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!
