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.