Travel Adventure Photography in Mexico City Gets Snap Happy

Distrito Federal, Mexico, September 17, 2009 --(PR.com)-- "If you're into travel adventures why not go with a purpose," Richard Verdoni partnered with accomplished photographer Mark Alor Powell to develop a Photography Workshop in Mexico City. The "Yoquiero Photography Workshop" at yoquiero.info/photo.

Richard, after a five year stint as a US Navy Photographer began his career in creative productions. Interestingly, Richard and Mark were college housemates at the University of Michigan where Mark received his degree in Latin American Culture and Richard studied at the School of Art.

Mark has been teaching photography and imparting his passion on the outskirts of one of Mexico City's poorest neighborhoods - Iztapalapa.

One can see his amazing photo stream on flickr.com/locaburg. Richard and his wife visited Mark the summer of 2006 - Mark asked Richard's wife how they liked Mexico City and the likely hood of them moving down to the Distrito Federal - to Richards surprise his wife's responded 85-90%. It wasn't long after their return to San Francisco that they decided to make the move.

Of course it helps when you have family in another country - as Richard does, in Mexico. His family runs and owns one of the most famous circuses in Mexico, El Circo Atayde Hnos.

He grew up in Mexico the first several years of his life then later they moved back to where his mother is from in Saginaw, Michigan. Richard's father was the Chief of Production for Mexico City's '68 Olympics campaign but in 1975, after a few years of running a traveling magic show with a magician, Vince Carmen and Warner Brother's Bugs Bunny, they moved back to Michigan where Richard finished school and then began his Navy career. Richard is also a graphic designer and the Director of Social Corporate Responsibility for the association of Mexican circus owners.

Mark Alor Powell was one of Mexico's first Flickr users and he began to promote the service to his students - as his online portfolio grew so did his publishing exhibit accolades.

Including shows in major museums and galleries in Mexico, the United States and Europe. To name a few: The New Museum and the Queens Museum in New York, the Yautepec and Arroniz Contemporaneo in Mexico City, Daz Sharoun Sall in Berlin, Foto España in Madrid, and the Urbis Museum in Manchester, England. Powell is the subject and/or author of books and articles, including Very Important Person, published by Diamantina in Mexico in 2006, and Mexico XXI to be published in 2010 sponsored by the Televisa Foundation.

Mark and Richard have developed a series of workshops designed around seeing Mexico through the viewfinder while learning the basic, technical and creative aspects of photography. The bonus is exploring, learning and interacting with the local culture. "It's a great way to see Mexico, or the many aspects of the city of 20 million+ inhabitants". The workshop is a great way to safely explore the city. Powell, from Detroit, has a developed network of alumni to help with groups and the street smarts to know the ins and outs of street photography. As Powell states, "We want everyone to relax and enjoy their experience - for learning or collecting portfolio work".

A photography travel adventure is a great way to enjoy a long weekend, they even have a one day course for those who find themselves in town and would like something to do during the week.

Some courses are timed to coincide around holiday festivities - like the "Día de los Muertos" workshop. That is a five day workshop that covers ground in Mixquic, the pyramids of teotihuacan and the festivities in Centro Historico. Go to http://www.yoquiero.info/photo to sign up.

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