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Join us for our 2nd Ladies Weekend Photo Retreat

January 11, 2019 By Tia Haygood

 

Japan is one of the most photogenic countries in the world, from its world heritage cuisine to their landmarks, professional and casual photographers have showcased some amazing works of art. Have you ever looked at your smartphone camera and DSLR camera and wondered, how can I take better photos?

TopTia Photography is once again partnering with Transformations with Jayne Nakata for our second photo retreat! Six to eight ladies can come together with cameras -or smartphones- of their choice. We’ll spend a two day- one night retreat in the relaxing town of Iwaki, Fukushima to learn photography tips such as:

 

  • Understanding your camera
  • Understanding your smartphone’s portrait mode
  • Taking better photos of your children & friends
  • Taking better photos of delicious dishes at restaurants
  • Develop a photographer’s eye

 

Capture Kyoto at Fushimi Inari Shrine
A bit of street photography
DSLR and Mirror-less cameras are welcome!
One of our light painting photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smartphones are also welcome!
Mentoring and tips given every step of the way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We not only want to explore photography this weekend but also make this experience special for our participants and not only show ladies photography tips but also offer women a chance to step away from their busy work and family lives to enjoy this two day, one night retreat to relax. This includes:

  • Staying at a traditional Japanese Ryokan
  • Enjoying a nice onsen, natural hot springs bath
  • Networking with other like-minded ladies
  • Have spring portraits taken while enjoying a kimono experience
  • Drawing with lights after dinner
  • Wine, wine and more wine!

 

Take a look at the accommodations of Ryokan Koito:

 

Here is our tentative schedule!

Day 1
10:00- 10:15   Arrive to Iwaki, Yumoto Station

10:20-11:30    “Learning your Camera” quick tutorial while foot bathing *Bring a hand towel!

12:00-13:30    Lunch and food photography

14:00-16:00   Photo Walk at Miyukiyama Park. Learning and practicing portrait and non-portrait photographs. Critiques at local cafe over coffee/tea

16:15-18:00    Check in to Ryokan Koito + Free time

18:30-20:00  Dinner

20:15-20:45   Light Painting

21:00~            End of Day 1 + Free time

 

Day 2
8:00-9:00      Breakfast

10:00-12:00   Local kimono club dresses ladies into kimonos for individual and group portrait session

12:00-13:00   Bento lunch at Ryokan Koite in Kimono

13:00-15:30    Ladies change clothes and begin to pack for home. If time, short photo walk around  Onsen Jinja Shrine

16:00~             End of Day 2, return to Yumoto Station

 

Check out testimonials from the ladies of 2017’s Capture Kyoto retreat:

 

 

 

 

 

 



Spaces are limited,  join us for a fantastic weekend! For more information fill out our comment box.

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Event Recap: TELL & FEW Presents The Feminine Eye

October 2, 2018 By Tia Haygood

On Saturday, August 8th, a group of 11 people interested in learning more about photography gathered at the National Art Center in Roppongi for a women-led photo walk by Selena Hoy, TELL Outreach Coordinator and FEW Community Services Director Tia Haygood, who also is a professional photographer of TopTia Photography.

Walking inside and outside the National Art Center, participants learned pro tips for taking better photos with their cameras, be it a smartphone or a system camera.

First lesson of the walk: You don’t need an expensive camera to create a good composition for a photo.

Instead, Tia advised to try a different approach:

To read more check out FEW Japan’s full article here.

 

 

Here are some photos of the participants:

 

 

TopTia Photography Was Featured on Savvy Tokyo!

August 31, 2018 By Tia Haygood

Bringing Businesses To Life Through The Lens With Photographer Tia Haygood

Observing a Person’s Passion

February 13, 2018 By Tia Haygood

Japan continues to promote international excellence through educational media.

The Japan Prize Foundation is an organization that invites educators and producers from all over the world to submit their work relating to education. Entries are categorized by Audio Visual and TV proposal divisions. The best for each division is selected. Furthermore, every year a Grand Prize is given to the most popular entry of both divisions.

Last year, The Japan Prize Foundation had it’s 33rd annual contest at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya. Of over 309 media entries regarding education from over 61 countries. I was invited to attend the event by the CoFesta Ambassadors organization. I, along with other invited guests, came to the week-long event and watched many of the entries via Japan Prize’s library page (Entries can only be watched by those who participated with the event). There were also live viewings at the broadcast center, paired with panel discussions and Q&A sessions with the entry producers who could explain the stories or technology a bit more.

My personal favorite entry was “Deadline.” This story followed south east Asian children who were largely independent from their parents and worked to earn enough money to continue on their schooling. Some students were successful in meeting the financial deadline to pay for school tuition, uniforms, and boarding while others confronted a difficult reality.

At the celebration’s end, I was able to meet with a few of the winners and other participants over dinner. The passion these people had for representing their home countries and bringing the education issues facing their neighbors was fierce.

Dare I say, it was the same sort of passion I saw for the 11 companies from Tohoku that presented their ideas for bringing economical growth and interest to their once battered land.

The Reconstruction Agency Event

Just this past Monday, I was invited by Ruth Jarman of Jarman International K.K. to observe and vote on the ways the Tohoku area can make the area more inviting to international tourists. I felt a sense of familiarity to the Reconstruction Agency event compared to The Japan Prize Contest. Once more I was the observer.

It was delightful to watch each company propose their own tour packages to bringing more international tourists to Japan. From executive luxury tours to cycling food tours to fun safe spaces for muslim tourists, each company presented their ideas and invited us to share our opinions of their strategy.

Watching these companies represent their home towns and ideas for bettering Tohoku reminded me how the international producers of Japan Prize felt when spreading awareness of their own projects.

I look forward to seeing what the Japan Prize will bring this year in 2018. What will the message be for global awareness on education?

Perhaps TopTia Photography will be able to capture the special moments of both the Japan Prize and Reconstruction Agency events.

Capture Kyoto Retreat: Photography Workshop, September 2017

June 2, 2017 By Tia Haygood

Photo Credit: Canva

Join Tia Haygood of TopTia Photography and Jayne Nakata of the blog, Gaijin Housewife for a 3-day 2-night adventure in Kyoto where other working ladies can take in the sights, exchange life-changing stories and ideas and learn how to capture each moment for your own social media channels.

When: September 29th – October 1st, 2017

Where:  Kyoto

Our Purpose: Invite amazing women who not only want to network with other women but also to visit Kyoto’s most scenic areas and learn basic photography skills with your smartphone or DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera.

Workshops, provided by TopTia Photography, will show participants how to:

-Understand your camera

-Learn basic composition techniques

-Learn how to get those beautiful hazy backgrounds.

-How to ask the locals for their picture. Politely!

-And MORE!

 

How to Get More Information:  Click here!

You can also follow Jayne Nakata on her Facebook, blog, and Twitter channels.

 

Have a Question?

Email me at tia@toptia.com!

 

Hope to see you in September!

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