About
I have owned and operated a successful studio for over 50 years and am considered by many to be a Master of Lighting. I have photographed 1000's and 1000's of portraits of all styles and also about 2500 weddings/social events. During this time, and still continuing BTW, I have studied under literally 100's of the top photographers in the world.
During the last 25 years, I have taught many other photographers, both beginners AND professionals, in group seminars, college classes, and one-to-one.
My desire now is to pass on this knowledge to the next generation of photographers coming up in order to save them some time in finding the right educational sources to enable them to reach their dream potential.
Some of my accomplishments are listed below:
Professional Photographers of America
Certified Professional Photographer
Featured in several PPA Showcase Books
Professional Photographers of Michigan
Award of Merit (Top 3 in Michigan) - 2008 • Portrait Kodak Gallery Award for 2008
Top Family Portrait for 2007• Michigan Top Senior Photographer for 2006
Commercial Winner of Best in Show & Kodak Gallery Award in 2003
One of Michigan’s Top 7 in 2000 • Board Member for 11 years
Detroit Professional Photographers Association
Top Portrait Photographer for 2009 • Top Senior Photographer for 2008
Top 3 Photographers in 2000 • Board Member for 12 years
Professional Photographers of Northern Ohio
Top 4 Photographers for 2011
Michigan Photographers Society (By-Invitation-only group and 1 of the Top 5 oldest photography associations in the country.)
Numerous print awards
Held several different Board positions
Highlights
Payment methods
Specialties
Interest in additional skills
Student's age
Experience level
Photography type
Photos and videos
Reviews
Kathleen G.
Kelly T.
Sukinah T.
Kelly S.
Mary A.
Amy R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I always like to meet with a student for a complimentary 30-45 minute 'meet-n-greet' to get to know each other a bit and find out the exact goals that the student desires to get from the classes.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
When I got into the profession 50 years ago I immediately started going to all the seminars I could find. Over time I have probably attended 100's and 100's constantly increasing my knowledge of all aspects of photography.
A list of accomplishments is shown below.
Professional Photographers of America
Certified Professional Photographer
Many Educational & Competition Print Merits
Michigan Photographers Society
Many Competition Print Merits
Former Board Member for many years
Professional Photographers of Michigan
2nd Runner-Up Photographer of the Year 2008
Kodak Gallery Award 2008, 2003
1st Place Family Portrait 2007
Top Senior Photographer 2006
Comm. Best of Show 2003
Top 7 - 2000, 2004, 2007
Former Board Member for many years
Detroit Professional Photographers of America
Top Senior Photographer - 2008
Top 3 - 2000
Former Board Member for many years
PP of Northern Ohio
Top 4 - 2011
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep! (NILMDTS.org)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For almost all styles of instruction, I charge $45 for a 1.5-hour session.
While many types of instruction would not require any additional costs, if attendance is 'required' at sporting activities, or other special events, the cost of my admission must be covered by the student. The student is responsible for providing models, if necessary, basically because they would be more comfortable photographing someone they know than a stranger.
How did you get started teaching?
About 45 years ago, I met someone at a wedding I was photographing and he was interested in learning more about wedding photography. I started teaching him the next week and, through the course of time, both he AND HIS WIFE got into the wedding business (photo studio & dress shop) for decades to come.
What types of students have you worked with?
Through all these years I have taught everyone from beginners to college students to many-year working professionals.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I strongly advise the student to ask the prospective instructor if they provide, as I do, a free get-to-know-each-other session. Some people know a lot but are not good teachers; some may have personalities that the student is not comfortable with; plus there could be other things that would make the teacher-student combo not a great fit.
Also remember, like 'purchasing' anything else, that "it is better to pay a bit more in the beginning than to regret paying less later".
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
The basic item I believe any student should think about is 'how long' and 'how much' will it cost to attain the knowledge they want to achieve? If an instructor starts, without knowing practically anything about the student, that what they want is going to take a year (or more) to learn, that is wrong - they honestly have no idea until they really learn the student's abilities to grasp the info they present. Obviousy, the time involved, along with the cost, depends on the end goals of he student.; Do they want to simply learn how to improve their family photos?; Do they want to start their own business in photography?
Teaching one-on-one is the best way for a student to learn ANYTHING! My method of teaching does not restrict the student to 'only what the teacher wants to teach in a single session'. My belief is to allow the student to learn as much as they want every single session as long as they as truly grasping the information being presented. I am not trying to create a 'long-term arrangement' out of any student - beginner, advanced-amateur, or pro! If you learn it in a month - I'm totally fine with that! As long as you acheive what you wanted to, I have done my job!