Do This for Yourself

A few years ago, I was introduced to LaVerne at a Craft & Hobby Association convention. We were kindred spirits and became fast friends. And she kinda changed my life. We were going to Best Buy to get me a new flash, so I could take pictures of the product samples and she told me, “I don’t use flash.” WHA?? Inside? Clearly, you are confused. (You must not know about bouncing flash.)

She mentioned this online photography class she took that was instructed by some person named Karen Russell. I googled ‘Karen Russell’ and fell in love with her on her blog. I felt like I was part of her life – her photos are just LIKE that. I wanted to learn more. I read maybe EVERY post she ever posted. Then, I ran out of posts because she was on some temporary blogging hiatus (she does this).

So, I finally decided to fork over the $245 and take her class. I took it in January 2011.

I know that sounds like hyperbole, but hear me out. The class was filled with these amazing women who were drawn together by the same love family and story telling. Women as far as the Phillipines and England and as close as Cocoa Beach. I met some of these women and many are still my best friends. These women have changed who I am.

While as an actual professional photographer (months later, that’s still hard for me to say), I should want to tell you to hire me to capture those moments for you. I KNOW that, as Karen teaches, you are the best photographer for your family. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to take those pretty family photos of you with your people. But those bedtime stories. Those random, roller skating down the hallway in Paul Frank jammies, moments. You are the best person to capture them. And your iPhone can sometimes do a decent job, but you’ve got that great DSLR gathering dust. Why not use it?

I TREASURE even the crappy photos I have of my kids before I took the class. But I’m SO VERY THANKFUL that I can now capture the images I am INTENDING to capture and tell the stories I want to tell. It really beats the whole ‘snapshot’ approach.

I think this class should be mandatory for every human.

The class gave me friends for life, a skill I treasure, a new profession, and another new venture – teaching Lightroom. I’d call that ‘life-changing.’

Here are some images I shot before and after Snapshots of a Good Life – The Photographer’s Workshop. I was careful to select photos that are representative of my photography – then and now (not the worst and the best). The 2010 photos where taken months before I took the class. Proof that YOU can do this. You can do this even if you don’t know how to turn on your camera. I PROMISE.

Best $245 I ever spent.

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The next class runs March – June (10 weeks) and will get you ready for the summer/vacation season!

You can go at your own pace, but the more you put into it, the more you get from it. Karen is great about answering every single question in the online forum. I took it as an auditor, but if you can get a regular seat, I suggest that. The only difference is regular students get some wonderful critiques on weekly assignments and on two submitted photos. Auditors have access to all the regular students’ critiques and full access to the forum (and to ask questions).

Registration opens Tuesday, February 18th at 12PM EST. Seats fill quickly, so set a reminder for yourself.

Need more info? Visit the The Photographer’s Workshop.

Did you take the class? Comment below on what you loved about it!

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Edited: Originally I wrote the next class is September – November – it’s March – June!