FROM MY STUDIO TO YOURS
I know the impact that toy photography has had on my well-being and imagination, allowing me to tap into hard-to-reach emotions, encouraging much needed silliness and honing my storytelling skills. For this reason, I can’t keep all my tricks to myself.
These workshops take you on a journey of self discovery, empowering you with technical skills, storytelling methods and approaches to play. There’s a workshop for everyone, whether you’re a hobbyist or an advanced photographer.
Not sure which workshop is right for you? Get in touch.
Let’s get serious and play.
How they work
Workshops are photography based, and are structured to support your individual journey in a group setting.
Where: Online via Zoom
Time: approximately 2 hrs/class (except Masterclass)
Frequency: Six sessions over 12 weeks (except Masterclass)
Size: 4–6 people/session, allowing for plenty of discussion of your work
Photo challenges: To expand your photographic toolbox
Sharing: Participants share a final image, as well as behind-the-scenes setups.
Recorded sessions
Creativity Clubhouse!
Complimentary one-year Creativity Clubhouse membership—a casual and supportive monthly gathering via Zoom to connect, share images and learn new techniques.
Workshop Benefits
- Find and expand your tribe of toy photography enthusiasts for mutual support
- Expand your basic and toy photography skill set for either personal and/or professional growth
- Learn to define your ideal audience to better connect with them
- Rediscover your inner child and the mental health benefits of play
- Understand the power of visual storytelling and the impact on the viewer
Workshop Offerings
Any workshop can be taken independently of the others, but they do build on one another. Each one adds new layers of skills and ideas to carry forward.
Below are brief descriptions. Click on “read more” for details on that specific workshop.
TL:dr
CHARACTER ARCHETYPES
While Myths, Metaphors and Symbols (see below) focuses on storytelling, Character Archetypes focus on the personas in your story. Archetypes can relate to your own life story or personas that intrigue you. This course lays a solid foundation for exploring visual storytelling. Read more about this workshop here.
Join my mailing list to be notified when this workshop is offered next.
COMPOSITION
You may have heard of the “rule of thirds” and leading lines, but in this workshop we will move beyond those basics and explore six compositional rules important to effective storytelling. From color theory to creative viewpoints, you’ll enhance your photo compositions for maximum impact. Read more here or register now.
The next session begins February 15th, 2025.
Holiday Workshop
Once a year I offer my holiday workshop. This is a chance for you to create using the same props, lights and backgrounds that I use. Bring your favorite mini-figures (or other toys) and I provide everything you need create fun and whimsical images to share as a physical card or through your online social channels. Read more about this fun opportunity here.
Join my mailing list to be notified when this workshop is offered next.
The Idea Factory I, II and III
Photo challenges are at the heart of this series of three workshops (six sessions each), pushing you to explore out of your comfort zone and bringing your skills and ideas to the next level. We’ll explore all aspects of toy photography and get a taste of visual storytelling. Read more here.
Idea Factory I: will be offered again in September of 2025.
Idea Factory II begins January 30, 2025. Read more or register now.
Idea Factory III begins April 24th, 2025. Sign up here.
Inside/Out
Emotions define the human experience. What better way to connect with (your) audience than tapping into universal emotions? We’ll explore the six basic emotions through weekly challenges that reinforce composition, symbols, color theory and more. Read more or register now.
Join my mailing list to be notified when this workshop is offered next.
LIGHTING (NEW FOR 2025!)
Even though lighting is the corner stone of great photography, it feels like a giant mystery. In this workshop we will breakdown and explore six lighting styles appropriate for toy photography. Take the mystery out of lighting and expand your creative tool box. Read more here or register here.
Next workshop: April 22nd, 2025.
Masterclass Weekend
This information-packed and intensive workshop covers it all—from proper posing, toy supports, in-camera special effects, and more. I take you behind the scenes to show you how I created particular images. We can also deconstruct an existing image. You can read more about this workshop here or sign up here.
Next workshop weekend: February 8th and 9th
MYTHS, METAPHORS & SYMBOLS
Add impact to your toy photography by imbuing your images with layers of meaning and symbolism. Six challenges will deepen your work and enhance your storytelling skills using mythology and key symbols such as animals, flowers and more. Read more here.
Join my mailing list to be notified when this workshop is offered next.
SIX-IMAGE NARRATIVE
Strengthen your curatorial and storytelling skills through a cohesive image series. You’ll create 12–18 images and edit them around a single subject, idea, character, style or linear story. You’ll come out understanding how to create a compelling visual narrative, an essential skill you will be able to apply to all your future projects. Read more here or sign up here.
Next workshop: January 14th, 2024
STORYTELLING
Learn the basic elements of storytelling—character development, context, conflict, climax and closure. We’ll explore character archetypes, two-sentence stories, the hero’s journey, story arcs, transformation and more. Read more about this workshop here.
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Where to start?
If you’re new to toy photography, I recommend starting with the Master Class. Here you will learn foundational skills which will help you tackle the challenges in other workshops. From there, dive into The Idea Factory I, II or III. (Each one acts independently as a series of challenges to give you ideas on how to create small stories with your toys.) Once you’ve completed any of the Idea Factory workshops, choose either Composition, Inside out, Archetypes, Six-Image Narrative or any of the Myths and Metaphor workshops.
Because Storytelling can be the most challenging workshop, I recommend taking this when you’re ready to put all your skills together. In this workshop you will write and photograph a multi-image photo story.
