A Jose Villa Mexico Workshop {November 2008}

If you are in need of a little inspiration, encouragement, a kick in the photography-business-pants with a twist of vacation and a whole lotta fun; then go to Jose Villa’s next Mexico Workshop! I can’t begin to describe just how powerful it is when almost 20 photographers get together to learn, grow, and shoot. Jose is a world class photographer and really pours his heart and his brain out so that everyone can soak up bits and pieces of his amazingness and make it their own. I have been changed as a photographer and a person just by watching him; the way he shoots, the way he directs, and especially the way he cares for people.

I was so honored to be invited as one of the guest speakers this year! I shared my work, my story, and my heart for what I do. There were so many others involved to make the workshop possible and a gigantic success! Karina Puenta is a talented artist that spoke and led the group in some be-ing exercises. We stayed at the Hacienda Del Carmen. Their staff is so warm and loving; my maid hugged me because she remembered me from our trip in September! Mar Romero did a fabulous job with the Citro Modelos hair and makeup. Joel Serrato documented the workshop with Super 8 film. It is going to be gorgeous! We also had some bonus guests; Gene Higa and Ann Hamilton who generously shared their greatness with the class.

Be prepared for lots of images!!!


After Jose shot with the couple for about 15 minutes I demonstrated my Ingalls Photography style for 5 minutes. I talked about my favorite backdrop ever; sunlight! Each student had 3 minutes to work with the models. The next day we showed a slideshow of everyone’s favorite 2 images. It was amazing to see the different talent and perspective that was represented in the workshop.


I shared my story and some words of encouragement on the first day.

One of my favorite parts of the workshop was the individual time I got to have with each student. I learned so much from everyone and hopefully was able to pass a little bit of love on to each person as well. The mornings started out with one-on-one sessions for about 20 minutes where Jose, Karina and I would review portfolios, answer questions and talk about whatever it was the student needed to discuss. Some amazingly inspired conversations happened!

Here I am hanging out with my new Columbian friend, George Moreno.

The grand finale came when we took a field trip to another Hacienda for the bridal shoot. Jose took a couple and 7 students while I had another couple and the other half of the class. After we demonstrated and allowed the students time to shoot the models individually, we switched the groups.








Here are some shots of the students in action taking their turns to shoot the models.

Ken Kienow, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Natalie Williams, San Diego, CA.

Ronnie Ruiz, Billings, MT.

Paula Luna, San Diego, CA.

Gene Higa, San Francisco, CA. Here he is rocking his fashion-red Holga.


All of my amazing new friends!

Mexico Photo Re-Mix {digital+film}

Most of these photos were taken during the hanging out and exploring time. I’ve been experimenting with two types of film cameras; Holga and Hasselblad. Jose’s fine art film has inspired me to play! Each produces such a distinct flavor. It’s interesting to see them both mixed in here with my digital images. A lot of these pictures are of me; taken by Gene Higa or the lovely Mrs. Ingalls. It is fun to be on the other side of the camera once and awhile. ;)

The workshop team; Jose Villa, Joel Serrato, Ann Hamilton, Gene Higa, Lacie, Anna Ingalls and Me!







Lacie is Jose’s assistant and worked hard to make the workshop run smooth as tequila. She was/is amazing!


The awesome Joel Serrato. He rocks the Super8 world in the best way. I will post his footage from the trip whenever it gets developed and made into a movie. Can’t wait!

A bigger than life statue at the Jose Cuervo plant in the town of Tequilla.






Gene shot this one.

So I shot him back.

My wife is the hottest photographer! I love this Hasselblad image. So crisp and clean.


I don’t know why I am always so serious. I think that is why God gave me Anna. ;)

Here I am shooting it up!

Mucho Mas Photos de Mexico

Translation: Much more photographs of my really amazing trip to Guadalajara Mexico with Jose Villa.

All week I have been just beaming with inspiration since my return home. If I didn’t have so much catch up to do, I would have posted this next little series right away.

So about the heavy tilt-shift usage. I actually brought 3 different cameras and 2 lenses for my digital SLR. Jose on the other hand just brought his cheap plastic… Holga. I felt like I was Mr. P.O. (Mr. Photographer Overkill). Well, my Holga wasn’t winding the film tight, so I gave up on it. I left my digital camera bag containing my 24mm at some dressmakers house in some town down the road which basically left me with 2 cameras and no lens change options. Which was all for the good because it forced me to make the most out of what I had. That’s why everything is tilt-shift mania and I like it that way thank you very much. ;) When I get my film back from the Hasselblad, I will be able to share something completely different. Until then… enjoy!

This is the amazingly beautiful Hacienda that we will be staying at in November for Jose’s Mexico workshop. It is over and above my expectations. I just can’t wait to return and take Anna with me!



This man was amazing… We were driving along looking for beauty to capture with our camera shaped nets when Jose saw this guy sitting in front of a church. He was strumming his 5 string guitar with a plastic disposable spoon. It was all he could do to wrap his hand around the neck. He wasn’t actually forming chords with his left hand just kinda muting the outer strings in time. After the man was finished with his song he silently put his guitar in a clear plastic bag and walked into the church. Jose and I stared in amazement as he picked up a broom and swept each row of pews slowly one by one.

As we continued to watch a lady shared with Jose his story. She said that every morning at the same time the man plays for an entire hour. After that he sweeps the whole church. After that he pick up trash around the church and waters the flowers. Then he proceeds to pick up trash around the neighborhood. She said that some people believe he has the closest connection to God of anyone they know. It was truly a powerful experience watching him perform actions of love that spoke louder than words.


I have this obsession with cemeteries; especially Mexican ones. I love the various depictions of the cross, the mausoleums that house the rich people’s caskets, the old and the new, the contrast of death and life. It’s been years since I have photographed in a cemetery and I found the experience exciting and inspiring! Here are a couple of artsy shots Jose took of me.


I set the Hasselblad down after taking a shot of Jose. I fiddled with my digital camera and looked down to pick up Hassy and saw this image which took my breathe away. The stillness of the cemetery was interrupted only by the soft breeze-blown silk petals.

Here is the shot from my digital camera. I had to take it in color because I had a roll of B&W in the Hasselblad. It will be fun to see the difference between the formats when I get my film in.



Jose and I wandered into a random doorway and found a classroom of sculptors. This is the Maestro.

These ruins were discovered something like only 15 years ago. They look like pyramids, but don’t have anything in them. Surrounding the big one were little square plots of rock bordered grass where families or tribes would sit to watch the soccer-like games that ended usually in human sacrifice. It was a little creepy, but also really beautiful.

Holga Face!


It was a beautiful thing watching Jose shoot. He is truly a master photographer! I was amazed to see the way he interacted with his subjects; live or still. He directed and arranged and rearranged to create an image that matched the vision inside his head. To watch his vision take shape was so intriguing to me.


Jose’s grandmother adopted this little girl named Carmelita 16 years ago. She has grown up to be the beautiful town princess. Since we were going to miss the town parade in which she is the featured star Jose’s abuela asked us to go and shoot her trying on her dress. Since she is technically Jose’s adopted aunt I nick-named her Tia Princesa. Jose and I took turns photographing her. His is the last shot.



If anyone is thinking or dreaming of taking a Jose Villa Workshop, I recommend to DO IT! It will be the experience of a lifetime; especially the Mexico workshop.