I am currently attending Skip’s Summer School (photography seminar), located at the beautiful MGM Grand Las Vegas, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

There are so many inspiring speakers at the seminar.  The great thing about all the teachers is they are all photographers.  I am rejuvenated by all the inspiring speakers as well as the testimonials of other seminar participants.

I had the pleasure of taking pictures (see below) with some of the photographers.

April Sims and Dane Sanders

Clutching my autogaphed copy of Fast Track Photography by Dane Sanders after sharing a few tears with Dane.  His story and his passion and willingness to help other touched me deeply.

April Sims and Ron Dawson

Andy John  Bambi Cantrell April Sims

All of the above photography by http://www.shaunanthony.com/

I am sitting in class right now so I have to run.  More to come so stay tuned.

Capitol dome in rotunda, originally uploaded by April Sims Photography.

2009 Trip to United States Capitol

I took my daughter to the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The tour is free. If you are a U.S. resident get in contact with your state representative to set up a tour by your state representative’s office. All other visit the United States Capitol Visitor’s Center either online or in person for more details.

APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
© 2009 April Sims
website: www.AprilSimsPhotography.com
blog: www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

I created three Flickr groups today.

Posing Guide:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/posingguide/ - I am always asked where is the best place to find the best photographs, so I created this group.  I am calling on my fellow photogs to contribute as well as inviting those that I feel have taken great poses.

Artists by Artists:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/artistsbyartists/ - A place where photographers can pay hommage to artists (e.g., musicians, poets, photographers, authors, etc.).

Great Use of Location:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/greatuseoflocation/ - This group was created to show that ordinary and less than ordinary location can be turned into extraordinary locations.

I hope you enjoy the groups and participate in the future or forward these links to those you feel may be interested in contributing or those who will find the links useful.

April Sims
Photographer & Digital Artist
APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
website:  http://www.aprilsimsphotography.com   
blog:  http://www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com  
podcast:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aprilsims

I attended the DC Photo Shootout in Alexandria, Virginia. The shootout consisted of 50 area photographers getting together to learn as well as teach lighting, posing, panning, customer service and more.

Stephanie Dang (model featured in image above) was one of three models that participated in the event. Above is my favorite images from that shoot.

photography: April Sims
http://www.AprilSimsPhotography.com  
model: Stephanie Dang
http://www.modelmayhem.com/stephanieDANG

make-up:  Crystal Hannon www.CrystalJoMakeup.com

APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
© 2009 April Sims
website: www.AprilSimsPhotography.com
blog: www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

Nabia Khan is coming out with a catalog for jewelry soon and I had the esteem pleasure of being on of the photographers for her new catalog. Nabia is one of the nicest clients that I have ever worked with. She also knew exactly what she wanted which made the shoot go even smoother.

The model is the above image is Elissa DeSouza. She has made it to the final cut for D.C. in America’s Next Top Model the past three seasons. I am cheering for Elissa again this year and hopes she fulfills her dream of being one of the cast of ANTM. She is beautiful inside and out. If she does get onto the show I hope they do not cut her beautiful hair.

photography: April Sims
www.AprilSimsPhotography.com
model: Elissa DeSouza
make-up: Lisa Carter-McPhee
jewelry: Desire collections by Nabihah khan
www.desirecollections.com

APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
© 2009 April Sims
website: www.AprilSimsPhotography.com
blog: www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

Amber Twigg, originally uploaded by April Sims Photography.

photography: April Sims
model: Amber Twigg
hair/make-up: Amber Twigg

My friend Amber Twigg and I went to Alexandria, Virginia and captured this image. It is amazing what you can do with an ordinary background. That old tin wall never looked so good.

APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
© 2009 April Sims
website: www.AprilSimsPhotography.com
blog: www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

Babe Ruth Baseball Virginia State Tournament 15 Year Olds, originally uploaded by April Sims Photography.

Babe Ruth Baseball Virginia State Tournament 15 Year Olds

SHENANDOAH STANDING FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM

Beautiful day for baseball. The sky was blue and the clouds were so big and fluffy it looked as though you could pluck one from the sky.

I had the esteem pleasure of being invited to be one of the official photographers for the Babe Ruth Baseball Virginia State Tournament (15 yeard olds).  The tournament took place from July 16 – Jul 21, 2000 at Annandale High School in Annandale, Virginia.

The roster for the tournament read as follows.

Host – Falls Church/Annandale
District 1 – Varina
District 2 – Dinwiddie
District 3 – Glen Allen
District 4 – Shenandoah
District 5 – Lane of Charlottesville
District 6 – Greater Fairfax
District 7 – McLean / Great Falls
District 8 – Stafford
District 9 – Winchester

District 9’s Winchester won the tournament and will go to North Carolina to represent the state of Virginia.

APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
© 2009 April Sims
website: www.AprilSimsPhotography.com  
blog: www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

Babe Ruth Baseball Virginia State Tournament 15 Year Olds, originally uploaded by April Sims Photography.

PITCHER: TREY, MVP of Babe Ruth Baseball Virginia State Tournament 15 yr olds

I had the esteem pleasure of being invited to be one of the official photographers for the Babe Ruth Baseball Virginia State Tournament (15 yeard olds).

Host – Falls Church/Annandale
District 1 – Varina
District 2 – Dinwiddie
District 3 – Glen Allen
District 4 – Shenandoah
District 5 – Lane of Charlottesville
District 6 – Greater Fairfax
District 7 – McLean / Great Falls
District 8 – Stafford
District 9 – Winchester

District 9’s Winchester won the tournament and will go to North Carolina to represent the state of Virginia.

APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
© 2009 April Sims
website: www.AprilSimsPhotography.com
blog: www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

April Sims
Photographer & Digital Artist
APRIL SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
website:  http://www.aprilsimsphotography.com   
stock site:  http://www.photoshelter.com/c/aprilsims
blog:  http://www.aprilsimsphotography.wordpress.com

Thank you to all the men and women past and present for keeping our country safe. Thank you daddy (Vietnam) and grandaddy (WWII) for keeping our legacy going. I wish we could all just get along BUT until then I salute all the brave men and women that have put their lives on the line for our way of living.