One year ago, I had a great camera, a good eye and some luck. I could take photos, I understood that I hated to use my flash and I knew that I wanted to be a professional photographer “when I grew up.”
A few years ago, I joined Clickin’ Moms. I found the link on someone’s blog, clicked through and was slightly chagrined to see that it was something I had to pay for, I like free, I like free, a lot. The front page of the site held beautiful photos that I wanted to take someday and I just wanted to get in and scour and see so I could be a great photographer right that very second.
I trusted my instinct and joined. I entered my username and password and literally stepped into this world of photographic information, more information than I could handle. I was nearly overwhelmed. I searched around a bit, my heart raced…I thought “I’m going to come back when I have time, this is incredible.”
I rarely did. (so dumb)
Finally, last Spring, I received an email from Clickin’ Moms about a workshop they were offering called “Rock Your Camera 101.” I called Brian and told him that it costs $300 and he nearly had a heart attack. He couldn’t see why I should pay for a workshop online when I have countless books on photography sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust.
I knew this was the thing I had to do, he knew this was my dream, so finally, we made it work (no, we do not have $300, just lying around anywhere, believe me, I’ve looked.) I started RYC 101 and it was amazing. Within four weeks, I was shooting in manual, a little shaky but with each photo and each lighting situation I became more confident.
(this was one of my first assignments from that class – SOOC.)
Long story short. I have taken 3 workshops and not only can I believe how far I’ve come, my husband can’t believe it. This journey of learning the technical side of photography was not only totally imperative for me to fulfill my dreams of being a professional photographer but made my husband believe in me, which was worth it’s weight in gold. Now? He’s my biggest supporter, my IT director, my business manager, my bookkeeper and my most trusted advisor.
(an assignment from RYC 201, SOOC.)
If you want to learn the fundamentals of photography, join Clickin’ Moms and yes, take the workshops, MYGOD, you’ll never, ever, ever regret it in a million years. (I can not say enough about the instructors and the lesson plans, simply the best.)
If you want to find about props, tips on posing, advice on starting a business, glimpses into the world of editing, getting critiqued, yep, Clickin’ Moms is the way to go.
I wish I had a sure-fire, free, overnight-sensation way for you to become a photographer, but I don’t. I have countless books, I’ve taken multiple classes at a local university (and never learned a dang thing) and I tried doing it by just using “luck” and well, that didn’t work.
But Clickin’ Moms did.
So, there you have it. There’s my secret, I’m sharing it with the world today. I have a 20% coupon code for you, just use “FRIEND” when checking out. (coupon code for new members until January 31st) Also, if you click my links, it’s an affiliate link, so I get credit which I appreciate so much. (the money I make will go towards important things like diapers, laundry detergent and uh…a new laptop in like ten years.) (Regarding affiliate links, if you become a member, you’ll have affiliate links, too.)
Questions? Ask and I’ll answer in the comments!
Beth, your pictures are amazing. I am blown away every time I look at them. I’m not a mom but I will visit Clickin’ Mom for fun, to see what’s going on there. Thank you for sharing your secret !
Your affiliate link isn’t working for me….but thanks for sharing. This is the second or third time I’ve heard of this in a week. I will be checking it out!
Oops, sorry about that! It’s fixed now.
And Terry, you do not have to be a Mom…AT ALL!
Thanks for the info – I just got my very first DSLR and I wanna take pics like you when I grow up!
I am really debating paying the money (I am broke – who isn’t?!?) and I am a bit gun-shy!
Jen, I totally understand being gun-shy (and broke). They offer all sorts of different memberships, including one month, so you can see if it’s something you’d like!
I am *definitely* going to look into it someday… right now, I just have a {broken} P&S Kodak… but once I get myself my Canon 7D, I’ll subscribe!
PS – I LOVE those newborn shots!! Too adorable.
Ok, I think I’ve officially been convinced to join! Not sure I can afford the workshops…but I will save my money. Lord knows I need some help with my Nikon D70s. Is the discount code for joining/membership or for taking a class?
I thought my comment posted, but I guess not. Will try again…
Definitely joining! Not sure I can afford the classes, but I will save my money. Is the discount code for membership? Or for taking a class?…
Thanks. I love love your blog. Your photos are amazing!
Hey, Andrea! The 20% off is for the membership, whichever type you decide to do!
I look forward to seeing you guys in the community!
I’ve looked into CM before, based on your suggestions, and I’m still having issues justifying the money. HOWEVER, being a SAHM I’m trying to find my niche and be able to contribute to the family moneterily. I find that I love my camera, but I have NO CLUE how to use it. I get “lucky” sometimes and that’s primarily with natural light (I took over 300 pics w/no flashyesterday). Like yesterday…with my daughter in the snow. I now have to really talk with my hubby about it, the more I think about it, the more I want to do this professionally. Thank you Beth.
Ok, ok, ok, ok….you said ALL the right things. Got books, have taken classes, tried my luck. I *see* the image in my head, I *feel* what I want to convey, but my techy skills are lacking to get me there.
Thanks for the convincing “push”…I joined today! Super excited! Thanks Beth for your inspiration!
I did it. Finally. I, too, was taken aback at having to pay for it and have been putting it off for awhile. My next question, though, is: Where do I start? What should I look at first?
I’m having such a hard time lately. I’m feeling really impatient with myself and frustrated. I think my pictures are good but I want to be great and I don’t know what my next step is. I don’t feel like I really even know what I need to do to “kick it up a notch.” Did you feel this way with yourself last year?
Hi there,
Your photography is amazing! I was wondering if Clickinmoms was beneficial for those that dont have children (or ready access to them!)?
Beth,
I have been a member of CM for about 8 months now, and I’m dying to take RYC 101. Most of the time it is filled up before they release it to regular members. But the forum on the site has helped me to learn how to shoot in Manual and everyone on the site is so kind and helpful with any questions.
I really need to take RYC 101. I’m just waiting for the next class to start. Thanks for the post about your experience, and the encouragement to take the class. By the way your photos are beautiful!
Have a blessed week!
Rebekah, Yes, yes, yes. Also? I STILL feel that way but at least now I feel better about charging people for my work. I firmly believe that if you’re ever complacent or think that you do not need to improve at all, that you’ve lost your desire for the art. The fact that you feel this way is a good thing!
Rose, Yes, totally for everyone! (there are even Dads on the boards!)
So excited for all of you newcomers. (by the way, I’m bethf on the boards)
I’ve been looking for a local class and I just can’t find one that fits my schedule.
But to be honest, the idea of taking ANY class scares the bejeezus out of me. Opens a whole new can of “What if”s
I’ve looked around but I cannot find a price list for anything, besides membership. Are the prices of the workshops only revealed to members?
Is this only for fancy-camera owners? I have a digital camera that can shoot in manual but it doesn’t have a big lens or anything.
I thought of another question(s).
Let’s say I sign up for one month @ $8, then after the fact I decide “hey this is cool, let’s go ahead and sign up for a year.”
How do I go about canceling the $8/month charge so I can pay the one year fee? I guess what I’m getting at is if you “cancel” the month only to turn around and pay for a year, do you have reset your username and everything, or am I overthinking this? LOL.
My camera is a Canon G10, not a dslr. Will the classes also help me? Thank You Sandra
I am definitely taking their classes. Because if you took them, I’m in. You are who inspired me to start taking pictures in the first place! Oh, and I’m @amelie522 on Instagram and Twitter, just so you know that’s me when you see a comment from that name.
I already told hubby that a membership to Clickin’ Moms was what I wanted for my birthday. Too bad it’s in March (heehee!).
I know you recently upgraded cameras, but what were you using when you joined Clickin’? What about lenses? I’ve got a NikonD40 and just added my first prime lens (Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G AF-S DX) . I want to shoot in natual light as much as possible and would love to hear what direction you went when you first started adding gear to your collection (and maybe add something similar to my bday list!!!). THANKS BETH!!!
I love, love photography and would love to get better at it… So my question is, how much time do you have to put into Clickin’ Moms to get great things out of it? Time is at a premium these days.
A few questions: I’m on CM, have been since May but only really started getting into lately. What is your CM name?
Also, what 3 workshops did you take (RYC 101, and RYC 201, what else?)
Lastly, I think I understand manual very well. I use it 90% of the time. My exposures are good 80% of the time but I feel I lack some knowledge in properly using light to my advantage. I have become a very good guesser at what my settings should be once I decide on at least one in the triangle I can set my other ones easily. If I truly think I have the basics down should I just go onto 201 or should I do 101 as well. My flickr page is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmjphoto/ if you want to see some of my photos.
Thanks so much – love following your blog (your kids are adorable!).
Beth,
Would you recommend CM solely on the community aspect? (IE minus the workshops)
I just joined CM recently and am loving it so far. Glad to hear that it has helped you so much – I’m hoping it will help me grow in my skills as well. Thanks!
My friend is teaching an upcoming workshop at Clickin’ Moms. Michelle Black. She’s my favorite local photographer, and the one I entrusted to take some of my very favorite photos of me, the Munchkin, D and our two boys, back before LB was born. She captured everything perfectly.
Anyway, I’m not quite sure about Clickin’ Moms myself. A) I’m not going to have $300 ever for any kind of class now that I’ve left the newspaper. Also, as I already work in manual 99.9% of the time, I’m not sure I would benefit. That’s why I’ve never purchased an account there.
THAT said, I desperately, desperately, desperately need some motivation and inspiration as I’ve made the decision to leave the newspaper. They sucked every ounce of creativity out of me and I feel like I’m left with nothing for me. I don’t know what to do.
So, I’ll consider joining through your affiliate link. Can you answer a quick question: Are there things other than really pricey workshops that are beneficial to all? And are the forums clique-y? I don’t do clique-y … and forums get that way SO easily.
I’ve heard great things about CM and was pretty turned off about the paying…but honestly it’s not that much money when you think about it. I mean $8/month to try it out? That’s less than a couple cups of coffee at Starbucks. And when you can afford the lifetime membership, it’s really a pretty good bargain.
I have not joined yet but I am going to seriously talk it over with my husband. My photography has really grown in the last few months and I’d like to do even more, but I’m just not sure if I’m ready to devote more time to it. On the other hand, if I’m using my camera anyway, I might as well be doing it right. Right?
Your skills are definitely a great testimony for the company…you just blow me away all the time!
I have a question: Can I HAVE that little baby with the pink hat? Please?
I have a comment: I sooooo wish I lived closer to you to have family pics done, your work is amazing!
Hi everyone,
I am so loving all of your questions, they are such good questions, but I’m so limited on time right now. (newborn session in an hour, client orders, proofing galleries!!!) But I will be back tonight to answer your questions.
here is what I want to say:
I have found that anything that’s free, is worth just that. If you have to pay $10 a month to spend time on a hobby you love or to start on something even bigger than a hobby, well, that’s money well spent. I don’t scrapbook, I don’t knit, I take photos and I want to take GOOD photos.
As far as time, I join in September 2008 and sometimes jumped in everyday and sometimes a month would go by without me logging in. I was okay with that. It’s your plan, your strategy based on your life.
You can only be as good as you are committed. You can’t join CM and expect results if you don’t join in, research, ask questions, etc, all I’m saying with CM is that I have found this amazing resource and IT IS GOOD!
Okay, I’ll be back later with answers to your specific questions.
Thank you so much for posting this.
You give me hope – and ideas.
I’m a long way off, but I have the same dream, and you’re kinda almost making me believe that it could even be goal instead of a dream sometime.
Just wanted to say thanks for posting this.
Goodness! That babe in the hat is just too much. LOVE it.
Hi Beth…I’ve been to CM a few times at your recommendation. I haven’t joined yet but I think I will. I just don’t get the manuel settings even after reading numerous books and websites. I don’t want to be a professional…I just want great pictures of my family!! Thanks!!
Hope she has a wonderful birthday! She is beautiful. She looks older than eight. Eight really does seem like the next stage with kids.. We will be there in just two years.
What photography books do you recommend? I love all your work.
Great post and I love all those shots, especially the newborns. I got to practice on a friend’s 8 day old baby, too fun. I may have to take the plunge into CM. I’m ready for the next level with my photography, but I’m not even sure what that is.
I Haven´t checked your blog for a while, but I´m glad I took some time with it today! Is this the answer I´m looking for? I do NOT seem to quite get all the books and magazines I keep buying. I started little over a year ago, and It seems I´m not getting it but just sorta! This is my PASSION! A dream (in which I don´t dare believe, but whatever). Is this something elese than all the books? Do you think a slow learner would get it? (I have SUCH a hard time understanding exposure.STILL)
Thanks for this post!
take care
/dana ( a photography-own buissnes wannabe)