Workshops for Photographers

***To take this course, you must reside outside of the zip code 21111 by 90 miles (if you are not in MD, but still within 90 miles, we may have an exception***

 

2010 Schedule:

 

January 7, 8  -----fully booked

January 14, 15 ---- fully booked

January 21, 22 ----- fully booked

February 4, 5 ------ fully booked

February 11, 12 --- fully booked

February 25, 26 ---- fully booked

March 11, 12  ---- fully booked

March 18, 19 --- fully booked

April 30, May 1st ---- fully booked

June 25th and 26th --- fully booked

 

We will not be having any workshops in July or August, any

future dates are undecided.

 

 

Please email jodieotte@verizon.net if you wish to book one of these dates or a future date.

 We will not have more than 6 attendees at any given time.

 

 

 

 

 

STUDIO LIGHTING NATURALLY - the most popular and requested portion

 

Are you limiting yourself as a photographer?  This portion of the class is designed exclusively for the natural light photographer who wants to add "natural-looking artificial light" to their bag of tools or for the photographer that struggles to make studio lighting look naturally.

So many photographers steer away from artificial light, afraid that it will be too harsh and fake and will never be able to maintain that natural soft look, that we all love so much. Many natural light photographers become intimidated by the equipment choices - there are just so many options out there.  Also, many photographers are in areas where natural light is a luxury in the fall and winter time and not always ideal. You can delay child sessions due to weather and such, you cannot delay newborn sessions.

Learn simplicity to shooting with artificial lighting, learn techniques to achieve a more natural soft diffuse lighting with tiny subjects, and more dramatic and beautiful lighting to flatter expectant clients.

 

 

 

 

 

Can you shoot wide open in studio and achieve similar-to natural lighting using strobes?  ABSOLUTELY!  Below is studio lighting....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn how to light pregnancy for beauty and artistic interest - what works, and what doesn't.

 

 

 

Stop feeling limited in your photography/portrait work. Become a better, more well-rounded photographer with more tools at your disposal without compromising a natural look.

This is by no means trying to convert you to artificial lighting, it is only to add an invaluable tool that will ultimately make you a better photographer who is not limited in what you can do.

 

Learn how easy it is to post-process studio lighting images.  Be careful, you may prefer this over post processing natural light ;)

 

 

LIGHTING NATURALLY

 

Learn what makes a natural light image a portrait instead of a snapshot. We are open to discussing natural lighting in the workshop as well. We will go over post processing natural light, and the difference between having the good light and having okay light, and how to post process for each to make saleable images.  We will also discuss window light, especially how to photograph babies in window light which is similar to studio lighting setups.

 

 

 

POSING

 

We will discuss posing for newborns, pregnancy, as well as handling children in and out of the studio.

 

 

POLISHING YOUR IMAGES

 

At this point, you know how to expose properly, but you can't seem to figure out what is it that your images are lacking.  Learn how to polish your images - the tiny details that really put the final touches on your portraits that make your clients say "wow!".

 

 

POST PROCESSING

 

We will go over all post processing techniques that will make your images pop, as well as additional tips such as composites.

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS

 

95% of all photography businesses fail.  What makes you think that you are one of the 5% that does not?  Business sense.  This segment covers how to price yourself for profit and gives concrete reasoning for pricing the way you should.  We will discuss how to raise your prices depending upon your individual situation, and how to market your business for success, etc.    We will also discuss how to maximize your time spent processing and if it is appropriate and where you can cut corners in your workflow. 

 

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

 

There are a lot of misconceptions about commercial work in the photography industry. There are many out there teaching very wrong information about commercial photography, as they themselves are misinformed.  Don't get stuck in a situation where you are being taken advantage of.  Find out the true information about how to price for commercial work.

 

THE BOOK

 

You will receive the new updated revision two book Studio Lighting Naturally as well as the natural lighting supplement book.

 

 

 

TUITION

 

2-day workshop with 2-6 attendees $1,795

 

Studio Lighting Naturally and Just Lighting Naturally books are both included as well as a DVD with actions, printouts, etc.

 

$795 nonrefundable is due to hold your slot, balance to be paid 2 weeks prior to class date.

FAQs

I'm a newbie.  Is this workshop for me?  All we ask is that you have the basic knowledge of how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together.  You must know how these relate.  If you don't know, study the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, and this will help you tremendously.  Then contact us to book a workshop date ;) 

I just launched my photography business, is this workshop for me?  Absolutely. Again, all we ask is that you know how to expose properly (i.e., how shutter, aperture, and ISO relate to each other).

I do not have studio lighting, and I know nothing about studio lighting.  Is this workshop for me?  Absolutely.  This is the perfect way to introduce you to the world of controlled lighting, and help  you become more well-rounded in this industry!

I have been a professional photographer for years, but I am getting frustrated with my studio lighting results, or I am frustrated with all the technicalities with metering, light ratios, etc.  Is this workshop for me?  Yes, absolutely yes!  My first results with studio lighting were so frustrating, and I never thought I would really truly enjoy studio lighting as much as natural lighting.  It took me a long time to realize that it really doesn't have to be as difficult as we make it.  It's about getting out of your box and feeling the light, and not trying to overanalyze it to the point that you lose your creativity.

I see all these workshops being given where there are 20-70 attendees.  Why do you only list under 10 attendees?  I've taught workshops where there are many attendees.  When leaving these workshops, I have felt like something is missing.  I want all of my attendees to leave feeling that they have been able to have all their questions answered, and have gotten enough one-on-one attention.  Because I run a busy enough studio where I don't need to rely on the income of workshops, that has put me in a position to be able to really give my attention to a smaller group, and really get down to business, and not all of the fluff.

Why is there a zipcode restriction?   Just like companies with their "secret sauce", if you are  fishing from the same client pool, there are certain things that cannot be shared.  I am an open book at my workshops, and you can ask me any question, and I would be happy to answer it.  Because of how in-depth we can be at the workshop, giving away certain things in my private studio becomes a bit too personal and can be awkward.   But you are welcome to buy the Studio Lighting Naturally book (here)  to learn my studio lighting secrets to apply to your own work.

What if it is too cost prohibitive for me to come to your workshop?  Please feel free to purchase the book.   While we do get more detailed in the workshop itself, this book covers the "meat" of the workshop.

Does the workshop come with your book?  Yes, the workshop comes with both the Studio Lighting Naturally and the Just Lighting Naturally book that is only available at the workshop itself.

Why do you no longer sell Just Lighting Naturally outside of the workshop?  Natural lighting varies so greatly in your situation, that is better explained more in person than in a book.  The book is a guide, but we have found that it is just better this way.  The diagrams in the Studio Lighting Naturally book as well as the post processing can be applied also to natural lighting, so the studio book contains the most useful information out of the two since natural lighting cannot always be controlled while you are on location - most of the time natural lighting is "the luck of the draw" (i.e., whatever weather the day brings.  Yes, you can still maximize natural lighting by the way in which you position your subject, and the time of day that you shoot, but the fact is, natural lighting is much more variable, and discussions in person tend to yield the best results.

Do we portfolio build at your workshop?  Is there a model shooting time?  This workshop is not a portfolio building workshop.  We concentrate on the meat of how to shoot with a natural looking lighting, and we concentrate on business aspects.  I have been a part of model shoots or portfolio building parts of workshops and I can honestly say, I have yet to see one that is not disorganized and chaotic.  This is not how I run a business.  I want my attendees to leave empowered with the information that I give them, not frustrated from chasing around little models and being paparazzi, elbowing for space.  I do set up the lights and help you to shoot with those lights to get the feel of working with them.

Are travel expenses or meals provided in the workshop tuition?  Travel expenses are not (but they are tax deductible so keep your receipts), snacks, drinks, and lunch are provided during the workshop.

Where do I stay?  Where do I fly in?  BWI is the nearest airport.  If you wish to stay close to the studio (2029 Monkton Road, Monkton MD 21111), we recommend the Embassy Suites in Hunt Valley.

 I already purchased your book and/or actions.  Can I get a discount on the workshop?  I'm sorry, but no, we cannot deduct your purchased items from the workshop tuition.

What exactly am I paying for?  In today's industry, there are a lot of workshops out there.  I hear you on hesitation spending for anything.  If you are new to the industry, please please research when attending any workshop.  This is my disclaimer.  What you are paying for --- You are paying for a small-group of 6 or less, for two days at my studio.  You will be fed and not packed in like sardines.  My studio is not the largest building, that's why we have 6 attendees currently.  I am teaching you exactly what I do when photographing a subject.  I am teaching you how I approach lighting, how I do my lighting, what I use to accomplish my images.  I am teaching you how I use PhotoShop to enhance my images.  I am teaching you what I do as far as pricing and marketing.  I am teaching you how I make my business a success.  I don't sugar-coat.  This industry is not for the weak of heart.  You are in my personal working space,  you are allowed to ask any question, and I will do my best to answer it as openly as honestly as I can.  I do not put up the smoke and mirrors that I have heard people complain about.  I look you in the eye, I give you honesty, and I tend to wear my emotions right on my sleeve, right where you can see them.

 

 

 

 

"I was at your May workshop and I just wanted to tell you thank you so much for your wonderful seminar.  I really felt you gave out such  important information-- not just about how to actually photograph  maternity-babies-kids, but about the photography business in general.  I have implemented many of the ideas that you suggested... I am now as busy as I want to be, my average orders are anywhere from $500 - $1500  and I think I am continuing to improve!  YAY!  THANK YOU !!!  Before my orders were $300 or less..."

~Liz

 

 

".... anyone contemplating the workshop -- GO FOR IT!  Jodie is terrific -- she shares everything with you.  She is no nonsense, no fluff --  just the facts and it is terrific."

~ Jeri
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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