This past weekend offered me a wonderful, long-houred, unique opportunity. I was invited by Martin Hintz to be a staff member at the Society of American Travel Writers‘ “Digital Photo Institute”. From Thursday night’s reception at the Milwaukee Press Club to our final critique on Marquette University‘s campus, my hours were filled with nothing but talk of travel, exotic food and markets, apertures and shutter speeds, writing tips, and serendipitous connections.
The other staff members (Ellen Barone, Michael De Freitas, and Tim O’Keefe) and I worked with the institute participants in the classroom and on location, serving as mentors as we all made photos together. The class also heard from Jane Gleeson, Wally Mason, Dean Jensen, Bill Appleby and Bill Thorn. We photographed at Bastille Days, the McKinley Marina, the circus grounds at Veterans’ Park and the Great Circus Parade.
One of the best portions of the weekend though, had to be the wonderful dinner prepared by Pam Percy and Dr. Gleeson, out at Marty and Pam’s house on Milwaukee’s north side. Their hospitality was unceasing–wine flowed, tasty food was served and conversation never stopped. It was a great weekend, an experience I was glad to be part of.
