Workshop Testimonials

I attended Stephanie's  "beginners" class in Denver, CO in October  and at first felt intimidated by the camera's surrounding me but that was short-lived as Stephanie made me feel right at home.  What a pleasure to hold my camera while she was talking and walking us thru all the settings in the morning.  Then to go outside and shoot while she helped us learn what metering can do for a photo.

I waited to send this email because I wanted to  "practice" what I had learned.  My photography has been taken to new heights and I can see the difference and people comment on the beautiful images I've created ... right out of my camera!

Thank you so much Stephanie, you have inspired me to "shoot" my best.  I am very much looking foward eagerly to the next time you offer a class in Denver!

Susan Chesnut

 

Hi Stef,  I just want to let you know what a marvelous job you did during your presentation.  I have read the manuals over and over, then did Internet research and I never could put it all together. I need a lot of practice now but I understand all the buttons and numbers. Having been a teacher for 35 years,  I saw in your techniques some of the best teaching available. Keep up your enthusiasm and you will spread so much joy in the beauty of photography.

Jan Mercer

Hi Val and Stephanie,

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the excellent photography class you both gave on Saturday.  I have been taking pictures for many years and have garnered praise for a number of images, however, never really felt I understood my camera.  I am an expert in Photoshop, have taught it for a number of years and have always depended upon it in post-production to bring out the true quality of the image.  Your class has given me the basic understanding to continue to learn how to take full control of my images at the shot rather than in the computer.

Val and Stef,

I just want to tell you that your workshop was wonderful!  We homeschool four teenagers and during the time that I usually teach them Spanish, I decided to spend this week teaching them a little photography.  We are following your book and having a great time of it. Thanks again for a wonderful lecture.

P.S. Do you usually have that many people?  I thought you did an especially good job considering there were 200+ students.  I don't think I have ever seen a lecture with that many people go so smoothly.  I wouldn't have learned more in a class of 20.

Thank you Val and Stephanie! My 13-year old daughter says she wants to be a professional photographer when she grows up. We gave her a camera for Christmas and signed her up for another workshop. He OVERWHELMED her and she was in tears on the way home thinking she was too stupied to learn how to take professional photos. After today's workshop, she is super excited to play with her camera and what she learned! THANK YOU for restoring her confidence and her dream!!!"

William Wood

i just wanted to say thank you to both you and Steph.  it was truly a joy to be a part of your workshop...it was very educational and i feel as though it was aimed right at me, it answered all the questions i had, mostly about settings...and i cant wait to start using the techniques that you shared with us and i really feel confident moving forward to start taking photographs instead of pictures... photography had always been a interest  of mine and when i received my first DSLR last year and i had no idea what to do with it...i was getting frustrated and always ended up back in the green box...but i stumbled my way into some pretty good images and always wanted to get better shots...but i had no direction and books did not help me at all...but now after your class i can say that with the base knowledge you gave me i will be able to create those images and not just "hope i got it right" Thank you again for the time and effort you put into making that class as informative and fun as it is and you and Steph are a great team of technique and art and i truly appreciate it, and thanks for helping turn an interest into a passion

Judy Coleman

Every time I try to take a photo in harsh light, I think of what you taught me about metering the camera to fit the situation, and I marvel at what a gift that piece of advice was. Thank you, a million times over! I so appreciate the knowledge that you were so willing to share...

Sarah Munroe

Thanks guys for your tips! After your class in Dallas I got very aggressive in manuel mode..We had an ice and snow storm, wow, not a normal day here! We have a beautiful pond and the ice and snow made for a picture waiting to happen. I played with all your tips and took several manuel mode pics and came out with pics worth printing..stopped the water in mid stream,and with great clarity. My husband is most impressed. He is the one that enrolled me and our daughter, Marsa to attend your class. A real treat. Thanks for a great day with great tips. 

Karen Clayton

Thank you SO much for offering such a phenomenal photography workshop deal in SF. Your generosity helped make your photography expertise accessible to so many who might not otherwise of had the chance to learn from you. And what I learned was invaluable!! I can't wait for the opportunity to attend the next workshop... and take my photos to the next level. :) I'll be on the lookout. Cheers!

Bob Kelly

I would like to thank you for having me as a guest at the workshop, expedition and lunch. It is quite impressive how both you and Stephanie make an exhaustive effort to help and inform all of the participants throughout the day. The workshop was very informative but I cannot stress enough how the expedition pulled everything together. After reading your books combined with the workshop, I found that all of the settings of the camera that I have found confusing all of these years can be understandable and you made them logically fit together. With practice I am sure that my photographs will improve exponentially. I hope to see you at more of these workshops in the future and if I can be of any help to you please do not hesitate to ask.

Tina Lynn Stout

WOW!!! What a fantastic workshop. I joined the San Diego workshop yesterday, 1.6.11 and it is all I can think about. I went to bed thinking about
apertures and shutter speeds.
The information was understandable and thoroughly enjoyable! Mr. Crow's photo class was coming back to me from a long time past.

I love photography. I have since I was 8 with my dad's Brownie camera. I took photography in high school and excelled. My photography
teacher suggested I go to Brooks Institute after high school. My dad said, 'Girls don't go to college'. So I got
married instead. Still that longing for photography was there. A few years ago, my hubby (yep, same guy, 30 years, so it wasn't
a bad choice, we met in that high school Photography class too), got me a point and shoot and I carried it with me everywhere. I started a photo journal called
blipfoto.com/tnahlyn. I was hooked again. My husband got me a Canon Rebel Christmas of 2009 and this year a 50mm lens. Photography makes me happy!

I wasn't gonna come to your class that morning, even though I paid for it & took the day off. I guess that voice in my head 'girls don't go to college' came
back to me, but it didn't win this time. I got in my car and the rest is history.  I am so excite and even more passionate than before.
And I have to admit, for the most part, I was shooting in P-Priority (PROFESSIONAL-huh Stephanie? ;] ) Mode and now, thanks to you, I am in Manual and loving it.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

I am gonna practice, I want to join other classes and I would like to work with you one day. SERIOUSLY!!!
Girls can do ANYTHING!!!

Becky Hirsch

Thank you! I found the workshop very useful and eye opening-- my eyes are at least at a 5.6 aperture now! I hope you'll do a follow up course-- a part 2!  Many thanks

Alicia Santini

Loved the nb class it was a pleasure to be there you and steph are pleasantly professional yet warm and approachable you r truly blessed and called for this purpose u see it is ur passion

Betty Kempt

Sure learned a lot last week in Houston. I plan to practice often and hope to get some photos to you in the near feature. Many thanks again! Best Regards, Margo Rushin

Mississippi Hospitality

The workshop in Newport Beach was awesome...When I arrived I barely knew how to turn my husband's camera on and when I left I new how to take a photo on "M" for Manual....Now I just need more practice. Extremely professional and friendly...thanks so much

Helen Sioussat Wiggenhorn Mills

Loved the workshop! I can't wait for the next one. I am trying out all the techniques learned and I hope to be able to post something soon worthy of the site.

Sharon Katherine Kearbey-Churchwell

Val & Stephanie - your workshop today was truly inspiring! Thank you for teaching me the missing piece of my photography - metering!!! My photography will never be the same again!!! Here is one of my favorites taken today at the Mission

Shelly Antol

Thank you Val & Steph! You two are absolutely wonderful teachers! We absolutely had a great time and we can't wait to attend another workshop!

Minh P. Do

Wonderful workshop in LA, I left feeling totally educated and inspired!

Tk Feller

I can't wait to start practicing with my camera. As a school teacher and having gone to many inservices and trainings, I really appreciated your presentation - logical, easy to follow with clear explanations sprinkled with anecdot es. The photo practice after lunch was invaluable. Well done! Herb took this picture of me. I look like a shutterbug!

Mayrene Ryan

Many thanks to Val and Stephanie for a very professional and well executed day of photography. I had a very special day!

Katharine Boyle

I had a great time yesterday at the Newport Beach workshop! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and passion for photography Val and Stephanie. It was my first formal training and you made the information very easy to understand. Here is one of my shots that I took yesterday. Have to download rest of them after work tonight. Thank you!!

Jennifer Dwinger Norton

Took workshop today in San Francisco! Loved it! Learned so much in one day it was amazing, Val and Stephanie really made sure we learned and that's just what I needed! Thank You!!!

Lupe Brooke

The workshop in Newport Beach this week was truly eye opening to me, as it opened a whole new world of possibility from my hobby photography! Thank you for your inspired instruction! And it is wonderful that you have students post their photos--I want to visit daily to have continual inspiration! Look forward to your next workshop!

Carolyn Noorlag Edwards

I had a great time at LA workshop on Wednesday, I now know what the rest of my camera language means, not just the 'auto' part. Thanks so much, considering the horse ranch in August, looks like my kind of fun.

Diana Hatfield

Thank you so much for an amazing class today! I look forward to posting pictures, getting feedback and looking for workshop part 2.

Julie Kelleher Edmunds

Outstanding class in Newport Beach today. Significantly exceeded all expectations. Thanks so much Val and Stephanie!

Jim Riesenbach

Val and Stephanie, Nancy and I had a blast today at the LA Workshop! We learned so much and hope to be back again for more. Both of you are wonderful teachers. Thank you at sharing your gift with us!!!

Edward Ipp

Val and Steph, I had an amazing day today at the LA Workshop. I hope to work with you again in the near future. Thanks again.

Erika Shaw

The workshop was wonderful.  I have had my camera for a few years and have always used the automatic settings.  I was too afraid to try it manually.  I am so excited to finally feel like I know how to really use my camera.  Thanks

Wendi

Greetings! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the excellent class today.I have been doing photography for over 40 years, but this is the first time I took a class (having just gotten a new camera).I re-learned all the basics from years ago, and became very familiar with making quick settings changes on my camera through the “expedition” afterwards, which was very helpful, as well. I would recommend your class to all new and experienced photographers who want to progress in their art! Thanks again to both you and Stephanie! Warm regards,

David

I enjoyed the workshop so much.  You are both so personable and I gained so much valuable info that I need to practice.  Thank you both so much!

Debby

I wanted to thank you and Stephanie for the course this past Saturday in Houston. I've had my digital SLR for a few years. It took me a long time over those years to learn what you guys covered in a few hours...

Learned so much today! Whole new world now!

Thank you for an excellent workshop today. I was reviewing the photos I took today and for the first time I understand how the photo was created, was able to give a critique and was able to decide the next step to improve. I look forward to rejoining you in the future for the next step...

I had a wonderful time at the workshop today. I learned so much. Today was the first time I have taken pictures in manual mode.

When I attended your seminar in Tempe, I never thought I would get to the point of using the manual setting on my camera. But now, it's almost all I use. I learned tons. Thanks so much!

I learned "Metering - Measuring light for the correct exposure" from Val Westover workshop yesterday! Thanks again!

Metering totally rocks...so glad that I finally have it figured...thanks so much to Val and Stephanie...you guys are the best !

My husband bought our Canon Rebel 6 yrs ago and I've done nothing but "point and shoot" (always using the green circle mode, ha!) Thank you for doing a great job of teaching us the basics of light, ISO, aperture and shutter speed! I took this photo using the Aperture Priority mode so I could change the depth of field.... I love how it turned out. I feel like I could reach out and pick this flower! I'm having fun practicing my new knowledge and developing my skills! Wish I could hang out with you guys every weekend!

Val & Stephanie...thank you for such an informative workshop in Albuquerque. I was rereading my workbook today and love that it so easy to understand!! Yay! I will be putting it all into practice. Thanks again.

Hey Val and Stephanie -- Thanks so much for the great workshop in Houston! I learned SO MUCH! I was unable to go out on the picture taking expedition, but I experimented snapping some pics of my son and here is the result! I credit you guys completely for helping take my photography to the next level! Thank you, th...ank you! When will you be having another workshop in Houston?

Read our featured article at PeekAtMyPaper.com!!! http://peekatmypaper.blogspot.com/2010/10/photography-class-giveaway.html

Hi, Val! The wkshop in Abq exceeded my expectations...the info was great!...my eyes have been opened up to a whole new world...I left there feeling calm and peaceful :) didn't know there could be such a peace in photography...thank u!

Very nice and concise presentation. I like the way you two you covered all the basics without leaving anything important out, all in a way that was easy for everyone to understand but still had all the technical details.
(Albuquerque seminar on the 26th)
Thanks!

I just wanted to personally thank you for the time you took out of your life to teach us what you did this morning:) I am glad to know that I am doing something right. I just wanted to send you my website and maybe you can tell me from one photographer to another if I am doing a good job. I love your work and I was so honored to be able to take a class from you! I look forward to many more in the future. Again thank you.

I can’t begin to thank you enough for the knowledge you’ve shared. You have such a way of teaching photography. I appreciate how you share your knowledge as a professional photographer. There are not many professionals out there who are willing to share/teach like you have. Each time we’ve gotten together I have come home learning more than what I expected. Again thank you and I look forward to more workshops with you and Stephanie. The two of you work so well together.

Hello Val,

I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your time and Stephanie’s time yesterday. It is so nice you share your talent with those willing to listen and learn. You are an amazing photographer and I can, no doubt, see why people would want to learn from you and aspire to be like you. Stephanie is amazing as well! She’s such a pleasure and I love how her eyes light up when she talks about photography. Such a joy! You both are amazing people as well.

Thank you so much for giving me a little more knowledge and power with my camera. I have a better understanding of all the ingredients that goes into making a good exposure (ISO, METER, and LIGHTING!) Now I get to play with all the ingredients until I find the perfect recipe!

I can't wait to sign up for one of your workshops!

Thank you for a great time in Montana! You absolutely put us where we needed to be for great photography and I am very pleased with my images. Samantha said that it was the "best day of her life". We had great fun and hope to do it again with you next year.

Thanks again for a great time and great photo opportunity.

I have watched the horse drive with my kids standing on main street every year since they started running them through town. Having the opportunity to be right in the heart of the action, close up and personal, was amazing. I love the images I was able to capture and have received many wonderful compliments. Val and Stephanie, thank you for putting your time and effort into creating such an exciting experience. I learned a lot, had a blast, and can't wait to do it again next year!

Val & Stephanie,

Thank you for the great workshop in Tucson. I learned alot from you and need to learn more. I have a great passion for photography and you both just added to that. I wish I was better and could bring your partnership to Tucson. Take care and looking forward to working in another workshop together.

Truly enjoyed your workshop in Tucson yesterday. Learned so much and can't wait to start putting it all to use! You both are just great speakers and very inspirational.

Hello Val & Stephanie!! I learned so much at the workshop in Tempe... You both inspire me to take a leap of faith and follow my dream when it comes to photography. Thank you so much :)

Great workshop in Tucson today. Thank you both. You are great instructors. I learned so much.

Hello Val & Stephanie!

I attended the workshop in Tempe last thursday and really enjoyed it! For the first time I used the manual settings in my new DSLR and I'm very excited to practice! Still need to read the whole manual to figure things out ,but it was great to learn more. You guys are great and I'm looking forward to the next workshop! Take care!

Thank You sooo much for the workshop yesterday! I really enjoyed it and learned alot of neat things! Can't wait to see you guys again! You both are excellent instructors!

A whole world of metering opened up for me at the seminar! Thank you!

I wanted to thank you again for the information this morning. What really sealed the deal for me, though, was the opportunity to shoot with you guys. I learned so much and had a great time!

Wow! I was worried about all the information that you would put in your workshop today but you both pulled it off pretty nicely! There was a ton of info and yet I was able to understand everything. I am only a hobbyist when it comes to photography but after the workshop I want to keep clicking! Heck, I was using wh...at you were teaching while you were teaching it! LOL I have to say that this was my first time trying, it's not perfect but I'll get it after many clicks! Thank you Val and Stephanie for your expertise and insight!

Hi Val and Stephanie,

Thank you for such a fabulous morning! I left feeling I learned so much and was so inspired by the both of you!! Hope to see you soon !!

Thank you for sharing with us your knowledge and passion with helpful tips and tools! It is obvious that you are doing what you love. I am grateful to have had the chance to attend the workshop today! It was a GIFT, I left feeling more inspired than ever before! Thank you Thank you!!! Capturing True Emotion workshop blogged @ www.beckylewphotography.com click on BLOG. Thank you for a beautiful day together and gifting me with inspiration and tools to take photography to the next level. Sincere Thanks, Becky

Thank you so much Val and Stephanie for the workshop today. It was a pleasure learning from both of you and I cannot wait to take another one.

I just wanted to personally thank you for the time you took out of your life to teach us what you did this morning:) I am glad to know that I am doing something right. I just wanted to send you my website and maybe you can tell me from one photographer to another if I am doing a good job. I love your work and I was so ...honored to be able to take a class from you! I look forward to many more in the future. Again thank you.

Hello Val,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn from you today.  I had a great time at your workshop, finally learning how to use my Canon properly!  The class time was very valuable, but I really enjoyed putting everything I learned to use during the Expedition in the afternoon.  I left the expedition today with great confidence and a new found love for my camera.  I am excited to put everything I learned to use in my everyday photography, and can't wait to share my images with my blog followers.

Thanks for a great day today,

Hi Val,

I just completed your workshop in Tempe at the Buttes and I learned a great deal. And now I know I have a great deal more to learn through practice.  I did talk to you after the workshop and explained that I am the artist with the degrees in Fine Arts - Photography without the technological back-up.  And as you suggested I did sign up to be a volunteer through your website, so hopefully I will see you at the next workshop in the Phoenix area.

Again thank you,

Hi, Val and Stephanie,

I just want to thank you for your WONDERFUL workshop.  I was the woman who asked you to share your settings (repeatedly – ha ha) near the front center of your Phoenix/Tempe workshop.  Finally, I understand photography!  I thought I knew some basics about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.  The only problem was, I learned them each separately.  While I don’t have it all down (that will take years!), I can play with light and actually understand why one photograph turned out better than another.  I took pictures at a roller rink last night and today at the dog park, and they far exceeded my expectations.  My only regret is that my Rebel XTi doesn’t spot meter…

You were successful because you know how to break things down into manageable bits of information.  I’m a presenter in the field of education, and I don’t often see that outside of my field.  Thank you, thank you!

Best regards,

Dear Val and Stephanie;

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your seminar.  I have been taking photos for about 30 years and attended other workshops, read books, saw info online, etc and I learned more in your 4 hour workshop than I have in anything else I have participated in.  Thank you sooooooooooo much.