Photo Adventure Maui Instructors

Hal “Bull” Schmitt

Bull is the Director and Lead Instructor of LIGHT Photographic Workshops in Los Osos, California. Although new to the industry, Hal instructs all levels of photography, Lightroom, and Photoshop as if he’d been shooting for decades. His workshops and photo tours are recognized around the world as incredible learning experiences.

Many are surprised that someone so new to the photographic industry delivers such effective (some would even say “life changing”) training. What most do not know is although Hal first picked up a DSLR two years ago he spent six years as one of the most respected and sought after instructors in the world.

Most people know the word TOPGUN because of the 1980s action movie of the same name. In reality, TOPGUN or the Navy Fighter Weapons School is one of the most intense, professional, and demanding schools found anywhere. The preparation, knowledge, execution, and standards of performance of the staff are without equal. Hal served two tours as a TOPGUN instructor.

After the crucible of the “murderboard” process Hal became the Navy’s air-to-air training expert, completely revamped the tactics to meet current threats, and delivered hundreds of hours of training and discussion worldwide. When life and death are involved, the training better be good.

As Director of the Lepp Institute, Hal was fortunate to train with photography and Photoshop’s best and brightest and is now an expert in all aspects of the digital workflow. Although the subject matter is a little slower and safer, Hal teaches his digital courses using the same techniques he mastered at TOPGUN. Polished and confident but down to earth and approachable, Hal delivers an incredible workshop experience.

Hal’s teaching style delivers results. He believes in teaching the theory and basics of everything necessary in the digital workflow. More importantly, he takes the mystery and technical complexity out of a subject allowing access for everyone. Hal will ensure you know the basics, teaching the why in addition to the how. With a strong foundation, it is amazing how quickly you can learn and improve.

As one of his recent students remarked, “I’ve gone to Photoshop World a couple of years in a row, but have never learned even half as much at the Lightroom sessions I attended there as I’ve learned from your online seminars.” A simple, live web seminar from Hal normally delivers more actual instruction than you can find anywhere.

Randy Hufford

M.Photog.,CR, Certified Professional Photographer

Digital Print Master and Photographic Artist

When you call Randy Hufford at the Institute of Visual Arts on Maui, you will hear him answer, “It’s a great day in Paradise!” He loves to share his enthusiasm! One of Randy’s greatest passions is

creating and selling his fine art images in galleries throughout Hawaii and the World. A true craftsman, he is in control of the whole process from capture and editing, to printing and finishing his fine art pieces.

Randy has been a photographer since 1966 working for such clients as Mercedes Benz, TimeMagazine, Sheraton Hotels, Hyatt Regency Hotels, Marriott Hotels, RitzCarlton, Kobe Steakhouse, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Charisma Magazine, Surfing Magazine, Professional Photographers of America, Peterson’s Photographic Magazine and Picture Framing Magazine. He also writes educational articles for such publications as PhotoShopUser Magazine, Picture Framing Magazine, PFM Production Magazine, PPA Professional Photographer and Wide Format Imaging.

He holds his Master of Photography and Craftsman degrees with Professional Photographers of America and has been recognized twice by Kodak with the Kodak Photographic Excellence Award.

Drawing on the knowledge and experience he has gained from over 30 years of operating a custom photo lab and art reproduction house, Randy additionally provides consultation on color management and other digital workflow solutions. His consultations include input, manipulation, output and finishing techniques. Randy teaches at National and International events besides having his own training facility in Hawaii with classes on Fine Art Photography, Fine Art Reproduction, Digital Printing Workshop, Color Management, Preservation Framing Methods and Selling and Marketing Fine Art Photography.

He is clearly passionate about the technical aspects of producing art. As a result of his constant striving for innovative solutions, he has helped research and develop a variety of products now used by many artists. Thanks to Randy we now have the Dual Edged Ripper – used to give a deckled edge to art prints, R & R Copy Systems – a simple and efficient way to hang and photograph art, and Premier Art Eco Print Shield – an environmentally friendly water based coating designed specifically for protecting and enhancing inkjet prints.

Randy was also commissioned by Epson to produce Epson Professional Graphics Finishing Touches, an instructional DVD. His latest educational project is a 5 DVD training set by Software Cinema titled “The Perfect Print”. It teaches in great detail the digital printing procedure from Soft proofing to finished product including marketing you photography as Fine art.

Randy Hufford, M.photog., CR, PPA certified

Digital Print Master, Photographic Artist

Institute of Visual Arts DBA

Limited Editions Maui