About
Jim holds a BA degree in Mass Communications and a BS degree in Computer Programming. He has worked as a professional cameraman on documentaries and TV commercials. He also owned and operated a camera store in western Florida. Jim has won numerous awards for his photography and has been published in hundreds of textbooks and magazines such as Popular Photography, Audubon Magazine, and has been selected for the National Geographic Daily Dozen. Jim leads regular photo workshops nationally and internationally such as Costa Rica, Iceland, Ecuador, Colombia and The Black Hills Photo Shootout in South Dakota. Jim is also co-host of The Fotobug (www.thefotobug.com) for nearly nine years and he and his partner have also established The Fotobug YouTube channel for photography instruction, interviews and tutorials.
Jim is also a fully certified Florida Master Naturalist from the Univeristy of Florida.
I've been passionate about photography since I was about eight years old and enjoy helping others improve their photographic skills. I'm also still willing to learn new tricks and techniques and continue to try new "tricks" with my camera. I'm also skilled at Lightroom and Photoshop and even worked the Adobe booth at the Las Vegas National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas several years ago.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
What equipment does the student own (camera, lenses, etc.) and what particular aspect of photography is he/she interested in learning more about (nature, landscape, portraits, etc.) What level does the student feel he/she is currently at (beginner or advanced)
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BA in Mass Communications (Univ of South Florida and University of North Carolina). I've taught thousands of students in numerous workshops since the late 1970s.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Varies depending upon location, etc.
How did you get started teaching?
People originally came to me for help and the instruction grew from there.
What types of students have you worked with?
Everyone from early teens to one lady who was 92 years young. I've worked with students, amateurs and professional photographers.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I lead photography workshops every year for the past eight years in South Dakota - The Black Hills Photo Shootout which is partly sponsored by The Black Hills State University of South Dakota. I also conduct workshops domestically (such as The Everglades} and internationally (been leading workshops to Iceland for 8 years).
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find someone who is patient and willing to listen and has the ability to explain concepts as well as the experience to share.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is the final goal for the instruction? To understand how to take more control of the camera? Perhaps specific subjects such as nature, portraits, landscapes, etc. What kind of equipment am I willing to purchase and how much time do I wish to commit to learn and master the concepts.