Now that the 2003 Workshop & Luau is over...

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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2003-11-10

Now that the 2003 Workshop & Luau is over...
Thanks to everyone who helped

By Robert Hanashiro, Sports Shooter

Photo by Dana Bowler

Robert Hanashiro makes a big entrance to kick-off the 2003 Sports Shooter Workshop & Luau by beinbg carried on a surfboard by Max Morse and Paul Clapp on November 7, 2003.

People have been asking me if I've been able to catch up on my sleep now that the Workshop & Luau 2003 is over.

The answer is ... not really.

I have been too EXCITED about the weekend that was ... too INSPIRED by the fabulous presentations by our four featured speakers ... too ENERGIZED by the wonderful sharing that went on in all of our breakouts ... and too ENTHUSED by meeting so many wonderful people at this year's Luau.

When a few of my friends and I embarked on this wacky journey we call Sports Shooter five years ago, I was hoping that we could help a few of our fellow photographers with information we had and stories we could share. This year's Workshop & Luau ...dare I say it again: THE coolest event in photography ... was the culmination of 10 months of hard work, dedication and a love for photography.

I think the contribution that we ALL made this weekend to helping photographers and this business is a tribute not to me ... but to all of you that participated in the Workshop & Luau.

Whether it was Wally Skalij and Jack Gruber reviewing portfolios until 2 am; to an emotional presentation by V.J. Lovero; to Tom Braid sharing his hotel room with a student so he could attend; to Ben Van Hook's award-winning picture story "When I learned to Dance"; to a student who endured a midwest bus ride; to the "Loyalist College Seven" driving 48 hours in a van from Canada; to Robert Seale and Joey Terrill sharing their insights into lighting ... the list goes on and on and on.

Last year someone called it "The Woodstock of Photography" ... this year the Sports Shooter Workshop & Luau was more akin to the movie "School of Rock" --- a grizzled guitar player (the Luau faculty) leads a group of young students (Luau participants) to their destiny, becoming fast and loyal friends, learning and understanding their craft better (photography) and having a good time along the way.

So ... let's not let those Hawaiian shirts sit in the closet forever! Start flying the Workshop & Luau "colors" at all of the (non-formal!) events we all cover!

There are many, many people to thank ... in my rush to bring together our faculty and staff Saturday evening for one last bow, I neglected to emphasize the huge contributions made by Nikon and their wonderful group of people helping with this year's Workshop & Luau. As I said at the top of the opening session Friday, the Workshop & Luau would not be possible without the vision, support and dedication of Ron Taniwaki and Bill Pekala from Nikon. For that I will always be grateful.

MAHALO!

Bert Hanashiro

Related Email Addresses:

Robert Hanashiro: bert@sportsshooter.com