Photography Workshops - Why I Attend, and Why I Teach
Attending photography workshops is one of the best things one can do for their growth as a photographer. A few years ago while attending a photography workshop, I met a veteran professional photographer who was also attending. He owns and operates his own photography store/gallery in a vacation area. He's owned it for years; has supported his family with his photography. I mean, he knows photography. It's been his lifelong career. I loved taking this workshop with him. He treated me like I had equal skills (which clearly, I did NOT). He asked thoughtful and thought provoking questions of me about my work. It was one of the richest experiences I've had related to photography.It occurred to me that he could have led the group. He could have been the teacher, the presenter of techniques and ideas. Yet, during this workshop, he was a student. He continues to take workshops regularly because of many of the reasons I'm listing here.
Photography Workshops - Why I Attend
1~ Attending a photography workshop renews my enthusiasm for photography. Not that it ever wanes much, but photographing in new places with new people is always uplifting.2~ If you are with the right workshop leaders, they've done the ground work of scouting the best locations for the best times of day or night and the best season. They make sure to get you there at those times. You then can concentrate on photographing some of the most beautiful locations in an area.3~ Meeting new people from all over with the same passion for photography as I have is another inspiration. Sharing knowledge and techniques, talking about locations that we've both photographed, or want to photograph brings me more knowledge and a common bond between us.
Technical Skills
4~ I appreciate expert guidance from a leader who can help with technical skills while encouraging each attendee to create to their own vision or style. I (and you) want a leader who can relate to varying levels of skills and assist in improving upon those skills.5~ Help with learning the technical basics as well as the 'fun' features of your camera, achieving correct exposure, white balance, focus, etc. is important. But, how fun is it to learn how to use filters, or create an in-camera double exposure, or a time-lapse?
Practice
6~ Workshops allow for the opportunity to practice what you've learned while under the guidance of a leader and the support of other attendees.7~ Immediate feedback or constructive criticism from the workshop leader and other people attending is so valuable. They can point out things that I might have overlooked or point out things of which I wasn't even aware, elevating my skills.8~ There are some places that I won't go alone for safety reasons. So, workshops are perfect for the safety of belonging to a group. It eases my and my family's concern about going to a somewhat remote location.9~ What better reason to take a workshop than to have FUN! Fun learning new things, seeing new places, and meeting new people!10~ I've been photographing a while now, but I always learn something new.
Photography Workshops - Why I Teach
1~ Those lightbulb moments are priceless. When I help someone achieve something new or difficult, it gives me a most satisfied feeling to see them succeed.2~ Sharing knowledge with others during photography workshops to help them with their goals again is so fulfilling for me.3~ By interacting with others and sharing ideas, I always learn something from my attendees.4~ Sharing an experience resulting in a common frame of reference provides plenty of topics for discussion resulting in friendship.5~ Teaching photography helps me become a better photographer. Albert Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”So, be like my veteran photographer friend, John, and embrace taking a few photography workshops. I think you'll really enjoy them.
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Coming Soon!!! Watch for the registration announcement of my new one-day waterfalls workshop coming this fall to Northern California.
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All landscape, fine art, and still life images are available for purchase.
Please CONTACT ME at nadeen@nadeenflynn.com with any questions or to schedule your learning session.
As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer in-person workshops, hourly lessons, and mentoring. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.
Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.
(530) 633-7575