First off… I have to give a huge congrats to Canada and all the other athletes for an amazing Olympics!  What an inspiring two weeks!  I was able to keep up a bit while in Italy, and then took in the closing ceremonies as soon as I got home.  I’m not sure why, but these Olympics really demonstrated how important the games are to us.  Not just Canada but the world.  I was so proud that everything came together and Canada did an amazing job!!  I miss them already:):):)

Now finally I get to post this!  Should have been up in January but unfortunately I have been doing a lot of procrastinating:):)  I am indeed looking for some great help in 2010 and beyond.  This is a tough one because I’m not 100% sure of exactly who and what I am looking for:):)  I’m just gonna post this and see what cool stuff comes my way!  My specialty in my past corporate life was recruitment and I never thought I would be going back to that, LOL!  So I will break it into two parts… 1) internship and 2) second shooting.

1) Internship

I guess one exciting thing I can announce is I already have one intern for 2010… welcome aboard Jen… so excited!

I plan to step up my game even more this year and I have no interest in doing it all on my own.  I’m the kind of guy who loves to work and collaborate with others so I’m so excited to see what grows from this! One of my most important goals is to have more face time with my clients… getting to know them better and not to get stuck in front of the computer all year!  I want to take photos damn it!  LOL!  It’s not definite yet but here is a list of what one could be doing in this position…

Here is some criteria to who and what I am looking for…  If you are interested in photography, design, marketing or even administrative work and think you want to break out your creative side, then great!  You will get all of it:):)  I would say (and this is my opinion) that a position like this would be an alternative to going to school.  You would be working with me all year, learning and practicing everything I know:)  I will be taking the time to mentor you in photography and the business.  At this point it is an intern position which means no cashola.  You would need to be available for 15 to 20 weekend weddings this year and anywhere between 8 to 20 extra hours a week in the studio or other location.  Sound fun yet!?!

NOTE: If you have already established a business of your own, have a blog, book weddings and other photography gigs… you need not apply. Sorry peeps!  For these positions, I am looking for a couple people who can put all their effort and energy into growing my business and not their own at this point.

The intern positions will last for this year and will likely grow into something even cooler like associate photographer positions in 2011.

Interested now!?!  Well please send me an email to curtismoore@moorephotography.ca or give me a call at 204-688-4186.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

2) Second Shooters

What a great way to learn and have fun doing it!  Any weekend I have off during the year you can be sure I am spending it shooting with another photographer!  This is of course less of a commitment… it could be just one wedding out of the year.  You would of course need to meet a certain level of photography knowledge plus have the needed equipment.  If you have any questions about second shooting and would be interested… please send me an email to curtismoore@moorephotography.ca or call me at 204-688-4186.

Here is some info from The Becker about second shooting that may help… http://www.thebschoolblog.com/index.cfm?postID=24

Thanks so much for stopping by and I can’t wait to work with some awesome people in 2010 and beyond!!!

Oh yah!  If anyone who reads this blog that might know anyone interested and good for this, please send them my way!!!  Thanks!

Here is an awesome video I just saw so I’m posting it for fun! Enjoy!

I’ve only played around with them for about 30 minutes but so far so good… very impressive!!  Really quickly hit some adjustment buttons to find a great white balance, contrast level, shadows and tone… very easy and it got it right.  The top photo has some “Bitchin Camaro” and the bottom B&W processing is called “Riot Juice”.  Oh, and the brushes are great!!!  Even good old “Ying and Yang” in the house:):)  Still lot’s to explore but so far, this is the best group of Lightroom presets I have seen:)  I’m sure these will grow to be even stronger in the next year with the release of Lightroom 3:)  This image was all lightroom with a sharpening droplet set on export using a sharpening action from the TRA2 package.  This was a quick test so perhaps I’ll post a larger collection of pics with before and after’s soon:)  Thanks again Totally Rad!!!

Check out everything Totally Rad has to offer HERE, thanks!

So every year I make sure to invest in at least one good destination workshop.  I have only been in business for two years and these workshops have been one of the largest contributors to my success:)  So many great photographers that have made it their passion to share their knowledge with others. Each workshop I have attended over the years has allowed me to take giant steps forward in my business!  They have always come at the best time to inspire, motivate and teach me to be a better photographer, make a better business and just be a better person:):)

2008 – Mike Colon 4-day workshop – California

What an amazing trip! Mike Colon is one of the worlds best wedding photographers… you know… the $20, 000 guy:):)  Probably one of the coolest guys on earth… so nice and easy going!  Met some great people, made some awesome friends and learned a crap load about photography and the business.  Plus it was nice being in Beautiful California!  If you have the opportunity, learn from this guy!!!

Check out a post from way back then… CLICK HERE

2009 – Cliff Mautner 4-day workshop – Philadelphia

What a master of light this guy is!  This workshop really changed the game for me:)  I was once concerned with location choices, framing and posing but it’s all about light for me now!  Similar to how a cinematographer approaches a scene in a movie and how to light it… that is what I love to do.  Every shoot I do is different because lighting is always changing depending on the time of day or year.  Thank you Cliff Mautner!!!!

Check out a post from way back then… CLICK HERE

2010 – Kenny Kim Photo Venture 7-day workshop – Italy

And now for 2010!!  I’m always trying for bigger and better things so how about a week travelling through Italy with Kenny Kim?!?  Umm… yes!!  So excited!  I’ve never been and the countdown is on:):) So far, these workshops have been life changers and I expect the same for this one.  Here are some details about the tour… CLICK HERE.  As per usual, this crappy Winnipeg weather has kept me couped up and itching to get out and shoot… what a great way to start it off!  So very excited to see Italy, make some new friends and learn more about photography and myself!  March and April is gonna be all Italy on the blog baby!  Stay tuned:):):)

Oh yah… one of my goals for 2010 is have at least five adventures with my wife:)  Amanda is coming out at the end of the workshop so we can spend a week together… can’t wait!

Check out their album pre-design… I can’t wait to show you the actual album… amazing!!!  CLICK HERE!

If you haven’t become a fan over at the Facebook page… what are you waiting for?!?  Thanks!  CLICK HERE!

Check out the video below… if you would like to download it from iTunes for free, CLICK HERE!

If you would like to be notified when all their photos are available online, CLICK HERE!

Erin & Chris – Married from Curtis Moore on Vimeo.

I love posting my goals on the blog because in theory it will hold me more accountable to follow the plan.  In theory, LOL!  The goals I set for 2008 & 2009 were far exceeded so it’s exciting to set some important goals and hopefully have a very successful year in my life, with my family and my business.

From what I learned in my time in the corporate world, is that your goals need to be SMART.  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Timely.  So in this post my goals will seem a bit vague but on my end, I will have more specific details to ensure I exceed my goals.  So when I say a goal is to “lose weight and get in shape” (isn’t that always the first goal???)… I have a more detailed and timely plan that can be measured throughout the year.

GET FIT – Every year right!!!  Why is this so darn hard???  Well, it must be #1 on my list.  Anyone who does this work full time completely understands what a toll it can have on your body and mind.  Need to get in shape and eat right!!!  The goal is to get to 190 lbs again, exercise four times a week at least, drink lots of water and eat more natural foods, participate in a weekly sport or activity (besides weddings) and even get my yoga on:)  Wish me luck!

KICK SOME ASS – I want to not only meet but exceed my business goals.  (Set in my 2010 business plan)  Always pushing myself to be the best I can be and the best there is:):)  I want to learn, learn, learn and share, share, share.  To me, learning and teaching are the same thing.  Every time I share information with someone else, I also learn something.  EVERYONE has something to teach, so it is a huge goal to connect with others and push my creative and technical knowledge in everything I do.  Here are some things I have set to do and how I plan to kick more ass than ever before…

GET ORGANIZED – Yeah… what a year last year!  This year will be much easier!  Using ShootQ to help run the studio, outsourcing my post-production, steady wedding workflows including albums, and so much more.  I’m gonna do what I love the most… taking photos and connecting with couples.  I’ll get other professionals to take care of the rest:)

SPEAK UP – Speak in front of people… about photography or about the photography business.  This is such a helpful process!!  I plan to gain some confidence and learn more about myself by doing so.

GET HELP – Find some interns willing to help my business while in turn learning a lot.  Not sure if I should call it an Intern position or an Understudy position??  What do you think??  Stay tuned for a post all about this and how you can apply.

FIVE ADVENTURES – Sounds fun!  AT LEAST 5 adventures with my wife (and perhaps the kids) in 2010.  What does adventure mean???  Not just out to the most expensive restaurant in town, LOL!  I mean packing up and going out to see the world!  First one is in a couple weeks and I have a few more surprises for Amanda in 2010:)

READ A BOOK – 20 books read in 2010.  Sounds easy but not for my attention span, LOL!  Already finished an amazing book that has helped me and my business:)  Check out The Purple Cow and I will share more reviews during the year.

BUCKET LIST (2010) – A simple list of things to accomplish or experience before the end of 2010…

Thanks to everyone that follows me on the blog or facebook!  If you have any tips or suggestions that could help me achieve my goals… please share!!!  Is there anything else I should add to my list??

Until then, check out a slideshow that contains at least one pick from every “couples” session and wedding I had last year… what a year it was!!!