Workshops

Private Mentoring Sessions

Take your photography skills to the next level with a session that's custom tailored to your needs.

Not a week goes by that I don’t get asked to mentor a fellow photographer!  These are often photographers who are just getting into the business, or have only recently started shooting professionally.  Some are seasoned professionals that have been doing it a long time but were self-taught and never formally studied their art, don’t have a degree in photography, and have some un-answered questions.  Others are wonderful and creative available-light photographers, but  just haven’t fully grasped how to master the technology…whether that means demystifying the dark science of flash, knowing what focus mode to use when, or understanding why your histogram is so important.

The truth is, cameras are built with such advanced features these days that almost anyone can take a nice picture when there’s soft, warm, gorgeous light illuminating the subject.  But a true professional needs to be so in-tune with the capabilities of his/her gear, that they can take a gray, wet, ugly day…and create beautiful images for their client.  The excuse “it’s not my fault you decided to get married in a candle-lit closet on a nasty day” just isn’t an option.  You’re a professional.  Your clients expect you to be able to make great images.  Period.

Each half-day session is custom tailored to your needs.

We will begin by meeting for lunch or coffee so we can get to know each other, talk about what you want out of the session, and discuss the concepts and theories behind the practical applications we’re about to learn.  Following our meeting, we’ll arrive early to the location of our photo shoot.  We’ll do an overview of our equipment, and learn the “How To’s” for accomplishing specific tasks. This might include…how to switch your camera to Back-Button Auto Focus, how to achieve High-Speed flash sync, how to set your on-camera flash to Commander Mode, whatever you have questions with.  We’ll do a short “walk-about” of the area and discuss what I look for when determining what backdrops will make great images.  By now our subject(s) will have arrived.  These will be your friends or family that don’t mind letting us practice on them in exchange for some awesome images.  If you don’t have any friends, one will be provided.  😉  I’ll help you with locations, posing, lighting…working over your shoulder as a safety net…but always letting YOU create the images.  I find the best way to learn is to DO IT!  I will also have my gear available if you’d like to experiment with a certain lens, camera, wireless flash, or piece of equipment on your “wish-list”.  I’ll teach you my tried and true lighting techniques, all kinds of tips and shortcuts to capturing the moment quickly when time is of the essence, and creative ways to achieve dramatic images even under the most adverse conditions.  About a week after the session, once you’ve edited your images, I’ll gladly go over them with you and discuss any follow-up questions you might have.

I’m excited about working with you!  Today is the first step towards a whole new level of possibilities!

HALF-DAY PRIVATE SESSION DETAILS

These sessions are designed to be 1-on-1 for you to reap the most reward.  However, we do allow one (1) additional photographer to join you if you’d like to split the cost.  Please, no more than two photographers per Mentoring Session!

PRICE: $450 per Session

“Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to help Adelle and I learn more about photography. After taking your Lightbending 411 Class (in Greenville), we knew you were the perfect teacher for us. Your patience and knowledge of photography makes you the perfect choice for the Private Mentor Sessions. We hope to team up with you in the future for more photography fun and hanging out. We also enjoyed meeting your lovely wife. We will need to catch dinner next time we are in town."
TAG Photography
“My experience with Chris during our private mentor session in one word….AMAZING! As a photographer myself, off-camera flash/lighting is one area in which I struggle in mastering. Chris is so patient, considerate, and has compassion for the rising photographer and graciously extends his knowledge and expertise in every way possible. I walked away from the session with so much more knowledge than I anticipated I would get. I have already started my planning for another session. I assure you, you will NOT be disappointed in the time you spend and learn from Chris.”
Jennifer Jenison Photography

Photos of Inspiration For Our Session