And it came to pass………..
I just got my Christmas wish!!!! For most of this year I’ve been looking forward to my last workshop of the year, the Celebration of the Opening of the Christmas Season with Joe McNally and Anne Cahill! I have looked so forward to this event, and time with Joe and Anne who I love so much. Two of my best friends, and two people I admire more than I can describe. Joe is one of the most admirable photographers I know, a man of real substance and integrity, a man who has done so much for others and is famous beyond belief, but still a regular guy, a truly humble man! Anne is one of the greatest women I’ve known, and she and Joe got to come and spend an evening with Sherelene and I, it can’t get better than that!
To start my Christmas Season, a very blessed season for me, with them and the truly great group that assembled in the Smokies was, well, divine! For Jim and I to join them and do a workshop, was truly a great honor!
Joe’s teaching was incredible, everyone was blown away! One thing he did that was the icing on the cake was teach portrait lighting by photographing “all” the attendees, everyone left with a portrait made by no less than Joe McNally! Let me share a few with you!
Wilson Reynolds, the lord of the manor, the Tremont Lodge!
A magic moment between Jim and Sue Haverstock that only Joe could capture!
Mike Early gets a great smile out of some Canon teasing! Joe just knows how it do it!
Joe got a great serious expression for a truly great guy, George Flanagan!
A classy guy, Miles Smith, in a classic informal portrait!
The First Family of His Light, the Oakleys! Nina, John and Ralphi.
Most of all, laughter that came from deep down inside! Merry Christmas!
Our wonderful group!
So what do I want for Christmas? Nothing! I already have all a man could hope for, a year filled with workshops with great friends like Jack Graham, Jim Begley, Jim Haverstock and lots of other folks! A beautiful bride and family. Then to top off the year, four great days with Joe and Anne and at the our gang! Life could not be better!
Thanks Joe and Anne for giving me my Christmas wish!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
All Portraits by Joe McNally, the group shots of the team by Chuck Barnes!
Workshop Group and Bible shot by the pilgrim.
Top image of my great grandfather’s Bible shot in the Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove, with the Fuji X-T1 and the 90mm f 2 lens at f 2.
This entry was posted on Thursday, December 10th, 2015 at 9:01 pm
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It is so good to see everyone. Things must be right when someone that did not go to the workshop feel goods seeing those that did attend. I’m certain that much was learned that was not just photography.
Merry Christmas to all. And thank you to the Pilgrim and the participants that have made my year better for having met you in person or through your blogs.
David, thanks so much for your kind words! It is my mission to share God’s love to all who pass this way! It is a joy to serve Him and meet His children!
looks like you had a blast 🙂
It was!https://billfortney.com/?p=15556&replytocom=50321#respond
Bill, I came away with fewer photographs than any other of your workshops, but I am not concerned at all.
Because I came away with a tremendous increase in knowledge of how to effectively use artificial light. I came away with a tremendous awe for the capability, knowledge, teaching ability and wonderfulness of Joe McNally (and his wife, Annie). I came away filled with the comfort of being with some absolutely wonderful folks. I came away with my comfort in the love of God who makes all this possible.
THANK YOU!!!!
Thank God, He is author of our joy, which by the way i share with you, love you my brother!
What an intro to the Christmas season! This is one I really wished I could have attended! I’ve attended a couple of Joe’s one-day workshops and had the opportunity to introduce myself to him (and to Anne), but a multi-day workshop with a limited number of participants and hands-on training would have been a dream come true. You’re a fortunate man, Bill – but you already know that! Merry Christmas to you and your family, and I look forward to seeing you in 2016!
It was a dream come true, and I too look forward to 2016 with you the field!
Bill,
I love your image of the Bible. Would make a great screensaver or a print for that matter.
Peace and blessings.
Thanks, I loved the shallow depth to add emphasis to that verse!