Art

International Photography Seminar comes to Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo

In many ways, the photographer is the most optimistic of artists; they do not create beauty—they find it. They look out on the same world as everyone else, they just see what’s perfect about it in one moment and capture it forever. This is not to say that photography, studio or otherwise, does not include a lot of preparation, equipment or science—merely that it is the vision of the photographer that sets them apart. The wonder of a well-trained eye, is that once you start looking for beauty, you find it everywhere. Travel then becomes not a search for beauty, but a search for inspiration, a focusing of your senses.

A diverse group of master photographers from across the United States have found a way to combine travel with a photographer’s love of beauty. By organizing photography seminars around the world, they give themselves the opportunity to learn and share their passion for photography with each other while experiencing new environments, refreshing their senses and focusing their vision. Past trips have included such locations as Provence, France, Costa Rica and San Miguel de Allende. “Travel gives you the opportunity to explore different cultures,” says Alexandra Collins, master photographer from San Antonio, Texas, “and these trips become the inspiration for new projects, sometimes some of our greatest.” After a trip to Ixtapa last year, Collins decided Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo would be a perfect spot to stage their next seminar. She gathered an impressive group of professional photographers, all members of the Professional Photographers of America Association (PPA) and in early February 2005, they came.

The class of 17 included among others: Alexandra Collins, whose work is displayed at the Photography Hall of Fame and on permanent loan to the Collection of the Professional Photographers of America. Master photographers: Byra Vion, from Houston, TX; Terry Lawrence from Michigan; Deanne Burk from Camp Hill PA; Deborah Kreimborg from Dallas TX; Gray Hawn from Austin, TX, who has been photographing since 1978, and is internationally known for her creative and romantic style; and Lizbeth Guerrina, a master photographer well known across the United States, who works for Fuji. She and her partner Pauline have had their studio in New York’s Hudson valley since 1973. Their work is displayed at the Photography Hall of Fame and on permanent loan to the Collection of the Professional Photographers of America.

The talented group of photographers staged an exhibition at the end of their seminar at Restaurant Coconuts on February 11, 2005. Not only was the well-attended event a delight for the audience, but the artists themselves felt they had gotten so much from the experience that they decided to donate a percentage of the proceeds from their sales to local education charities. A wonderful way to combine work and rest in an environment that inspires, they wanted to give something back to the community that had been so kind and helpful to them. Shown here are two photos produced by Lizbeth Guerrina and Alexandra Collins during the seminar, one of the gracious Mrs. Dickenson who was so kind to model and the second of seminar participant Gayle Abramo on the beach.

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