Dustin Francis Photography

I am writing this post from my hotel room in Orange County.  I am here for Jasmine Star’s fabulous workshop aptly named; The Workshop.  The OC has been treating me oh so well!  I flew in Monday and Monday evening I was already hanging out with a dozen photographers from all over the country.  We were all here for The Workshop, so decided to get things started early and shoot a bit around Balboa Pier and then we grabbed some food at BJ’s.  Last night, there was an OC vs. LA bowling showdown and my new friend Wayne Toshikazu invited me to join in and represent the OC.  I have to say, I represented well, getting the high score for the OC helping slaughter LA….HOLLA!  I also made new friends there and had lots of good conversation…I’m lovin’ it.

The Workshop was held Tuesday and was everything I was hoping for and more.  Jasmine and JD did an amazing job of organizing everything and just creating an awesome atmosphere making the expereience that much better.  Everything was so simple…I loved it!  I’ve met Jasmine a few times before and I (like 10,000 other people) check her blog daily to read what inspiring or funny words she has to say and if you’re reading this Jasmine, yes, I DO think you are funny 🙂  It was refreshing to be able to hangout and share with 20 other photographers lead by someone I find to just be, well fabulous.  I got so much out of The Workshop and recommend it to anyone looking to get inspired or step up their skills.  A big thank you to Jasmine for making this happen and making me love my job and our industry that much more!

Some pics from The Workshop…

Jasmine, you’re in my shot…

Oh wait, maybe I’m in your shot.

Mark and Tiffany were looking fierce…

Are you being a diva here?

I love to laugh!

I’m jealous of all the gorgeous shoes women get to wear and these were no exception…

Workin’ it for Jasmine.

Love this pose Jasmine set up.

Thanks for working it Mark and Tiff.

Definitely check out Jasmine’s pics on her blog.  Here are the attendees…some amazing peeps in there!

I was contacted about a month ago about Zayna and Rani’s fabulous wedding images that were already featured in Metro Detroit Bride to be featured in a magazine based out of Beirut called Sayidaty.  It is a women’s magazine with heavy readership in that area including fashion and tech savy places such as Dubai.  The article turned out to be an interview about wedding photographers and what brides should look for on their photography and more important photographer, which of course I thought was great.  I mentioned a few of my friends and and fellow photographers in the article.  Jasmine Star, Kenny Kim, Millie Holloman, Ben Harrison, Nicole Ladonne, and Jackie Blair are all awesome people and give me great inspiration as well as add so much to our amazing industry.  The interview is a 4-page spread with images and I am quite happy and suprised how everything turned out.  Also, the most current issue of my favorite photography magazine Rangefinder has a few images that I took in Las Vegas while helping my awesome buddy, Kenny Kim, covering WPPI.  Thanks to everyone who made this possible…I love my job!

I have enjoyed Express’ clothes for some time, but I felt a need to share the shirts I wear and adore from them.  They are the 1MX line of dress shirts, but specifically the Fitted version…not the Modern Fit version.  See, I have a big neck (although it has gotten smaller as I have lost a little bit of weight) but I’m not a big guy, so usually if I buy a shirt to fit my neck so I can wear a tie and what not, the shirt has about 4.7469 yards of fabric too much in the stomach area…in other words, TOO BIG.  The Fitted cut of the 1MX is perfect, it comes in a lot more on the sides and the waist…just how I like it.  I really helps to clean up the look and looks WAY better.  Also, since my neck is smaller now (16 1/2 in) the shirts I buy fit me all around now….WOO HOO!  Sorry if this was a bit random, but I just had to share my love for the Fitted 1MX.  Express rocks!

Just another shot of the Law Quad.  The weather is finally getting nice again, so I hope to do a lot of shooting soon and will be sure to let locals know!