I realized not long ago that I really enjoy teaching others about photography. Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything there is to know about photography. But I like it that way; it gives me the chance to learn too. And if someone asked me a question that I can’t answer, you can bet that I’m going to find the answer. I have small beginner photography workshop about every other month; I keep them size down so that everyone can ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere.
I also like teaching kids, mostly teenagers; they have such a unique view of the world around us. I teach for the Camera for Kids Foundation at group homes for children in the foster care system, and I help with a photography club at a private school once a month.
I learn by doing, so that’s the way I like to teach. I try to have the students using their camera in my class more in one of my classes as opposed them setting there listen to me flap my gums. And there is always plenty of time for questions and answer during and after the classes. I’m also open for questions through an email after the class. Because I know that there will be more question as they start make more photos. I’m also open  for any question that my blog readers have. Just leave a comment with your question and I’ll be sure to answer it.
Below are some of the kids in the photography club having their own model shoot.

I’m Thankful that I have the opportunity to share my knowledge with others.

We would like to have more family traditions, but as the kids get older it’s harder and harder to get everyone together. Our son, Brandon, is out on his own working and going to college and even though he’s at a local college, we still don’t get to see him very often. Lindsey, our oldest daughter, is involved in school activities and drama which adds another thing to work around. Also in our scheduling challenge is that our youngest, Kathryn, goes to her dad’s house some weekends. It is almost impossible to have something that we do the same time every year to make it a tradition.

I would like for one of our family traditions to be that we get together and make a photograph to used on our Christmas cards. Below is this year’s photograph. We decided to use props that would show a little look into our personalities.

Jamie is enjoying a cup of tea; if you know her then you know that she is some what of a tea snob connoisseur.
I have the camera that we inherited from Jamie’s grandfather. He bought it while in Japan during WWII.
Kathryn loves to read so naturally she is enjoying a book while sitting on the back of the couch.
Lindsey is attached to her cell phone and like most of the teens around here I think we may have to surgically remove the phone from her thumbs one day.
Brandon is always drumming on something so he’s holding drumsticks; it’s good that he is a music major in college.
Diane is our future daughter-in-law, and because she is planning the wedding, she has a stack of wedding magazines.
And then there is Lacy the Wonder Dog hanging out with the family with her bone not far away.

I’m thankful for my family and that we can get together and make a photograph that I will never forget.

Our family has been involved with a local theater group for many years now. In fact the only two members of our family that has not performed with the STARS Community Group are Brandon, and Lacy the wonder dog, but you never know what the future may bring.

Let see if I can remember some of the performances that we have been part of; Jamie and I were Ken & Barbie one year, Kathryn was in a murder mystery play about a cruse ship, then we joined her in Anne of Green Gables, she was also in the Wizard of Oz . (It’s great that I have a wife that loves to blog, I can find all the plays we have been in by searching her blog. Hey, that might be another blog post for me one day)

Jamie was Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Lindsey played Aunt Fern and I made an appearance as Spud.

This week is no different. Lindsey and I both have parts in the Snow White and the Two Princes performance tomorrow and Saturday.

I also started providing the head shots and poster for each of the plays. Above is the poster for this weekends performance. I’m thankful to be part of the group and be able to provide the photograph for them.