Hi,

I have taken 3 of Jose Villa's workshops including 2 one on one workshops and have learned so much. I started out as a children's photographer and after seeing Jose's work I was inspired to move into weddings and after a workshop with Jose I made the move.

I was excited that I finally convinced Jose to do a workshop in New England. The location is going to be Vermont; if you have never been to Vermont in October the colors are amazing! if you are considering a workshop I would highly recommend Jose Villa's workshops. Jose's work is amazing and he is so helpful and willing to share his knowledge and craft with others. You can check out his website to see for yourself http://www.josevillaphoto.com/

Here is some information on this Vermont workshop..

October 16th, 2008 at the Reiverside Farm in Pittsfield Vermont close to Killington; 3 hour drive from Boston and maybe 4 hours from NYC.
This is a 1 day workshop. You can visit http://josevillaworkshops.com/ for more inforamtion.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about how the workshops have helped me! I can be reached at jcurtisphoto@yahoo.com.

Welcome to OSP Jen!

Hey Jen,

Yes - welcome to OSP. Just FYI - Anytime someone's first (and only) involvement in a community is to sell something it kinda leaves a bad taste in people's mouth.

I know Jose and he is a great photographer. One thing I also know is that many people go to these workshops to get shots for their portfolio and have gone to his workshops with these hopes only to find out that he forbids them from using the images in their portfolio. Do you know if that is still the case? If so I hope that is shared up front so people don't spend the money only to find out once they've shown up that they can't use the pictures.

Rock on,
DJ

really? Shane, you're a big JV supporter, is this the case?

The rules and regs regarding image use are definitely explained beforehand. Jose allows image use on blogs, just not on your websites presented as your own work. That was clearly explained during my workshop and you are given the rules in written form before the workshop.

If you guys are going to workshops to build portfolio, you're going for the wrong reasons. Honestly, and I know a lot of people disagree with me here, but you're there to learn to make your own work better. The shots are set up by Jose. The shooting portion of workshops are meant to teach you how to use locations to make great work on your own.

Jen's a good gal. Let's not be too hard on her. She's just very enthusiastic about Jose - and it's not like she's benefiting financially from selling Jose's workshop. That would be a conflict of interest - right Deej?

hmmmm..... this doesn't pass the smell test for me. sorry. I doubt anyone goes to any workshop solely to build portfolio.... but if I can go learn AND get some great shots, the better.

But if Im spending big bucks to fly my ass out to some remote beautiful location, I better be able to use the photos taken ANY damn way I please.

Why tout that they're providing beautiful models, beautiful gowns, makeup artists and fabulous florals if the only point is to learn. Are those things necessary to learn? No. If learning to use your location was the sole purpose of these workshops, they should hold these workshops in small dark churches all across the country. NOW THAT would be useful.

Thanks DJ for that tidbit of info that most definitely changes my opinion on these workshops.

Needless to say, I'm extremely disappointed.

I do not really have any opinion about this- but as I read that line I thought- yeah, especially when it is your tuition money that is being used to pay for these things.

As a quick side note- while I was at Kevin Kubota's bootcamp, he gave us permission to use the images as we pleased, but cautioned us about using the images on your website under weddings (because it was not a real wedding and thus did not represent our true style in a true wedding setting) As my own person, I would probably have a print portfolio or a section on my website that says, "Model Shoot" or something along those lines.

Thanks for bringing this up D.J. I've been seriously considering going to a JV Workshop and it's good going into it with your eyes wide open. That said, I don't know why in the world you would want to use setups/models on your website that a dozen other photogs might have to. It seems this effectively protects people from the embarrassment of explaining to prospective why XYZ photographer has the same basic images on their site. I have the same policy for my second shooters for that very reason, not because I want to be mean or anything!We should see about getting Ben Chrisman to do one of these. *drool* I am love with his work.

Hmmm... what else should tuition buy you? Jose's logo? His website?

Let's all wait until Jose has a chance to explain the reasoning before we grab the pitchforks, OK?

come on shane... we all know that jose is a great photographer... undisputed. We also know he's a great teacher and also a great marketer. He's here to make a living and he's probably doing quite well at it. I still like jose and I don't think anyone's got out the pitchforks, but the allure of these workshops is the amazing images everyone getss.

BUT what is the purpose for the extra overhead of having beautiful subjects in exotic locations if you can't actually USE the images? Also, what is the purpose of teaching us to make great images using location that most of us rarely have anything comparable.

Jose's workshop contract explains that images from his workshops CAN be used in printed portfolio's (in the office, on your wall, in your porfolio that's presented to potential clients) and blog's (along with the statement that the images were taken at a Jose Villa Workshop) but NOT on websites. This simple, one-page contract is sent to the potential attendee BEFORE the workshop and BEFORE any money is sent to Jose, so there are no surprises about image usage.

As a photographer that attended Jose's Mexico Workshop, I echo Jen's words of the excitement, learning and experience received. The training, networking and business education I acquired at that workshop far exceeded my expectations. It was an experience in my life that I regard as one of my top 10 best.

I do not feel that images from a workshop should be portrayed as an accurate depiction of the overall work a photographer produces, which is what Jose believes as well.

Maybe you're trying to get the word out so that there aren't false expectations that an attendee who's trying to break into the wedding photography business can use these images on their website to show their ability.

Going to a one-time workshop with professional models, a seasoned photographer and 20 other shooters SHOULDN'T be relied on as the way to shoot your own first wedding the following weekend.

Going to a one-time workshop with professional models, a seasoned photographer and 20 other shooters IS a great way to get your feet wet, learn techniques and skills that you can practice with to find your personal style, gain valuable information on the business side that will prepare you to grow your business.

As I mentioned, my opinion was not towards Jose or his workshops- I really do not know much about him or the workshops.....it was a general first thought to a previous statement made my Jess.

Is what I was referring to, was that the beautiful set- up is provided by some third person-whoever is hosting any workshop (not a real wedding) and that usually is paid for with tuition, not that you can buy your way to fame with the tuition.

I agree quite a bit with Shannon.

Again, wait for Jose to chime in before you draw conclusions.

You don't have anything comparable? You'd be surprised. After I did the Shoot with Beckstead, it opened my eyes about the availability of terrific shooting locations in your own backyard. Same with the Jose workshop.

The shooting is not the main point of the workshop. (At the risk of putting words into Jose's mouth). This is not some big secret that Jose is trying to keep from everyone. He's very upfront about the shooting rules and explains everything - BEFORE YOU COMMIT to signing up.

You CAN CAN CAN use the images... the ONLY place he asks you not to use them is on your website. You can BLOG them, you can PRINT them, you can SHOW them to clients, you can ENLARGE them and HANG them in your office.Ryan J made a great point that you won't want to see the same images on another photographers site just as you don't want 2nd shooters using your weddings on their blog [edit: or website].He has a wedding today, so he probably won't be able to respond until tonight.

great info. Thanks shannon

I actually am cool with my 2nds using the image son their blogs as long as they state they were second shooting for me and put up my link. I put a link for my second's on my blog as well.

And same for the JV workshop... just state they were taken at a workshop (he doesn't even say you have to link, it's the principle of the matter, not to market him some more - which wouldn't be BAD, of course, but that's not his initial intent for the disclosure).Yay! Glad I could help

Hi David,

My appologies if you thought I was selling anything on the forum as that was not my intention. My intention was to simply to share what I know about the workshops I have been to so that other people are exposed to the experience I have had. I also live in New England and Shoot in Vermont where the workshop I mentioned is being held. I will let Jose speak more clearly on what he allows and does not allow but I can tell you that Jose does allow photographers to use the images they shoot at the workshops. As Lucky Red Hen stated Jose just asks that you do not use them on the website. As for the 1 on 1 workshops you can use the images as you chose including on the website. The individual workshops are different because it is just you and Jose shooting and therefore there are not 25 other photographers using the images.

As many of us that have attended Jose's workshop can attest you will learn so much more then just "shooting". I learned about a lot of products including "show it fast" (which I purchased), different album companies I had not heard of. I discovered an amazing lab to use and since the lab I was using went out of business that was huge for me. As a new wedding photographer these things are so valuable to getting off the ground. Photographers of all different levels attend workshops for all different reasons but for me having only worked with kids this was exactly what I needed!


I'm sure Jose will hop on when he has a minute to clarify the question but I would encourage people thinking about attending a workshop to contact the photographer hosting the workshop to answer your questions. I can only speak to my experience with Jose.

Again I appologize to anyone who thinks I was selling anything other then my excitement. I have not and will not earn a dime for any of the information I shared.

Best,
Jen