Where I’ve Been

Wow – when I looked at the date of my last post I couldn’t believe it was from over a month ago! I didn’t expect to be as busy as I was this summer and I definitely missed being over here writing and sharing photographs. It’s like therapy for me – my little escape.

So, let me tell you what I’ve been up to. Basically eating, breathing and sleeping photography in one form or another. Yes, it’s a good thing. Actually a great thing! I love it!!

My older daughter attended a performing arts camp in our area and I taught a photography workshop there twice a week. It turned out to be a really amazing experience. I have to be honest – when they were having sign ups I thought for sure it was just going to be me and her. With other workshops being offered like Glee, Modern Dance and Stage Combat, I thought Photography would be last on the list for these performing arts kids. Boy was I wrong! I ended up with 26 kids!! I was floored! They ranged in age from 6 to 13 split up into 2 groups. Luckily I also had 2 counselors to help me out – they were great as well.

The challenge was to teach them things but not be technical or overwhelming. It was more about principles of photography and less about aperture and shutter speed. I came up with some fun activities including a photo scavenger hunt as well as some extra assignments they could do over the weekend.

They submitted their photos from the assignments and I put a slideshow together each week so we could all look at them together as a class.

We ended the workshop with 2 projects – a self portrait poster where they were supposed to photograph themselves as well as write either a poem or story about themselves to accompany the photo. They were both mounted on foam core and decorated. We displayed the posters like a gallery for the end of summer Collaborative ArtsFest. I was so impressed because they were all unique – just like their individual personalities.

I also put together a book for them each to have and create their own scrapbook with their favorite photos from the class.

I brought in a bunch of my craft supplies – punches, stickers, decorative paper and markers and they just went to town. These turned out great as well and I was glad they would have something to look back on once camp was over.

Besides the Photography Workshop, I also did the portraits and group shots for the camp as well as photograph 3 shows. I’ll do separate posts on each of those – too much to cram into one sitting.

Today I am starting a week long Photography Camp for kids ages 8 to 12. Another busy week!!

How has your summer been so far? What interesting things have you been up to?