Butterfly's Everywhere! So incredible to see so many gorgeous butterfly's all in one place and so close! What a fun adventure… our participants were able to photograph these beautiful butterfly's using all of their new-found metering and composition skills, really being able to capture the butterfly's in the most flattering and creative ways. Although it ended up being pretty warm in the atrium (butterfly's need VERY warm and humid) we photographed all morning, ending the class with some in-door flash tips and recipe's making the day complete.
Come with us next time!! Look for an "Advanced Photo Expedition" in your area! See you soon! - Stephanie Adriana

We want to give shout out to our July 2011 Capturing True Emotion People’s Choice Photo Contest Winner, Courtney Tran. Congratulations Courtney and an amazing job you did :) Your Prizes are on the way!

Think Tank Camera Bag, a Capturing Couture Fashion Camera Strap, a Gary Fong "Pop-up" Flash Puffer (flash diffuser) and 2 Free passes to any *Capturing True Emotion Workshop or Extended Expedition (Montana/Europe Expeditions NOT included).

Here are the Final tallies for the July 2011 contest: 

Winner- Courtney Tran from Burnaby, B.C. Canada: A Real Lady.... 272 votes

First Runner up- Leslie Sullivan from Hood River, Oregon: Baby Blues...148 votes

Second Runner up- Yong Dawson from Henderson, Nevada: Fun at the Park...117 votes

We would also like to personally thank each and every one of you who participated in our, monthly CTE: People's Choice Photo Contest.  Each and every photo is so amazing and we appreciate you sharing your passion with us. The August Photo Contest begins today…good luck!!

Ladera Ranch, California —  Did you know that EventComplete is attempting to break a world record next month? On Sunday, August 7, 2011, we are hosting The Chuck Jones Big Draw and attempting to break a world record of the largest art class. Please join us at the South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa, California, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM to inspire your inner creative genius!

The Chuck Jones Big Draw helps children, teen-agers and adults find and utilize their creative abilities.  Guided by teaching artists who neither overly praise nor criticize, everyone will discover talents they didn’t know they had and have a great time doing it. The process of discovering creativity transcends the arts and is applicable to all parts of life including school, business, sciences, sports, and all other forms of the arts. 

When you take part in The Chuck Jones Big Draw you are on a journey of self-discovery through creativity.  Our experienced and caring instructors – artists and mentors – will guide you along these paths as hundreds of other passionate people of all ages take part in this enervating experience.  

This unforgettable creative journey will open the doors of your personal inspirations and you will see past hindrances to creativity fall by the wayside.  Ultimately this adventure will teach each person to become more aware of their creativity, more accepting of their talents and more conscious of how their inner creative genius can be developed.

Great film makers including Spielberg, Lucas, Lasseter and many others have talked about Chuck's films having such creative and innovative shots just like the great live action films. Chuck always loved photography because, just like his own limited

editions, it has to convey the story in that moment completely.  He always said that he had to respect every single frame in a film to be able to stand on its own, just a photograph. Be sure to look for Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana from Capturing True Emotion, for some exclusive information on photography in its true art form and take your creativity to a whole other level.  

Just like the heart-pounding enjoyment of a theme park and the soul-stirring magic of creative excitement, this event will have you returning time and again throughout your life.  Sign up today and become a part of The Chuck Jones Big Draw! Please visit our website below for more information on The Chuck Jones Big Draw and how to register: http://www.eventcomplete.com/upcoming-events/the-big-draw.html.  

Don’t forget to search for great deals on Groupon for other fun things to do in your community, like The Chuck Jones Big Draw. Interested in getting your business signed up with Groupon? Call EventComplete’s office at 949-218-0866 and we will help guide you through the process! 

Taste of Ladera Producer Partners with Business Titans to Go Global: By Rachelle Radpour & Sabastian Dahbour

Long-time business associates of Ladera Ranch, Michelle Patterson, CEO of Event Complete, a division of TouchPointe LLC, and Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana, world-renowned photographers, have set alltime Groupon ticket sales records for their hit workshop “Capturing True Emotion” – debuting in 20 cities across America this fall.

Event Complete, a premiere full-service event management and marketing company based in Orange County, California, is designed for the savvy consumer with eclectic interests and an adventurous spirit. Specializing in festivals, charitable events and other large-scale productions, Event Complete creates, plans, and produces signature events, big and small, bringing businesses, non-profits and the community together.

Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana are passionate about fine art photography and sharing years of expertise in the field. Their inspiration, backed by the talents of Event Complete, gave birth to the widely successful “Capturing True Emotion” workshops. Event Complete’s partnership with Val Westover Photography combines
to provide unique opportunities for both beginners and seasoned shutterbugs to picture their world through the aperture of a lens.

“Partnering with Event Complete to produce our events worldwide has enabled us to break records and grow our business bigger than we could have ever imagined!” says Val Westover.

Even though Taste of Ladera, Event Complete’s 7-yearold signature production, was recently named by the Association of Restaurants’ “Best of” list, all of their featured events are memorable. From Muscle Car 1000 (a road rally showcasing exquisite automobiles) to Celebrity Chef Challenges and community wine tastings, Event Complete can design, facilitate and showcase any specialty function.

Now add Groupon as the third tent pole to this union. Groupon, an Internet sensation that brings consumers around the country daily deals at amazingly low prices, made the recent cover of Forbes magazine as the fastestgrowing company in history. Groupon CEO Andrew Mason was duly impressed with the success of Event Complete’s promotion of the photography workshops, which “shuttered” attendance records.

In an exclusive interview with Michelle Patterson, Event
Complete CEO, Mason expressed his excitement surrounding the record. “We are thrilled to share a vision with other like-minded partners benefitting consumers and giving back to our communities. Linking up with Event Complete and “Capturing True Emotion” photography workshops makes sense for all of us. We are excited to partner with you on this as well as other specialty events. Your team does an amazing job.”

Sue Shaver, Director of Operations at Event Complete, echoes the same sentiments. “This partnership is an example of success spawned from citizens and local businesses coming together to achieve amazing results and new sales records. Groupon has no equal in getting the word out about securing a bargain. For example, Tara Jones, who has helped shape our workshops and make them exceptional. Now, we’re a part of the process and
can provide our partners tools for not only getting the word out but managing the high volume, before, after, and during the big event.”

Consumers are always seeking money-saving deals in changing economic times. Groupon addressed those issues and now embraces Event Complete as the logical conduit to promote and deliver the respective deals on a local level. This past week Michelle Patterson was named Ambassador of Events by Groupon, a title she wears proudly. Event Complete is proud to partner with Groupon with the “Capturing True Emotion” workshops and several
other unique events and services. With the knowledge, sophistication and expertise in their respective areas, Event Complete, America’s favorite photographers, Westover and Adriana, and Groupon move forward together to forge an innovative business model for today’s challenging business climate, and for whatever tomorrow brings.

The 4th of July Fireworks show!! One of the most photographed (attempted) events and Holidays of the year!

The Fireworks Show is an exciting, dramatic, beautiful photo opportunity, but it can be very frustrating for some to try to "Capture the Moment" in an artistic way.

Her are some quick and easy tips on how to photograph and capture the 4th of July Fireworks Show!

What you will need

Camera (SLR or DSLR or Point & Shoot) and a tripod.

How to tips

Set camera on Manual Mode, Some Point and Shoot's have a Fireworks mode so try it and if you can manually select the settings on your camera go for it!

-Set your camera if you can on Manual Mode. Some Point & Shoot cameras have a Fireworks Mode, so try it and if you can if you can manually select the settings on your camera go for it!

-Select a low ISO of 100 or 200.

-Select a large or small aperture because just about any aperture size will work fine.

-Select a meter mode. Canon users select center-weighted-average, everyone else select matrix to measure the light for the entire scene.

-Select a slow shutter speed! For different effects you can select 1/2 of a second all the way to 30 seconds.

-You can use your self timer or a remote for firing yur camera without bumping it for clearer images.

-Turn off your vibration/image stablization on your lens and shoot wide angle!

-Some people will use manual focus and if not then focus your camera prior to shooting your first shot with your slow shutter or timer.

Very exciting!! Have fun shooting and have a safe and wonderful 4th of July! Go out and "Shoot Like a Pro"!

We want to say Bravo to our June 2011 Capturing True Emotion People’s Choice Photo Contest Winner, Michael Yee. Congratulations Michael! :)  Your Prizes are on the way!

Think Tank Camera Bag, a Capturing Couture Fashion Camera Strap, a Gary Fong "Pop-up" Flash Puffer (flash diffuser) and 2 Free passes to any *Capturing True Emotion Workshop or Extended Expedition (Montana/Europe Expeditions NOT included).

Here are the Final tally’s for the June 2011 contest:

Winner: Michael Yee - Pollination from Dallas Arboretum won with 664 votes.

Runner ups:

Koreen Concannon- My Beautiful Ballerina from Vancouver, Canada with 282 Votes

Joel Brenner- Gate to the Old Graveyard from Virginia City, NV with 228 votes

Dawn Anthony- Celebrating Spring in the Pacific from Oregon with 162 votes

Miranda Schultz- Muse from Bozeman, MT with 159 votes

We would also like to personally thank each and every one of you who participated in our first ever, CTE: People's Choice Photo Contest.  We were thrilled to see all of your photos and we hope you continue to share your amazing photos every month with the CTE community.  The July contest starts today!  Smiles :)

In a constant pursuit for a perfect exposure...

Finally, a pro tool to help achieve a well balanced exposure with your DSLR, Exposure Pro!

Cameras today achieve pretty amazing exposures in automatic mode. However, when you use automatic mode, your camera is in charge of all of your settings and your exposure. Experienced photographers paint with light, they capture light with aperture and shutter speed, they are in charge of their own exposure.

Since a DSLR camera measures reflective light, metering for a correct exposure can sometimes be a challenge, even for experienced photographers. For a well balanced exposure, experienced photographers need an 18% gray card. Carrying around a gray card is not always realistic, so experienced photographers try to find that 18% gray in their scene to achieve a correct exposure.

Since we see in color, it can sometimes be a challenge finding that 18% gray in our scene. Exposure Pro takes all of the guess work away!

How does Exposure Pro work? 

Here is how easy Exposure Pro is to use!

1. Use Exposure Pro to take a photo with your phone or IPad.

2. Find the correct gray in your scene.

- Simply move the gray card with your finger throughout your

scene to find and identify a correct match.

3. Now use your DSLR camera!

- Point your DSLR camera to the area that you have identified.

- Adjust your DSLR camera’s settings for a perfect exposure!

It’s too easy, Exposure Pro has helped take all of the guess work out of selecting what part of my scene that I need to meter and measure the light on for the exposure that I want to achieve.

Exposure Pro has taken my photography to the next level! -Val Westover

We have such amazing supporters and Capturing True Emotion Photography Workshop "graduates!" I came across a phenomenal blog post on, "A Tall Drink of Life," from Tiffany Zook in Arizona...so awesome :) Seeing our supporters spread the word about our classes and the joy of photography is what keeps us going!  See what she had to say about her experience at the workshop and expedition with us in Arizona.

The CTE "Peoples Choice" Monthly Photo Contest! We want to celebrate and recognize talented photographers for the gorgeous images they are accomplishing!

This is a peoples choice photo contest, so you are in charge of your own theme. The more impact, the more votes you'll get. This is a monthly contest, so the earlier you submit your image, the more opportunities for votes.

We are awarding some pretty incredible prizes to the Winner! A Think Tank Camera Bag, a Capturing Couture Fashion Camera Strap, or a Gary Fong "Pop-up" Flash Puffer (flash diffuser).

The winner will be announced on our blog and our FB page at the beginning of each month. The winner will be chosen by "Popular" Vote, Good Luck!
To Submit Click on this link... http://www.capturingtrueemotion.com/contest/submit-entry

View all of the photo entries and cast your vote now by clicking here 

vote now

Attention to all of my supporters,

Art Takes London is a contest for artists to send in their work for a chance to showcase their artwork at SCOPE London.  SCOPE is the premier showcase for international contemporary artwork.I am so excited! Check out my Portfolio and Please Cast you Vote!! Thank you so much and enjoy....

Click Here to Vote!

Smiles to you all -Stephanie Adriana Dunlevy Leventhal

Wow! We had no idea how terrific the Austin Zoo would be! I have never been so close to so many amazing animals... at the Austin Zoo there are no motes separating you from the animals, just a short barrier, 3ft distance and chain link fence! The animals are right there in front of you! INCREDIBLE! The Austin Zoo is also an Animal Rescue and Sanctuary so many of the Zoo inhabitants have been saved from bad situations or relinquished to the zoo for better care; lucky for us! When we arrived at the zoo it was raining and we had a few moments when we thought we may not be able to shoot, but Mother Nature had better plans for us and the skies cleared up and we had gorgeous weather! Val and I mainly used 2 zoom lenses, the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 lens and the Canon 400mm 2.8 lens (What a Monster! we definitely used our monopods for that one), What cool and special effects we were able to create, incredible depths of field and we were able to make chain link fences disappear! So much fun! Our participants had a super time accomplishing images that they have never done before, ALL in Manual Mode! What a great feeling to see them all getting the exposures they want.  We spent the day composing and metering, capturing the most incredible images of absolutely wonderful animals; what a day!  Come and shoot with us! Smiles to you all-Stephanie Adriana

Keep checking the website for Extended Expeditions coming to your town!

*for more info on the Austin Zoo, check out   www.austinzoo.org

Gary Fongs "Puffer" is one of the smartest diffusers that I have ever seen for a DSLR with a pop-up flash. The "Puffer" slides into the cameras hot shoe, separates itself from the pop-up flash and spreads the light wider than the flash could ever do with out it. Without the puffer, the pop-up flash produces a hard unattractive light, a type of light that I would never use when photographing people. When the "Puffer" is used correctly, it diffuses the light and now gives your subject a softer more appealing light. Thank you Gary for another incredible diffuser!

What happens at a CTE Workshop and Expedition?
Yes, we do have a lot of fun! We also seem to pack an extraordinary amount of information and learning into both the Basic Elements Workshop and Expedition, go figure?!  Since we have a passion for photography it tends to shine through during the Workshop, revealing technical information and unraveling the mysteries of your gorgeous equipment is just the tip of the iceberg. Our "step by step" " No holds Barred" approach to delivering valuable material is essential to the success of our participants and  the workshop! The Expedition is the "Icing on the Cake" where we get to see the little lightbulbs of understanding go off over everyones heads! Val and I (Val really tends to go a little more overboard than me!) go to great lengths to insure our participants come away with the knowledge of their equipment and not only how to shoot in any mode of their camera but to be able to shoot in manual mode and in any lighting situation! Amazing! All different makes, brands and camera bodies, Bring it on! Val and I will make sure all of your questions are answered. Laying on our tummies, running, jumping and divulging treasured secrets and recipes for success, sky's the limit to make sure you have fun and come away with the most incredible knowledge and experience!
Well I guess you'll just have to come and see for yourself! See you in class!
FYI!! to be really successful at the Expedition make sure you buy Val's Book… it comes with the most amazing laminated "Cheat Sheet" (Fits right in your camera bag). The Cheat Sheet explains every mode of your camera and has Easy step by step intructions on how to shoot in every mode of your camera, Including Manual Mode! Click here to buy!