Curious Soul Photo School

At our first meeting I take a look at 20 of your photos to assess your current level of skill. Then I ask you to show me examples of the type of images you would love to be taking. From there we identify the gaps in experience and knowledge between where you are and where you want to be. These typically fall into three areas. 1. Camera Use 2. Creative Seeing 3. Being Present. I then design a learning path for you to build on what you know and explore new areas of learning.

I was a corporate trainer at Polaroid. I have a masters degree in Aesthetic Education. I have led hundreds of photography workshops around the world. I am not just a photographer that now teaches, I am a professional instructor who understands how to make complex concepts clear and accessable for beginner and intermediate students.

I have 30 years of teaching expereince, more than most instructors you will find. So I have deep and broad knowledge of what matters most. I teach technical basics, and focus more on teaching how to see and be connected to what you photograph. This is something you can not learn from a youtube video;)

I have three levels of session pricing. Typically a new student will meet with me for the first one hour session and together we will determine if it is a good fit. I love teaching and enjoy finding our more about the students specific interests and needs. Then I can customize the session just for them. 

1. Tution is $100. per hour.

2. Series of three 90 minute sessions $450.

3. Master level  includes 14 hours of one on one instruction, customized assignments and critiques. The series typically runs for 3 months. www.curioussoulphotos.com 

I worked at Polaroid for 15 years in various roles. For the last 6 years I was the founder of the Creativity Lab. I began leading workshops all over the world to help scientists challenge asumptions and see the world with fresh eyes. Because of this, I know how to set learning goals, and build step by step understanding of complex topics like f stops and shutter speeds. 

I like to teach and since I have a masters degree in Aesthetic Education, I know how to really help people understand the design principles of composition, color, light, texture etc. that make a photo successful. I offer handouts and field guides so you can take what you learn with you where ever you go. 

I work with individuals who are passionate about photography. They may be self taught up to this point and discover they are not making progress.Or they may have tried learning at one point and now have forgotten much of what they learned.

Some of my private students are semi retired life long learners who now have the time to get more serious about photography and want to rediscover their creative self. Since this is a mindful approach, it is also a way of being and seeing the world with more appreciation and grattitude. 

I am focused on with people who want to take better photos for the joy of it, not to win contests or get more likes. They might like to print or share their photos with family and friends. 

Many are interested in travel photography so when they go on the trip of a life time, or a weekend in Maine, they capture images that express the beauty of the expereince. 

One of my favorite teaching moments happened I reailzed the photos of some of my students had become better than mine. I just love it when people out grow my classes and go off on their own. The classes are about their photos, not mine.

Some instructors focus on getting students to take pictures like they do. I want students to find their own voice and express their creativity in their own way. 

With so many instructor to choose from, it can be overwelming to know who to work with. If I were going to select an instructor here is what I would do.

1. Look at the website and see if I like their sample photos and their general philosophy. This tells you alot about their depth of knowledge they can draw from to work with you.

2. Read testimonials and see what others valued about the experince.

3. Go old school and chat on the phone rather than just email. Then you can get an idea of their personality, sense of humor, and ability to communicate clearly. Have 2 or three questions ready and just have a conversation. You can always say at the end of the call you are talking to several people. You don't need to commit during the call. 

What would make you feel deeper satsifaction with your photography? 

What have you tried to learn so far?

Are you interested in photography as a form of creative self expression? 

What type of camera do you use now?