The entire team of TriCoast was just recently down at LightPro just outside of Fort Myers Florida and I must say it is truly one of the most amazing learning experiences I have ever been a part of.

Here is a quick review of the week we were there:

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I was concerned that this LightPro would not have the same “feel” and “educational” aspects as the ones in the past events which were held out on the Island there in Fort Myers area.

BOY WAS I WRONG…

While yes there were some unorganized situations which I think really came from being the first year at a new venue, all in all I must say the place is MUCH better than the situation in the past years.

First of all the hotel is STUNNING, so many places to shoot, so many areas to cover and so many details which after 4 days of coaching, teaching and sharing I still did not see it all. So the chance to create something special and unique is so much better I think.

Secondly the hotel ROCKED in the area of working with us. Dave After Dark had to be closed down at 3am each night YEAH THATS 3AM PEOPLE. We were all in the room and the hotel grounds learning and sharing ALL NIGHT LONG. Which to me was wonderful. We had kegs of beer, sodas and water and even food for everyone and the hotel worked with LightPro to make it happen which was wonderful.

The FOOD was much better – meaning yes the hotel food was somewhat more expensive than local food but you were only a few mins away from amazing shopping, food, and overall dinning and other experiences. Personally we ate out 3 times at three different places for dinner and they were all AMAZING. Plus a 4am run to Waffle House with 10 to 15 of my old and newest closest friends was FUN FUN FUN, especially hearing Travis G. “German Shepard” story.

All in all the experience was amazing, Suzy and I just woke up from our nap after getting no sleep over the last week. Sadly we looked at each other and wish we could do it again next week, it was that much fun!

I also want to thank the companies which made it possible, from Larson having the studio gear there, MAC group for having their PocketWizards in the studio,  Denny’s having their amazing backgrounds simply at our fingertips to pick and use in the shooting lab (I came home with 2 more due to trying before buying them) Radio Popper for bringing the unreleased RadioPopper JRS and letting us TriCoast boys set them up by the AMAZING pool and shoot TTL wireless flash mixed in with Manual and controlling  Alien Bee 800 units. We had the sky light up with the Alien Bee’s and sexy and correct light on our model making the shot unique and different and so easy. The models there were GREAT, I know we simply had to grab and go all day long. Heck I know last night Jen Hillenga had some girl all painted up with body paint and then added a male model to the mix and was creating some amazing images in the shooting bay.

Simply stated the event was AMAZING and while there were some issues getting all the information together, speakers mics working and other things, I feel for the first time in a new location, the hotel, Larson and everyone in between did an amazing job at getting things together. Everyone took notes on how to make next year’s even stronger and better and I really feel this place has the foundation and location to make that happen.

It was so great seeing our old friends and making new ones, truly it was!!!

Dave After Dark was my favorite experience of LightPro, it took learning to another level allowing EVERYONE both newbie and “famous” photographers to share, learn and enjoy our amazing art form. There were the tools at our fingertips to learn and experience situations and expanding our level of education at every turn and I think that to me was the key for its success. Of course having Dave at the helm is truly an amazing thing to watch, that guy is CRAZY AMAZING with talent! So thanks Dave for so much hard work in making After Dark happen!

I hear “Dave After Dark” will be a Travelling Show of Education for extreme hands on learning in the coming months with the very first one being held in Austin, Texas.  Needless to say I am VERY excited to hear this news as well!!!