Colorado Springs Photography Classes by Mary Lynne Ashley

I have been a professional portrait photographer since 2001, and offer a variety of photography classes for both amateur and professional photographers. Visit the registration page for the specific class to reserve a spot in a group class.

Classes Currently on the Schedule 

(Scroll to see dates and class descriptions below.)

• Learn How to Use Your Digital SLR Camera
• Learn How to Use Your Digital SLR Camera – Part 2
• Photographing Children on Location
• Social Media Marketing for Small Business
• Personalized Private Photography Lessons

Learn How to Use Your Digital SLR Camera, $99

[Click here for dates and to register]
This class is offered on multiple dates. Beginners welcome! No experience or prior knowledge necessary, but you do need to bring a digital SLR camera to this class.

This is a three-hour group class for those interested in understanding how to get better results with their digital SLR camera. You probably paid a lot of money for that camera, and a little training will help you get so much more out of it!  Let’s get your camera off of “auto” mode so you can take creative control of your photos. Beginners are encouraged to attend. No experience or prior knowledge is necessary, but you do need to bring a digital SLR camera to this class. Read class reviews from previous attendees, or see what others are saying on Facebook.

This is a very hands-on class, where I’ll help demystify all those controls on your camera. Content will include:

• Focusing
• Getting correct exposure through both manual and automatic methods by understanding ISO, shutter speed and aperture
• White balance
• Lens selection

With each discussion we’ll change settings on our cameras and get practice applying each concept. I usually cover this same information in my personalized two-hour one-on-one classes, but this class is great for those who prefer a group environment, or who would like a little extra time to absorb and experiment with each concept before moving onto the next one.

Learn How to Use Your Digital SLR Camera, Part 2, $99

[Register for Learn How to Use Your Digital SLR Camera - Part 2]
Saturday, June 22, 2013, 9am-noon. Let’s spend a morning reinforcing and expanding upon the exposure and focusing knowledge you gained in the introductory DSLR class. While there will be some lecture, the class will consist of mostly hands-on exercises. You’ll gain more experience shooting in manual mode and working to get sharp, in-focus images through the various focusing methods. My aim with this class is to force you to get that camera back out of the bag and to make yourself think about how to put together all the pieces you’ve learned so you can leave with even more confidence in your ability to use your camera.

Studio Portrait Lighting, $99

Next date TBD
Come let us take some of the mystery out of studio lighting!

• Difference between “hot lights” and strobes
• How to fire studio lights
• Working with softboxes and umbrellas
• Different types of lights and their purposes, including main light, fill light, kicker lights, background light hair light and reflectors.
• Basic lighting patterns for portraiture
• Get correct exposures with studio lights
• Recommendations for lighting products
• Feel free to bring your own studio lighting kit if you have one and have questions about making it work for you.

The class size will be very small, and the class will take place at our studio at 11 N. Meade Avenue, Colorado Springs, 80909, across the street from Memorial Park.

Photographing Children on Location, $99

Monday, May 13, 2013. This class is offered through Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and their Super Monday program. I will be co-teaching the class with Tom Sluder, another Colorado Springs professional photographer with many years of experience. Content will cover a variety of topics related to photograph children, with an emphasis on lighting. Early registration is $99. Registration opens on March 6, 2013. Register and read more details here.

Environmental Portraiture of Children, $165

Sunday, August 11, 2013. Buffalo Creek, Colorado (approx. 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs). This class is offered through the Colorado Photography Festival, and payment is handled through them. You can visit their website to see all the fantastic workshops being offered that week, and to learn more about my workshop. Other than mine,  all are nature and landscape workshops.
http://www.coloradophotographyfestival.com

Social Media Marketing for Small Business

[Click here for more info, pricing, and/or to register for social media classes.]

See link above for dates. Social media marketing provides countless ways to promote your small business and build relationships with customers and clients! I will be co-teaching this course with Lauren Hug of HugSpeak. Our social media marketing workshops teach you everything you need to know to get started with blogging/vlogging, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and others.

These unique, hands-on workshops walk you through the set-up process, explain each platform’s interface, explore the tips and techniques utilized by the “pros”, and provide you with the practical skills you need to market your small business from the minute you leave the workshop space. Come with your laptop, iPad, or tablet. Leave with social media accounts and a marketing strategy that fits your business, your audience, and the social media platform.

Personalized One-on-One Training Classes, Two-hours: $125

Flexible dates, ongoing
A hands-on class is a great way to become comfortable with your digital SLR. I’ve taught beginners with absolutely no photography knowledge, as well as those who already have a fairly good grasp of their camera. We can also work on Photoshop or photography business-related topics if that’s what you need. I charge $125 for a two-hour class. You may add a friend or spouse for an additional $25. To schedule a private lesson you can contact me at MaryLynneAshley@gmail.com or call my cell at 719-205-7236.  Learn more about my one-on-one classes.

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Mary Lynne Ashley is a Certified Professional Photographer serving Colorado Springs families since 2001. She has received numerous awards for her photography, has been published in multiple publications, and is recognized as a Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America. She specializes in photographing babies, children and the families that come along with them, and especially loves newborn photography.