We’re proud as peacocks about our team of contributors!  Michael Soo is one of our contributing photographers and when he isn’t photographing for Nesting Newbies, traveling to some exotic location to shoot a wedding, or shooting the Tampa Bay Buccanneer Cheerleaders’ calendar…he teaches other professionals and amateurs about the art of photography.

He has two upcoming workshops where he’ll share all his tricks-of-the-trade:

Photoshop for Photographers
Sunday, March 14
10 to 5 PM (Lunch included)
At the Hotel Valencia, Santana Row, San Jose

Lighting for Photographers & Videographers
Sunday, March 21
10 to 5 PM (Lunch included)
At Maggiano’s Santana Row, San Jose

His workshops typically sell out so click on the links to find out more or to get on his mailing list.

We like to keep track of our peeps and let you know what they’ve been up to lately.  Barclay Butera, our Fall ’09 Iconic Nester, recently celebrated independent artists and their stories at the Sundance Film Festival. This past January, he helped to create Sundance’s Opening Night: An Artist at the Table.

“I have participated in a number of events during Sundance, but helping to produce Artist at the Table is a huge honor and very exciting,” says Barclay.  “I love film and admire the impressive nurturing of talent.”

Barclay created a wonderful ambiance using his Paris-lounge inspired Brentwood Settee in red linen, white woven linen draperies, pyramid-shaped candelabras and loads of soft pillows in blue velvet, leopard print, and a rich blue/gold/red satin stripe.

Barclay's Brentwood Settee

The tables were beautifully adorned featuring centerpieces with two clear hurricanes filled with crystals holding white candles and a vase of fragrant white tulips with red dogwood branches.  “I wanted to connect the outside white from the snow with the indoors.”

This important fundraising event was a sell out and a great way to kick-off the festival.  Check out this video clip from the Sundance Institute.