LorenPhotos, LLC
About
I have been a professional photographer since 1978 and have published photo books on Pope John Paul II and Branson, Missouri. I share my knowledge and passion at photography workshops and tours throughout the U.S. and overseas, am an adjunct professor at Rutgers University and sells my work at art shows and festivals all over the East Coast. My work can be seen at http://LorenPhotos.com and on Instagram at 4LorenPhotos.
In high school I watched a print come to life in the darkroom and thought that photography was a special magic. I still do. When I'm making images I am able to completely focus on whatever my subject might be and get lost in that moment. I enjoy making pictures now more than ever! I love sharing that thrill and excitement with others and enjoy seeing people make better pictures because their thrill level increases too!
Photos and videos
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I’ve determined there are four levels of photography excellence. The first is technical, learning what your camera does and being able to make adjustments without doing much thinking. You have to feel comfortable with your equipment to make consistently good photos. Also in this phase you should be able to make your images look their best in the computer using Lightroom, Photoshop or something similar. This level is the easiest to learn although it can be the most intimidating.
The second level is seeing composition and light and be able to capture it in your photos. It requires studying the “rules” and knowing when to follow them and when to break them. Paying attention to art, design and other photography will improve your skills immensely.
The third level is post production. With digital cameras it isn’t enough just to capture a great image, you now have to bring out the best of the photo in your computer. That doesn’t mean you have to make the image look different than what you saw, which you can if you like. But by making a few adjustments, you can make a dull RAW image pop and show what you felt at the scene.
The fourth level is sharing your soul. This may sound rather woo-woo, but there is a reason you can throw a bunch of skilled photographers in the same situation and a few come out with much better pictures than the others. They have learned how to open up and share what they feel through their camera. It is by far the hardest level to attain but it is something that is learnable. I don’t believe some people are born with this ability, they have learned to “see” in a way others haven’t and it comes from their soul. We can all learn to do it.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a professional photographer since 1978, starting as a photojournalist and now I concentrate on nature based fine art photography. I was an award winning and innovative photo editor for many years teaching photographers how to get the most out of their work. I have been an adjunct professor at Rutgers since 2003 in the journalism department. I hold workshops on all aspects of photography locally, nationally and internationally. Plus people like me!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My typical hourly rate for mentoring is $75, I have special pricing for extended sessions.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with beginners and literally showed them how to take the camera out of the box to Pulitzer Prize winning professionals. Most students are either beginners or have some experience.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Think about what your goals are and what it takes to get to them. My mentoring is goal based, before we start we determine what it is you want to learn and then we create the steps to get there.