On Norris Lake on a hot summer day in East Tennessee . . .

Lake16, originally uploaded by Stephanie A. Richer.

I just finished up a great photography workshop, Bran Allen's Summer School.

First, let me tell you what really thrilled me. As part of the workshop, Bryan arranged for professional wake boarders to come up to Norris Lake and we spent the day out on boats, shooting them doing their thing.

It was HOT - over 100 degrees, but at the same time, there was a lake to jump into to cool off. Delightful! As night came, it was still light, of course (you don't get a sundown until around 9:30 pm in these parts during the summer), so local friends of Bryan's came aboard to do some wake surfing. Yes, in the middle of a lake, trawl the boat at just the right speed, and you can surf off the stern, following along behind the boat.

With nightfall, we headed to a local marina for beer and wings, to talk water sports and photography. But it was not all fun and games - despite getting home after midnight, I had to edit my pictures to present in class the next morning by 8:00 am!

If you are serious about your photography, consider taking one of Bryan's workshops -well worth the money, great inspiration, plenty of hands on opportunities . . . and he WILL make you WORK!

For more pictures from Norris Lake, go here.

For information on the workshops available, go here.