Documentary Family Photography Class
Saturday 20 June
Six Mile Waterworks Park - 10am - 2 Hours
Clare Dollard
Learn how to document a family documentary-style! Meet me at the park for this inevitably fun, exciting, fast-paced family session.
Beginner's Photography Class
Saturday 18 July
Six Mile Waterworks Park - 10am - 3.0 Hours
Patrick Harbron
Learn the basics of photography in this beginner-friendly class at a local park. We will cover camera settings, composition, and practical tips to help you get started. Suitable for those new to photography or looking to build confidence.
Introduction to Photography
Saturday 29 August
Albany, NY - 10am - 3.0 Hours
Thaddeus B Kubis
In this beginner-friendly class, you will learn the essentials of your camera including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and composition. We'll meet for an introduction and then explore the area to practice. Bring your camera and comfortable shoes.
Beginner's Photography Class
Saturday 13 June
Pancake Hollow Road - 11am - 3 Hours
Lisa Olson
Beginner Photography Class – Take Control of Your Camera
This 3-hour hands-on course is designed to finally get you out of automatic mode and in full control of your camera. Learn how to intentionally create the images you see in your mind—no more guessing, frustration, or “lucky shots.”
Whether you're brand new to photography or ready to truly understand how your camera works, this class will give you a clear, step-by-step system for shooting with confidence. You'll learn how to manually set your exposure and understand why your images succeed—or fall short.
We'll cover:
• Understanding light and exposure
• How to use your camera's light meter
• Lenses and ISO (film speed)
• Controlling depth of field
• Freezing or showing motion
• A simple, repeatable formula for consistently strong images
Plenty of hands-on practice with your own equipment and real-world examples included.
Introduction to Photographic Lighting
Saturday 27 June
Pancake Hollow Road - 10am - 3 Hours
Lisa Olson
Photography is NOT about the camera.
It's about LIGHT.
In 36+ years as a professional photographer and photo stylist, I can tell you this:
The images that stop you in your tracks?
~ It's the lighting. Every time.
In this 3-hour intensive, you'll learn how to:
See and shape available light
Work confidently with sunlight, lamps, and strobes
Control exposure with intention
Set proper white balance for accurate color
Create depth, drama, and dimension
Whether you're brand new or already shooting professionally, this class will elevate how you see and how you shoot.
Portrait Photography by Natural Light
Saturday 11 July
Pancake Hollow Road - 10am - 3.0 Hours
Lisa Olson
Whether you wish to up your selfie game or begin developing a portfolio, this workshop will help you learn the basics of portrait photography and push your creativity and technical understanding.
Learn which settings are best to use, how to select the best locations, and what lighting and poses highlight a model's best features. We will also learn how to build rapport to get the best reactions and genuine emotions from a person.
Beginner's Photography Class
Saturday 25 July
Pancake Hollow Road - 10am - 3 Hours
Lisa Olson
Beginner Photography Class – Take Control of Your Camera
This 3-hour hands-on course is designed to finally get you out of automatic mode and in full control of your camera. Learn how to intentionally create the images you see in your mind—no more guessing, frustration, or “lucky shots.”
Whether you're brand new to photography or ready to truly understand how your camera works, this class will give you a clear, step-by-step system for shooting with confidence. You'll learn how to manually set your exposure and understand why your images succeed—or fall short.
We'll cover:
• Understanding light and exposure
• How to use your camera's light meter
• Lenses and ISO (film speed)
• Controlling depth of field
• Freezing or showing motion
• A simple, repeatable formula for consistently strong images
Plenty of hands-on practice with your own equipment and real-world examples included.
Landscape, Nature and Sunset Photography Class
Saturday 08 August
Pancake Hollow Road - 6pm - 3 Hours
Lisa Olson
Come join me for a 3 hour combination landscape/ nature photography class and outing that will conclude with us capturing the sunset from a high vantage point, using all your newly gained knowledge. No more washed out skies or grey snow scenes ever. Learn to properly exposure your film for high contrast scenes, of which landscapes often are. We will discuss composition and the 5 elements of design, that create a strong composition. With over 88 acres of ponds, hills, horses, flowers and even a tiny waterfall so I can show you how to record its movement, just like Ansel Adams did! We will conclude with recording the sunset from high up on the same exact hilltop, from which I have shot the photos below. If you like shooting landscapes, nature or both THIS is the class for you!
The Art of Food Photography
Saturday 22 August
Pancake Hollow Road - 10am - 3 Hours
Lisa Olson
Ever wonder why that Quarter Pounder with Cheese looks so mouthwatering when you drove by the billboard, yet when you go to the drive-through right after to get one, it looks nothing in real life like it does in that photograph?
Ever wonder how produce is made to look so fresh and colorful with water droplets that seem to last forever? And we all have looked at a menu and wondered how they got the items to look so outrageously delicious? You would be surprised how simple it is to manipulate food in photography. It's all tricks of the trade! Personally one of my favorite subjects to shoot because subjects are usually colorful, there's a lot of creative leeway on how you light it, depending on what the purpose your image will be meant to serve.
Join me in a Three hour, Hands-On creative workshop in the art of Food Photography!
Mastering Depth of Field & Macro Photography
Saturday 05 September
Pancake Hollow Road - 11am - 2 Hours
Lisa Olson
Mastering Depth of Field & Macro Photography:
Learn how to control focus with intention—from dreamy, blurred backgrounds to tack-sharp detail—and discover how macro photography opens an entirely new world of creative possibility. In this hands-on class, you will master depth of field and learn how aperture, distance, and lens choice work together to shape your images.
We will explore close-up and macro techniques, showing you how to isolate tiny details, control background blur, manage focus, and work with light at close distances. Whether you want artistic softness or extreme detail, this class will give you the tools to shoot with confidence and precision.
Perfect for photographers who want sharper control, stronger visual impact, and a fresh way of seeing the world up close.
Small subjects. Big creative results.
Beginner's Photography Class
Saturday 19 September
Pancake Hollow Road - 11am - 3 Hours
Lisa Olson
Beginner Photography Class – Take Control of Your Camera
This 3-hour hands-on course is designed to finally get you out of automatic mode and in full control of your camera. Learn how to intentionally create the images you see in your mind—no more guessing, frustration, or “lucky shots.”
Whether you're brand new to photography or ready to truly understand how your camera works, this class will give you a clear, step-by-step system for shooting with confidence. You'll learn how to manually set your exposure and understand why your images succeed—or fall short.
We'll cover:
• Understanding light and exposure
• How to use your camera's light meter
• Lenses and ISO (film speed)
• Controlling depth of field
• Freezing or showing motion
• A simple, repeatable formula for consistently strong images
Plenty of hands-on practice with your own equipment and real-world examples included.
Night Photography under the Full Moon
Saturday 26 September
Pancake Hollow Road - 7:30pm - 2 Hours
Lisa Olson
Step into the night and learn how to create striking photographs under the light of the full moon. This hands-on class goes beyond photographing the moon itself and teaches you how to use moonlight as your light source—capturing landscapes, textures, silhouettes, and atmosphere after dark. You'll learn low-light exposure, long-exposure techniques, and how to work confidently in manual mode, all while expanding your creative vision. Perfect for photographers ready to push past daylight and discover the magic of shooting at night.
Backlighting, Bokeh and Bursts
Saturday 10 October
Pancake Hollow Road - 1pm - 2 Hours
Lisa Olson
In this hands-on two hour workshop, we will be exploring these three impactful lighting techniques. This class will be a combination of lecture, setting up and shooting a shot, using the Boken method of using your depth of field to create pleasing balls of light. If you have successfully unsuccessfully executed examples of any of these three techniques bring them for discussion!
Art of Shooting for B&W Images
Saturday 17 October
Pancake Hollow Road - 1pm - 3.0 Hours
Lisa Olson
Introduction to Black and White Photography. What makes a good Black and White shot?
We will look at the contrast and using textures. How does the camera see the image and how do we create Black and White images in a camera or in post-production. We will look for some good examples and set some exercises.
What is Black and White Photography?
Black and white photography is a style of photography that involves capturing images without color. It uses shades of gray to create contrast, texture, and depth, which can give a timeless and classic look to photographs.
Introduction to B&W Photography ~
In black and white photography, the absence of color can help to simplify the image, drawing the viewer's attention to other aspects such as composition, lighting, and tonality. It can also convey a sense of nostalgia or evoke a particular mood or emotion.
Understanding Metering
Saturday 31 October
Pancake Hollow Road - 12pm - 2 Hours
Lisa Olson
Take the Confusion Out of Using Your Meter!
So you know how to zero out your meter from a Beginner Photography class or maybe you're starting completely from scratch. Either way, your metering skills, compensation techniques, and overall understanding might feel limited (or even non-existent).
Ever had dingy, gray snowstorms or washed-out skies that looked brilliant to your naked eye? That's where understanding your meter makes all the difference!
In this class, you'll learn how to use your meter as the starting point it was designed to be and, more importantly, what to actually do with those readings. We'll cover how to use:
-Reflective meters
-Incident meters
-Flash meters
-The different metering modes on your camera
With these tools and techniques, you will gain the confidence to create exposures that truly capture the scene as you see it.
Drawing for Beginners
Saturday 06 June
Troy - 10am - 2 Hours
Shweta Shubha
In this class, we will explore the basics of drawing and equip you with the skills needed to create beautiful and expressive artwork.Our experienced instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of drawing, including perspective, proportion, shading, and composition.We will also be practicing various forms of Mark Making techniques and hopefully will make an empty page less daunting to fill up. Perfect for complete beginners.
Beginner's Watercolor Class
Saturday 13 June
Troy - 10am - 2 Hours
Shweta Shubha
Embark on your colorful journey into the world of watercolors with our Beginner's Watercolor Class! Dive into a world of creativity as we guide you through the basics of watercolor painting in a relaxed and welcoming environment.Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or looking to refine your skills, this class is tailored for beginners eager to unleash their artistic potential. Learn essential techniques, experiment with vibrant colors, and discover the joy of creating your own masterpiece!Participants are kindly asked to bring their own materials to fully immerse themselves in the creative process. Full details of the event will be provided upon booking confirmation. Secure your spot today and let the magic of watercolors ignite your imagination!
Exploring Abstract Art
Saturday 20 June
Troy - 10am - 2 Hours
Shweta Shubha
Dive into the exciting world of abstract art with our Exploring Abstract Art class! This vibrant and imaginative workshop invites you to break free from traditional forms and explore the boundless possibilities of abstract expression. Perfect for artists of all levels, you'll experiment with colors, shapes, and textures to create dynamic and original works of art. Let your creativity run wild and discover the joy of abstract painting!Participants are required to bring their own basic art materials. Full details will be provided upon booking confirmation. Join us for a creative adventure and let your abstract masterpieces come to life!
Drawing for Beginners
Saturday 27 June
Troy - 10am - 2 Hours
Shweta Shubha
In this class, we will explore the basics of drawing and equip you with the skills needed to create beautiful and expressive artwork.Our experienced instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of drawing, including perspective, proportion, shading, and composition.We will also be practicing various forms of Mark Making techniques and hopefully will make an empty page less daunting to fill up. Perfect for complete beginners.
Floral and Nature Painting
Sunday 28 June
Troy - 10am - 2 Hours
Shweta Shubha
Embark on a thrilling two-hour journey into the art of floral and nature painting using vibrant watercolors. Capture the essence of your favorite plants and flowers through reference photos as guided by our skilled instructor. Learn techniques, tips, and tricks to make your colors shine, and witness your canvas transform into a tapestry of natural beauty.This experience is designed for nature enthusiasts seeking to connect with fellow artists, handpick subjects, and refine skills with expert guidance. All skill levels are welcome. Don't forget your watercolor travel kit and preferred artistic medium. A smartphone for reference photos is handy, but backup materials are available.Let's transform garden dreams into mesmerizing masterpieces together!
