Dear Don,

I wanted to express to you what a fantastic time I had at the 2005 Texas School of Professional Photography. As a first timer, it went way, way beyond meeting my expectations. I have dreamed of taking my photography to a higher level and never quite had the confidence to go professional. After attending the school and receiving so much support and encouragement, I came home and took the plunge! And not only that, but I came home so excited about Texas School that I have talked three friends from my photography group here in Arizona into coming to the school next year!

I did not even find out about Texas School until a few weeks before the start of classes. I contacted you to see if any classes were still open, you sent me a list and I chose Joe Glyda's class titled "Practical Applications with Photoshop".

 I know that during the time I was waiting to attend the school, my anticipation was building and I really enjoyed reading every word of the testimonies of several other students who had attended in years past. In the hopes that this may give other "newbies" a glimpse of what they are in for, here is my account of my week at Texas School. Please feel free to share it with any newbie wanting to know more about what it is like to attend Texas School.

I arrived Sunday morning and, after attending the fun and informative early bird speakers in the outdoor area next to Rudder Tower, I went directly to registration. I have to say I've never been more impressed with how organized a registration of over 900 people could be. I simply went to the table marked with my instructor's name where I was handed my I.D. badge and a whole sack full of "goodies" including schedules, a notebook and a nice Texas School shirt. Everyone was scattering and finding places to sit and open their goodie bags like they'd found buried treasure! Already, there was an excitement in the air and a feeling of camaraderie being in the same room with over 900 people who love photography as much as I do.

At 3pm we went to the theater in Rudder Tower and listened to interesting presentations by Nikon and Canon representatives. We then retreated to the fountain area outside to live music and a pizza party! I felt like I was on the lido deck, beginning my week long cruise! Little did I know how much I'd learn on this cruise!

At 6:30 it was back up to the theater where all 930 of us gathered, it was quite a site. Again, I was so impressed with how organized everything was and I kept saying to myself, "You can sure tell these guys have been doing this for many years, they really have this organized down to a gnats eye". All of the instructors were introduced, door prizes were given and we received all of the technical information on where to park, how to catch the bus, and which grass not to step on (you come to really appreciate the Texas Aggie traditions during your week there!).

Next was an hour program where we watched a fantastic presentation about Senior Portraits and then Julianne Kost led us through some Photoshop magic, plus much more. It was then announced that we would all depart to meet in our classrooms with our instructors. Just when I thought about being confused as to where to go, in came the Wrangler's (Instructor's helpers) holding big signs with each instructor's name and we were instructed to gather under the signs and follow the Wrangler to our classrooms.

We arrived in our classrooms, chose our seats at the tables and set up our computers. I met my "table mate" and then our instructor, Joe Glyda, introduced himself. From his opening statements, I could tell I was in for a fun week. (Little did I know he was the school comedian and actor extraordinaire, something we were all about to find out!). We went around the room and introduced ourselves and Joe gave us an overview of what we would be learning that week.

When I got back to my hotel that night, I was in awe that Sunday was not just a boring little registration day, but a day already jam packed with instruction and content.

Each day was non-stop instruction from early morning and often into the evening. Joe's class combined working in Photoshop on the computer with several on location shoots and one shoot in a studio type setting with lighting. This is exactly what I wanted and I certainly was not disappointed. Joe was super patient and always available to answer questions. I went home swimming with new knowledge and I would have to say that I took leaps in my Photoshop skills. I was so excited about the new tricks I had learned, I went home and shared them with everyone in my photography group. And, as I said, three of them are signing up next year after seeing all that I had learned and hearing me go on and on about how Texas School was so fantastic.

To top this off, I learned an amazing amount from my fellow classmates. We often all ate lunch together and I would pepper them with questions about turning professional. They were exceedingly helpful and encouraging. I developed what I feel will be a life long friendship with one of my classmates. We email each other everyday and bounce things off of each other for critique, etc. She has been invaluable to me in her encouragement and advice as she helps me wade through all that is necessary to me becoming a professional photographer. And, keep in mind, I'm doing this "later in life" and through everyone's encouragement, I'm coming to realize that it's never too late to follow your dreams and make them happen!

Let me tell you a few other things I was impressed with. Each evening great meals were provided by sponsors and there were fun parties and festivities to participate in if you chose to do so (don't miss the Armadillo races!). But warning, get your sleep and pace yourself because you are in for a week of intense learning hour after hour, day after day.

Our Wrangler, Cheryl, made sure we were supplied with cold bottled water, soda, and goodies each day in class. I felt simply pampered. The vendors booths that were set up during the school were so great. You could go there and look at all of the great equipment, props, etc. and buy to your heart's content!

I was very impressed with the Texas A & M campus. It was beautiful and serene and the college students were among the most polite, helpful, wonderful kids you'd ever want to meet. Yes Ma'am!

The last evening was the end of school bash where some pretty amazing prizes were handed out from the various drawings, including two pro digital SLR's. We each received the first in the nation advanced demo copies of Photoshop CS2 from Adobe! Some pretty hilarious videos featuring none other than my instructor, Joe Glyda, at his comedic best, were shown. Is it only me, but doesn't Joe remind you of Michael Keaton?

On our last day in class, Joe still managed to pack our heads full of more instruction and then we received our group photo that had been taken earlier in the week and our certificates of attendance. Goodbyes were said and we were off to go our separate ways as I headed back to Arizona.

What more can I say, it was a fantastic experience from top to bottom! I came home, literally on cloud nine. I can't wait to go back next year and bring my friends with me! I'm sure that they will be as blown away as I was at the organization, the instruction, the fun, the new friendships, and the amazing value of the Texas School.

Thank you Joe, for all you taught me. You'll never know the difference it made in my life.

Thanks Don, for all of your hard work. I didn't meet you in person, but I saw you everywhere during the week, doing your best to make it the wonderful week that it was.

Bless you and all of the other's who worked so very, very hard to make this an experience of a lifetime!

Kathi Buss