Wouldn't it be great to spend a few days focused solely on your photography? Escape the daily world to learn professional techniques, see new locations, work with professional models, compare notes with other photographers, and receive feedback about your images. Total immersion. Even your lunches are brought to you.

This is the TDS Workshop experience: Affordable, personalized, and stimulating. Classes are limited to 8 participants. We gather at The Digital Story studio in Sonoma County, Northern California — an area that features vineyards, pastures, rugged coastline, and towering Redwoods. We combine classroom instruction with hands-on shooting, then prepare our images for review. You'll experience the full cycle of learning, and feel your confidence growing with each activity.

Please join me, Derrick Story, for a workshop this year. Do it for you, and for the pursuit of your passion.

Photography instruction in the field as well as the classroom.

The 2012 workshop season promises to be our best yet. We have new locations and a broader array of topics. Many of these ideas came from workshop attendees who wanted to join us again.

Take a look at this overview, and if you see something you're interested in, fill out the "Send Me Info!" request, and I'll get back to you right away. Plus, by doing so, you're place on the reserve list for the event of your choice.

• Feb. 25 & 26, 2012: "Off Camera Flash" - Learn how to use portable flash units to create flattering portraits and commercial product shots. In addition to class instruction, we'll have plenty of hands-on work in the studio, including sessions with a professional model.
• March 17 & 18, 2012: "Aperture Intensive" - Spend two full days learning how to master your photo collection using Apple's professional grade software. One model shoot is included.
• April 21 & 22, 2012: "Close-Up Photography" - Learn and practice how to get up close and personal with your subjects. You'll see how to set up your own "close up" studio, including lighting options, backgrounds, and more. We'll also venture outdoors (weather permitting) for nature photography using our macro gear. You'll come away with lots of beautiful shots and new ideas that will energize your photography.
• June 2 & 3, 2012: "Action Photography" - Want to improve your sports photography? Or maybe learn how to use techniques such as panning? In this workshop we'll cover the important techniques for action photography, then go out on location and practice "getting the shot." Our big event for this workshop will be The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma County. Admission to the event is included in your workshop fees.
• July 13-15, 2012: "Event Photography" featuring the Wine Country Big Q. Learn how to prepare, photograph, and publish coverage for a big event. You'll actually be a working photographer for the Big Q, shooting behind the scenes, editing content, and contributing to the online event coverage. Plus, you will enjoy some of the most amazing BBQ on the planet. Live music, micro brewery beer, and Sonoma County wine are all included in your workshop fees.
• Aug. 25 & 26, 2012: "Sonoma Coast Workshop" - One of the most popular choices on the 2011 schedule. Roll up your pant legs and shoot portraits and landscapes on the rugged Sonoma Coastline. It's a treat for the senses.
• Oct. 2012: "Fall Color" - Sonoma County has rolling hills covered in vineyards, beautiful trees, and gorgeous blue skies. What a prefect place to shoot Fall color and bolster your landscape library. (Includes 1-2 field trips.)
• Nov. 2012: "Aperture Intensive" - Spend two full days learning how to master your photo collection using Apple's professional grade software. One model shoot is included.

We're still working out the details for all of these events, including the specific locations for the field shoot. But I can tell you this, we have some terrific photo shoots in the works.

Save my place! TDS Workshops fill up quickly. You can put your name on the reserve list for the event of your choice, and receive additional information, by completing this brief form and hitting the Submit button.

The Spring TDS Aperture Workshop is set for March 17 & 18, 2012.

Have you wanted to learn Aperture, Apple's complete photo management software, but haven't had the time or the guidance to do so? Coming this Spring, you can become a part of our popular TDS Aperture Workshop, and finally take control of your photo library.

Some Highlights Include

• Quality instruction from an Aperture expert.
• Comfortable classroom environment complete with tables, power strips, high speed Internet, full kitchen, two bathrooms, refreshments, lunches, and more. You have the run of the studio during this workshop.
• Photo studio that we'll use for shoots to provide you with fresh content for your Aperture library (I provide the model for our shooting sessions).
• New Epson R2000 professional printer for our printing instruction (paper and ink provided).
• Excellent location with wine country, the Sonoma Coast, redwoods, and other natural attractions if you want to spend a little extra "get-away" time.

I'm also considering a second Aperture Workshop in March, on the 12th & 13th.

Reserving is Easy!

If you're interested in attending either of these events, use the "Send Me Info" box in the middle of this page.