Stretch & Company
12 hires on Lessons.com
2 employees
20 years in business
About this pro
Hello, I'm Wendell "Stretch" Clendennen, and I'm a photographer, balloon artist, and Santa Claus during the holiday season. I can teach you how how to become a better photographer, or how to twist balloons into animals and other fun shapes.
I've been a avid photographer since first taking in class in high school back in... well, let's just say it was a long time ago. Photography was just a hobby until around 2005 when I started taking it more seriously and began to work hard to improve my skils and learn more. I've since then earned my certificate as a professional photographer from the New York Institute of Photography and have built successful portfolios on mulitple stock sites. I can also teach how to use Photoshop to process and improve your photos.
I've been twisting balloons into fun and crazy shapes since 1989 and have taught at several major balloon conventions across the US. Along with a channel on YouTube that has instructional videos, I have produced 20 instructional DVDs on balloon twisting that are available on Amazon.com, as well as more than 20 pdf ebooks on the subject. Whether you are a raw beginner just getting into the art, or an experienced twister who wants to improve their skills, I can help you.
You can see some of my work on my web sites and the online portfolios listed below:
http://photographybystretch.com
http://www.stretchc.com
http://www.500px.com/stretchc19
http://www.facebook.com/photographybystretch
http://www.facebook.com/stretchtheballoondude
Follow me on Instagram or Twitter using @stretchc19
I love capturing moments in time and preserving them as a photograph to share with others. I understand how cameras works, but I still find the whole process almost magical, and am still amazed at how a tiny piece of film or a digital sensor can capture so much information and transform it into a beautiful photograph.
As a creative person and an artist, creating fun sculptures out of balloons is fun, but the biggest enjoyment comes when I see the smiles on peoples faces when they see my balloon art.
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Credentials
Euless, TX 76039
Email verified
Phone verified
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Great lessons. Very passionate about photography. AND served in our military. Couldn’t have asked for a better teacher!
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I really enjoy my lessons. I especially like that they’re catered to my exact needs rather than a group lesson. Highly recommend!!
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Personable, helpful, & knowledgeable
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I’m so glad that I finally decided to invest in photography lessons. Stretch is a fantastic teacher. He tailors each lesson to meet my requests for what I’d like to learn. I’m understanding my camera so much better and learning to compose great photos.
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FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When meeting with a new student, the first step is to talk to them and find out where they are as a photographer. Are they just beginning, or do have some knowledge and skills? Once I figure out where their stand on the basics, the next step is to find out not only what they need to learn to advance, but what they want to do with their photography skills. Are they just a hobbyist who wants to take better photos, or are they seeking to expand and earn money with their photos? If they want to earn money, what type of photography are they interested in learning? Different types of photography require different skill sets, so it's important to understand how they want to use their skills.
The process is similar for balloon twisting. We first figure out what level of balloon twister the student is, then find out what they want to do with their skills and determine the best way to improve their skills and help them acheive their goal as a balloon artist.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I took a course in high school that introduced me to photography, along with developing both film and prints in the darkroom back in the late '70s. I have also earned a certificate from the New York School of Photography for their "Complete Course in Photography."
I have several successful portfolios online selling stock and microstock photography. Those include active portfolios on Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and more. To build a portfolio on most of these sites you have to upload photos that meet high standards before you can set up a portfolio.
I have taught in various scenarios for much of my life, including being an instructor at several international balloon conventions throughout the years. I have also produced 22 instructional DVDs and over 20 books about balloon twisting that have been bought and used by balloon artists around the globe.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$50.00 for a 1 hour session, or $80.00 for a 2 hour session.