“My workshop experience actually goes back a little further than April 2012 but here it goes. Two or three years ago at WPPI, I stumbled into the VB booth and was incredibly impressed with what they were doing. Unfortunately, the day of the Vendor displays was my last day at the conference and I did not have the time to spend in the booth. Nevertheless, I was still impressed with what I saw but then kind of wrote it off as a gadget thing done with some sort of smoke and mirrors. Since then I have been researching backgrounds and their cost and feasibility and my mind always kept going back to VB and wondering what if. More research on the web showed me that there were no real good places close to go see it in action and I really wanted to see it first hand again before I even thought about that kind of investment.
Sunday, March 30th came and I flew into Austin-Bergstrom International (which by the way is one of my favorite airports) and got a rental car for the 35 minute trip from Austin to San Marcos. Checked into my hotel and did a little site seeing and preplanning my route to the Learn and Earn Center for the next morning. I also had to do a little climate adjusting as this Hoosier from northwest Indiana is not used to 90 degrees on March 30th. Well, Monday rolled around as they always do and I was off to the workshop. I pulled in and parked right next to the oft talked about train cars on the Old Mill property and went in. You know how important first impressions are. Well, this one did not disappoint. I walked right into the education studio and it looked just like I had seen on the videos but so much more. VB artwork was everywhere and you could not help but be impressed with the quality and magnitude of this work. Trevon immediately introduced himself and for some reason, I was immediately comfortable in a truly different environment. Over the course of the next few hours we met Christian, Crystal and Dr. Oles but the thing that was most impressive was the learning that we jumped right into. But, it wasn’t what I was initially expecting. We were learning about photography and lighting and ratios and composition and posing. Wait a minute, I came down here to learn about Virtual Backgrounds. Well, I learned a lot more over the course of the next three days. We had about 12 of us in class with such wide-ranging backgrounds from professional photographers with studios to a high school student looking to break into the business. Not one of us was alike but we quickly became friends, learning from and with each other. Trevon’s class was great. I have seen his work before and was impressed to begin with but he has an uncanny ability to teach multiple skill levels at the same time. I know you have all sat in classes and workshops praying the time would get over but these days went by so fast because we were always learning and always engaged. Virtual Backgrounds should consider itself fortunate to have Trevon working with them as he is really good at teaching the workshop. This was everything Christian, Trevon, and Dr. Oles promised and more. The greatest part was the hands on with our models. The models were patient and really great to work with. The best part though, we were making virtual background images. Us! No super photographer who uses this system all the time but the 12 of us were making the pictures. Were they perfect, not always. Did we make mistakes, oh yeah but we were learning. It was truly then that I figured out that this is a system I think can definitely work for me. Then , their were the other neat “little things” about the workshop. Lunches as a class in the Rail Car were as important to the learning as any time spent in class. The atmosphere, the communication, and the stories and things we learned about each other were priceless. Then there was the “voluntary workshop classes” held after class was over. I missed the first night at Carinos after not being able to find the restaurant until I returned to my hotel and found the place right across the street (but that is a whole different story to itself). The second night at Logans where we had our own room again was a great time. Then you had Dr. Oles info sessions at the beginning of each class day. I believe the man is truly in touch with the photography profession and you can learn a lot from him about the business end of photography, not to mention his very impressive product and knowledge of photography in general. Finally, at the end of class I again had the chance to talk with Christian and thank him personally for getting me to San Marcos. It was truly a learning experience and very well may have opened up a new door for me in photography, time will tell but I am very optimistic about the future. The last thing I will say about this is just this. When I left the workshop on Wednesday, I had a quote in my hand and I am making final preparations as we speak to order my system. Not because I was given a sales pitch when I was there, but I was allowed to use and learn the product. They didn’t have to make a big pitch to me. I was pretty sure I wanted it when I went. Going just put icing on the cake. But I left with a feeling. I didn’t feel like a customer when I left but a friend. I have not doubt in my mind when I do get this system, VB will be right there with me to make sure I get the most out of it. If you are on the fence about the system or coming to the workshop, all I can say is I was in your shoes too! It is an expense. But take the word of someone who has walked where you walk, take the workshop and see for yourself. Whether or not you own a system, are thinking about a one, or are just trying to become a better photographer, it is an experience you will never forget and may just change the way you look at photography forever.”Read More From Robb Quinn
Robb Quinn
Michigan City, IN
“Integrating Virtual Backgrounds into our work enabled us to expand our creativity to a world of limitless possibilities. All you need is a little imagination and you will create images beyond any expectation.”
Joseph and Louise Simone
Montreal, Quebec Canada
“I have been a photographer for over 25 years and haven’t enjoyed using anything as much as I have my Scene Machine.”
Julie Park
West Jordan, UT
“I am so glad I never gave up wanting the system. The first time I saw it I knew that is what I wanted so I never invested on a background (not 1). I stuck to blak & white felt. I still had business but I knew I wanted to be more creative. You can only do so much with black and white and I was so ready for change…VB saved me!”
Elma Flores
Dripping Springs, TX
“Trevon Baker was very personal and eager to answer our questions. I feel like he would have done anything to help us completely understand the system.”
Lisa Cave
Bishop, GA
“You spent the money on this remarkable system…now, spend 3days and get ALL of your education to make it a profitable purchase!”
Shelly Rice
Lovington, NM
“Far more than I expected!”
Binny Skidgel
Redmond, OR
“Informative, motivating…. A seminar that opens your mind to endless possibilites.”
Tracy Sturgis
Hotchkiss, CO
“My main issue was affordability. After the workshop, I realized how valuable of a tool it is and that it is worth the investment. I am now confident that I am making the right decision to purchase and the staff really wants you to succeed and it shows!”
Kay Lammi
Mason, OH
”The Virtual Backgrounds class is the Real Thing!”
Doug Richardson
Wellsburg, WV
“Virtual Backgrounds has challenged my creativity and built my photographic reputation. Over 90% of my business is done with projected backgrounds.”
Dean McDonald
UK~
“There is always room for improvement with Virtual Backgrounds.”
Rustam Joseph
India
“After attending the Virtual Backgrounds workshop and seeing the incrediable possibilites as shown by Baker, Yeater and Sturdevant, I have no doubt that this was the right purchase for my studio.”
Jenni Knezovich
Rocksprings, WY
“A unique oportunity you have to give to yourself to omprove the quality of your work and add a world of creativity that your clients never even dream of.”
Parmelia Matos
Hialeah, FL
“Very glad I came to the class. I was worried about the expense of the entire trip, but it was worth every cent!”
Keith Freeman
Iron Mountain, MI
“One of the best kept secrets in photography!”
Tim Eddington
Shreveport, LA
“The Virtual Background system will not only give you variety for the client & increase your sales, but also your shooting sessions will be quicker and much easier.”
Terri Eddington
Shreveport, LA
“The machine is capable of so much more than I realized.”
Craig Schmidt
Greenville, OH
“The Virtual Backgrounds training program is exceptional. I truly believe it has been instrumental in laying the ground work, which will bring my photography to the next level.”
Mark Vacker
Weston, FL
“This class was well worth the time to take. The staff was amazing and made you feel right at home. It made me feel very comfortable to learn the system before buying.”
Cristie Reddehase
Spring, TX
“This class was the BEST most hands on way to learn how VB can enhance the studio”
Melinda Reddelhase
Spring, TX
“The class is a great way to maximize a substantial capital expense for my work.”
Bill Hodge
Huntington Beach, CA
“I was very excited to be able to attend and the excitement continued throughout the class. The staff are very friendly people and become friends very quickly.”
Lisa Vineckl
Joshua, TX
“The hands on experience and ability to ask questions in an informal classroom setting is invaluable”
Kim Straus
Drums, PA
“Not only does the class provide very valuable training on how to get the most out of your virtual background system but the additional training on lighting and posing is worth hundreds in and of itself.”
Mel Richter
Hildale, UT
“The hands on and open discussion in the smaller class helped me to understand the system very well and prevented many mistakes I would have otherwise made if I had started out on my own.”
Trisha Casey
Billings, MT
“More than I expected and I expected at lot! High quality instruction, hands on time and every question answered. I will be able to use virtual backgrounds with confidence.”
Joan Fox
Canada
“No oen left behind! No question left unanswered.”
Charlie Thakkar
Edison, NJ
“I decided in 2007 that I liked virtual backgrounds but waited 2 years because I thought the timing wasn’t right or I wasn’t ready. Looking ack after taking this workshop, I wish I didn’t waste 2 years. I passed up a lot of business opportunity.”
Nico Coetzel
Costa Mesa, CA
“It’s totally worth the time. In fact, you can’t afford to miss it. Set yourself apart from the others.”
Tania Allen
Milwaukee, OR
“The best mix of practical application, hands on and in-studio application I have ever attended.”
Skip Lightsey
Newport, WA
“This workshop was one of the best most informative I have ever been to. They covered so much to help make your total photography career better.”
Debbie Lewis
Greenville, TX
“I came here to Texas from Pennsylvana to buy a machine (which I did) but I left with so much more; business companions, great ideas, inspiration too. But learning from Trevon was worth every dollar spent on the VB machine…it was the bonus.”
Kim Powell
Erie, PA
“The program is exciting and it moves you to the wow factor.”
James Davis
Houston, TX
“Coming to a workshop and being able to see a professional use the virtual background machine to create their work just opened my eyes as to the limitless possibilities of the Scene Machine.”
Chris Whipple
Broussard, LA
“This is a great class and a must for all virtual background users. Answers to problems I was having were given without judgment.”
Tammy Cox
Orange, TX
The fact is, when you finally decide to pull the trigger on a system, the system should be installed in your studio and you should use it constantly. This is how you become confident and creative with the system. I’ve spoken with several photographers who owned the system but rarely used it. They could not figure out how to control the light around the reflective screen. They had not visited Henry and Marian in Texas to learn about the system, about where it can take you. The Virtual Background system has been a powerful, profitable tool in my studio.
Thank you for the positive and powerful comment.
[...] Workshop Testimonials | | Virtual BackgroundsVirtual BackgroundsSo that being said, I started email correspondence with Christian Feigl at VB in January of this year trying to learn as much as I could about the system without … [...]
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