It’s that time again! Time for me to help you learn how to be the boss of your camera. If your camera intimidates you or if you aren’t getting the quality of photographs you want, these classes are for you. Advanced classes for deeper camera skills and editing classes offered this month, too!
I’m just sharing this picture of Small Fry blowing the pinwheel she got at the doctor the other day for the fun of it. And because I love this photograph.
Anyway.
Here are the classes, all online that you can take in your jammies from the comfort of your living room, that I’m offering in March:
Point and Shoot
Yes! I am finally offering a class for you gals (And guys! Yes, there are men who take my classes, too! Tell your husband not to be shy.) who don’t have an SLR. Bring your regular or point and shoot camera (fancy or cheap) and learn how to use it to take better photographs. Yes, even without a huge camera, you can learn to be happier with your photographs.
In this class, we will cover the basics of how to adjust the settings your point and shoot does have. Also, since there is more to photography than just the camera, we’ll cover photography tricks that will work no matter what you shoot with. Work with your lighting, learn how and where to take portraits, improve your photograph composition skills and get help capturing clearer, more pleasing images.
Even if all you know how to do is turn your camera on and push the button, this class is still for you!
SLR Camera Basics
Through showing, explaining and giving you hands-on tasks to help you learn, I will walk you step by step through some of the basics of your SLR camera. An SLR camera is the kind with the big, removable lens on the front. Learn what ISO is and how to adjust yours, practice changing your shutter speed and learn why you need to understand aperture in order to get better photographs. Stop shooting in automatic mode, and get your camera to work to its fullest potential! This is a class for true beginners!
SLR Camera Advanced
Already know how to shoot in Manual mode a little but need some work getting even better? This class is for you! Bring your Nikon or Canon SLR and a cup of coffee. Each class will be tailored to meet the needs and desires of the people who have signed up. Come to class with questions! At the very least, we will cover light metering, fill light, white balance, setting and using focus points, RAW vs. JPG, continuous shooting, dramatic shutter speeds and more. This class is the follow-up class to the Camera Basics class, so if you’ve taken that one from me, you’re ready for this one!
Lightroom Basics
Lightroom is my favorite editing software! Learn from me what is so amazing about it. You don’t even need to have Lightroom on your computer to take this class. Seriously. But afterwords, you’re probably going to want to get it! We will cover importing photographs, editing multiple photographs at once and how to adjust each setting in the program (and what each setting does!). I’ll walk you through how I edit my photographs step by step. By the time you’re done, you’ll be able to work on making your photographs better than they’ve ever been.
Lightroom Plus
In this class, which is for people who have already taken my Lightroom Basics class or already have a pretty good working knowledge of the software, we will dig deeper. More advanced editing techniques will be covered.
Also, as a bonus, I’ll give each person who attends this class my five favorite Lightroom presets. These are the presets I have created myself and use on the photographs on my blog every day.
Photoshop for Portraits
Whether you have Photoshop Elements or full Photoshop or maybe have just downloaded the free trial, this editing class is for you. I will teach you how to use Photoshop to edit your photographs of people.
Smooth out skin, alter the background, create unique effects, boost the clarity, improve the color and lighting and all around learn to improve your portraits in this class.
Photoshop for Design
Are you interested in using your photographs in other projects? Come to this class with some of your favorite pictures and whatever version of Photoshop you have. I will give you all the tools you’ll need to make blog header layouts, add text to your images, make birthday invitations or baby announcements, make storyboards and photo layouts and any other design skills you want to learn!
General Class Info
All classes are $45 for a two hour interactive class. You will be able to see and hear me live on your computer. A webcam and microphone on your computer are helpful, but not necessary. If you have them, we will be able to see and hear you. If not, we won’t. Even if your computer doesn’t have a microphone, you can still call in on your telephone so we can hear you if you want. The schedule for the classes is as follows:
Thursday, March 8, 11:30 am Central, Point and Shoot
Saturday, March 10, 10:00 am Central, SLR Camera Basics
Monday, March 12, 9:00 pm Central, Point and Shoot
Wednesday, March 14, 9:00 am Central, SLR Camera Basics
Saturday, March 17, 3:00 pm Central, Point and Shoot
Tuesday, March 20, 8:30 pm Central, Point and Shoot
Thursday, March 22, 9:00 am Central, Lightroom Basics
Saturday, March 24, 9:00 pm Central, SLR Camera Advanced
Tuesday, March 27, 9:00 am Central, Lightroom Plus
Monday, March 26, 8:00 pm Central, Photoshop Portraits
Thursday, March 29, 8:30 pm Central, Photoshop Design
Saturday, March 31, 10:00 am Central, Point and Shoot
Class sizes are limited to 5-8 people per class and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Just email me at contact.mckmama (at) gmail.com to sign up for one of the classes or request more information!
I know that you are on the road now but am interested in your next batch of online photography lessons. Great hours for us Moms! Love your work.
My 8 yr old (with Autism) looked at this picture and said “I need that pinwheel!” then went and got his and was trying to blow it too. He’s obsessed with pinwheels. I imagine we’ll be looking at this picture a lot for awhile!
Man, I really want to take the lightroom plus class but that day doesn’t work for me. Shoot. I’ll have to catch the next round of classes!
You know what I like best about this photo? It is “undated.” In other words, this could be a little girl from the 30′s, 40′s, 50′s, etc. Love it.
I would like to take one of your basic camera classes eventually, but I do not even have a camera. I had a Kodac Easy Share, but it took a crap on me. I am now looking into getting a much better camera. I was wondering if you could give me some recommendations. Something in the $300-500 price range. Nikon or Cannon preferred, but willing to look into other brands. Thanks. You can email me privately at teacheroftwos (at) yahoo.com
This is crazy, and hopefully not too strange, BUT…I saw that dress in the MB catalogue and immediately thought, “that looks like something Small Fry would wear!!”
Hey! Just wanted to ask if there was a timeline for email replies. (Not like you are at ALL busy!
)
I am Super intrested in the advanced camera class and want to know where I want to send my moolah!
Can’t wait!
I’m glad you’re excited!!! You should (fingers crossed) be hearing back by tonight!
Mckmama……I emailed you about a point/shoot class…..how to pay and such. Just touching base……
Yes, yes, we got a zillion emails…you should get a response tonight!!
She is too cute.
I have to laugh, when I got to the comments portion Barbie is all over the background ad along with her wake board and dolphin friend.
I liked the mermaid background!
I’m probably not going to take a class (mainly because I’m still angling for a SLR…) but I wanted to say that your photography skills and your attitude about them have forced me out of my turn-it-on-and-pray mentality and I now fiddle with the buttons and the lighting and all of that jazz. I was THRILLED with 75% of the photos I took on our most recent trip to Disney World. The rest, well, I think even a pro has a hard time taking a picture when a two-year-old is smacking her arm…
I like the idea of offering a DVD of some kind for the same price (or thereabouts). That was a great suggestion!
I meant shoot LOL
Dang, all the Point and Shot class times don’t work out for me this time, but count me in for one during the week in the morning the next time!
mermaid background!
And I would love to take a class but I don’t have a webcam or microphone… I’m worried I wouldn’t be able to get a whole lot out of it?
just a side not…. i think that its time for another updated sidebar with the MSC’s photos
also, can you tell us what happened to the farm animals including the kitties!
in the last chat she had she said that she has all the cats and Roobii. before their moving day she said on FB that they sold the goats. i don’t think she specifically said, but i would assume the chickens and guineas were also sold.
Yes. What she said. The chickens went to one of the same families that took one of our goats.
Yes! I thought you mentioned something about the goats at a friend’s farm, but I can’t quite remember….
From what she’s said in past posts I believe they still have the kitties. She said the goats and chickens were given to friends. I don’t remember reading anything about Roobi.
I would LOVE to take a class but am at a cheerleading competition on the 10th and at work on the next date. UGH! Would you ever consider video taping yourself and sending a DVD for the same price?? I would love the basic SLR class…I have a SLR camera and NOT A CLUE how to use it. I would willingly pay the 45 dollars for the DVD.
Not so sure about the Merlea background on your blog!
Totally made me giggle!!! Keep on doing what you do… we continue to pray for your family here in NY.
And now it’s gone… oh well… I’m pretty sure I haven’t lost my mind quite yet!
no it was there! I saw it!
way to go girl! what a great adventure…you will teach all those photography beginners (and pros) how to take great pictures i know
Jennifer…I am so proud of you! You are doing all you can to work hard to take care of your family!
I would like to share this story that my Mother told me.
When my grandmother was 14 years old her father died suddenly. She was the oldest of 7 children and her mother was pregnant. The total was 6 boys and 2 girls. My grandmother had to quit school so that her mother could go to work and support the family. Her Mother was employed in a mill. My grandmother was left to care for the children and from the stories the boys really gave her a hard time.
Each day the children watched to see what would happen when their Mother arrived home. If she went straight to her room they all knew it meant there was no food for dinner. One day my grandmother realized that her Mother was on her knees by the bed praying and so it was that on those days …there almost always came a knock at the door …someone coming to drop off food for the large family.
Those children learned so much from the lesson that their Mother taught them. She did what she had to do to support them (like you have done…sending kids to school and working)….but she also openly let the children know that they all had to depend on God for their needs (just as you are doing).
Years from now…your great grand daughter may be telling this story about YOU!
Blessings as you continue to do what you need to do to care for your MSC.
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Beautiful life lesson, mommie24!
What a great story. My grandmother went through something very similar, she was the oldest of 11.
I desperately need the SLR basics class but can’t do mornings. If you do them against next month, I would definitely do one in the evening (8 or later).
Me too!
Me three:)
Me four!