Wondering how to teach a photography workshop?

I know, I know… the big box stores are doing it; your friends down the road are doing it; the community college and park district are doing it, and now you’re left wondering how to teach a photography workshop AND why someone would pick you. My dear friend, stop wondering WHY anyone would want to work with you and start telling the world WHY they should! If you are tripping over your Tieks trying to figure out how to teach a photography workshop, I’m here to help. And, want some good news?

You have what it takes already.

Yep, you do. My friend, the answer to how to teach a photography workshop lies within your pretty little self. In order to be successful, you have to stand apart. If you show up for class prepared and ready with all the tools you need to teach a photography workshop, your students will notice.  And once people start talking, you will create a buzz. But? That won’t happen as long as you’re just stewing over there.  Think about the boiling frog concept:

Boiling frog syndrome

Put a frog in a pot full of water and start heating the water. As the water temperature increases, the frog adjusts its body temperature as a result. The frog maintains itself by adjusting its body temperature along with the increase in the water temperature.

Just when the water is about to reach its boiling point, the frog can no longer adjust itself. At this point, the frog decides to jump. It tries to jump, but it is incapable of doing so, as it has used up all of its strength adjusting its body temperature. Very soon, the frog dies.

What killed the frog? Think about it! I know that many are going to say the boiling water did. But the truth is that what killed the frog was his own inability to decide when to jump.

A little gross, but it’s exactly what so many of my clients do!  They sit back and let their gifts go to waste…. which is also gross.  Is your future as a photography teacher floundering because you’re afraid to jump?  Let me show you a few simple tools you’ll need to teach a photography workshop {and feel totally confident doing so}!

1. Student Experience is Golden

Anyone can rattle off technical information about photography and some creative pointers, too. However, when it comes to how to teach a photography workshop {and stand out} you need to boast a rainbow of tools and resources that come together to make your workshop a true pot of gold. This will give your students the best experience possible and set your workshop apart from others.

As an educator {yes, you} familiarize yourself with the Dr. Howard Gardner theory of multiple intelligences. Dr. Gardner’s widely-accepted theory states that human beings learn in a variety of ways. Therefore, a number of tools should be presented to cover all the bases. The right tools help your students create lasting and meaningful synapses in their brains.

Some people learn best when they can listen to you explain shutter speed.

Others will absorb the most about of knowledge when they watch you change the dials, see the different numbers & see examples of photos with fast and slow shutter speeds.

And still others need to do it themselves in order for meaningful learning to occur.

None of these learning modalities is wrong – they’re just different.  And that’s what’s cool about learning and teaching.  If you know that people’s brains process information differently, you can craft a variety of learning activities to ensure that your students are truly getting a great experience!

2. Tell a story

I know you may not have expected to hear storytelling, but it will be your biggest secret weapon in class and also the thing that other instructors are missing. This approach tags your spatial learners, logical folks, the linguists and naturalists also. When you’re a teacher who has a creative and technical subject matter {both can be intimidating} you have to make it make sense!

Need help with storytelling?  You NEED the book, Stories the Stick, by Kindra Hall.  Once you understand how our brains work and the magical power of storytelling…. you’ll NEVER turn back.  Plus, I met Kindra and she’s absolutely darling.  So there’s that.

As you’re teaching, tell stories and give related illustrations. I compare ISO to driving a car down the highway {comparing speed/time to light available and ISO numbers}. I take time to ask my students about what they like to photograph {kids in sports is a big one}. I use object lessons to explain why flash during midday is a good idea! By using simple analogies and examples, you have added practicality to your lesson and then your students can connect the dots.

3. Get your workbooks out, class!

Bow chicka wow-wow…. who doesn’t love a sexy workbook filled with insight; questions to answer; pages for self-reflection; and some stellar images to go with all of it? Some learners {your linguists, spatial learners, intra- and interpersonal learners will all big puffy heart a workbook}. Some people need to write and draw photos while some need to do all of that and pick up their cameras. This gives your students a security blanket of sorts to learn from and refer back to at any time.

A workbook is a great way to get students to process where they are learning. I always make sure my workbooks include information leading to further education {ppsssst. like your online contact info as well as helpful web links}, assignments, and ways for them to extend their learning after class is over!

4. Now, take a look at the Powerpoint with me…

Ok, so this is definitely for your students, but more often than not {it’s for me… the teach}. When I taught elementary art, I used a Power Point every single day. The powerpoint was a great engagement tool for my students, but also? It helped keep me on track. This type of presentation allows you to share key points; visual examples; and even include slides to signal break time or independent work time. This is an excellent way to make sure your class flows like like a calm blue lagoon, and not a rushing river.

Now that you know how to teach a photography workshop…

Are you ready for more? Dear friend, I know you know your stuff! But, at the same time, I know deciding how to teach a photography workshop for the first can be intimidating.  Don’t worry, I’m here for you! I have all the info you need to take that BIG next step. Check out my eight-step strategy guide that will show you the eight powerful things you need to do before teaching the first photo class. After-all, I know a thing or two about teaching {a decade of teaching plus a masters in Art education}. So, take me up on it? I’ll see you, in class!