Mentor Trek Day 1 – Getting Started and Getting Wet

Between Noel and I, the Alaska trek was the third between us. Noel went to Montana last September, and we trekked together in Maui trek in December. Since we had Robbie with us this time, our plan was for me to do most of the events and shooting, and Noel and Robbie would join us for the shoots at public places. Noel would also do the activity I nicknamed “Float Plane day” as it didn’t appeal to me. So on Thursday morning I headed solo across the street to the conference room which would serve as our home base for the next four days. Within a couple hours of our meet and greet and introduction to our professional mentors, we loaded the bus in the rain and headed to our first location shoot.

Being a trek veteran for the most part, I really blew this first outing at the grounds of the Shrine of St. Therese. I hopped off the bus, and noticed that there was an attempt to group or bunch of 30 or so photographers. So I diligently went off in the direction of my assigned group even though the time allowed at this one destination would be brief. It was a mistake. I should have trusted my instincts and gone in the opposite direction without a group, down the hill toward the actual shrine. Instead I set up the tripod and took some rather poor, boring shots of water running under a bridge and that’s when the rain started really coming down. I dashed into the bus to get a break and dry off the camera (I also didn’t take the precaution to cover it with a rain hood) and then I was out again. But I only had about 15 minutes to hike down a small hill, take in the sites, and set up some shots. At this point the tourist in me took over and said, “Heck with it! Just stretch your legs and take in the scenery!” and no more shots were taken before I fast-walked back to the bus and we were on to our next shoot location. I didn’t make it all the way to the shrine at the water’s edge. Noel would go later in the week and was not all that impressed. Still, would have liked to have seen it myself.