Recently I have been wondering if there may be more ways to cross the streams between my day job and my photographic passion. This originally started with me photographing the vSphere launch event back in April. Recently I come upon a way to extend this to VMworld 2009 while also engaging more directly with my readers.
On Friday I was walking from the San Francisco VMware office to the the garage where I parked my car and ended up walking past the Moscone Center. As I walked by my mind was in a photography mode and I started noticing how many great locations there are at Moscone for taking portrait photos (something I have been working on lately with my photography, including location lighting techniques). And guess what, there will be thousands of people coming here for VMworld 2009. Perhaps there might be a few people who either need or would like to have a new portrait photo taken in this great location? Like some virtualization bloggers who haven’t put a photo up on their sites yet to better connect with their readers. Or some of the social media users who would like to update their online avatar. Maybe just some attendees who are just looking for a different kind of memorabilia from VMworld.
Bam! My VMworld 2009 Portrait Project was born.
The goal of the project: to provide 15 different VMworld attendees (can also include spouses/significant others) each with two on location portrait photos taken around Moscone Center.
There will be no charge for these portrait shoots, only cost will be your time. Each participant in the project will be granted fully rights usage to their photographs and will be able to download a high resolution copies of their portraits shortly after VMworld from my photography website. In exchange, I ask that you give me credit if you use it on a blog and that I retain the right to use these images for an portfolio of portraits (I would like to do a blog post after VMworld with all the portrait taken during this project.
Here is how it will work:
- Working around the show schedule and my VMworld schedule, I have identified a window of availability each day for doing the portrait photo session (see schedule below, I will cross off slots as they are reserved.)
- Each window will be 30 minutes and the actual portrait session shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes.
- We can meet up at the designated spot each day at the start of your session and do the portrait session at one or two different locations of your choosing on the Moscone Center grounds.
- Reserve you’re spot by posting a comment on this post stating your preferred time slot. Slots will get assigned in order of comments posted and I will followup with an email confirming you slot. If you’re a blogger or social media users, please include a link to you site for reference.
Portrait Session Scheduled Start Times
- Meet at Front Entrance of Thirsty Bear, location of the Sunday Night Extravaganza.
- Sunday, August 30th, 5:30pm
- Sunday, August 30th, 6:00 pm
- Sunday, August 30th, 6:30 pm
- Sunday, August 30th, 7:00 pm
- Sunday, August 30th, 7:30 pm
(Update: Since the SNE is so popular and likely to be overbooked, anyone wanting more slots on Sunday let me know…)
- Meet at the Moscone Center entrance near the Show Registration booths.
- Monday, August 31th, 3:00 pm
- Monday, August 31th, 3:30 pm
- Monday, August 31th, 4:00 pm
- Monday, August 31th, 4:30 pm
- Tuesday, September 1st, 5:30 pm
- Tuesday, September 1st, 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, September 1st, 6:30 pm
- Wednesday, September 2nd, 5:30 pm
- Wednesday, September 2nd, 6:00 pm
- Thursday, September 3rd, 2:00pm
- Thursday, September 3rd, 2:30pm
- Thursday, September 3rd, 3:00pm
- Thursday, September 3rd, 3:30pm
Yes, there are more than 15 slots listed above to provide some flexibility.
I’m excited about this stream crossing project and look forward to providing those who participate with a unique VMworld 2009 memento.
Please Note: After the photo shoot, time is required to process the photos to achieve maximum quality. Due to my VMworld Schedule and commuting needs during the show, I won’t be able to provide photos until after the show. Most likely this won’t be until after September 8th as Labor Day weekend is my anniversary (you’ll have to be patient or else my wife might prevent you from ever getting your photos! JK 🙂 )
The reservation window is open….please help me meet my project goals by spreading the word about this project! Even if you don’t participate, I’ll see you around the show…I’ll be the one lugging the orange and tan backpack around with my camera out…
Most people comment negatively about my LinkedIn and Twitter photos. I better get a new one from a professional like yourself.
Sunday, August 30th, 6:00 pm
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I’m going to have to agree with Jason, he can really use a new photo 😉
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I agree, Jason can use a new picture. My picture on linkedin and blog closely resembles reality 😉
I wouldn’t mind having a decent picture, although I doubt I’m photogenic.
I will blog about it today to get your scheduled filled up!
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I am in… I will be at the Thirsty Bear on Sunday night. How is Sunday, August 30, 7:00 p.m.
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Greg, you wil have a tough job portretting me 😉 i am old (48), bold, wear glasses and are passed my better lokking days, So if you can make a good looking portrait picture of me you should change jobs and become a full time proffesional! And if you can give me some tips how i can make some good night pictures with mij EOS 400d then i am available! Grtz PEter van den Bosch
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latoga Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Peter, I’m confident that I can work some magic! And I always enjoy talking photo shop as well. I’m sure I can give you some tips for getting some good night shots in SF. There is so much that you can photograph just within walking distance of VMworld!
Please let me know what time slot would work best for you.
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Peter van den Bosch Reply:
August 19th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Tuesday, September 1st, 6:30 pm will be great for me.
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I am in, Sunday 7:30pm, don’t know if my wife will want to though, but I will.
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I’m in the same boat as Jason, so how about Sunday, August 30th, 6:30 pm. 🙂
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Greg, I’ll be at Thirsty Bear earlier on Sunday, so maybe 5:30PM will work? If not I’ll take Monday, August 31th, 4:00 pm spot at Moscone.
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Thanks for all the interest so quickly all! I’ve updated the schedule above to show the slots that are now filled. Since the Sunday night event is looking overbooked, if someone is interested in an additional slots on Sunday, please let me know. It’s easy for me to come in earlier or provide more slots later as I was too late to RSVP for the SNE. (Thought I know of some other good watering holes nearby that we could meet up at as well…)
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Wow. Great Idea! If you’re going to be at the shindig location already, with a camera in hand, you might as well be the official photog for the event. your name will be on the “staff” list, you just need to bring your camera. 🙂 I can email you details.
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Wow, love this idea and I could really use a decent picture for my rpofile pages on facebook and twitter, Tuesday, September 1st, 6:00 pm is looking good for me.
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Hey – This is awesome! I’d love to do it on Monday – closer to the end of the day, the better. Email me and I’ll give you my cell number. Thanks!!
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I really like this idea. I’m free Monday after noon so any open time works for me.
I’m with Peter van den Bosch in wanting good shots of the area.
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Good Idea! I’m in. How about Tuesday at 5:30?
Dave
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FYI for everyone who has signed up to date: Since I’m traveling at a customer’s site till Friday, I’ve only had time to update my calendar online as you leave comments. I’ll be confirming directly with everyone on Friday/Saturday via email…
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I see Monday is open. How about Monday @ 4:00
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Photos, portraits and your best mug shots are always welcome over on Photo Wall on VMworld.com (http://www.vmworld.com/community/photos/2009/). In fact, we’re setting up rewards for the best photo or photo album, video, blog and overall conference contributions — See you all at the show!
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Sweet deal. I’ll take Thursday @ 3:00 or 3:30 if you still have it.
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Greg, how about starting a vPhotography Users group. We can setup meetings while attending the events. Exchange some vPictures on the Internet related (or not) to VMware virtualisation.
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I would definitely be interested! I’m bringing my Nikon D300 to the event and would to not only get a portrait taken, but take some as well!
Ariston Collander
Twitter
Photography Blog
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Put me in for Wednesday, September 2nd, 5:30 pm.
Some say I need a new photo without me wearing a Steeler shirt!
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Monday, August 31th, 3:00 pm Please!
this will be right before Lab 04 for me (at 3:30) so I will need to get through =)
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Greg i really liked the session it was hard work but for you it is just starting! Hope your Photoshop certification in updated 😉 Was nice meeting you, thanks for inviting me!
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