Got a digital camera gathering dust in the same box it came in? My good friend and mucho talented photographer Farrah Braniff is holding one of her excellent DSLR Workshops this Saturday, September 17, 2011.

The workshop meets from 10am until 3pm at her Spring Street Studio. The class is hands-on class with a limited number of attendees to make sure that everyone gets one-on-one attention.

She’ll cover the following topics:

• Basic camera operation and exposure
• Your cameras modes and when to use which one
• How to improve the look of your flash photography
• Better indoor photographs
• Better sports photography
• Capturing genuine expressions
• How to blur the background of your images
• How to freeze and blur motion
• Purchasing lenses
• and MORE!

It’s a packed day and you will leave with tons of information! You can sign up online at her workshop website. If you’d rather, you may also sign up by calling the studio 713 255 2882.

Click away!

So here are a few stories in pictures.

Marfa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitician/sets/72157625437236927/

Marathon, TX + Gage Hotel: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitician/sets/72157625449825055/

La Loma del Chivo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitician/sets/72157625437236927/

Hope you enjoy.

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

Photography. I’ve always been interested in Photography, as my father is a long time photographer. He gave me his old Nikon this year, a manual film camera, and I’ve really enjoyed playing with it. I’ve also been fortunate that my friend Ed Schipul has lent me his camera and a few lenses this week while I’m in West Texas. Check a a few of the pics I’ve taken with it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitician/sets/

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Unnecessary worry of perfection. It feels good to not try to be perfect all the time.

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

Ha! I just MADE a deck with my two hands. Well, and some handy tools. I busted up concrete, moved earth, and  leveled and built a deck. That was 3 days ago, and I’m still sore. It was very satisfying making something with a few tools, materials, and my muscles. ;-)

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

In 2010 I’ve strived to connect with communities outside of Houston. While we have a strong community here in Houston, there is much to learn from other communities world wide. I’ve been fortunate to have clients in LA, DC and NYC this year, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know those communities and learn from what they are doing that works.

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

This was a tough one. It’s hard to figure out what makes you different from others. So I turned to my travel partner, and his response was that he thought what makes me different is “Your openness to the excitement of change.” So I’m gonna go with that.

December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

Lots and lots of parties this year! Gotta say that my birthday, a day full of surprise events, thanks to my best friends, was the most amazing thing I attended. Surrounded by all those I love the most.  A few pics here of the experience: http://blog.hollyhoytphotography.com/?p=787

December 10 – Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

My grandmother passed away this summer. In a big family, it’s often hard for everyone to get to speak at the funeral. My dad is one of 10 kids, and they asked me if I, the oldest granddaughter, would like to give the eulogy. I’m so grateful they gave me the opportunity, and that I had the strength to deliver the speech. You can read what I read here.

December 11 – 11 Things What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

1. Exhaustion (more sleep)
2. Bad Eating Habits (eat better)
3. Perfectionism (see #1…it’s exhausting)
4. Negative people (ignore negative energy)
5. Information overload (weed the twitter stream!)
6.  Self-doubt (believing more in my abilities)
7. Debit (pay it off!)
8. Others keeping me from doing things
9. Letting others affect my attitude
10. Oversharing
11. Ignoring my intuition