Miscellaneous

Beginners Photography Workshop

by Rachel Gaetz

Over the past several years, I've had people say to me various times "You should teach a class!" I'd get blush-y and aw-shucks-y. I've always taken this as a very high compliment, but I was unsure. Just because you're someone who can DO doesn't necessarily mean you can teach. But, like shooting more weddings and pursuing boudoir photography this year, I felt like this was yet another dream/goal of mine that I wanted to bring to life instead of make excuses as to why I couldn't or shouldn't do it.

I first put out some feelers to gauge interest in early summer, then announced the event and posted a sign-up. The six spots I had opened easily filled. The class was an awesome mix of friends, former clients, and some brand-new faces. I thought long and hard about what the most valuable things I've learned in the sevenish years I've been doing photography and created a course outline as well as notes for everyone. I put together visuals, and got my friend Alysha to help refine my points as well as come out to assist me and provide another perspective as well as additional advice and knowledge. I feel like our different styles and perspectives complemented each other so well and I couldn't have done it without her!

I felt like the class went smoothly and was fun as well as informative but I was blown away by some of the feedback I received via the survey but also through additional messages.

"Your class was awesome! It was partly just helpful to hear you just have to START! And it will make more sense as you go! You are an inspiration!"

"It was fabulous to finally learn about what ISO, aperture, and shutter priority are, but I didn't expect to learn about composition and get so many tips in regard to it!"

"I enjoyed every minute of the photography workshop today! Thank you for hosting this opportunity. I learned a lot and feel inspired!"

"Ah! The workshop today was so wonderful! Now that it's a few hours behind me and I've been able to sit and digest some of what we learned, I am genuinely SO EXCITED to take out my camera tomorrow (and for many days after that!) to play with it! I had even planned out some fun things to do with my kids this coming week and just went back over my list and thought about all the different ways I would use my camera settings for each various activity! Cannot wait. Thank you again for taking time out of your weekend to teach us!

"Very empowering! You both were helpful and inspiring. I loved hearing your story of how you both got started and your different styles. Thank you for this AMAZING opportunity!"

Now, of course, I've got my head down coming up with material for a follow up class as well as ways to make Photography 101 with Rachel even better. Thank you to all of these creative and motivated ladies for inspiring ME!

I'll continue to post future workshops and signups, so stay tuned!

<3 Rachel

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