Coffee and Cameras-Everyday Storytelling

The next Coffee and Cameras class series is March 13th, 20th, and 27th!  This is a Tuesday morning class for adults 9:30-11am, held at 1345 Breton Rd, EGR.

This class is designed to help you curate the little details in your everyday life and turn them into art for the walls.  The added benefit is learning to operate your camera along the way and to refine your composition and perspective skills. This series is appropriate for all skill levels and will cover the camera basics to shoot in manual mode and learn to perfect your exposure. We will choose a personal project to work on and then finish with critique, basic editing, storing, sharing and printing options.  Class fee is $150 and due to the personal attention given to students is open for up to 6 participants only.  (e) denarobles@gmail.com to register

Learn to Shoot Portraits

Parents! Grandparents! Nannies!  This fall learn to photograph your favorite kids, in all their glorious silliness.

This fall's session of Coffee & Cameras is learning to shoot portraits of your kids and create artwork like this.  The 3 part class will start at learning to work that fancy-camera-with-all-the buttons-and-the-lens-that-changes, aka DSLR, with the optimal settings for portraits. Next we learn how to set up a simple shooting space and how to engage your subject.  This session is what I call the 15 Minutes of Fame!  We finish the class off with learning to cull and edit your photographs and assemble and print a storyboard collage for your home.  No experience necessary, camera and cute kids are.

DATES:  

Wednesday mornings, 10:00-11:30 -- October 11, 18, 25

or

Sunday afternoons, 3:30-5:00 --October 15, 22, 29.

All the Info:

• Classes are limited to 4 adults, your kids will model for you at home
• Classes are 1.5 hours long for 3 weekly meetings
• Your choice of Weekday mornings or Sunday afternoons beginning October, times & dates as follows: Wednesday mornings, 10:00-11:30 October 11, 18, 25 or  Sunday afternoons, 3:30-5:00 October 15, 22, 29.
• Tuition is $150 + printing

FAQ

What kind of camera will I need?  A DSLR is best suited for this class and for the designed instruction.  There are some great hybrid cameras on the market now which are small and easy like a 'point and shoot' but still allow you to change all your exposure settings for optimal portrait performance.  I am happy to advise you on your camera choice.

I have a good camera and am interested in learning to use it for portraits, but have no idea what all these buttons and dials are for, is this class right for me?  In a word, yes!  In more words, this is a project based class specific to shooting fun portraits of your child in a simple set up and in controlled lighting (don't worry, these examples are all window light!)  Since we are focusing on one outcome here, all the skills needed for this will be learned along the way. Later Coffee & Cameras classes could cover the camera skills needed for sports photography, storytelling lifestyle photos, creating artwork for the home, etc.

Are there any hidden expenses?  Well.  Sometimes I have to bribe my kids to allow me to photograph them.  If you learn this and have fun with it you might find yourself wanting to spend meeeellions of dollars on new cameras and lenses, but I don't recommend it!  For the class, I will make recommendations on where to print your final artwork, and the cost incurred will depend on the size you choose to print (around $3-$30)  The set up here is super simple, if you don't have a blank wall in your home next to a window, you may want to hang a sheet, or purchase a large piece of foam core (about $5.)

Am I limited to this black and white look? Nope.  This is what I will be teaching for this class, but you can make adjustments to suit your style.  Here are some examples from previous 15 Minutes of Fame sessions.

Interested? Have questions?  send me an email, denarobles@gmail.com

KIDS and CAMERAS--Teen Photography Club

I have loved teaching the Teen Photography Club classes and watching novice photographers start to view their world through different perspectives and through their own 'lenses.'  Following is a sample of work from Ainsley in the autumn class.  First up is her HERO Image, in just the first assignment she shows a good understanding of exposure and composition. Next is her Color Collage using different camera perspectives. Third is her portraiture assignment for "15 Minutes of Fame" and I am impressed with how well she handled a very tricky back-lighting situation.  Well done Ainsley!

Teen Photography Class in Grand Rapids Michigan

KIDS & Cameras Series 2017 Dates

The 2017 dates for my Kids and Cameras series are now available for booking.  These are project-based photography classes designed for all ages and levels of abilities. We learn about camera operation and using advanced modes, focusing, composition, perspective, lighting, and expanding our creativity all while doing hands on photography projects. Learn how to take stellar photographs, get them OFF your camera, printed, and IN your hands.  There are three series of classes ready for booking.  

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Kids And Cameras is open for 4th and 5th grade students, and runs for 4 Saturday dates, classes are an hour and a half. Assignments are given each week. $100. Budding photographers will need a digital camera, either a Dslr with lens or a 'point and shoot' model is acceptable for this class.

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Teen Photography Club is for students aged 13-17, and class is held for 5 Saturday dates for an hour and a half each meeting.  $125  There will be homework, but no quizzes, I promise.  Photographers will obviously need to bring a camera to each class.  It is highly recommended to use an SLR for this class (digital) as opposed to a 'point and shoot' model. ** 

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Coffee and Cameras is the often-requested class from parents.  Some of the questions we will master are "what are all these buttons and menus for and which ones really matter?" "how do I take better pictures of my kids?" "why are my photos dark or blurry?" "why can't I get good sports photos?"  "how do I get these photos off my camera and actually use them?"  You get the idea...  There will be 5 classes to begin with and you have the flexibility to sign up for 1 class or all 5 depending on what aspect you need to learn.  There is also an opportunity for individualized continued education to expand on creativity and project completion. Dates and times are flexible.  Let's chat about your needs in person.  Camera required! **

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**We will be learning to shoot on manual mode from the first 5 minutes , all the way to the last 5 minutes.  While digital is a more effective learning tool for immediate feedback, I am a film shooter and will be open to the use of a film SLR too.  Chat with me when you sign up.  I have one Dslr available to loan for the class duration, on a first come first served basis.  I do have resources for renting cameras and lenses, but honestly find it cost prohibitive for a 5 week duration. I also have some reputable resources for purchasing used camera gear.

SO, what now?!

To sign up for a class or get more information, send an email to denarobles@gmail.com with the name of your desired class series in the subject line.  Payment will be accepted at time of registration via paypal or check payable to Dena Robles.  

Christmas holiday gift vouchers are available for the perfect 'give an experience' gift or to go along with that fancy new camera under the tree!