Photo Class & Photography Team Details
Welcome! This page outlines the overall details applicable to Photo Classes and Photography Teams at most any convention. However, specific details often change, and details outlined on the convention's website always takes precedence over the details you will find here.
Tuition
- Each convention sets their own price for the Photo Class and Photography Team. They will vary from location to location.
- Photo Class tuition includes 4 interactive classroom sessions.
- Photography Team tuition includes everything in the Photo Class plus 5 additional guided photo shoots and event-photography-specific coaching sessions. Some Photography Teams may not run in conjunction with a Photo Class, so will generally instead be organized into 3 classroom sessions, 3 guided photo shoots, and 3 coaching sessions.
- Tuition does NOT include general event registration, meals, housing, or transportation.
Experience Levels
A Photo Class is structured to help photographers of any experience level with any camera learn how to be more artistic, more organized, and more aware of their surroundings so they are able to make the most of whatever equipment they have to take better photos.
A Photography Team is specifically designed to train photographers to go beyond the basics of photography and develop specific skills in event photography. Team members will be using the convention to learn how to effectively capture the moment, create consistently bright and sharp images in difficult lighting situations, and expedite the post-processing workflow for meeting time-sensitive deadlines. To be on the Photography Team, members must meet all requirements (see below) and are expected to already have a working knowledge of their photography equipment.
Prerequisites
Photo Class
- There are usually no prerequisites for the Photo Class. Check the convention website. It will be more interactive if you bring a camera.
Photography Team:
- Ages 15 and up
- Available to attend every day of the convention
- Completion of the Foundations of Photography Course. Completion of this Lenspiration course ensures that everyone on the Photography Team is up to speed and ready to learn the more advanced topics discussed on-location without having to cover the basics. The course usually takes over a month to complete, so it is best to start right away and before you register for the Photography Team. Access to the course requires a Lenspiration Membership, but we do offer a free trial if you're on the fence about joining the membership.
- See required items below
What to Bring
Photo Class
- A digital camera! Mobile device cameras, point & shoots, bridge cameras, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras are welcome.
- Any photography accessories you have that you may not know how to use.
Photography Team
- Required: DSLR or mirrorless camera. If you're not sure that what you have is one of these, sign up for the Photo Class instead! No film, mobile device cameras, point & shoots, or bridge cameras accepted.
- Required: A laptop computer (or tablet/iPad). Mac or PC is fine.
- Required: Pre-installed photo editing software. You are free to use whatever software you are already familiar with using, but Adobe Lightroom is recommended and will be the platform from which post-processing training will be presented. The Photography Team Preparation Page (if you need the password, feel free to contact me) provides a link to a 7-day free trial to Adobe's Photography Plan. Just make sure not to download it so early that the trial expires before the Photography Team ends (unless you plan to pay for it). Access to the Internet may be limited during the Photography Team, so be sure to have software downloaded and installed before you arrive. You can cancel your subscription to Adobe after the workshop, and apply the processes you learned with Lightroom to a more cost-efficient software of your choice afterward.
- Lens(es). Bring what you have and we'll learn which ones are best for event photography.
- Camera accessories required for running your camera like memory cards, batteries, battery charger, bag, etc.
- If you have an external speedlite, bring it even if you don't know how to use it!
- There's no need to bring a tripod.
- Comfy shoes.
Camera Rental
Lenspiration has equipment available that you can rent on a first come, first served basis. Let us know what you need via a request through the Contact page as soon as possible after you have registered for the convention. Payment due on-location at the first session. Only cash is accepted.
Dress Code
The dress code is directed by the policies of the particular event that the Photo Class or Photography Team is being held. Modest, business-casual attire is always in style. For the Photography Team, bring comfortable shoes as shooting an event always requires a lot of walking. Please visit the convention's website for specific information on their dress code.
When You Arrive
When you arrive, make sure you are registered for the convention first.
The time and location for the Photo Class should be printed in the convention program. If not, check the convention's website or ask at convention registration.
The Photography Team is different. First session is at the Lenspiration booth in the Exhibit Hall when it opens on the first day. This information should be on the convention's website, or at convention registration.
Schedule
Photo Class: see the convention schedule on the convention's website.
Photography Team: a printed schedule will usually be available upon arrival at the Lenspiration booth. A schedule may also be available on the convention website showing exactly when the Photography Team will be meeting or on photo shoots.
Family Involvement
Parent/guardians are more than welcome to listen in on training times and take part in the activities associated with the Photo Class and Photography Team! However, be reminded that the attention and focus of the instructors will be on those who have paid to be on the team.
Q&A
Q. How do I know if I'm at the right skill level to join the Photography Team?
A. Consider the prerequisites. Are you 15 years old or older? Do you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera that you can bring? Will you be able to bring a laptop with pre-installed photo editing software? Have you completed the Foundations of Photography Course? Most folks who have completed Foundations of Photography up to speed and ready to be on the Photography Team. Access to the course requires a Lenspiration Membership, but you can try our free trial if you're on the fence about joining the membership.
Q. How do I prepare for the Photography Team?
A. After registering for the Photography Team through the convention, Lenspiration will send you a checklist of things for you to do before you arrive. If you are currently signed up for a Photography Team, you can begin preparing at Lenspiration's Photography Team Preparation page using the password provided in the email you received from Lenspiration. From a broader perspective, do everything you can to become familiar with basic photography stuff through your own personal, self-motivated study, research and practice. We suggest finding a photographer whose work you want to emulate and follow them virtually on their blog or through courses they offer or recommend.
Q. What skills do I need to join a Photography Team?
A. Once you complete the Foundations of Photography Course you will have the knowledge needed to join a Photography Team. In general, you should have a basic understanding of your camera, how to shoot in manual, a desire to want to learn event photography, and . . . it doesn't hurt to have some people skills and patience.
Q. Will students be accompanied by an adult at all times during a Photography Team?
A. No. Though at most events there will be an adult at the Lenspiration booth at all times, adult supervision is not always possible while students are on guided photo shoots or fulfilling assignments.
Q. Are any meals provided?
A. No. The Photography Team will break during meal times.
Q. Can I participate in other activities along with the Photography Team?
A. The Photo Class is 2 sessions per day for 2 days, leaving plenty of time for other convention activities. The Photography Team on the other hand is quite a bit more involved. Most folks who have chosen to participate in other involved activities while doing the Photography Team at the same time have said they would probably not choose to do so next time around.
Q. What if I can’t make it to all the Photo Class and Photography Team meetings?
A. The Photo Class sessions do not necessarily build on themselves, so it is not necessary to attend all sessions. The Photography Team on the other hand does build on itself more. Some aspects are more important than others, though, so a student can choose which aspects he does or does not want to attend if needed.
Q. May I just sit in on instruction and not participate in interactive aspects?
A. Anyone who has paid the tuition is free to participate in whatever way they would like, whether it’s joining in interactive aspects or not. However, keep in mind that much of the learning is in practicing and experience.
Q. What if more than one person in my family wants to attend but we only have one camera?
A. Equipment can be shared during the Photo Class. However, on the Photography Team, each student must have their own camera and laptop.
Q. How will my pictures be used?
A. By registering for the Photo Class or Photography Team, you grant Lenspiration and the convention the perpetual right to use, print, and publish for any purpose all images you submit on the Photo Class or Photography Team.
Q. May I keep the pictures I take?
A. Yes. As the photographer, you retain the copyright to all photos you take during the Photo Class or Photography Team, but like everyone else, you are under obligation to abide by commercial use publishing laws. To be safe, you will want to get written permission from all recognizable individuals and owners of recognizable property in a photo to use that photo beyond personal or artistic use.
More Questions?
If you have not been able to find the information you need here or on a convention website, please feel free to send questions to Lenspiration via the Contact Page.
It was such a great privilege to work along side with you.
Thanks so much for all that you did at the ACTION photography classes in Big Sandy! I learned so many things, but here are a few.
First, I learned and became more familiar with the settings on my camera. I can now shoot in AV mode with confidence in knowing that I have more control of how my pictures will turn out.
Second, is lighting. I knew that some lighting was bad and some good, but not how to adjust my settings to deal with the different light situations. What a difference lighting makes! 🙂
And third, all the editing tips and tricks! I had hardly any clue on how to edit a photo to make it not just great, but excellent! Zyrak was really helpful in that area!
I really liked the group setting and being able to team up with others to get pictures in one area of the conference. I really loved the whole thing! It was all awesome!
Very nice pictures from the Family Conference. Sorry we could not be there. GOOD JOB!
My 14 year old is so excited she’s getting to do this! Thank you so much for letting her in. We really appreciate it!!
Thank you so much for your godly example and sharing your passion for photography with us! I would definitely attend again! I really like your method and how you compare our Christian life to the camera.
Thank you very much for teaching this class! I liked the friendly atmosphere, the hands-on experience and the useful tips.
What I liked about ACTION was the easy-going atmosphere, helpful advice, and great people to work with. I think it was helpful for getting into different lighting/environmental situations that forced me to experiment and familiarize myself better with photography settings.
I appreciate all the hard work that goes on to make this happen. Thank you!
The instructors were very helpful in the classroom, and the Level 2 students were always willing to explain settings, etc. outside the classroom. There is so much more out there to learn about photography than one could imagine, and the ACTION team definitely helped me see everything out there. This was a wonderful experience! Thank you to all the instructors!
I appreciate your reminder to think of what God thinks of my pictures, to get His approval and perspective. Thank you so much for giving so much time and energy this week to teach us!
I think the biggest thing I walked away with is the feel of shooting an event. I can read blogs, I can watch videos, but neither could replace the experience of being there for myself and getting in on the action. More was covered than I came to the team expecting, and the lessons that Jessi and Mary taught added another level of learning to the Beyond Beginner training.
The one thing I didn’t like about ACTION was that it was over so fast! I felt like we had only been there for half the time we really were, but I suppose that comes with the pace we were keeping.
I so enjoyed getting to meet others with a shared interest and getting some hands on training and advice from those beyond my skill level. Yet the way they shared tips and ideas never made me feel put off or like they wanted to roll their eyes at my often simple mistakes.
ACTION provided me with some much needed experience and a way to get my feet wet working to cover an event without the pressures that would come with trying to do so on my own.
HEAV was a blast! Of all the years my family and I have been going, I don’t think it’s ever whizzed by so fast. The soreness seems to have worn off, next time I’ll be better prepared. And even with all the assignments and editing and such I was still able to meet up with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. Someday, maybe I can push myself a bit farther as far as getting the best shot goes. Maybe… We shall see. 🙂
Thank you so much for your advice, insight, & encouragement in both photography & life & our spiritual walks. God bless your work & ministry!
Thank you so much for everything! I really appreciate all that you have taught me and your enthusiastic and encouraging attitude through all of it. I have definitely gained a new perspective! Thank you!
I enjoyed the personal one-on-one training and helping each person with what they were struggling with. I liked all of it! You did a great job and covered everything I was expecting plus more. You are a great teacher! I also liked how it was 2 levels this year!
The spiritual advice and analogies are wonderful and can’t be found at most other photography classes so thank you so much!
Before ACTION, I knew essentially nothing about my camera. In just three short days with ACTION, I learned about aperture, ISO, shutter speed, drive mode, focus, white balance, so much more, and how to manipulate these settings to produce a great picture.
I loved James and his patient, kind teachings, sacrificing himself and his time to make sure we understood a concept or tool on our camera. I would attend again to solidify what I’ve learned and get more hands-on experience opportunity.
I would recommend it because of James’ teaching skills, for a nice, small classroom experience, and for any level of photographer.
It’s a great learning environment and a crash course in event photo editing. Good environment for gaining experience.
I think this was a great experience! You actually covered more than I thought. The picture taking and editing was lots of fun!
This was fun. Good practice every day.
I learned more this week than in reading photography books and watching tutorial videos. I liked the hands-on activities! It was a great class were everything was presented exceptionally well. Yes, I would attend again!!!
I honestly didn’t know anything about photography before I came here. The first day I didn’t know what camera I was using. I feel like now I’ve learned enough to take the pictures the way I’d like and keep learning. I like the way it was taught….very personal, one on one if needed… We shot a lot of examples and went over pictures WE took. I just want to say Thank You!
The schedule could have been a little better, but thank you so much! I learned a lot in your workshops!
I learned a lot about adjusting my ISO to help take better low light pictures. I also learned a lot about shooting and editing in RAW, which was very helpful. I liked it’s hands-on kind of teaching that enabled me to learn by doing. It was really great!
I really appreciated opening with prayer and the Word of God. I think my favorite part was learning how to shoot in different lightings. There could be room for improvement I think, but it was very fun and I really enjoyed the fellowship with the students and guidance from our teachers.
I wish we could have experimented more with flash, but I loved the relaxed feel and I enjoyed having assignments and being able to take as many or as little as I wanted or needed to do. This was a great “boot camp” for photography. I thought I was a beginner, but I wanted the experience of editing for the photography that I do at home. This course has very adaptable for any student, capability or personality.
Thanks for making your extra lenses available for use!
I liked the community, meeting other photographers, the fast paced learning, and the days full of photography. I was thinking James would be around a little more, but it worked fine. It was fine, but there could have perhaps been a little more better scheduling of who should go where when.
I had an amazing time and learned a lot about photography. Thank you so much for teaching us. I want to explore photography more.
Thank you for teaching me how to edit pictures! I really appreciate the effort you put into this class and teaching us.
It was a great opportunity to keep learning and to be challenged and stretched. Critique was great! I am more familiar with Lightroom, how to get a blurred background, how to use my manual settings and how they work together.
Thank you for coming to Sacramento! I have learned a lot about photography this past week; how to shoot in various modes and settings, how to process photos, etc… However, the most important thing I’ve learned through this workshop is to point others to the truth, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for coming, not just to teach photography, but to glorify God in all.
What a practical and beneficial class! “Thank you” doesn’t say enough for ALL the time and energy you have invested. I am glad to take home ways to display excellence in my photos.
I now know how to take better pictures in horrible lighting. It was all so good.
Thank you for spending the time to teach us. I also really liked the devotions in the mornings.
Zyrek Rules!!!!
It was a Christ-centered environment and encouraging. It felt like family. I learned how to get people to pose but mostly had the experience of shooting my first event ever. Thanks to Lenspiration for making this happen! I will be back next year!! Such a blessing!!
It was fun and enjoyable, I learned a lot, but I won’t be attending again, most likely because, I am graduating year 2018.
There was more to learn than I thought. I am a hands-on person; it would have been (honestly) better for me personally to–rather than listen to talking lessons–have someone explain how to do editing and such while I do it mostly on my own. I usually have to walk through something this complicated several times before I have it down. But thank you for doing the event! I liked shooting and hanging out a lot. I mostly shoot landscapes, telephoto close-ups of flowers, leaves, etc., so this was a good bit of new experience!
Before this event, I didn’t have a lot of experience with editing, so learning all the technical terms and how to change certain things was very beneficial. I liked the critique period, so we could hear from a professional’s point of view the good and the bad elements of our photos. I would have liked more instruction on where to go and what to shoot. Maybe make it more like a scavenger hunt. One of my favorite parts was walking around as a group with James and him giving each of us tips on what to shoot and how to better improve the composition. I love hands-on learning!
I learned so much, and I made friends as well. The one thing which could be improved is maybe trying to not run over on time?
The Photography Team was really fun and gave me something to do instead of going to lectures all day. It covered a lot more than I expected, and I hope you come back next year!
It was great to work with a team. We got to use/try equipment we couldn’t afford yet.
Cameras are complicated, but the learning process was simple. I would attend again because I know how to use the camera now and what to take pictures of. The next time I would like to work on honing my skills and take advantage of critique to continue building on what I know. I would recommend adding a “heads-up” reminder that most of your pictures will need to be taken at the beginning because you will be diving into editing later so there won’t be much time left.
I loved getting to work with everyone on the team. I enjoyed the photo critique and all the tips I learned to improve my photography. I loved have a Christ-centered view of photography woven throughout all the lessons. I loved the whole thing and I can’t think of anything I would change about it.
I enjoyed helping to shoot the convention. It would have been nice to keep going in the class for a couple more days 🙂