Riz Crescini » workshops

Scott Robert Lim Workshop – New York City (Part II)

Riz Crescini — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:48:29 +0000

Sometime after the workshop in New York City, I went to a service at a church that Anne and I used to attend when we lived in the States. I had to use the men’s room and as I entered, something struck me by its very absence. The huge bathroom mirror was entirely gone! I don’t know if it was damaged or if it was being replaced but it felt strange looking at a bare wall.

At the workshop, Scott invited three of his former students to share with us. All three challenged us to look at things in a whole new way that, if not practiced, will seem strange by its absence (similar to the mirror). Junshien Lau challenged us to dream big and to work towards our dream. Marie Lyssa Dormeus challenged us to consider our dream as not a destination but as one to be lived out moment by moment. And finally, Tauran Woo challenged us to be proactive, to think thoughtfully on how to compose our images. Dream, journey, composition…all three, in my opinion, have an essential element: thoughtful and careful reflection. These require some serious “soul-searching” if we are to excel in both photography and life. A missing mirror is not a big deal but a missing “self” is a big deal when we don’t find the time to examine our lives. Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

What My Mentor Doesn’t Know…

Riz Crescini — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:11:42 +0000

Pssst! Pssst! Can you keep a secret? I recently went to a photographer’s workshop in China. It was led by award-winning photographers, Scott Robert Lim and Cm Leung. Well, I have a confession to make: I really didn’t go there for any of the training nor any of the life-changing inspirational talks. You wanna know why I really went? Look below…

Now you know. Remember, this is a secret between you and me. Don’t go telling Scott. I don’t want to hurt his feelings! Ohhh, I can’t wait to try Parisian food in the next workshop…..

Scott Robert Lim: New York City Workshop (Part I)

Riz Crescini — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:47:43 +0000

Rome, Italy (late August, 2000)

Anne was still in bed when I set off to explore Rome in the early morning. My walk took me to an unassuming small church. It was not magnificent like St. Peter’s but its impact on me was no less astounding. The church was all mine as I studied the paintings in the sanctuary (one of them the smaller work of Michelangelo). I sat in one of the pews enjoying the solitude and the scene before me: the early morning light coming in to radiate not just the beautiful, stained glass windows but also illuminating the cross above the sanctuary. And then, as if on cue, the organ pipes above me began playing music that lifted my soul to the heights. It was a time of refreshment for my soul.

I thought perhaps that this heavenly music was pre-programmed into the organ to play every morning at that exact time. But as I slowly made my way to the back where the organ sat, I was in for a pleasant shock. At the organ was an elderly Asian nun. She looked to be in her 80′s and no taller than 5 feet. From those frail, little hands came the most moving music I have heard in a long time. The towering, metal pipes were a stark contrast to her small, fragile frame. But it was clear who was in command. The inner passion inside this humble nun was released as she played one majestic piece after another.

“The key to life: give to the world with all your giftedness, passion and compassion.” -Scott Robert Lim

So why am I sharing this? Because I believe it is a good illustration of what I learn at a Scott Robert Lim workshop. Scott mentors in a way that cultivates passion and vision. Our equipment, like the cold metallic pipes of an organ, can seem intimidating as we struggle to create images. Scott strives to help us master techniques of posing and lighting, to take it to the next level. But more than that, he helps us find and release our inner passion. Without this inner passion, we cannot, like the nun, create one majestic piece after another. It is this inner passion to excel that, when others view our work, they are, in a phrase, brought to the heights.

The New York City workshop was an exciting week as Scott inspired us to pursue passion.

Part II coming up: The Missing Mirror

Big in Japan – Core Cultural Service of Great Customer Service (Notes)

Riz Crescini — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:17:31 +0000

Hello friends,

First of all, a big “Thank you!” to everyone who came out to attend and support the first ever Photographers Ignite at WPPI. It was funny, practical, and inspirational. Like others have already expressed, I hope that this event will become an annual event at WPPI.

At the end of my presentation, I shared that I have compiled a list of stories of people and their experience of Japanese customer service. At the end of this post, you will find a link to a PDF file. I have also included the four core concepts (with notes) which I shared in my presentation. The stories are from friends and I did not “clean” it up to present a perfect picture of Japanese customer service. In fact, you will read some negative things from some of the commenters. Japanese customer service is not perfect BUT it is great (IMHO).

After reading through it (and please do) I hope it will allow you to pause and reflect about how you service your clients. I hope my talk and the notes below will generate a storm of ideas on how you can give excellent customer service in 2010 and beyond. It’s been often said that we, as an industry, need to raise the bar in producing excellent images. I think it is also equally true that we need to raise the bar in how we serve our clients.

By the way, if my 5-minute presentation has inspired and encouraged you, would you be interested in hearing me share more about Japanese customer service principles and how to apply those in your business? If you are, please leave me a short comment. Thanks! Have a great 2010 rocking it out with mind-blowing customer service!

Click here for the pdf file called Japanese Customer Service.

WPPI 2010: Something to Think About

Riz Crescini — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:25:04 +0000

“Next week there can’t be any crisis. My schedule is already full.” -Henry Kissinger

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s quote encapsulates what I will be doing in the upcoming week in Las Vegas. The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) will be holding its 30th annual Convention and Trade Show from March 4 – 11. It will be my second WPPI and I am looking forward to the teaching, meeting old friends, and making new ones. Photographers who are attending WPPI for the first time have bombarded Facebook, Twitter, and forums with variations of this same question: How can I make the most of my WPPI experience?

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” -Stephen Covey

I would like to challenge and encourage you to not be overwhelmed by the amount of classes and information that you will inevitably encounter. Make a mental exercise of the immediate needs of your business (do this without looking at the list of classes; it will only sidetrack you) and ask yourself fundamental questions about the state of your business. Reason with yourself (perhaps seek input from those you trust) and evaluate the path that led you to this point. Where are you lacking? Where are you struggling? Where are you stuck? Struggle with these types of questions, attempt to answer them, and in doing so, you will begin to see areas in your business that are more important than others. In other words, what are the priorities of your business at this very moment? When you can get a little bit of a handle on this, then you can look at the list of classes/vendors and choose the ones that will help you with your priorities. You will no longer be tempted to attend a platform class because it’s the popular one nor be tempted by classes that look interesting. Don’t focus on what looks interesting. Focus on the classes/vendors/people that will address your priorities.

I realize this is not an easy exercise! You’re like, “Riz, that’s too much of a headache. I’ll just go with the flow once I get there.” You most certainly can do that but imagine just how much more you will be able to maximize your experience and more importantly push your company in the direction it needs to go in order for you to be successful if you took the time to identify your priorities. Isn’t success what you want for your business after all? I’m all about having a great time (you’ll see me at parties too) but let me end with this quote from Jack Canfield which emphasizes the the need for thoughtful reflection:

“If you are not moving closer to what you want in sales (or in life), you probably aren’t doing enough asking.”

WPPI is going to be awesome. May WPPI 2010 be a great, fun time for all but more importantly, a truly meaningful experience. See you real soon!

Hong Kong Portraits – Scott Robert Next Level Workshop.

Riz Crescini — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:10:42 +0000

My blog is long overdue for a post and what better way to break out of that slump by sharing with you images from a recent workshop I went to a couple weeks ago. I attended the Scott Robert Next Level Workshop and IT…WAS…INCREDIBLE! Okay, sorry for the superlatives but Scott Robert Lim is an amazing photographer, mentor and friend. Scott not only helps you improve your craft but his style of teaching is holistic so you learn so much more than just the technical aspects of photography. He really will take you to the next level. What made the workshop unforgettable were the new friends made and the location…China!! It was an unforgettable experience learning and shooting in a totally different culture. And let me just say that, training and friendships aside, I could go back to China just for the food alone!! Special thanks to the Hong Kong models (Juju Chan, Angelica Hung, Carmen Chan and Amisa Meow) and Hong Kong photographers Kelvin Lau and Mina Yuen. This post is the first of a 2-part series. The images below are from our time in Hong Kong. Let me know what you think. Beijing images coming soon…

This image was my first lesson in off-camera lighting. The vision for this image was created and inspired by Scott Robert Lim.

This image was also created and inspired by Scott Robert Lim. It was a photoshoot on a double decker bus of all places!

The master at work.

This vintage Hong Kong diner was great! So many shooting possibilities but the owner was a bit of a grump. LOL!

The background for our last shooting session. To my Japanese friends, notice the Yoshinoya; it’s taking over the world! Ha ha ha!

This image was actually a test shot but I kinda like its moodiness and how it turned out. What do you think?

And the best shot of the night goes to my roommate: The amazing and situational vegetarian….drumroll please…Anwar Torres!!!