FIND Review from Ashley Stelzer - FIND Boston (SHE HAS NOT ATTENDED YET!!!)

Six months ago I wrote Jonathan Canlas asking for more information for the Film is Not Dead workshop. I don't know what the email equivalent to choking on your tongue is, but that's what it kind of felt like. I had heard that the FIND workshop was amazing- life changing. And I really wanted to learn. So much. After receiving his first information packed response, I wrote again, and asked what I was afraid to ask in my first email. I danced around the question- "How well seasoned are those who attend". In code that meant: "I don't know what I'm doing. Will I look like an idiot in front of all these incredible photographers." At this point I was waiting for that dismissal email, something akin to "Well maybe you should wait until you've....." But that didn't happen. Jon assured me that egos weren't tolerated. So with my husband's blessing I sent in my deposit.

Film does not intimidate me. It's familiar. My mom was a photographer and I grew up shooting film- though maybe not understanding it. So before I write more regarding the awesomeness that was to come next, I'd like to delve further into why I wanted to do this workshop. I imagine that many sign up for FIND because they love film, and want to shoot film. For me it was more... I want to create. I want to find my voice. I want to slow down, be more observant. I want make art. And from everything I've seen from previous workshop attendees, I felt confident that if there was one thing I could do to help me develop as an artist, FIND was it. I'm have no problem in admitting I'm intimidated by all these terrific photographers, not because the medium they use, but because their art is so strong.

I want to be better.

Perhaps you yourself are looking at signing up for a FIND workshop. Maybe you are wondering "How much could I learn in 3 days". Well I have been doing the "workshop" for six months. I've been part of the FIND community. When you hear that the workshop begins the second you sign up- IT'S NO LIE. From the moment you sign up you become part of this amazing private community. No description can really touch on how incredible all these people are. You'll have to brace yourself for all the information you'll learn. Everyone is so open. It's unreal. I know that the gains I've made as an artist these past few months has come from what I have learned from this generous community. The opportunity to learn is everyday with this group. The support from fellow members is unreal.

It will be another few months before I do the workshop. I'm beyond excited. My poor husband hears me chat on incessantly about FIND daily and appeases my by stopping off on his way home to buy film for me. I've already integrated film into my workflow. It's changing how I think about making photos. I can't wait to learn more.

_________
AE Stelzer Photography
www.aestelzer.com

FIND Review from Elaine Palladino - FIND Miami

It should be noted that I’m a teacher. Yes, I’m a photographer and an ever-evolving one at that, but denying that I’m a teacher is like denying that I’m a Cuban or prone to emotional decisions. It’s just who I am. As a teacher, I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that has spilled over into my photography career. Put simply, I love to learn. And I love to learn from the best. Though I’m usually the one to seek new experiences out, I’m always wary of how I’m going to be taught. Not everyone can teach. Some people are just not capable of helping others discover their own knowledge. They don’t show, they tell and their students struggle accordingly.

So it’s with some authority that I say Jonathan Canlas is a teacher. Sure, he’s a photographer—an amazingly talented, you-would-be-lucky-to-have-an-ounce-of-his-vision photographer—but he’s a teacher in every sense of the word.

Film has always been the final frontier for me. It’s ironic, given that people normally learn how to shoot film first then abandon that to go to digital. To me, film was a mythical being, a far off land that this self-taught photographer would never reach. I wasn’t a photographer, at least not in my eyes, until I learned how to shoot film. When I read that the Film Is Not Dead workshop would be heading to Miami, my hometown, I jumped at the opportunity not because it was a film workshop, but it was Jonathan’s workshop. If I was going to learn film, I was going to learn it from the best.

What I discovered in three days in that beautiful mansion by the water went beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. Yes, I learned all the technical aspects of film and more efficient ways to run my business. Yes, we shot some of the best families and couples I’ve had the pleasure of photographing all the while learning from Jon, Joe, Catherine and our fellow attendees. All of this is important, yet it was what I was expecting out of this workshop. What I didn’t expect were all the non-tangible things that I would learn. I didn’t expect the friendships that I made or the FINDers community I’m so fortunate to be a part of now—an open, supportive community that only a person like Jon could create. Least of all, I didn’t expect Jonathan the teacher.

It’s rare in a business that is so incredibly competitive, to find someone as open with his knowledge as Jon. His humor, his confidence and his innate ability to show, not tell make him a true teacher. There is no denying his incredible talent as a photographer, but I believe that his true calling is helping other photographers find their voice and giving them the tools they will need to become better. It is just who he is. I was not afraid to ask Jon questions I’m sure he has heard a hundred times or fearful when he gave me his opinion on my photography. With the help of Jon I’m no longer afraid of film. He taught me to be brave and that has made all the difference.

Elaine Palladino

FIND Review from Heather Perera - FIND Orem 2011

I had been searching for a workshop for quite some time, it seems like everyone out there is doing one these days. I came really close to signing up for one in Atlanta with some photographers I really admire. For some reason I never did, I dragged my feet and couldn't figure out why. This was the opportunity I had asked for? One night while stalking some of my favorite photographers, I came across FIND and knew this was the workshop I was meant to do. It was crazy, really. I hadn't ever shot film, and many of the photographers I admire most had done the workshop in the past. That meant the caliber of attendees would be high. I am a self-taught, stay at home mom who is making a go at my passion. What was I thinking? It didn't matter, I signed up before I had time to let fear talk me out of it. Instead I let the fear motivate me. I didn't want a workshop where I was the norm, how would I grow? When I was cycling a lot and preparing for an event, I would ride with people much faster than me. It was hard and I got my butt kicked, but I improved much more rapidly.

When I walked in, I was so intimidated. The studio is ridiculous and you know right away that you're not at a little league game. Jon asked me what I wanted to get out of the workshop and about my experience. When I told him I hadn't ever shot a film camera and I had had my business up and running for approximately 2 weeks, I could tell he was thinking, "this girl is crazy". But the first thing you learn about Jon is that he's the most open, nurturing and egoless man you'll ever meet.

Half of the days were spent in the studio furiously trying to take in all that Jon has learned in his career. The second half of the day was spent shooting bridal, engagement and family sessions. The first day we went out to shoot I was so nervous having my peers watch me pose the couples that I couldn't eat lunch. But, the next thing you learn about Jon is he is encouraging, non-assuming and instantly puts people at ease. The other attendees were also so lovely, talented, open, encouraging and there really was a sense of community between us. There were photographers with well established businesses and photographers just starting, but the one bond between us all is we were all there to grow and learn. Jon created the perfect environment for this to happen. Among the other things I've talked about, Jon is honest, wickedly talented, goofy, insanely passionate, driven and the ultimate family guy.

When I left, Jon gave me a huge hug and I cried. I cried the whole drive back. In looking back, I think it gave me the opportunity to focus on myself and my passion. I wasn't a wife, friend or mom; there were no clothes to clean, no lunches to make, no noses to wipe. Just an artist trying to find a voice and grow. I also learned that everyone is insecure and that it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there for the world to critique. That is a gift few people can give to another, and Jon gave it to me. For that I will always be grateful.

Taking my personal journey aside, the workshop is amazing! Jon will answer any question you have, the food is off the hook, the models are gorgeous and you will leave with this uber talented, supportive, tight community. You'll learn everything from how to work a light meter or even load film, to why most photographers fail, how to get blogs to showcase your work, how to price your sessions and how to sell prints.

Thank you Jon and all of the other photographers who attended and created such a safe, nurturing environment where I could be vulnerable and grow.

Heather Perera

FIND Review from Gert Huygearts - FIND Ibiza (um, he has not even attended yet)

The following review is from an attendee who has YET to attend the workshop. How the hell is that even possible you ask? Well, a lot of it, no, all of it is because the workshop begins the second you sign up. There is an online community you gain access to on FB and a private forum as well. And this allows the workshop also to go much further than the last 3rd day. So, without any adieu...

Where do I begin? Well, about 12 years ago, I had took photography-school to get my "official" degree in photography… wow, that sounded good! I started out my first year of this school with my good old Nikon F4 film-camera. During the next 2 years, digital photography entered the lessons and my world in a high speed. We were told the digital offered way much more possibilities, higher quality, less costs…to get it short: nothing but advantages.

Digital had entered my photography life and I got used to it… it seemed to work for me and my clients. Up until a few months ago, when I started thinking about what I had been doing the past years with my great passion, photography. That was the moment that I realized that the great moments of taking time for a photo and the fantastic darkroom adventures had disappeared out of my life. They had been replaced by high-paced digital work and a lot of time behind a screen. Was that my great passion? Don't think so…

I started browsing the net to find my way back into film photography and darkroom stuff. One beautiful day, a great catch-phrase blew my mind: Film Is Not Dead!

The man behind this phrase, Jonathan Canlas, seemed to be quite a hell of a photographer who worked 100% film. 100% film???? I couldn't even imagine myself working 1% film again for my clients! I started reading about the FIND and Jonathan and I came across loads of great testimonials about his workshops, which was very intriguing to me. To be honest, the photographers who were these great testimonials, they had all stunning portfolios themselves! It was just like they all had seen the same awesome light to get the images they love. That's when I decided to dig into FIND. I bought the Find-guide and read it 2 to 3 times the same evening I bought it. It was all so plain and simple… almost everything on film photography was in it, but it was all explained in a passionate and fun way! No boring theories… just BAM…spot on!

After reading the find guide, getting into more reviews, portfolios of FIND-attendees, etc… the next step was there very soon: I wanted to join a FIND workshop! Oops… Jon was located in the States… that would cost me an arm AND a leg to get there…
Not this time! This year Jon would be coming to Ibiza with his FIND crew and a bunch of great film-devoted photographers, so my decision was made pretty quick! Booked my seat in the classroom, booked my seat on the plane and now i between shooting new rolls of film, I'm counting days until september!

The counting of the days will be a lot more bearable thanks to Jon, as he provides a great way to interact with all the FIND-members. And believe me, a whole new world opened up to me! Even before I even attended the real workshop! The people of FIND really amazed me with their work and the way of sharing knowledge and experiences… something what is very hard to find these days! In the short while that I got to know Jon and Find, I already met some of the FIND-ers in real life and it really is great to see the passion of these people for their job… it gives you the energy and inspiration to keep on going for your own goals! Something I really missed the last few years.

So was FIND an eye-opener to me? Yes! And I am quite sure that it will even bring me more in the future. I can't wait to get on the plane to Ibiza in september!

Gert Huygaerts

FIND Review from Wendy Laurel - FIND Maui

What do I love more than film? The people who shoot film. Haven’t met one I didn’t like, no love. I learned to shoot film at Jonathan Canlas’s workshop “Film is Not Dead” and have not looked back. And if you think Im nuts.. let me let you know that its a hybrid workflow so yes I get digital images and I can facebook them and give clients discs and print albums and do all the things a digital shooter can do. Its just shot on film first. Which I think makes it look like mine.

He had the brilliant idea of starting a workshop called Film Is Not Dead which has grown into its own revolution.

I can tell you all about Film Is Not Dead (FIND) because I have attended not once but twice. It’s an intensive three day workshop that covers everything from how to expose and shoot film correctly technically to how to shoot a wedding to how to market for shooting weddings and how to get your work seen. Plus a million other topics and anything you want to ask Jon. The guy is an open book.

The workshop runs during the day from 9-5 with the mornings being Jon talking and the afternoon being a model shoot. But don’t be fooled. There are before workshop get togethers and the whole group hangs out and shoots most nights and the day after. In Maui FIND 2011, the whole workshop got up at 3 a.m. to shoot the Haleakala Sunrise (hello night exposures and tripod work) and made it back in time for a full day of learning about getting your work seen, selling prints, and a whole afternoon wedding shoot that included 4 couples, a cake, bouquets, sunset on the beach, and sparklers. Then dinner. And in Miami FIND 2011 and also in North Shore FIND 2012 the whole group stays together in one big luxury house and the workshop effectively runs 24/7.

The first time I attended I needed to learn how to use a light meter and my medium format camera. Pretty new to film. After that workshop, I ended up switching to 100% film, watched my business take off, got featured on many wedding blogs (thank you Style Me Pretty, Brooklyn Bride, weddings.com, Rock n Roll Bride — just to name drop a few), as well as 2 books, and found my “voice”. I also meet some super cool people and made some friends for life. FIND is where I met Tory and together we had the inspired idea to start Let the Kids. Life changer for sure.
The second time, just about 15 months later, I hosted FIND Maui and attended. Again, I learned a ton, concentrating more on a deeper level of understanding my exposures, night exposures, compositions, posing and a hundred other questions I asked Jon. He will answer any question you ask. There are no secrets, no off limit questions, and only his ridiculously large generous spirit.

Of course there are no free lunches in this life. Jon does have his own agenda. He wants to keep using film. He wants film to stay alive. FIND has become a community of 300+ film lovers. There is a facebook FIND group and FIND forum where former and future FINDERS talk constantly about their images, their businesses, the cameras, the films, the exposures, their families. A network of friends who all love film. And all who share their knowledge and experience openly and generously. I have never seen anything like it. A workshop that never ends.
And guess what, film sales are soaring. Kodak’s film division is growing rapidly (yes yes other divisions have the company in chapter 11 but the film division is doing well). Film camera prices are jumping high on ebay and KEH. Urban outfitters and all the cool kids want to shoot film. It’s timeless.
Mahalo to Jon.

Wendy Laurel

FIND Review from Jamie Robinson - FIND Orem 2011

"Not wind, not rain, not even a case of crazy-awful-knock-me-flat-on-my-back food poisoning kept me from enjoying my FIND experience. Even with everything that went wrong with me during the week…I came away from the FIND workshop with a renewed passion for this art form we call photography.

Why do pictures speak to us? Why are we photographers? One of my favorite quotes is by a fellow photographer, Ansel Adams. Mr. Adams said “Life is your art. An open, aware heart is your camera. A oneness with your world is your film. Your bright eyes and easy smile is your museum.” We all see the world a certain way…and we as photographers, we are lucky and blessed enough to be able to share what we see with others. Jon’s passion for how he sees the world is infectious and inspiring. He breathes life into his work. I hope someday I can be that kind of photographer too."

Jamie Robinson

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Karen Carter-Schwedler - FIND Seattle

Attending FIND was a big deal for me. It was a significant investment to make, especially because I’m not a working photographer. The punch line of what I’m going to say is that the experience – not just the workshop itself, but the ongoing support and camaraderie of fellow FINDers – has made FIND a really incredible experience. I went hoping to learn more about shooting film, and especially about how to get more consistent exposure results. I assumed that what I’d takeaway would be applicable to my film shooting specifically. What I got from FIND was much more than that. Not only did I build my confidence around shooting film, but Jon’s approach to doing photo sessions, interacting with clients, and his strategies around getting great shots, are things that are equally applicable to film and digital shooters. FIND isn’t about shooting film. It’s about photography – regardless of whether it’s analog or digital. It’s about ‘FINDing’ your own individual voice. My biggest surprise has been the ongoing support. The FIND didn’t end after the workshop was over. Jon has been, and continues to be, a completely ‘open book’ to the community that he has created, and I love the frank/honest feedback and information that he and the entire FIND community provides.

Karen Carter-Schwedler

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Natalie Grummer - FIND Seattle

Words words words words. They just don’t come. It seems far too cliche to just gush on and on about how amazing this workshop is, and even I would want to call complete BS to hear myself rave about how life changing it is. But that is the only stuff coming to mind. And not that it’s not true, because it is true. But I am just rambling, and there are hundreds of such reviews out there about any and all workshops are so great using the words ‘amazing’, ‘awesome’, ‘life-changing’, ‘transformative’, ‘epic’. Bleh. Phooey. None of that would really come close to doing this workshop any justice. I’ve had a month to mull over and process the three days of FIND Seattle 1.0, yet it is still hard to describe and explain it’s amazing amazingness. I think I have to come to terms with the fact there are no real adjectives that could possibly touch upon the full effects of FIND. Simply stated, it is something you have to experience, not just hear about. Photog and Non-photog friends alike ask me how that workshop thingie went. Good! No, more than good. Great! Amazing! Wonderful! Epic! I ate SPAM Musabi! We Karaoked. TWICE! It was freaking AMAZING!!….and I just get nothing but blank stares.

I can’t remember exactly how I first found Jon & his Workshop. My husband and I debate over this. He remembers seeing something about it in College when we were a few of the remaining die-hard analog lovers. Back when the Canon 10D was the hot new toy. For me, I think the term ‘Jonathan Canlas’ was an inspirational name I kept stumbling upon on other blogs for quite some time, then became more into the forefront of my awareness when I got so fed up with trying to shoot digitally and started researching other professional photographers who were still using film. Jon, among a few others, were one of the nails in the coffin for me to ditch shooting any sort of Digital Photography after trying and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. My heart has always been with analog. It took me nearly three years into building my current business to realize Digital was not for me and finally make the tough decision to start back at square one as an all-Film shooter once again. I remember the month I bought my Contax & sold off all my digital gear, I vowed I would one day take a Film is not Dead workshop. Fast forward to last summer & Jon announces on Twitter he is coming to Seattle in 2011. To my town. On a whim I email him. He (in person) responds back within, like, a whopping 60 seconds, all exuberant and excited. Then I proceeded to drag my feet for about another month, until he emails me again letting me know there is only one, maybe two spots left. Thankfully his persistence paid off, and I think I very likely did snag the very last seat in Seattle 1.0.

Jon’s work resonates with me not just because he can pop out some sweet eye-candy or has honed the technical and artistic sides of photography into an amazing craftsmanship - because the guy absolutely is a master at his art. Jon is one of the few in the vast sea of Wedding/Portrait photographers who actually evokes so much more meaning and humanity in how he makes portraits. In all of his work- be it wedding, families, travel, personal- that is what is so strongly communicated through his photographs. His artistic vision and visual communication is about the people and relationships he shoots. Pure, honest and real, without fluff or pretense. Of course, that is compiled with an amazing amount of dedication, practice, business sense, passion, experience, consistency and respect for his medium. I wanted to learn from Jon not just for the ‘how to’ of Film photography, but the ‘why’ and the ‘who for’ that makes him as a photographer tick and continually strive for betterment. Anyone can take a picture. Any of us can simply be camera operators. Anybody given a bit of know how can even expose film properly. It’s not rocket science here, people. Jon says he’s an open book, and that is absolutely true. There is no holding back, nothing off-limits or proprietary or secret. His goal for the workshop is to help his attendees FIND their own vision. He is accessible, honest, genuine, humble and completely transparent in everything about the what, how and why he does things.

In sitting down to write this, I realize more and more this workshop isn’t so much about Film. Or Jonathan Canlas. Or Photography, for that matter. It was about people. Sure, this workshop provides every resource & opportunity you need to successfully shoot film. But no, it’s the friendships that I walked away from this workshop that I will forever treasure and value my time with them more than any other aspect of those 3 days. Maybe it is just Jon & the honesty, down to earth-y-ness and the check-your-egos-at-the-door mantra he exudes in both talk & action that attracts a culture of people interested in their own personal refinement as artists. From Canada to Mexico, West Coast to East Coast, the amazing photographers of every genre, skill level, experience, personality– it was all a level playing field. We were there and given a very rare opportunity to learn together, help one another, to learn from one another. No one, even Jon, is above anyone. I NEVER expected to walk into that workshop and feel the amount of camaraderie, trust and genuine care from these dozen or so other photographers. I walked away with amazing friends, colleagues, fellow photographers who continue to build friendships, care for one another and genuinely desire to help and support others. And there are some amazing big-name, crazy talented people that my introverted self would normally be too intimidated to interact much with. But within a few hours, this group was so open and comfortable. Likely the epic Karaoke sessions the first & last nights helped. Now even more than a month later I MISS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE GUYS & GALS.

At the very core of this group is Jon. And he has built more than just an group of attendees who went to a workshop, because there are a hundred of those. This is special. Jon has built not just an educational course, he has poured himself into building a movement. The heart and soul of this movement is FINDing your voice. YOUR voice. Not someone else’s; Not what you think you should/could/might/possibly do; Not what the latest trendy idiom happens to be; Not what anyone tells you it should be. YOUR VOICE. A voice you can only discern the more you practice your craft and the more you stop listening to all the junk that vies for your attention. I went into this Workshop stuck in a big lull, both creatively & professionally. Within a week of the workshop, I had completely re-worked my portfolio from scratch after being on the fence about what the heck I should do for almost a year, solidified the direction I was taking my business after wrestling through much uncertainty, and mapped out a much more solid plan for getting there. After nearly hitting burnout and getting so tired treading water, not knowing what I should be doing, FIND was the motivation & empowerment I so needed. Sometimes you need a swift kick in the pants, someone to give you a huge doobs hug, a totally new perspective, and a heap of encouragement poured on you all at once. FIND lit that fire under me. And I needed that.

Natalie Grummer

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Kia Gregory - FIND Seattle

Every time I read about someone getting ready for their FIND workshop I get jealous. I want to go back to my FIND workshop. It's like a bad episode of my favorite television series Lost. But in a good way. And Jonathan Canlas was the black smoke monster. When Lost ended I cried a lot. And I'll admit I didn't cry as much when my FIND workshop experience was over at but I did feel empty inside. Like there was this whole parallel part of my life I lived in another universe. I keep wanting to wake up and show up with my FIND group and yell, "Let's do this thing." But in reality I wake up next to my husband and my kids asking me to make some oatmeal. That's what FIND will do to you. Oh, and it will totally make you appreciate the art of shooting film.

Kia Gregory

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Clarissa Keonig - FIND Maui

Attending FIND Maui was one of the best things that happened to me in a very long time.
Jon is the most generous, fun and knowledgeable person to be with. His workshop and teaching style is outstanding. His generosity of heart shines through every thing that he has to offer, no questions remain unanswered, he is like an open book and shares all his photography wisdom with you. All you have to do is ASK! The inspiration and information I took home from the workshop are priceless. The locations he chooses are beautiful, the food during the workshop is delicious, the workshop participants are a fun and friendly bunch to hang out with and the community that Jon created around the FIND group is truly amazing. Words can't fully describe how wonderful the 3 days were. I wish I could go back asap o do another one. Yes, is is that awesome! Mahalo Jon, for being who you are and sharing your fabulousness (sp?) with each of us. You rock!

Clarissa Keonig

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Amanda McKinley - FIND Columbus

Late last year, I found out about an amazing film photographer, named Jonathan Canlas. I was so enamored by his work. I kept coming back to his site, in awe of the way he captured his subjects. I loved that about him instantly!

Prior to knowing anything about Jon, I had been feeling pretty down about my photography. I had lost my passion and my drive, and was about ready to take a long break from digital photography, until I found out Jon offers workshops. I started toying with the idea of attending a FIND (film is not dead) workshop, especially since I wanted to try shooting film photography again. It had been many years since I shot any film, so I was a bit apprehensive. But the more I saw, the more I knew that film was the challenge I was needing.

So, within a month of making the decision to try film, I contacted Jon. Silly me thought it might be fun to host a FIND workshop here in Ohio. So I asked him if he would come here. He responded, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN FEBRUARY!!! Are you freaking kidding me???? This guy had no idea about me, Ohio, or the weather here, but he graciously began the planning process and before I knew it, February was here and so was Jon (as well as his trusty side-kick Tavis).

What an exciting few days for me. Not only had Jon agreed to come to Columbus, but so did so many other wonderful people who were feeling the itch to learn about film. People from, Indiana, Michigan, St. Louis, and Chicago, made the trek to join the one day workshop. Awesome!!!

I was soooo nervous about meeting Jon. Would he find me worthy of taking up his time, would he think our location was a disaster (it was!), would the food be satisfactory, am I making a good impression, will he ever come back (still not sure on that one!!!)? Nerves abounded!!!
I was able to have a good laugh over the phone with Jon and Tavis as they got lost in C-bus. And once we finally met up, I knew that this was a guy who was true inside and out. What you see online, is exactly what you get in real life. A man who is passionate about film!!! He is also passionate about his family. As a mom of 3 kids, I really appreciate that.

Our day started right away and we dove right into learning about film, exposure and equipment. Jon shared a lot of information and was an open book on business, work ethics and anything else we wanted to know. The man knows his stuff!!! My head was spinning!!!
After lunch we met up with our models and braved the c-c-c-cold 23 degrees to get some shots. Everyone was a great sport, especially Jon and Tavis, who were freezing their Utah butts off. Weird, Jon fact... he never wears pants, just shorts (loco!!!)
What a treat it was to see Jon in action, hear his thought process and shoot in different lighting locations. That alone was worth the price of admission!!!

I honestly had the time of my life. I met the coolest people, got to talk about photography all day, and participate in an amazing workshop. My only regret is not asking him to stay longer!

You want to know the coolest thing ever??? I still have dialogue with Jon even with the workshop done and over with. If I have a question, he answers it. He still has vested interest in not only me, but all FIND attendees! How fabulous is that??? I can't tell you how disheartening it is to save up your money, attend a workshop with an amazing (or seemingly so) photographer, only to never ever have a relationship or communication beyond the workshop walls. Jon goes above and beyond all his life chaos to continue to give back to the FIND community. Priceless people, priceless!!!

If you are looking, soul searching, looking to be recharged, wanting to leave digital photography behind, this is the workshop for you! However, if you are still unsure this is your calling, then I highly suggest checking out this amazing book... FILM IS NOT DEAD: A DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDE TO SHOOTING FILM

I have read this book cover to cover several times. There is so much good information, SO MUCH good information!!!

Thank you Ohio FIND peeps and especially to Jon and Tavis!

Amanda McKinley

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Shipra Panosian - FIND Miami

Shipra just posted her review on her blog. You can read her review HERE.

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FIND Review from Noelle Reynolds - FIND Orem 2011

Jon's workshop, Film Is Not Dead, was a game changer. Funny thing is that the minute I signed up, is the minute when things started to change. A whole year before the actual workshop! I came in touch with all the past and and future attendees like myself and with it, all the knowledge that everyone has to offer. Fast forward to the workshop and not knowing anybody when I first signed up, I was able to walk in the first day and personally know a handful. I was still really intimidated going in, feeling like I probably knew the least about film but we all soon realized, it didn't matter. Ego's were checked at the door and we were all just people excited about film. Jon was beyond amazing! He was real, down to earth, and knows his stuff. And that, is an understatement. I would go to his workshop again in a heartbeat. I can see the difference in my work and in my business tactics. I hate to say it, but even my husband who was super sketch about me spending the money to go, has become a believer. He's seen the change in me and my work. Another plus about this workshop? It doesn't end! I'm still in contact with all the FINDers all over the world and we still make a point to get together, support and challenge one another. This workshop she be sub-named - Film Is Not Dead: The workshop that never ends.

Noelle Reynolds

Interested in attending FIND in 2012? Drop me a line.

FILM IS NOT DEAD 2012 Updated

[Image by Marci Mortensen, tattoo sticker by Wendy Laurel]

I've received several inquiries lately about FILM IS NOT DEAD in 2012. I know, I know, where is the damn website you ask. It's coming, it's coming :).

But until then, here is the update for cities/dates and AVAILABILITY for FIND 2012. All workshops are limited to 14 attendees. Here are the cities/dates/availability as of TODAY:

Canberra AUSTRALIA : Jan 23rd-25th (SOLD OUT)
Atlanta GA : Mar 19th-21st @ Zack Arias' studio (SOLD OUT)
OREM UT @ Canle' International (my studio): April 23rd-25th (1 spot left)
Brisbane AUSTRALIA : May 7th-9th (10 spots left)
Surrey UK : May 28th-30th (4 spots left)
Boston MA : June 11th-13th (3 spots left)
Chicago IL : July 16th-18th (SOLD OUT)
Vancouver CANADA : Aug 13th-15th (2 spots left)
Ibiza SPAIN : Sept 24th-26th (SOLD OUT)
Charleston SC : Oct 15th-17th (7 spots left)
San Miguel MEXICO : Nov 12th-14th (9 spots left)
North Shore of Oahu : Dec 3rd-5th (12 spots left)

If you are interested in attending, DROP ME A LINE. I'll send over all the info you need.

See you in 2012...

Testimonial from Angela Higgins - Melbourne Attendee

{image by Angela Higgins}

To be honest, I began the FIND Melbourne workshop worrying that I would be too green to understand anything Jonathan was going to share with us as I came from a digital background and had only been shooting for a short time. I was quite honestly scared of film and felt that you had to have magic fingers to work successfully with it. Without discounting Jonathan’s innate talent; I was so wrong. Jonathan and the other ‘workshopers’ were incredibly open and honest about working with film, sharing and breaking down concepts and at the end of the 3 day workshop I felt that I could confidently shoot film without fear of stuffing the whole thing up. There were many times when my logical side of my brain told me “No, No, NO!” but Jonathan was there telling me “Yes, Yes, YES!”. The rules I thought I knew about film were completely shattered and I am now a confident film shooter.

Almost 9 months after taking part in Jonanthan’s Melbourne FIND Workshop, film is well and truly part of my life. I am experimenting with different cameras, different film and I’ve found that being a film shooter has helped me immensely as a digital photographer too. Its made me think differently and made me approach different lighting situations with a kind of bravery. It makes me want to shoot more. The wisdom and encouragement that I have found from Jonathan and the other friends I have made at the FIND workshop is invaluable and all of this has extended to my professional work. If ever there was a workshop that has been life changing – it is this one. My life is richer and so much more enjoyable because of it and I can’t thank Jonathan and Tavis enough for everything they have done.

Angela Higgins