Colleen’s Teaching Philosophy
My goal as a photographer, guide, and human being is to help you feel brave enough to express yourself in your most authentic way possible while safely exploring the Great Outdoors.
My mission on a workshop is to help you create images you're proud of—no matter where you are at when you start the workshop in regards to skill level, experience, or camera gear—yes, even mobile devices!
With that, these are the values under which I conduct all of my workshops, retreats, and classes:
Your Growth is My #1 Priority:
Value learning over results: My workshops are best suited for more active individuals interested in continuously learning about photography, their creative talents, the world around them, and life and NOT on making a portfolio of trophy images of iconic locations. l deliver a photography education, not tours. I offer photographers a learning-based environment to develop your internal artist, interpret external variables, and establish a connection with the land in personally-meaningful ways.
I won’t tell you what to do: I do not tell participants what to photograph and where to stand. I do not line workshop participants up at a location and tell them what settings, lens, and angles to use. I do encourage attendees to follow their own bliss in making unique expressive images. Those seeking guidance as to where to put the tripod holes in solely iconic locations will likely not appreciate the personal style and creative vision approach I encourage and therefore may enjoy workshops with other photographic instructors offering photo tours instead.
I help you work through your individual challenges and will guide you to make your own decisions with confidence: I customize each workshop's curriculum using registrants’ input collected prior to the start of the workshop. I love helping you make your own images as much as I enjoy making my own so I do not focus on shooting my own personal work during the workshops and classes I teach. You get extensive personal attention on YOUR needs and YOUR photography.
Be Kind:
To ourselves: We are mindful of the voices in our heads and give ourselves space and grace to try new things without harsh and unnecessary self-criticism.
To others: Because expressing oneself creatively requires courage and confidence, I conduct my sessions in a supportive environment where trying new things, asking questions, and failing are not only expected, but encouraged. Constructive criticism and civil discourse is welcome. Bullying and harassment are not. We also act courteously, kindly, and respectfully to others we may encounter in the field.
To the land on which we are privileged to explore: I operate my workshops on public lands under the required Commercial Use Authorizations (National Park Service) and other permits as stipulated by the USFS, BLM, state parks, and other managing organizations. I also maintain Leave No Trace certification and conduct my workshops following the Leave No Trace principles. We observe all site rules and regulations. Things like jumping fences beyond "no entry" signs, trespassing on private lands, picking live flora, harassing wildlife, or any other misconduct by any participant on any workshop are not tolerated.
Be Well, Be Safe!
Encourage self-care: Including pacing yourself, knowing your limits, and staying hydrated.
Ensure the group’s safety: To ensure your safety on my trips, I maintain Wilderness First Responder certification (which includes First Aid/CPR/AED certification). We review site-specific risks in the field during our outings and offer alternative options to those with concerns. Safety is paramount on our all trips.
Be Brave! Be Wild!
Play like a kid! Be curious! Research has shown that approaching subjects with childlike curiosity triggers the creative parts of the brain and leads to to more personally meaningful expressions. We don’t take ourselves too seriously either!
Ask questions! I love questions! There are no stupid questions!
Make bad images—and grow from them! If you aren’t making bad images, you aren’t pushing yourself hard or far enough. Experimentation is encouraged.
Education, experience, adventure, and FUN! That's what you'll get when you join me on one of my workshops! Yet, no two workshops are ever the same—even in the same location! With a 70-80% repeat-client rate, I'm constantly changing up my curriculum to give returning participants a fresh new perspective and challenge.
No matter the trip, though, my goal in leading photography workshops is to help you capture YOUR vision consistently and predictably by:
Mastering the fundamental controls on your camera.
Connecting with your subjects in a profoundly meaningful and personal manner...before snapping a photograph.
Having a solid understanding of design, composition, and visual language theories to deliver an experienced-based, emotionally-driven, and personally-meaningful image.
Recognizing the importance of lighting in creating shape, dimension, mood, and meaning.
Understanding digital processing techniques to bring your vision to life and to optimize your images for web posting and print.
Developing creative habits and a creative life.
Building confidence in your definition of what makes a great photograph in YOUR eyes.
Getting any of your questions answered you might have about photography, culture, geology, places, etc.
And, you'll have a blast in the process! Whether it be through one of my workshops or one with an outside partner, I can promise memorable and enjoyable learning experience.
Ready to join us? If this all sounds great to you, we’d love to see you on a future photography adventure!