look forward to making this years Field Trip even more amazing 
 
Can’t wait to see you all at Field Trip next year! 
Let us know if you have any questions – [email protected] 
 
Best, 
The Field Trip Team

Mar 07, 2014top 10 wedding photographers

i’ve been in the top ten for a while now…according to my husband. this is what I’d hear now for a few years as i would walk past my husband talking to a florist or a dj. as we were on our way home I would try to check him, “whit! why do you tell people I’m one of the top ten female wedding photographers?” then he says “well, you are!” I would say, “according to who?” his response, “me!” at that point what can I do but shake my head and let him have his own opinion. but now i will feel slightly more comfortable when he decides to brag about his lady and there is a little more validity. the truth is we couldn’t have done it without each other.  
driving to palm springs the other day for a wedding whitney said to me, “do you think we were nominated top ten because I’ve been willing it for the last few years. It’s the secret.” I’ll give him that 😉 
 
but seriously, I didn’t think anyone else thought we were “top ten” material even if whitney did say so. To say the least…we are completely honored. WOW.  
this news is beyond exciting. It doesn’t feel quite real yet. between the first email, the photo submissions and interview I certainly I had the jitters of excitement but it didn’t hit me until the tweets, emails, phone calls and texts of congratulations started rolling in. “holy cakes,” I thought, “this is a big deal.” to be listed with all of these other photographers below is very exciting.  
 
 
congrats to everyone that was a part of this amazing honor! we are beyond excited to see our names amongst all these crazy talented folks…marcus bell, parker j pfister, dina douglass, yervant, camille and chadwick of jonetsu studios, greg gibson, me ra koh, and a special congrats to our friends jac + nate and jonas perterson . 

Feb 24, 2014LAZERS & BLAZERS

The epic party that has been known as Airhorns and Lazers, Airplanes and Blazers (1 & 2) and Lazers and Blazers is returning! For many of you, you don’t need an introduction; you already know that Lazers and Blazers is THE party of the year. 2014’s installment will be no exception. This year it will be held on the night of Sunday, the 2nd of March – the last night of Field Trip! 
 
Click here to get tickets

We were going to name it “Hazers & Tazers” but we didn’t want to confuse you guys too much since we’ve moved the party from Vegas to the forest on the coast already. Instead of breathing air-conditioned air in the confines of the Vegas corridors, we thought it might be nice to get out in some real air and see the stars. 
 
Come on, LET’S GO