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Bella Via Photography

Bella Via Photography

5.0Exceptional(5 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

My specialty includes clarity in the use of the digital camera and postprocessing and editing. My approach is to be sure that the digital camera settings required for the specific situation become second nature so that the photographer just has to focus on composition and lighting. I have detailed documentation for study and review, and the material also includes comprehensive homework assignments to help the student continue practicing.

I have been shooting professionally for over 35 years and have been teaching the use of the digital camera and Photoshop Elements for over 20 years. I was an instructor for the three major community colleges here in the Phoenix greater Metropolitan area.

Of late my specialty has been individual and family portraiture optimizing composition and lighting. My experience includes shooting for individual families, individuals, and portraits for corporate websites. A sample of my work can be seen at: www.bella-via.net

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Highlights

Hired 7 times
2 employees
20 years in business
Serves Scottsdale , AZ
Offers online services

Specialties

Interest in additional skills

Photoshop skills, Improve knowledge of lighting, Lightroom software skills, Improve scene composition

Student's age

19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Experience level

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Photography type

I can make recommendations, Portraits, Action, Beginner basics

Photos and videos

    • Reviews

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    BV

    Barbara V.

    Richard is fantastic! He is patient and takes time to explain the areas I tend to struggle with. He communicates well and is very knowledgeable about the art and business of photography.
    ... Show more
    June 08, 2021
    •Hired on Lessons
    BW

    Brenda W.

    The instructor - Richard Belcastro was very professional and very informative.
    He was very patient, and explained every aspect of the camera, as well as how to deliver exceptional photo’s.
    I am very appreciative of the knowledge I have gained.
    ... Show more
    January 26, 2021
    •Hired on Lessons
    DA

    Deb A.

    Bella Via Photography has been the photographer for our firm & for me individually for 20 years. He is terrific. His photography skills are awesome plus he is able to edit appropriately. And his fees are very reasonable. I highly recommend him.
    ... Show more
    August 23, 2020
    SM

    Susan M.

    I have know Richard with Bella Via Photography for over 10 years. He is very knowledgeable with Photoshop and in teaching photography classes. I have learned a lot from his teaching and am inspired by his grasp of the subject when taking photographs. He is very patient and wants you to learn the concepts. I highly recommend Richard for an instructor in Photoshop and Photography.
    ... Show more
    August 03, 2020
    RW

    Robert W.

    I enjoyed taking a number of different classes Richard has taught ranging across basic and advanced digital photography, including classes on flash, on raw files, and on Photoshop Elements. Richard is experienced, knowledgeable and a great instructor. In particular I liked that he always provides his notes and reference materials which are a great resource to use following along in class, to look at between classes and to use as a great reference after the course has ended.
    I highly recommend him for providing instruction in photography.
    ... Show more
    August 02, 2020

    Frequently asked questions

    The process I follow in working with a new student is to identify where the student is in terms of familiarity with the digital camera and all of its settings. I can then identify the approach as basic, intermediate, or advanced. Once I determine the student’s status, this points me into a specific part of the documentation (lecture and discussion) where we can pick up and began the training and practice process.

    My personal education and training involves several online and physical courses at the very beginning of digital photography technology and have been working with Photoshop Elements since version 1 about 20 years ago. The current version is Photoshop Elements 2020.

    My charging structure is based upon one of two approaches. We could agree upon an hourly rate which is typically $30 per hour. Or we can agree on a price per stock class that I have already prepared for basic, intermediate, or advanced digital camera and for various levels of Photoshop Elements.

    Services offered

    Photography
    Adobe Photoshop