Take a Photography Workshop & learn How to be a Photographer

I have good news and a frustrating apology! First, the apology… This month, I learned that sometime in the past year, my Contact Me page stopped working. It seems to have been a perfect storm of GoDaddy changing email servers and software, plus the plugin I use for the Contact Me page. I was still getting emails but not if they were sent through the Contact Me page. I am so sorry! If you know of anyone who used the form to reach me and never heard back, please tell them to reach out again! We’ve changed the plugin and worked with GoDaddy to change some code at their end.

Now, for the good news! I am so happy to report that I’m offering workshops again! After four long months, the carpeting ruined by the water main break this spring is replaced! It’s time to fill that room with happy photographers!

I’ll be helping people unravel the mystery of their DSLRs or mirrorless cameras with my Camera Mechanics Workshop, on Saturday, July 20th, in Williamsburg, VA. That’s just a month away, so be sure to sign up soon! You can read more details about it below. If you’d like to join the class, click on the Contact Me link and let me know if you’d like to pay the $100 deposit by check or PayPal. (The total cost is $175.) I’ll get right back to you with more details.  

Are you interested in learning more about Lightroom, the Adobe software for organizing and processing your photos? My next workshop will take place on Saturday, October 19th, in Williamsburg, VA. You can read more details about these workshops below. If you’d like to join either class, click on the Contact Me link and let me know if you’d like to pay the $100 deposit by check or PayPal. (The total cost is $175.) I’ll get right back to you with more details. 

If these dates won’t work out for you, but you’re interested in future dates, let me know that, too. I’ll add you to my mailing list, so you’re the first to know when I announce future workshop dates. Also, if you’d just like to receive my (occasional) newsletter, you can let me know the same way!

Finally, I hope you’ll find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc!

Caroline

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CAMERA MECHANICS

Do you own a DSLR or mirrorless camera and wish you could figure out the buttons and menu settings and get out of AUTO mode? This is the workshop to take! In this one-day, very hands-on class, you’ll go from beginner to advanced and have a lot of fun doing it. In the end, you’ll be able to shoot in Program, Aperture, Shutter and Manual and know why to chose each one. These are the four modes that professional photographers use. You’ll receive a workbook that you fill out during the workshop, which will become your custom camera manual.

For this workshop, you’ll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Those are the types of digital cameras that have interchangeable lenses. (Some mirrorless cameras only have one lens…) If you don’t own a DSLR yet, click here for a  reasonably priced Canon DSLR to learn on. If you’d like a more up-to-date version, that does cost more, click here. And, finally, if you would rather something smaller and lighter, Canon has a new mirrorless camera you can check out here. Either way, be sure to add a memory card. I recommend SanDisk memory cards. Many of these links are affiliate links. Clicking on them won’t cost you more… and I get credit with Adorama. A win-win for all of us! Thank you!!!

I do teach private lessons, but much prefer to teach small groups. People seem to learn better in the group! I also charge more for private lessons…

LIGHTROOM CLASSIC (yes, Adobe has changed the name of this wonderful software yet again!)

You have a choice. If you take the workshop in February, it will run two half-days (9-1). Otherwise, this is one-day workshop (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.). The focus is on the Library Module and the Develop Module of Lightroom Classic. You’ll learn how to set up your catalog and automate your import. Then, we learn processing, the way to make your photos stand out. You’ll learn how to create your own Processing Presets! And we’ll set up some Export Presets, to make it easier to print, share or save your photos.

You’ll need a laptop (or strong arms to carry your computer…) and an installed copy of Lightroom Classicor Lightroom 6. I also recommend that you bring an external hard drive to set up your photo backup within Lightroom.  If you own a Mac, I’ll teach you how to format this disk for Macs. It literally takes a couple of minutes, max! Just don’t use it before the class. If you click on the link for Lightroom Classic to buy it, the least expensive option is the Photography Plan (20 GB) on the left side. It’s $9.99 a month. Be sure you choose the plan that includes Lightroom Classic! The next paragraph will explain the difference.

But wait… isn’t there a third version of Lightroom now??? Yes, it’s called (just plain) Lightroom and is a web-based app that features some of the editing that the Classic version offers. It does not have the organizational features that I teach in the workshop. You can learn more about the different subscription options here. You can try out Lightroom for free by downloading the iPhone version of the app from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

What’s the difference between the two Lightrooms that I include in my workshop? The Lightroom Classic version is a monthly subscription and Lightroom 6 is a one-time purchase. Adobe will be updating the Classic version with new features. With Lightroom 6, you are buying a version that will be no longer be updated. If you think that you might want to try Photoshop, then the Classic version if the one for you! It also comes with many mobile apps that will coordinate with your Lightroom Catalog! Otherwise, Lightroom 6 will be fine. Be sure to download the correct version of Lightroom 6 for your computer. Please note: I will be teaching from Lightroom Classic, so you will not have all the features if you are using Lightroom 6. If it were I… I’d go with Lightroom Classic.

Finally, I recommend that you buy Scott Kelby’s book, How Do I Do That In Lightroom?: The Quickest Ways to Do the Things You Want to Do, Right Now! This is a great, short book, with each page devoted to one just one question. Scott Kelby’s other book about Lightroom,  The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC Book for Digital Photographers, is also good, but much more detailed.

Lightroom Classic can be used by all photographers, on both Macs and PCs. If you want to shoot your photos in RAW format (It’s what I use and recommend.), you have to use software to process your photos to create the JPGs that you can print or share on social media. Lightroom Classic is the gold standard of processing software. What if you’re happy shooting JPGs right in your camera? You also can use Lightroom Classic to organize your files and enhance your photos! Lightroom Classic can also process iPhone photos and old pictures that you’ve scanned!

ADVANCED CAMERA MECHANICS (These classes are available only to students who have completed Camera Mechanics.)

These one-day or partial-day workshops will be offered to people who have taken Camera Mechanics and want to have fun perfecting their skills. The times and prices vary with the workshop.

I’ll be contacting former students soon. You may take them in any order.

Coming Soon…  PHOTOSHOP FOR LIGHTROOM USERS. I’m busy developing a workshop for people who have taken the Lightroom Workshop. If you use the CC version of Lightroom, you also have Photoshop! Why not learn how to use it? I hope to have the workshop written in time to be offered later this fall. When it’s ready, I’ll be contacting the graduates of my Lightroom Workshop.

 

Curious? Here’s what some of my students have said about the workshops:

 

 

I so enjoyed the camera class the first of the year.  I think of your class often, as I take lots of photographs.  The information you taught has been invaluable.  
Mary Maney

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this class and learned everything I need to know to get started with my new Nikon 3400.  Caroline shines as an instructor by using excellent teaching techniques that make understanding everything from focal point to depth of field easy to understand. She freely shares her talents and experiences while making sure each participant understands how to use their specific camera. I now have the confidence to bring my camera with me each day as I venture out. Well done.
Mary C Rogers

 

Thank you for generously offering such an engaging and productive workshop. Your love of photography, knowledge of the camera and enthusiasm for teaching are so evident and helped this non-geek have a great time learning camera mechanics. 
Sally Fisk

 

Many thanks to you for teaching me that my camera has more than just an “auto” setting! What you taught us in such a short time was definitely worth the price of admission!  
Eric Ward

 

Love your classes! I took photos last night of the super moon and they turned out great.  Not just a white ball in the sky. I also attempted my first time lapse photography shoot on a sunset last night.   Both of these have to be done in manual mode.  Could never have done these without your class.
Elaine Rountree

 

FINALLY…..I had a good “practice” session at my FAVORITE park. Just wanted to share. I used your ‘back door’ solution to get my shutter speed and ISO “in line” for a few good shots. One happy camper over here!
Heidi Traynor

 

Your Camera Mechanics workshop was excellent!  I have had other photography classes but none concentrated on how my particular camera settings work.  This is a great “hands-on” workshop.   Now I am able to utilize many more of the capabilities of my Canon Rebel T1i.  Your creative and inspiring method of teaching is just the ticket for taking great shots.  More workshops, please!  I give your workshop Five Stars!!!
Janet C. Taylor

 

Caroline Maryan’s camera class was fantastic.  She’s a super-enthused teacher who really knows her cameras and photography.  In our class I learned absolutely everything that my camera can do—even a low-end digital SLR.  You don’t need a jillion dollar camera to start learning all its ins-and-outs with Caroline.  I was more than fully satisfied with my experience.
Don Shepler

I wanted to pass on my most sincere thanks. Not only have I learned a huge amount, I have enjoyed every class with you. You are so willing to share all your knowledge and experiences and I feel we have all benefitted so greatly from this. Perhaps most importantly, I have learned to look around me with a much more observant eye, and feel I have started my journey to feel like a photographer, instead of just feeling lucky when I get a good shot.
Kerrie Matthee

 

I can’t thank you enough for your kindness and fantastic teaching ability! I imagine to you it feels like you’re sharing something you are so passionate about. But, at least for me, you’re helping me to find myself in a life totally focused on my kids. You really have made a difference in my life and I think in so many others’ lives as well.
Jennifer Gordon

Lightroom has been a bit of a revelation for me, and I NEVER would have had the confidence to download it and start playing with it without your encouragement and guidance (actually, I never even would have known it existed without you!).   The class has also given me the confidence (and links to web training!) to seriously start thinking about the next steps (ie Photoshop, or maybe Illustrator – I haven’t decide yet! But either way, I think with the knowledge and resources you’ve given me I feel sure that whatever I choose I’ll be able to work my way through it – so again, thank you!).
Emily Orpin

 

I truly enjoyed our time together today and as in our last class, I felt just one session was worth the entire payment!  You offer a great learning experience, with effective, gentle guidance.  I can’t wait until our next class!
Willie Berwick

 

It really helped me understand the basics of my camera and actually dare to take photos without permanently using the auto button and wondering what the heck all other buttons mean! You have a great way of explaining things to absolute photographic beginners in such a way that one can quickly grasp the gist and actually see results. And its always fun!!! As I mentioned this morning, my husband actually praised my photography last week and admired the progress I made, something that has never happened!!
Monika Liebig

 

I have been meaning to write and say how enjoyable your class was, and that I got a GREAT deal out of it – the camera is much less intimidating to me now, and I am feeling confident that we’ll get some great photos in Kenya, so thank you for your expert help!
Elizabeth

 

 And some photos, too…

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