Workshop: 1 on 1 with Micah

Ava as a Porcelain Flower.

Just last weekend I did a one-on-one workshop with Micah. Basically the photo shoot I organized for her was more dark and tamed, mainly because I wanted to go for a Snow White ish concept, but on the last minute tried to tone it down for a beginner shoot. For the first two hours we talked about what she mainly wanted to learn more about (in addition to the emails we exchanged). The rain kept pouring and pouring and it was as cloudy as ever. Photoshop lessons would have come after shooting, but to save time I taught her the basics of coloring before we started photographing. Micah wasn’t all too crazy about Photoshop or editing so I just breezed through the basics to show her and then let her tinker with things as I guided her.

I explained to her how it’s important to know what your own taste is, what colors and mood you preferably lean on. She said she liked bright, colorful and happy photos and it was then that I realized the theme I organized was completely opposite of her! That said, next time I will try and make things more generic. Haha!

I taught her a lot of basics in editing and even some of my own secret styles. Whatever she asked for, I taught her. She was a  nice girl so it was easy to pass on to her what I know. She mainly wanted to learn more about outdoor shooting, so I spent more time talking to her about my set-ups and tips on outdoor shoots. Teaching her how to use white balance to create a mood, was one of the highlights.

Aside from that, I think one of the most important things I stressed was the process of the photoshoot. How you oversee your makeup artist, talk to your model and directing her. Ryle was my makeup artist again and she never disappoints! I’m a big fan of her makeup work. She just does wonders!

Composing her shot as I watched over her.

One thing I made different with my 1 on 1 workshop is that I always try to use “real girls” as models. First off, when I was a beginner it was difficult to actually get a professional model! So realistically, I wanted to replicate the scenario in my live classroom. I found Ava through searching around Facebook (pretty profile pictures) and asked if she would want to model for a workshop and she said yes! She was real sweet and easy to work with. I taught Micah how to take care of these “real girls”. There’s also something about a real girl when she doesn’t know how to pose anymore, it FORCES you to be creative and THINK! 😉

One of her portrait shots applying what she learned with color.

Here’s what Micah said: “I definitely learned a lot from it; the teacher was great. thank you guys! :)”

I’m having a group workshop with the Accenture Photography Club this week and later I’ll be giving a short introduction presentation. I’m no professional, but whatever I know is up for grabs if you want to learn! Contact me if you’re interested on a 1 on 1 workshop as well. I enjoy doing them now that I still have a lot of time.