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COURSE DESCRIPTION
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STAY INSPIRED. STAY ENGAGED. STAY CONNECTED. KEEP CREATING.
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Are you frustrated and disappointed with the images you take of your loved ones and would like to learn how to make better images that capture the essence of your most memorable moments and your daily routines? Would you like to learn how to take beautiful photos of the messy and real bits of life that would otherwise pass you by? Are you tired of paying professional photographers every year to take the same posed family portraits and instead feel confident enough to make your own print-worthy photos? If you said yes to any of these questions than this class is for you!
Environmental portrait photographer and educator Alissa Hessler will dive deep into composition, depth of field, creative direction, lighting, color theory and camera/phone tricks to ensure the images you are taking are the best they can be. You don't need to know anything about photography to take this class. You can use a phone, a tablet, a DSLR or a point and shoot to take incredible photos. Making a beautiful image doesn't require sophisticated gear. Your eye and your knowledge of light and composition are all you need!​​​​​​
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SESSION 1 - March 8th
Alissa will guide students through the fundamentals of taking excellent images of people. She will discuss composition, lighting, creative direction, color theory and more.
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Assignment:
Students will take photograph loved ones and bring five completed images to class on Sunday. ​
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SESSION 2 - March 9th
Student's work will be presented and critiqued. Alissa will share the work of other portrait photographers and discuss developing a style and focus of their portraiture work. Students will pair off and experiment with using natural light, bounces and static light sources to make portraits. ​
WORKSHOP SPECIFICS
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Skill level
This workshop is designed for anyone who would like to learn how to make better photos of people. Beginners, hobbyists and those who want to take good images of their loved ones are welcome!
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HOURS
The workshop will run from 9am - noon on Saturday and Sunday.
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CLASS SIZE
A maximum of 15 students, and a minimum of 8*
*The workshop will be cancelled if minimum enrollment is not met within 7 days of the workshop start. If cancelled, a full refund will be issued to all registered students.
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TUITION
$350
​ MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
ALISsA
HESSLER
With a diverse background in art direction, photography, and film production management, Alissa Hessler has worked as both the director for creative talent and as the creative talent. She has shot and produced content for international publications and brands, art directed and produced commercial shoots, managed global launch events, and orchestrated rebrands of international corporations.
In her free time she continues to champion young farmers and rural small business owners through her Urban Exodus project. Her first book Ditch the City and Go Country, was released in 2017, distributed by Macmillan Press. Alissa's primary focus in her work is people, but she especially enjoys working with children. She loves the exchange between photographer and subject - the opportunity to connect and capture someone's true spirit and essence in an image.
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Alissa has been teaching photography for the last decade at Maine Media, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and other institutions across the country. She also co-operates a creative workshop studio in Midcoast Maine and host destination workshops on Cumberland Island and the Lost Coast of California.
