Thank You

As most people have herd the Coolest photography event of the year was this past week in Orange County. I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up for the workshop, but it turned out to be one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. I was able to learn and experience so much in such little time. Us learners were able to work with some of the best in the industry and what they had to teach us was priceless.

If anyone who has ever contemplated taking the class, I would say do it. It is worth every bit of money and time. What they can teach you in 4 days is more than what I would ever learn in a lifetime. And there is still more of knowledge to obtain.

What you put in to the academy is what you get out of it. Not only was I able to leave with loads of information, but also the best part was that I was able to leave with some new photography friends, Even one as far as England. I was also able to leave with new athlete friends from Long Beach State Track and Field team.

It has been a few days now since I have gotten back to Albuquerque and I still can’t stop think about SSA VII. I am still digesting everything from the four days but I wanted to say thank you to all the SSA staff for taking time out of their busy lives to help teach others. What they do is remarkable and I am privilege to be able to be part of SSA VII.

Thank you to:

- Matt Brown, Southern California-based freelance photographer

- Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times

- Myung J. Chun, Los Angeles Times

- Michael Goulding, Orange County Register

- Rod Mar, Seattle-based freelance photographer (formerly of the Seattle Times)

- John McDonough, Sports Illustrated

- Sean Haffey, San Diego Union-Tribune

- Ronal Taniwaki, Nikon Professional Services

- Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

- Jordan Murph, Sports Illustrated

- Crystal Chatham, Palm Spring Desert Sun

- Shawn Cullen, Sports Illustrated

- Mike Corrado, NPS Manager-Product Marketing)
- William Pekala, Nikon Professional Services General Manager)

And Big Thank you to Nikon for their great support and even with the hard economic times they are able to help support students.

Cheers