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Over the last few years, I’ve sort of become Not For Sale’s official photographer. Given my love for abolishing slavery and my hatred for real evil, having the opportunity to give back as a photographer and shoot for them is a true joy of mine. Even though I play the smallest role imaginable in the larger NFS (Not For Sale) picture, it’s a role I am grateful to play. Here is last year’s Global Forum I shot for them and here is last year’s Montara Circle, if you’re interested.

Last weekend I flew up to San Francisco to shoot the 3rd Montara Circle for NFS. Despite popular opinion in the west, slavery didn’t end when the US freed black slaves. Slavery isn’t a thing of the past. In fact, I believe the number of slaves in the States during the civil war was something like 25,000 (going off memory here) and now there’s some 27 million slaves around the world. An anti-slavery like NFS movement has never been more necessary.

Montara Circles invite 50 of the greatest minds to tackle human traffiking. CEO’s, producers, directors, CMO’s, law firms, artists… The room is filled with some of the greatest minds on the planet and it is so fascinating being able to watch the project from the outside as I shoot it. These are busy, busy individuals and they put a stop to their schedule for a couple days to end slavery.

For two days, everyone comes together to create a new approach to combatting slavery. Last year, they came up with REBBL tea: premium tea sourced from communities vulnerable to human trafficking in Peru. REBBL tea helps lower the risk of human trafficking by offering opportunities for dignified employment and committing to reinvest a portion of profits back into those local communities.

Moniker did all the set up/design/branding, by the way. They always kill it!

The guy above in the middle is Dave Batstone. One of the founders of NOT FOR SALE. To the left of him is Matthew Mahan. Vice President of Social Impact for Facebook Causes.

Kindley Walsh Lawlor, VP at GAP for social and environmental responsibility.

Stanley Winokur, MD, played a key role last year in developing REBBL tea. Shown here is everyone tasting the new tea.

Talking about the Free To Work app. Download it now!

Greg Galle, Executive Producer and Co-founder or Future, explaining how the brainstorming process will begin.

Matthew Mahan, Vice President of Social Impact for Facebook Causes, setting up the REBBL tea Causes page with Dave Batstone.

Dave and Scotty O’Hara, CMO of AllSaints fashion.

Once each group pitched their ideas, everyone was given one hundred $1 bills ($5000 combined). Every person chose what ideas were worthy of their money. The idea with the most money would be the idea that NFS would commit to implementing.

A major apparel executive committing a percentage of sales to NFS. The reaction below illustrates the magnitude of the donation :)

If you’re looking for a non-profit organization to support, NFS is a great one. They are committed to ending slavery in our lifetime and they have real, solid solutions to make that happen :)

To all my friends at NFS. May God bless you for all that you are doing.

Bobby

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UPDATE: Only TWO spots left!!!!!!

Second UPDATE: After announcing it YESTERDAY on the blog, RPTE 2013 is officially SOLD OUT!!! CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!

There’s always a million reasons why not to travel. And there always will be…

The time has come for this year’s Raddest Photo Trip Ever — January 6th through the 19th, 2013. I am soooo extremely excited to jump on a plane with another awesome group!!! Most importantly, I can’t wait to show those who come along why Thailand and Cambodia are two of my favorite places on the globe. The ruins of Cambodia. The islands of Thailand. Washing elephants in the rivers of Kanchanaburi. Playing with wild monkeys. The most beautiful waterfalls on earth. Deelish Thai food. Incredible local people. And, obviously, an unreal photographic experience! Thailand and Cambodia are such incredibly unique places — and I can’t wait to show another group of people the trip of a lifetime!!!

Here’s the most recent blog posts from the 2011 trip and here are the blog posts from our 2010 trip and our 2009 trip. And, even more importantly, in my opinion, here’s the teaser video of the trip — shot all on the 5D Mark II with the Steadicam Merlin at parts — totally worth the watch ;)

I’ll be accepting retainers TODAY! The retainer will be $1000, then $1000 due in mid summer, and the remaining balance due at the end of November (a month before we leave).

There are a maximum of 12 spots — handed out on a first come/first serve basis. The trip is Jan 6th through the 19th ;)

• Cost is $3300 per person. Airfare is not included.
• Like any guided tour, you can do this cheaper on your own. But no one out there knows this region like I do. Some people make a mean chicken marsala — well I make a mean Thailand/Cambodia :)
• What’s included? All travel inside Thailand/Cambodia, visa fees to Cambodia (if you’re American — if not, you might have additional requirements for entering either country), tickets to everything we do, costs of anything on the itinerary, and lodging are inlcuded. Food, souvenirs, and whatever you do during free time is not included. Food is VERY cheap, by the way. I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than 4 or 5 bucks at a restaurant. Average meal for me is like 3 bucks.
• Discount for couples! You don’t have to be a married couple — just two friends/dating/married couple signing up together. The discount is $300 per person (so $600 altogether) — so get your friend, loved one, sibling, and come to Thailand and Cambodia with us!
• Tax deductible! Be sure to discuss with your accountant, as tax deductions vary from state to state ;)
• Is it a workshop or a holiday? I’m often asked if this is a photography workshop or if it’s a photo tour. It totally depends on you :) Some of the people that come are legit pros who couldn’t care less to learn a thing from me. Some are part time pros/ams who want to learn about business. Some are people who literally own a little point and shoot and are starting from scratch! Because of this, there’s no sit down workshop time, or anything. The trip is just an open Q&A time. Nothing is off the table. You’ll find out VERY quickly on the trip that I love talking and answering any questions (whether technical photography/post-processing stuff, business related, philosophy/worldview talk, jiu-jitsu techniques, just about anything). So if you’re game to ask, I’m game to help :)
• You do not have to be a professional photographer! Some of the people who’ve come on this trip only had a point and shoot and still had the best time ever :)
• To grab your spot, email me with the subjet “RPTE 2013!” letting me know you want to come and I’ll get back to you with all the relevant info :)

Alright, that’s it for now! If you’re dying to come, definitely grab the bull by the horns. And remember, there’s always a million reasons not to do something like this. Nearly every reason that you have not to go this year will be there next year. Believe me. It will. I believe so strongly in how this trip changes and inspires people. Bringing people to this region is my greatest passion — more than photography itself. I genuinely can’t wait to meet all of you that take the plunge!

One of my favorite past RPTE attendants, and now dear friend, Katie Lewis, had this to say about her first RPTE experience and her nerves about signing up. She then went on to do another RPTE with us to China… Miss you Katie!

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions and I can’t wait to meet who’s coming with us!!!

I’ll leave with some of my favorite images and video from our past trips to Thailand and Cambodia…

Kanchanaburi, Thailand from Bobby Earle.

Hank and his monkeys from Bobby Earle.

Hilarious tuk tuk driver at Tonle Sap, Cambodia from Bobby Earle.

Can’t wait to meet those of you who are coming along!!!

Bobby

Contact Bobby / View Wedding Portfolio / Travel the Globe with Bobby

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It’s been a while, but B&A Wednesday’s are back! Here are some images from the most recent RPTE to Thailand and Cambodia :)

Sidenote: I’ll be announcing the next RPTE to Thailand and Cambodia for January on the blog this Tuesday. So be sure to check in if you’re wanting to go on the trip of a lifetime! (UPDATE: SOLD OUT IN A DAY. Email me at info@bobbyearle.com with the subject “NEXT RPTE” if you want to go on the next one)

All images are edited exclusively in LR with VSCO. Since I bought the VSCO pro pack, I haven’t opened photoshop. This is an AMAZING time saver!

The images below are the final, processed images. Roll your mouse over any of the images to see the unprocessed original…

5D Mark II + Canon 50mm f/1.2 at 1/500th, ISO1000, and f/1.4 – My snake pals in Phuket, Thailand