About
I have many years of experience behind a camera and have many years of experience teaching photography. My areas of expertise are first, landscape and wildlife, then macro, architecture and portrait photography. I have been teaching “Photography Instruction” for PSA, (Photographic Society of America) for the past 5 years. My goal in this course is to teach you how to use your camera and all its settings. Knowing your camera is the base from which you can pursue any type of photography you wish. Starting with the basics of your camera and lenses, the course will then take you thru exercises in composition, still life, landscape, architecture, portraiture, closeup and sports/action where you will practice your camera techniques. Completing this course will provide you with a solid foundation from which to further your photography.
Once you begin your photography hobby or career you will most likely need to learn how to post process your images. In the film days this work was performed in a darkroom, but in todays digital world our darkroom is computer software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. I have extensive experience processing my own images and in teaching this software, so I offer classes to round out your photography from taking through processing of your images.
I have a true passion for photography, teaching, and mentoring others who wish to learn. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and assisting others in pursuing photography. I have been teaching photography for many years and find teaching very fulfilling and along the way I also learn new things.
I have chaired and judged many photographic competitions over the years from which I have found to be a great learning process not only for the participants but myself. Not only have I chaired and judged, I have also been a competing participant and have earned hundreds of awards from local and international competitions.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The course I offer is via email. Each lesson with assignments will be sent which you will complete at your own pace. The lesson assignments will be returned to me for review and comment which will be returned to you with the next lesson. I will always be available via email for questions. The initial 5 lessons will be on the basics of camera settings, controlling light and focusing, followed by lessons in Composition, Still Life, Landscape, Architecture, Portraiture, Close-up and Sports/Action.
This "Basics of Photography / Knowing Your Camera" course provides the information you will need to get the most out of your camera. It will cover when and how to use your camera settings and lenses to create dynamic images. It will challenge you, so take your time and be patient.
This is a self-paced course with the caveat that too much time between lessons may require review of previous lessons.
On completion of the "Photography Basics" course, I offer in field instruction based on the type of photography you are interested in, this could be landscape, architecture, macro, wildlife etc., and is offered at an additional cost.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My education in photography comes from many thousands of hours of study, practice and behind the camera experience. As a Photo Guide for Arizona Highways PhotoScapes (AHPS), aka Arizona Highways Photo Workshops (AHPW) for more than 12 years I have worked with some of the top landscape and wildlife photographers found anywhere.
I have been teaching Basics of Photography for the past five years and have worked with many students. As a volunteer with AHPS I worked with many people of differing photography skills from beginner to advanced.
As a judge for over 50 photography contests, both local and international competitions with tens to thousands of entries, I have gained much knowledge in evaluating images of all types. I also have experience in portraiture, having owned a photo studio.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
The price for this course is $200. This includes an hour to an hour and a half reviewing each lesson assignment.
In field sessions are based on the type of photography and location. Check with me if interested.
Photoshop and Lightroom classes are based on $35/hour. A basic introduction to Lightroom is 4 hours. Advanced Lightroom is a minimum 2 hours at $35/hour. Additional hours will depend on your ability and requirements.
How did you get started teaching?
My teaching experience started years ago when I taught computer software at community colleges in Minnesota. More recently, I have been teaching photography for a camera club I joined, where many photography classes are offered to its members. After joining the Photographic Society of America (PSA) I started teaching 5 years ago and have been an instructor/mentor for more than 60 members.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with people with little-to-no photography experience and with those who have been involved in photography for years. The typical student for this course is just starting out and needs to learn their camera before embarking out into the world taking pictures.
I also have experience teaching post processing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom in classroom and one on one.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently became a Rover for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge where I provide information about the refuge to visitors, and as such, I have a great opportunity for landscape and wildlife photography.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If you want to learn how to control your camera to create strong, impactful images, this course is a great place to start. I am dedicated to providing the basics from which to grow your skills in photography. On the other hand, if you are just looking to learn how to take better pictures of family and friends, this course may be more than you are looking for.
Once you have a strong grasp of the basics on how to use your camera, you can concentrate on the type(s) of photography you are interested in. Seek further instruction from an instructor with strong experience and qualifications in those areas. If landscape or wildlife is your interest then I am available for field work, where you will learn the best settings, compositions, and lighting in real-life locations. Remember, not all photography is the same, i.e. portrait vs. landscape.
This “Basics of Photography” course will give you the solid understanding you need to move on to your future in any type of photography.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Determine your goals as a photographer, are you interested in doing snapshots, being a serious hobbyist or a professional? Either way, photography, like anything takes work, study and practice. You need to determine how much time you have available and how much time you want to put into the endeavor. Like anything worthwhile, “You will get out of it what you are willing to put into it”.
For myself, I have been both a professional and a hobbyist and I have enjoyed every minute of the thousands of hours I have spent studying, practicing, shooting, post processing and sharing my work weather paid or not. And I would like to share my experience and enthusiasm with others.