What does success look like for you? In Walter Benjamin’s 1935 essay “Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” he argued the venue basically declares what’s art and what’s not. As a younger man, I hated this interpretation. “What do you mean the museums and galleries get to decide what’s art?!???” I favored a more democratic approach. It’s art, if it speaks to me, if I can relate to it and it makes me feel something. Now as an older artist, I spend more time than I’d like to admit trying to get my work in galleries and museums. I see now, in a practical sense, old Benjamin had a point. How do you measure success? Is it by where your work is shown? How many people see it? How often it’s written about/where it’s published? Or maybe it’s how much money you make? For me, these days I base it on if I finish the work, and how close it is to my intended idea/vision. Making the damn thing is already hard enough. Everything else is extra.

I’m working to upload the first batch of classes this week. They’ve actually been scripted already I’m just struggling to record them. I’m trying to make this as useful as possible, so I’m going to post the classes folks need the most first. Not necessarily the order I think folks should go through them. But the first classes I’m planning include: Lighting 101 Photoshop - masking/processing Photo 101 - Developing your vision If there’s anything specific you guys want to learn from me you can dm me for requests. Or just drop them in this thread. P.s I should also add, I’m planning to revise these classes as I go. Like iPhones, the first iteration is probably going to be ass. They will get better, I promise!

I would add to this, always store your stands secured. Everyone else will love you for it. This was one of the first things I learned in the field. Because it’s also the most annoying to deal with 😂 https://youtube.com/shorts/qOxRlHbT0RQ?si=NS-Q17N6nC8aN_zJ

Here's a welcoming and motivational message you can post: Hello, Photo Nerds! 🌟 I’m thrilled to join this amazing community of passionate photographers. 📸✨ Learning to take jaw-dropping photos is such an inspiring journey, and I can’t wait to grow alongside all of you. They say once you start seeing through the lens of a photographer, the world transforms—ordinary moments become extraordinary, and beauty reveals itself everywhere. Let’s capture those moments and make reality look even more magical together. Excited to learn, share, and get inspired! Let’s create some unforgettable art! 💡🎨

Don’t do this on the older models. They will catch on fire. Ask me how I know 😅