I didn't take this picture. Jen Chang did.
Didn't take this one either. Stephanie Hunt did.
Nope, not this one. This one's by Dan Baumann.
You guessed it. I didn't shoot this one. Eldar Hamitov did.
So...who the heck made all these stunning images? If you guessed: The Next Up and Coming Collection of Documentary, Fine Art, and Portrait Photographers in NYC - you'd be correct.
I also have the honor of calling them: My Students.
For over three years I've been teaching photography classes, private lessons, and workshops with my partner JP. Together, we run JP Teaches Photo, and since 2010 have taught over 30,000 people how to make incredible images with all types of cameras. Some come to us because they can't get their kids to sit still long enough for a photo. Some love to travel, and want to take advantage of all those confusing buttons and dials on their camera along the way. Some just love the feeling of walking through NYC with a camera in hand - present, observant, in the moment.
To say I love being a photographer is an understatement. It's been who I am for more than half my life. My cameras became an extension of my hands many years ago.
But to share my work and not share my love of teaching would be a crime. There's nothing more fulfilling than watching my students' faces light up because they've finally discovered the answer to that pesky technical question, or when they email me photos they've made that far surpass even their own expectations. When they come running back to my advanced level classes, hungry for more. When they open their own photography businesses.
Proud Mama Bear times 12,000 over here.
Because I adore my students and the work they continue to make, I decided this year to create an acknowledgment for them. This Friday, Feb 10th, we're hosting the first ever:
Photosplosion NYC
Join us for a gallery show of a select group of students' work. For many, this is the first opportunity to share their work publicly, and I couldn't be more proud.
Beautifully curated by Tyler Greenpope, and expertly produced by Ana Maria Mutchler, this show is going to be a blast.
Grab your tickets HERE and enjoy wine, food, music, a live photo booth, and of course - THE PHOTOGRAPHS!!
Nope, I didn't take this one either. Mack Hopper snapped it!