Stan Malinowski
The only problem with Hit The Heartland is that it should have been a week long event with all the models who were there to be photographed. Thanks to JT Smith for a class event, Bob de la Mora and Rick Hughes for their assistance, Ed Konkle for teaching me a thing or two, Lelton Creel for putting up with Nipper (my inadvertent attack dog); thanks to all the wonderful models who I did not get to shoot (but hope to), thanks to Heather and Nicole (photo above) for so graciously giving me your time, thanks to all the photographers that assisted in my shoots (in the rain and in the sun) and were helpful in so many ways; and thanks to Gary, Wanda and the staff at the lodge, who attended to our needs and requests—and made certain that no one would go home without putting on a few extra pounds.

Michael Green
Hey JT just wanted to drop you a note of thanks for your program. I attended HTL back in Helen,GA a few years back and things haven't slowed down since. I just wanted to take a bit to remember and be thankful for my beginning brushes with people who in one way or another changed the course of my life. Since then I have signed on with the Rams Cheerleader Calendar for the second year now. I also will be attending the World Photoshop Expo and am nominated for a World Photoshop Guru Award for an image of Ginger from your workshop in GA. that I created of her. Positive energy is all around me now and I just feel the need to recognize it's sources. Thanks and peace, Michael Green www.mjgphoto.net

Tom Reed
Thank you again to everyone involved in Phoenix. Having those images in my portfolio helped to land the fashion part of a western wear catalog. I am booked for four days of shooting on location in May for the fall catalog. This company puts out four catalogs a year ,so that will mean more work to come. I really think the Phoenix images got their attention. Thank you again.

Joseph Hillebrandt
Maybe I just lucked out, but attending the Tampa SuperShoot event with JT and Jim Lewchuck changed my life forever. I realize that this sounds corny, but I truly believe the above sentiment to be an understatement. To put it slightly differently, I gained more experience in one weekend under the expert guidance of JT Smith, Jim Lewchuck, the other participating photographers, and a great group of models than I would have accomplished in 6 to 12 months (or more) of independent work and study. The workshop gave me different perspectives to consider, skills I hadn't even realized I was missing, and most importantly, the CONFIDENCE to do a model shoot on my own.

Jeremy Sparling
"HTL gave me just what I needed to take my creativity to the next level. No joke. I am pumped! ....I have been so "mind numed" with whatever the PPA wants me to see, I was becoming trapped in my creative mind."

Mike Miller
"JT, I've been shooting weddings and portraits since 1982. I attended your 1st 'Wedding and Portrait Seminar' in Iowa, October of 2004. What you taught as the "business" side of wedding and portrait photography opened my eyes to a whole new way of pricing, presenting, and photographing. I've always respected your work and knew I'd learn something, if the chance arose to attend one of your seminars. I wasn't disappointed. Highest Regards, Mike Miller. Northern Lights Photography(Illinois) 309.699.6899."

Mike Belongia
As a matter of pure instruction, I cannot begin to summarize all that I learned and I truly meant it when I said that Day One alone would have justified the workshop fee. That, all things considered, your wage over the entire span of the workshop must be something like 75 cents an hour, nobody with two eyes and an open mind would doubt either your passion for photography or your desire to share that passion with others. Nor, by the way, would anyone doubt the shared passion of the others in your "family." Corey, as I mentioned, must have asked me on (at least)
a half dozen different occasions if he could do anything to help me. And on one occasion, when I had what was, to me, a difficult question, he chose to illustrate it with a demonstration using my camera rather than just answer it with words. Dean, too, took time on how many (?) occasions to answer my first-grade level questions with patience and clarity and collegiality. Jeremy's advance preparation for his demonstrations and the CD he distributed are to be applauded and applauded again, not just for their long-term value to us but for the respect they showed to us; it's been a long time since I've seen someone show that kind of respect to his audience. I've already written to Kelly G and Kevin May to thank them for their generous contributions as well and, as at Treasure Island, the models did a wonderful job. By now I'm probably forgetting someone and something but an omission of a detail should not obscure the main point: THIS was a workshop to remember. You should be very proud of it. Thanks again for everything. I'm still very much a beginner but I'm starting to feel like I might know a little bit about what I'm doing.........thanks to you.

Jim Lewchuck
If you weren't there, you missed a bona fide education of true model shooting. Stan's photographic version of parting the Red Sea wasn't the only dazzling displays at HTL. Ed Konkle did a seminar on Playboy style lighting that was a creation of pure lighting and photographic precision. This guys is on the verge of some serious greatness. Rick Hughes dazzled with the wonders of available light, and making the camera create the shot he envisioned, versus accepting the camera's limitations.....a photographic Captain Kirk this guy is.....change the rules. And of course, JT Smith, our ringmaster not only did plenty to ensure everyone was having a good time, but offering advice on better shots and allowing us to watch him work In addition to the shooting style-altering education I received, I met some wonderful folks and reunited with a few others. I enjoyed hanging around with Ron from Boston and hearing his experiences from his magazine days, Rodney Young who who also showed me a whole bunch of techniques I plan to steal shamelessly, Bob who kept things together for JT and was also a treat to be around, and all the other guys whom I've already forgotten the names of. (Old age and limited height will do that to you....) Candace Corey worked literal magic, and created a small army of gorgeous models who walked among us. I was at HTB last year, and felt humbled by the awesome talent displayed. HTL was no different, and I left in awe of what JT Smith brought together. I only attend his workshop every year, and for a good reason. It's the best. Big thanks to Stan, Rick, Bob, Ed, and the most astonishing JT Smith. Keep The Faith, and I look forward to next year's extravaganza. Hope this finds all well.

Jami
Just got back yeaterday evening from HTL put on by JT..Man was it a good time..Got to meet alot of great photographers and models and even got a great roomy (Marla)~! All these raves and thank yous for the event let me tell you JT deserves them all. He worked so hard and I don't think he ever really got to sleep. But I do believe all the hard work paid off it was a great event. I finally got to meet Rick Hughes and even shoot with him. I can't wait to see the results...Eventhough I was laughing most of the time~! Got to work with Ed Konkle agian..I am dying to see the results from that shoot...Although I was hurtin afterwards *grin*..It was great seeing you agian~!!!! It was good to see Stan again..You could sit and listen to him talk about his life in photography for hours..The slide show was amazing.. All the other photographers there, it was great meeting you too and I can't wait to see the images so when you get them please e-mail them to me~! THANKS

Allen
Thanks for a great workshop. Everybody was great to work with and the models were top notch. I look forward to attending another SS event in the future. First off, I can't say enough
positive things about DK's lecture on Monday. He is a top notch photographer and did an amazing job of sharing his vision and his process. To me, DK really put things over the top and made the event 100% worth it for me.

Jeff Moody
JT....Wow! what can I say, I had a blast. Hit the Lodge was a tremendous success. Thanks for all the work you put into this past weekend. Thanks also to Stan Malinowski, Ed Konkle and Rick Hughes for the great seminars and critiques, you guys amaze and challenge me. Candice Corey your the hardest working make-up artist I've ever met.

Lilly
I know these letters of appreciation might be getting a little repetative, but I can't go without giving the highest praise to a beautiful team of models and photographers, inside out and outside in!

Joanna
I had a blast in Tampa SuperShoot. It was my first time, and definitely won't be the last. I met some talented photographers, models, and MUAs.

JT and DK are amazing mentors. It was an honor to work with them. Not only the photographers learned from them, but myself also. I am looking forward to work with them again

Amanda Lea
Thanks JT! I never really looked at it like that. Great point! I'll have to watch for that in the future. :) Thanks for taking the time to view my photos. It was a pleasure to meet you and an honor to learn from you. It was fantastic watching you work. I gained so much knowledge regarding lighting while attending your workshop. I am highly recommending SuperShoots to all my photographer friends! Thank you for opening up this site and for sharing your work and allowing others to do the same! Peoria SuperShoots was an experience I'll never forget! You Rock JT! :)

Candace Corey
Ok you have heard everyone else, now it is my turn. I really enjoyed myself. I'm sure that surprises many of the participants because I was mostly at my makeup area even when everyone else (except the model that I was working on) was even eating. I wouldn't have missed it. JT is such a wonderful person to not only put this together, but to do it SO WELL. I liked how it was cozy enough for me to even help on some of the sets. At most conventions (or workshops) I don't get to do that because it is so big, everyone is everywhere. This was big enough to shoot and be creative, yet cozy enough for all to share....it made it less intimidating for all workshop newcomers. And JT and Bob were perfect hosts. They were always asking "do you need anything" "is everything alright" "how can I help you"....so no one was left out. I also enjoyed being able to work more closely with the models. I know a couple slipped by my brush strokes, but those were very understanding. I look forward to working with all of you again soon. Thanks again JT for inviting me to contribute to such a professional, well fed (smile), beautiful location, event. If you need me for the next one.....I'm there! I would like to give special thanks to photographers Stan, Ed, Rick, Ron, Jim and Jeff for making a special effort to keep me in mind when shooting, so I can get some pictures for my book too. HUGS. Thanks again Jim for helping me get my assistant Chenese to the airport, and even cutting your shooting time to do it. I'll have to come to NY especially for you. (smile) For anyone that I haven't mentioned, I still thank you (it was hard to remember everyone's names but you know who you are). And Rodney.....crazy Rodney, I enjoyed dong the bump with you while we were watching Ed shoot Marla. No one can harrass me the way you do.....and live.lol

Stan Malinowski instructs while photographing Heather in the rain at Hit the Lodge II.


Stan with J T Smith at the first Hit the Lodge in Pittsfield, Il. in 2000.

Stan Malinowski hard at work assisted by Rick Hughes while Wayne Sclesky assists Nipper in the background.

Heartland Lodge in Pike County, Illinois, where Hit the Lodge began.

HTL V Workshop with J T and Kelly G - assisting are Dennis Keim, Kade Lam, David Francis, Bruce Smith, Candace Corey, Mike Dixon and Jon Van Allen.