On Workshops, Internships and Exchanges

People ask about classes and internships often.

I usually put the tasks back on them to test their sincere interest and because I have to see where to actually invest my time and if it’s worth it.

Can I internship with you? My answer: Sure.

Let’s see where they take it. I used to have the answers all planned out… exactly what they would be doing and what would be involved.

I tried hard to make it a great exchange of services because most people were poor (photographers spend their money on camera stuff)

So now I just say yes… and see what they do about it. Are they talk… or action? Are they going to make it happen?

It’s easy for me to say “sure” if in the end they don’t hold me to it.

(P.s. I don’t do internships per se as I do exchanges… your time for my time or your money for my time)

Will you teach a workshop? My answer: Sure.

I think the real question is… Are you gonna organize a workshop? To that I answer, not sure. Do you want to organize one for me? (Not the material… I’ve got that covered… but the people and the date)

I don’t have the gusto to get out and organize expensive workshops. (Someone want to get the people I’ll make it free for them) Yeah I’ll get the money but I put in more work than a wedding and still could end up with less money. So why don’t I just stick to weddings? Why train competition when they’ll want to disassociate with me so that they can start their own business.

I mean I LOVE teaching… but I do have other options is what I’m saying. I’ll teach but it takes a lot of effort to get into the “business” of being a workshop guy. And I haven’t committed to that kind of effort.

More about the internship?

Like i said before I prefer an exchange program… you help me I’ll help you.

I’ve tried other systems in the past but it was heavy on me helping them and I never pushed people half enough to help me. (Probably my fault)

I think part of the problem is how we value our time.

This might sound bad or sting a little… But my time is more valuable… let me classify that… In the area of Photography.

Meaning it’s not a one to one exchange I’m not gonna exchange one hour of your help as an aspiring photographer for one hour of my time as someone that is a photographer with lots of experience and a good track record.

If you don’t like the idea of exchanging lots of your time for some of my time then perhaps we can just do money. Or not do anything.

Sounds harsh… well this is actually an appeal to get the help of more people. But the right kind of people.

I can teach you fast… and you could be on your way with tons of my know how.

However, I need to make sure I get my part of the exchange and I’m gonna have to be a bit better at that. (Again, I take responsibility of the past, my fault mostly. Perhaps I was too easygoing on that. Not strict enough. Or the way I organized it had too many loopholes)

Exchange

You come work here at the office doing easily teachable more mundane tasks like Keywording files and Blog Posts and other projects that aren’t so mundane but are still very long.

Then you’ll earn some of my time.

How does that sound?

You can’t have all the teaching without any of the work? That’s not an exchange. You could give me money or heack even lots of food. But most people are doing the photography thing because they don’t have a lot of money (which is in ways kinda funny)

How I do it? And the track record

It’s not an ongoing workshop every single day… it’s not never-ending magical never heard of ideas… it’s not daily double rainbows.

When we’re doing exchange there’s actual work to be done. And the beauty is that within the repetitive work is where they gain their Photographic Muscles.

Together with those muscles there are the Brains… It’s solid principle based photography. Teaching ideas that will give you the keys to make Yourself a better photographer.

My goal is more to give you the tools so you’re not dependent on me.
And yes… I answer all sorts of questions so that you can excel very fast at photography and soon not need me.

I’m very proud of the people I’ve taught… they’ve progressed very fast. They might have done so without me… reading books and spending money on workshops, tons of practice and lots of blog reading and trial and error.
But it is what it is and they’re dang good… and in fractions of time that most people spend.

I’ll respond to your incident based question by giving you the whole big foundation.
So if all you want is a question board find a good photography forum.

I’ll teach you the principles behind that question so you can answer that one and all the surrounding questions.
So think about if what you’re wanting is a question answer forum or an actual teacher.

Certainly I don’t claim they learned everything from me… but it was a start. I’m about foundations.
And you can’t reject the Results.

But yeah… I don’t promise a party every day… unless of course you deserve one. As in you work your A off!

The more zest for photography you have and drive to action… the more I’ll be willing to teach.
Make it happen… push me to find a compelling reason to share it all.

Beginners

Don’t expect me to say beginners need not apply.

Because dangit you are some of the best people to teach ever! Many experienced ones are hard to teach and I could write a post on that.
They’re the ones seaking out magical solutions to answers that just require a good solid foundational answer.

So it’s not so much an issue of experience as it is Passion and Smarts.

A Call to the willing

I don’t know what I’m gonna do when spring summer hits and lots more people find themselves with extra time and a desire. I might be open or very restrictive.

But for now I call out anyone really willing. Like willing to work for it. Who won’t come up with excuses as to why they have no time. Because guess what? It will take time. Maybe a lot.

But come in to the office. I’ll teach you one thing… you do that and earn hours. I’ll return the exchange and we’ll see where we go from there.

I have large projects I need help on Like today.

Time to start speaking with your actions.
Don’t doubt for a moment I won’t back up my action.
I have total faith in my ability to teach and prep greatness.

Getting good at photography takes effort and hours. Lots of both