Paul Thompson Photography Workshops

It is incredibly important that my students achieve their goals and have fun while enjoying the process.

I have tons of power points, handouts and hands on my experience that will take you to the next level

Would you like meet on the phone or meet for a cup of coffee?  No charge of course! It's just for the purpose of finding out if we are a good fit.

I have years of experience in the professional field of photography. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge.

 Honors, Awards and Credentials

* The Master of Photography Degree from the Professional Photographers of America awarded for superior competence and technique in photographic competition.

* The Craftsman Degree from the Professional Photographers of America awarded for photographic service to the profession for advancing the standards of photography.

* The Fellowship Award from the Professional Photographers of California awarded for photographic excellence.

* One of four studios in the nation profiled by Eastman Kodak to be featured on the "Image is Everything" video. The video tape was viewed worldwide and served as a training tool at numerous "how to" seminars. Kodak has also selected my photographs for display at the Professional Photographers of America convention and international exhibits.

* Only studio in the nation to be featured by Eastman Kodak for a second time on their Business and Marketing Practices, Portraits of Success for 1994. Seminars were given in 38 cities, nationwide discussing Paul’s flawless, elegant portraiture and his business and marketing skills.

* Speaker at the National Convention of Professional Photographers of America in New Orleans, Louisiana, Las Vegas Nevada and The  Western States Convention in Los Angeles. Featured guest speaker at the Illinois State Convention and also speaker at  the Professional Photographers of America Chapters of San Diego, Inland Empire, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Reno Nevada and Seattle Washington.

* Articles published and photographs printed in the prestigious "Professional Photographer"  and  "The Rangefinder" magazines.

* Instructor Commissions at California State University, Long Beach and Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California.

* Adjunct Professor at the prestigious Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara.

* Numerous images used for Greeting Card Companies and advertisements throughout the world with stock photography agencies.

* Cover photograph for CD “Solo Flight” of Laurence Juber, formerly of Wings with Paul McCartney.

* Cover photograph for Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine.

* Selected by Eastman Kodak to photograph the still photographs for three television commercials to be aired throughout the year for their "Promise of Excellence" campaign promoting family portraiture.

* Eastman Kodak hired Paul to train all of their Western Region Sales Representatives and Managers in Santa Barbara, California. The purpose was to express the needs of photographers nationwide and how Kodak could meet those needs.

* One of my hotographs was selected by Professional Photographers of America to receive a Loan Collection National Award of Merit. The photograph has been chosen to be on display throughout the United States for display purposes.

* My Masters Loan Collection photograph was chosen as an Epcot Selection by Eastman Kodak, Walt Disney World Epcot Center and Professional Photographers of America IInc. for display at Walt Disney World Epcot Center in Orlando Florida.

*  Selected by Kodak as one of 25 photographers in the nation to be a part of Kodak’s Pro-Team. A notebook was produced for all photographers world-wide showcasing the Pro-Teams studios, how they market their talents and how they create their images.  

* “Complete Guide to Wedding Photography - Volume I and II” distributed, produced and sold worldwide. Kodak, Levin, Art-Leather, Sunpak and Marathon Press sponsored this instructional video being sold world-wide and featuring Paul Thompson.

* Revolutionized the photographic industry by being one of the first to offer a new kind of “coffee table book”. Today the books are offered at The Huntington House Book Company.

* Lectured for Winona International School of Professional Photography. This was a seminar offered at my studio called The Hunington House Photography Studio to photographers nationwide. The proceeds to go to Winona’s educational facility for furthering education.

* Invited to be the featured guest lecturer in Tokyo, Japan for the Japanese Photography Convention. Three hundred and fifty of the finest Japanese photographers were in attendance learning the “Western Way” to photograph portraits and weddings.

*  Epson invited Paul to speak to professional photographers in Maui regarding printing, color and design.

*  Wedding Photographers International WPPI selected Paul Thompson to be the featured lecturer at the National convention. The topic was wedding photography and your own style.

 I offer you my lifetime of being a professional photographer and teaching photography which includes elementary to college level students and amateur to professional.

My goal would be to help you learn how to identify a great image and also how to capture it.

I feel the image that is the most popular is the one that has the largest impact.  The elements that make up impact are lighting, posing, composition, technique, style, arrangement, placement, presentation, color balance, imagination, creative, center of interest, contrast, print quality, balance, tone and color. 

The investment for teaching you is $50 per hour. I absolutely love sharing my photography knowledge and helping students fulfill their dreams.

I have my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science Degrees, my elementary, secondary and administrative credentials for lifetime.  I taught elementary school and   on the sets in Hollywood as a teacher/welfare worker.  

I wanted to be a professional photographer but just didn't know how to do it.  I started taking photogaphs of Realtors houses for $25 per house  and develop it that same evening and givimg them an 8x10 the next day. This was the start. It helped me make money in photography and with that I would buy professional equipment. I would take photography classes wherever I could find them. I asked many professional photographers if I could tag along with them. <ZOOM MANY YEARS AHEAD> Eventually I opened my own studio and had 12 photographers working for me and photographed hundreds of weddings and thousands of portraits.

Loved every minute of it. 

Now I am back to doing what I love most: Sharing and teaching.

Children to retired adults.  I especially love students who want to learn and can find nowhere to get the knowledge.

The most pleasure I recieve is when I witness one of my students achieve their goals of becoming a professional photographer or helping them develop a new life lasting hobby.

Be sure that the teacher has a:

Solid professional background in photography.

Has experience teaching.

Knows how to light and pose people. 

Knows how to identify a great location for picture taking.

Loves to have fun - this is huge for learning.

Love of life and teaching.

Students should ask prospective teachers if they can help them achieve their goals and then ask them how.

Ask them how many lessons it will take to achieve their goals.

Ask teachers technical photography questions so you know they have a background in photography. Don't get convinced by someone who is a good amateur or someone who has no training.