Photoshop workshop with Jonathan Kingston

Great thing about Ketchum/Sun Valley, is that we don't have to go very far to learn from brilliant, talented people, because they always come to visit US.  Such is the case with Jonathan Kingston, a documentary and underwater photographer and photoshop guru who gave his Photoshop CS4 basics and beyond training at my studio. I got to sit in for free (part student, part TA) since I transformed my studio/gallery into a classroom for 5 days. I even helped out when I could, because as they say, you can learn a lot when you teach.  Some lecture, some shooting, some practicing, some wax on - wax off, ....grasshoppahhhhh......

We even had Paul Liebhardt in the class (thank god, who knew photoshop could be so funny?!) Paul was both Jonathan and my favorite professor at Brooks Institute of Photography, BACK IN THE DAY. (a wonderful photographer with a great sense of humor-check him out!) Tables have turned, and now we're teaching the 'old dog' some new digital tricks. Class was small, so that left a lot of time for questions and personal attention. We had a great group of intelligent students, and we would even discuss the philosopy of color management?!

After 5 days of geeking out together, it felt like family, and we celebrated at Rasberry's for a wonderful farewell dinner (thanks Alfredo!!)

Photos Do Not Bend Studio was a great venue for the workshop - we'll be doing more here, so stay tuned.

But for now.... ahhh, back to normal (and back to work) 

Studio Opening

Photos Do Not Bend is a unique combination of a fine art gallery and a full-service studio. As a gallery, we specialize in traditional silver gelatin prints (the kind that are printed by hand in an actual darkroom from film) and alternative processes of photography (such as infrared film and manipulated Polaroids). Come by for gallery walk 6-9 pm on seleted evenings.

In addition to shooting special events and portraiture on location, custom framing is available for both the fine art on the walls, and the assignment work that is created for you.



Photos Do Not Bend opened seven years ago as a gallery, but as time went on, I realized it had the potential to be more. In January of 2007, I started to rock the space as both a gallery and a studio. In order to have the ability to switch back and forth, I designed some equipment that would make it an effortless reality.

I designed a piece of furniture on wheels that is a print bin for the gallery on one side, and holds studio equipment on the other.  With the pull-down paper, and this print bin on wheels, I'm able to switch back and forth from gallery to studio, and back again in ten minutes. 

As a gallery, it’s a showcase for my personal work as well as for other guest artists that I host from time to time. As a studio, no matter what the weather is doing outside, we can shoot. We specialize in small precious objects, such as babies and children.

What I love about this gallery/studio is that it’s a place where I can hold court; it’s a home for my work. Even if no one buys a print, my hope has always been that it’s a place where I can inspire people.



Photos Do Not Bend is a versatile place, a forum for ideas where we often host workshops, and even some late night parties where we bring the community's artistic minds together. Come in and buy some photographic art that speaks to you, or get inspired to go off and shoot your own work.

More pics of the Soul Pad

We've made some improvements to the Soul Pad since the original photos were posted on VRBO a couple years ago, and I wanted to share some of them with you. 

I lined the upstairs patio with bamboo 

to go along with the master bedroom theme "jungle tropical treehouse"

your own private hot tub - feels like a tree house from the master bedroom!

Top left is the master deck, and bottom left is the private patio, 

off of the downstairs bedroom. 

Around the right is the front door.........

AND, in addition to the patio, and hot tub deck, is the front area with huge 'boy' bbq, and sky chair. There are some other camping chairs available for eating outside under the trees, or to take with you to symphony and concerts.

Visible through the glass sliders in the downstairs bedroom, 

I turned the covered private patio into a 'sanctuary garden'. 

Use it to store all your skiis, bikes, toys - whatever you came here to play with. 

Use the patio chairs for extra dining chairs, 

or move them both up to the upper deck for coffee for two in the morning sun   ; )

Guest are LOVING the new stove!!! SO COZY in the winter. 

It's on a thermostat and has a self starter, so it couldn't be easier! 

In 10 min it's blazing!

I love stained glass, especially cobalt blue. Thus the beautiful unique glassware. 

the kids (and the kid in you) will love the lava lamps

the Soul Pad is in the perfect location to go out and have fun, 

and it's a great space to welcome you back home

"Thanks again for everything Thia! You really went the extra mile to make us, especially my dad, feel special on his 60th. We had a great time and really felt at home in your place. Thanks again and have a fun winter! "    - Alexa

"Thia, Emily and I had a great time honeymooning here in the soul pad! Thank you so much for your hospitality - everything was perfect!" Best, Steve (and Emily!)"

"Thanks Thia! We had an unbelievable time. Your 'soul pad' was perfect. I might need to move to Ketchum. We'll definitely be back and hopefully can stay here again. We loved it. -Tyler"