Coaching
With so many affordable DSLRs at our fingertips, the demand for photography lessons is high. Consumers are spending hundreds and maybe thousands of dollars on these awesome new cameras and chances are, most will never learn how to move off of the Auto mode. Why spend good money only to achieve the same photo as a point-and-shoot would? My goal with offering these One-on-One Photography Coaching Lessons is to get your money’s worth out of your camera. I want to help you capture daily life around you with quality photographs.
When I speak with new camera-owners, they tell me that they have searched for photography lessons in Spokane, camera courses, or photography classes but can’t find any that work with their busy schedule. They want to learn how to operate their sophisticated machine the way it was intended without enrolling into a college course. They want to understand the functions and know which lens is best for each situation. My photography classes cover this and so much more!
As for those photographers wanting to begin a photography business, or improve the one they have, the Hourly Mentoring Sessions are perfect. I will discuss any facet of business that needs improvement. Pricing, marketing, posing, style, etc. It is important in our industry to offer quality competition that is priced properly. The photography community will only strengthen and be more lucrative if services are priced properly.
GROUP WORKSHOPS
“THE BASICS” BEGINNER’S GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
$250 PER PERSON (SIGN UP WITH A FRIEND AND PAY $235 EACH)—Workshops require at least 3 students in attendance. Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday March 12th 6:00pm-8:30ish and Saturday March 28th 10:00-1:00ish
Thursday April 23rd 12:00pm-2:30ish and Friday May 1st 12:00-3:000ish
Monday May 11th 12:00-2:30ish and Tuesday May 26th 12:00-3:00ish
Read this blog for even more insight on what to expect at the Basic’s Group Workshop: https://crystalmadsen.com/photography-classes-in-spokane/
Having at least a full week in between the lecture and the hands-on exercises has proven successful. It allows you to go home, practice, do research and generate questions. On the first day we will meet at my downtown studio in a very casual setting to learn about our cameras’ functions and basic steps to achieve a properly exposed photo. The second day we will go over assignments, answer questions that you came up with over the week, step outside for hands-on and direct instruction, then come back inside for further discussion and critiquing.
Items to be covered:
- Functions/operations of the camera
- Achieving correct exposures and sharp photos
- Visual elements of a great photo
- Basic understanding of using natural/available light
- How to take attractive photos in low-light/indoor situations
- How to take beautiful outdoor photos with available light
I will have room for up to 10 students, so grab your friends and make a fun day out of it together! Begin the sign up process by shooting me an email!
SPRING PHOTO WALK/SCAVENGER HUNT-$40
TBD
Bring your fully charged camera, cleared memory card, and be ready to shoot on Manual. I will provide a list of scavenger hunt items and we will walk as a group to find items, discuss lighting and camera settings, and uniquely create photographs. After the walk, I encourage everyone to edit and upload their images onto my Kickin’ It With Crystal closed Facebook group where we will critique and continue to learn. I do not recommend joining if you are not already shooting on Manual. Enrolling in a 2-part one-on-one coaching session (below) will get you right where you need to be to join us!
***NEW*** INTRO TO LIGHTROOM AND PHOTOSHOP GROUP WORKSHOP
Monday January 13th 12:00-3:00
Thursday February 27th 12:00-3:00
After many requests from former photography students, I have finally set dates for an introduction to Lightroom and Photoshop basic editing group workshop. This 3-hour long digital photography editing workshop will expose you to both Lightroom and Photoshop’s basic tools to retouch your photos to add a bit of a punch, clarity and vibrancy to your memories.
Items to be covered:
- Organizing and uploading files
- How to create and work with collections
- Edit w/in the Develop module of Lightroom (exposure, shadows, contrast, levels, etc)
- Basic skin editing in both LR and PS
- Basic background removal in both LR and PS
- How to save images for social media sharing and printing.
What you will NOT learn: Noir/dark/moody/alternative photo processing. My theory in portrait editing is to deliver what your eye sees with subtle enhancements, not to add elements that were not naturally there.
WINTER TEEN BASICS 1-DAY WORKSHOP – JANUARY 2nd 10:30-2:30
ONLY 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR MAXIMUM ONE-ON-ONE COACHING
$130 PER PERSON (SIGN UP WITH A FRIEND AND PAY $115 EACH)
This group-photography workshop is great for kids and teens ages 12-18 who just received their first camera for the holidays OR who have shown interest or skill in photography. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. We will meet at my downtown studio where we will dedicate the first half to learning about our cameras’ functions, the basic steps to achieve a properly exposed photo, elements of a great photo and we will step outside to apply what we learn. The second half we will go more in-depth with the functions, elements, light reading and posing. Students will then be given exercises and assignments to do on their own or in groups. We will come back together to review and critique.
Items to be covered over the 5-hour workshop:
- Functions/operations of the camera
- Achieving correct exposures and sharp photos
- Visual elements of a great photo
- Basic understanding of using natural/available light
- How to take attractive photos in low-light/indoor situations
- How to take beautiful outdoor photos with available light
- Basic editing techniques in Adobe Lightroom
- RAW vs JPG
- Posing
Supplies teen needs to bring:
- DSLR Camera With Charged Batteries And Cleared Memory Cards
- Notepad & Pen
- Small Personal Object That Fits In Your Hands
- Weather Appropriate Clothing AND Shoes
I will have room for up to 6 students, so grab your friends and make a fun day out of it together! Begin the sign up process by shooting me an email!
HOURLY MENTORING SESSIONS FOR ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHERS- $200
Hourly sessions are recommended for the more “advanced” amateur photographer who wants specific details on improving their photos. OR for those looking to propel their business into a successful direction. User is already familiar with their camera (has a basic understanding of aperture, shutter, ISO etc), does not shoot on P or Auto mode (AV or TV is great!), wants more insight on functions, how to improve their “photographic eye,” posing, lighting techniques, editing software, or how to market their business. You can come to me, I can come to you or we can do a video chat. NOTHING is off limits. I can even accompany you on a shoot or you can join me on one of mine. Generate a list of topics/questions you would like covered. New camera owners are urged to sign up for a workshop.
Before our first photography lesson, I will ask you a series of questions to learn exactly what we need to cover so we can reach your goals. If there is a good list of goals, a workshop may be your best bet!
ONE-ON-ONE PHOTOGRAPHY COACHING
My goal with photography workshops is to get you off of the P or Auto mode of your camera, and convince you to never go back to it!!! We have beautiful life around us that needs capturing…that capturing needs to be sharp, vibrant, and full of emotion just as it happens in front of us. To do this, we need to understand what our cameras are capable of and what goes into MAKING a photo. When you sign up for a workshop, not only do you get tailored instruction, but you get to go home with an assignment and come back for critiquing—this is so important for learning!
2 Photography Coaching Sessions via Video Conference-$275
Sometimes making it to my studio for hands-on in-person mentoring is not an option. I can still teach you the same information with screen-sharing and video chatting! The first session we will go over your camera’s functions and how to achieve a properly exposed photo. The second session we will review and critique your homework/exercise results and go a bit deeper in creativity.
Typical Curriculum (will vary for each individual):
- Functions/operations of the camera and lens
- Basic understanding of using natural/available light
- Achieving correct exposures and sharp photos
- Visual elements of a great photo
- Critiquing of given assignment
2 Photography Coaching Sessions-$395 (Learn with a friend-$350 each).
2-1.5 hour one-on-one photography lessons on 2 different days. Recommended for users who have had their camera at least a year and are familiar and somewhat comfortable with its functions. Curriculum will vary for each individual.
Typical Curriculum (will vary for each individual):
- Functions/operations of the camera and lens
- Basic understanding of using natural/available light
- Achieving correct exposures and sharp photos
- Visual elements of a great photo
- Critiquing of given assignment
4 Coaching Sessions-$550 (Learn with a friend–$475 each)
4 1.5 hour one-on-one photography classes on 4 different days. Recommended for users who have had their DSLR for less than a year and/or are fairly new to its functions…OR for those who want more time and more in-depth sessions. We will spend more time discussing and understanding each topic and will have more opportunities to shoot both outside and inside and 3 assignment critiques.
Typical Curriculum (will vary for each individual):
- Camera’s terminology and parts
- Functions/operations of the camera
- Basic understanding of using natural/available light
- Achieving correct exposures and sharp photos
- Visual elements of a great photo
- Critiquing of shooting assignments
- Recommended gear to add to your bag
- Artificial lighting (speed lights on-camera and off-camera)
- Basic editing software and photo programs if applicable
- Critiquing of editing assignment if applicable
Group photography workshops in Spokane may be a great option if there are 4 or more people interested. We’ll go over the same information but grab lunch at my studio and make it more like a classroom setting. Shoot me an email to inquire!
If you’re interested in signing up for camera lessons, gifting a session, or discussing which option is best for you, give me a call or send me an email!
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