Learning photography can be fun with friends! Fundraiser for adoption

I have taken many photography courses over the years. Some were extremely helpful from beginning to end while others were a bit of a disappointment.  I wanted to create a class that anyone that has a DSLR can attend and really learn, in a simple way, how to use Manual mode and learn basic techniques to create beautiful images.  Photography and taking a great image can seem so complex but I want you to be able to create the kinds of images you want to see without overwhelming you with tons of technical jargon.  It’s also important to me that this kind of class be informative, interactive and fun!  This is how “Lights. Camera. Manual.” was born.

I feel so blessed to have had the privilege of teaching my very first “Lights. Camera. Manual.” class, an introduction to photography, this past Saturday in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  This was the first of two fundraisers to help raise funds for the adoption of Melissa and Shawn’s little boy from Uganda.  Melissa and I have been best friends since we were little and I know she is going to be the best mom to a sweet little boy.  It has been such a pleasure helping her and Shawn in their journey to bringing their little boy home.  Our next fundraiser for them will take place April 21, 2013 in Rock Hill, SC.  I’ll be announcing more information soon so be on the look out!

I couldn’t think of a better way to raise funds and teach 9 amazing ladies all about my favorite subject, photography!  It was one of the prettiest days in January I can remember, 70 degrees and sun shining all day.  We got everything set up and ready for class early.  A big THANK YOU to my friend Sara for hosting the class.  She let us borrow her house and backyard for the whole day.  Melissa designed each of the attendees notecards and personalized water bottles as a sweet ‘Thank You’.  She is an extremely talented graphic designer and I really love everything she does. She also made lunch and dessert for the class to enjoy during our breaks.

Thank you Kerry for the delicious cupcakes. The homemade Pink Champagne cupcakes were a big hit!

We started class by introducing ourselves and took ‘Before’ shots with the knowledge everyone came to class with.  I wanted everyone to be able to see how much they improved over the course of the day.  We dove in and started learning the ins and outs of using Manual mode, basics on seeing light, how to use the focusing system properly and how to correctly meter for your subject.  Everyone in class was super sharp, asked extremely insightful questions and helped each other.

After lunch, we headed outside to put everything we learned in the morning to practice!  I loved seeing how it all came together. We worked on understanding movement, low light, changing all of our settings and working with different subjects.

Everyone did such an amazing job learning and asking questions. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of ladies to share a Saturday with <3

Before we started class, I had everyone take a “Before” picture to compare to once we started practicing what we learned in class. Here are a few of the girl’s examples. I am so impressed! All of their images are straight off the camera, no editing.

This is Emily’s Before and After. She was a really great student and came with really specific things she wanted to learn. Emily has an amazing blog, LaForce Be With You, with tons of DIY ideas, recipes and traveling adventures.

This is Jessica’s Before and After. Jessica just started her photography business and I know she is going to make an amazing photographer. Check her out here!

Another really great Before and After from Kerry!  She makes amazing cakes and baked goods. We were lucky to have some yummy examples of her work at our class.

This is Melissa and Shawn with their two adopted dogs. Hopefully sooner rather than later, they will have a little boy adopted from Uganda join their family. Thank you so much to everyone that attended the class and donated to a very special cause. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to be able to give this family $1350 to help bring their little boy home and make their family complete. You can follow more of their story on their blog, The Goggins and Uganda

Interested in hosting or attending a photography class?  Email brittany@brittanylaurenphotography.org for more information. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina serving surrounding areas in North and South Carolina.