Workshops By Mara

EXPLORE:

WHY I STARTED THIS BLOG...

Photography has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I was trained by my father in how to read the light, set the camera, load the film (gasp! yes film!), pose the subjects and when to click the shutter. I was trained by my mother in how to run a photography studio, sell a portrait, answer the phone, and give great customer service. However, that was not the only training they gave to me. Inherent in all they did, the way they conducted themselves in their business and in the community was the idea that to have a successful business and meaningful life, you need to make quality human connections. Many of their clients became their friends. I think I have taken these gifts for granted because as I teach and speak, I see that this idea of connecting with clients is missing from the training of so many of the photographers I meet. Learning the latest photoshop action, or having your images printed on the most trendy metallic paper or wrapped canvas or offering a purse with an image of client's child on the front will not make you successful. Learning about your clients and connecting with them and yourself will. This site and the workshops that I will offer will be dedicated to helping photographers learn just how master their art, connect with themselves and their clients to achieve long term success.

Artistic Impressions By Mara

SECTION: Welcome

Here, in the above image, I am photographing my dad, John Blom and my sister (on his shoulders) on the steps of Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. I love this because it says so much, this was the beginning for me… The art of photography is based upon the desire to connect with others and tell a story.

I love to study portraits of people made by every photographer from Alfred Steiglitz and Gertrude Kasebier to Dorthea Lange and Arnold Newman to Sally Mann. I find it fascinating, looking at the subjects and trying to imagine each story. I have always love to read and I think that I am a frustrated author, trying to create a story though my images. Being able to be confident in my role as a photographer and storyteller comes from the fact that I am confident in my technical photographic ability.

However, sometimes we need to let go of perfection to get to the heart of the story – the emotional impact and dynamic that is waiting to emerge. I have found that sometimes, in viewing my images of others, I can learn something about myself. The reason I established this blog for other photographers is for that reason – to help you learn something about yourself which will help you become a better photographer.

Oh, I will post articles and and assignments and books that I think will help with your business and creativity and such, but the true reason for this is to make a connection and help you do the same. After all isn’t that what we all crave?

This series epitomizes why photography means so much to me. The subjects are five of my favorite people, three of whom are no longer living. My two little boys are playing poker with my grandparents and my mother. My grandmother died about two years after this, my grandfather about a year after her, and my mother last June 19, 2009.

What I love about this series is that it tells so much about each one of them. My fidgety son, playing with the poker chips; my grandfather with the everlasting smile on his face, finding joy in all he did; my grandmother always with a comment; my other son, so serious, concentrating on winning; and mom, the organizer of the whole game, to make sure everyone was having a good time.

Seeing these again after time has passed, missing my beautiful mother who has been gone for about a year and a half, my boys so much older, my grandparents who took care of so many, pulls at my heart. I can hear everyone’s voices, if I stare long enough. That is the power of what we get to do. Pretty amazing, huh?