Workshop INFO

Since 1999, Rolando Gomez has conducted over 400 workshops, seminars and lectures around the world including the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the Virgin Islands alone he’s conducted over 20

From a Virgin Islands, Exotic Workshop, Rangfinder Cover, Sept. 06'

From a Virgin Islands, Exotic Workshop, Rangfinder Cover, Sept. 06'

 glamour workshops in the past five years and he’s the only glamour photography workshop instructor who conducted a seven-city photography workshop lecture series in Europe for Calumet. He’s the only glamour photography workshop instructor that has taught at Photo Plus Expo (NYC), Samy’s Camera (Los Angeles), Photo Imaging Design Expo (San Diego), FotoFusion (Delray Beach), Julia Dean Photo School (Venice Beach), The Palm Beach Photographic Center, the University of Texas and the University of the Virgin Islands.
He’s also the only glamour photography workshop instructor with assignments in almost 40 countries, four photography books and the only workshop series with guest appearances by some of the top photographers in the world. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication, summa cum laude and has leadership and instructional experience as a former active-duty, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, Non-Commissioned Officer.

His workshop series has included two book covers, two magazine covers (Rangefinder, Sept. 06 and D-Pixx, March 07’) in addition to various radio and television interviews. His workshop series is the only workshop series that’s included models with state beauty pageant titles, Playboy Playmates, American Idol star, Maxim cover model and Playboy Special Edition models in addition to many other accolades.
His workshop formats include:

Exotic Workshop, Location, Cozumel, Mexico

Exotic Workshop, Location, Cozumel, Mexico

1. Weekend workshops (1- or 2-day) in the United Statesinclude models, make-up artist(s), assistant(s) and are normally done on location in a studio or significant location. Unless advertised differently, these workshops start on the first day at 9:30 for the photographers with two-hour lecture. Immediately following the photography lecture, photographers are allowed to practice what they’ve learned photographing beautiful models. The photography of the models is done one at a time, not a group shoot. We will have at least three shooting stations and the photographers are allowed an amount of time at each shooting venue before the models change into outfits and sets.

Normally there is a lunch break at the location, lunch is normally provided along with drinks. Coffee is up to the attendee to bring, as we start after breakfast. Some workshops use a “working lunch” format, which simply means, while some are shooting, some are eating lunch. Attendees must have a camera with a hot shoe, this is the top of the camera where you flash slides into. This is for our radio remote triggers we provide. We do encourage you to bring Pocket Wizard radio triggers if you have them, though not required. As a minimum, your camera must have a PC cord connection if you do not have a hot shoe. If you have a hot shoe, this is not required.

In Europe for Lecture Series, Calumet & California Sunbounce

In Europe for Lecture Series, Calumet & California Sunbounce

The workshops end at approximately 5:00 p.m. Some workshops have planned networking dinners immediately afterwards. If the workshop is a 2-day event, the second day for photographers starts at approximately 10:30 a.m. with a one-hour lecture before shooting. Lunch is normally provided. The workshop will end at 3:30 p.m., unless otherwise advertised. Model releases, though voluntary, are usually $60 per model for both days total—one release for two days, only $60. This release fee is for the entire period, not every day.

2. Mansion Workshops. Normally our mansion workshops are from one to three days. Some offer a fourth optional day four private shooting with a model, first-come, first-serve, by the hour. If a private shoot day is not advertised, a photographer may coordinate with a model for future shooting, but not during workshop days.

Unless otherwise advertised, normal start times at a mansion shoot are 9:30 a.m. on the first day and stop time at 5:00 p.m. Photographers can expect a two-hour lecture on the first day, lectures are reduced each day for mansion shoots longer than one-day. Most mansion shoots include lunch and drinks—bring your own coffee.

After the photography lecture, photographers are normally broken down into teams of two to three photographers. For each team there will be one model for the photographers to work with and there will be various rotation of models and teams throughout the day. If a mansion workshop is longer than one day, team integrity will remain and the rotation format will resume from the day before. These types of workshops are more expensive because there is more time with the models and the groups are smaller as we limit the amount of attendees. For camera requirements, please see item #1 above. Model releases are voluntary and range from $60 to 100 per model, based on the event. This release fee is for the entire period, not every day.

3. Exotic Workshops. Normally our exotic workshops the attendee arrives on Thursday and teams are broken down that evening. Some photography lecture and demonstration will be conducted on Friday morning with shooting ending based on location. Some locations have sunset shooting, some even nighttime shooting. Each location varies, but please expect long days on these type of workshops.

Virgin Islands Workshop, Instruction on Sunbounce Use

Virgin Islands Workshop, Instruction on Sunbounce Use

Unless otherwise stated, as these workshops are very limited in size, workshop attendees are broken down into teams of two, taking turns assisting each other and practicing their photographic skills. Each team works with a model for the first half of the day and then works with another model for the second half of the day. All days involve mandatory breaks for lunch and recharge time.. Recharge time allows photographers to download images, recharge batteries, lunch, etc., while models are given rest time and re-touching of make-up, changing of wardrobe, lunch, etc. Again, these are long days. 

At exotic photography workshops or photography workshops at exotic locations, most of the time attendees, models, Rolando, assistants, make-up artists, etc., are always at the location or near the location. This more intimate atmosphere leaves time to socialize, network, and review images along with special dinners and events. Some dinners are provided some you must pay a surcharge. Basically, no one goes home at 5:00 p.m., normally. These type of workshops create great friends, sometimes business contacts, but most important, camaraderie amongst the group.

We normally do have an optional day at the end of the workshop where photographers and models can conduct private shoots. These private shoots are based on an hourly basis, normally set at $100 per hour for the model and $20 for the make-up artist. For the workshop itself, model releases are voluntary and range from $60 to 100 per model, based on the event. This release fee is for the entire event period, not charged every day. For camera requirements, please see item #1 above.

4. All workshops. 

European D-Pixx Magazine, Cover and over 9-pages!

European D-Pixx Magazine, Cover and over 9-pages!

Normally it is your responsibility to get to the photography workshop location. Normally, unless otherwise indicated, such as some exotic workshop locations, you must provide your own lodging. Normally, some meals are provided, each workshop varies. Normally we do not allow spouses or significant others to attend, unless they pay for a workshop attendee slot. There are some rare exceptions, please contact us if you feel you need that rare exception.

5. Our workshop releases for models are voluntary, unless otherwise indicated. Any photography workshop that advertises “promotional” or group releases is not worthy of conducting a workshop as talent deserves to be paid and promotional releases are legally questionable. 

6. Credibility. You can see more of Rolando’s professional work at http://www.rolandogomez.com and he biography is located

U.S. Army Military Experienced Instructor

U.S. Army Military Experienced Instructor

 there and here on this site and credible sources of information is located here at this link–sources.