Combining a love for teaching with a passion for photography creates an incredibly rewarding experience as a photography instructor. We have the unique opportunity to share not just our technical knowledge, but also our love for the art form itself.
The Joy of Sharing Knowledge
As CPC instructors, we're more than just teachers, we're enthusiasts eager to pass on our expertise. We find joy in:
- Sharing our passion for the subject
- Imparting knowledge to eager learners
- Watching the growth and development of our students
Understanding Our Students
As teachers, we see a wide range of students, each with their own aspirations and challenges:
- Some are eager to learn but confused about certain aspects of photography
- Others lack confidence in their abilities
- Many feel overwhelmed by the learning curve
Our role is to guide them through these obstacles, helping them take their photography to the next level. It's exciting to see a student grasp a concept, master a new technique, or become more comfortable with their equipment.
Empathy in Teaching
No one is born a photographer. We all had to learn the craft, and remembering our own struggles helps us become better instructors. By recalling our journey, we can:
- Relate to our students' challenges
- Develop effective teaching methods
- Create a supportive learning environment
A Gift of Photography Education
I remember my early days working at Penn Camera. Despite my love for photography, when digital photography emerged, I was intimidated and faced a steep learning curve.
I sought help from everyone around me but it was Elliot Stern (the Nikon rep at the time) who spent time with me one afternoon and gave me a solid foundation in digital photography, explaining complex concepts in a way I could understand. His training sparked my excitement for this new technology and a passion to share it with others. I am thankful for his skill as a teacher and the gift of knowledge he gave me that day.
Continuous Learning and Growth
Teaching photography keeps us on our toes. It:
- Motivates us to stay informed about the latest trends and techniques
- Challenges us to master new skills so we can effectively teach them
- Encourages us to explore different aspects of photography
Without the need to train others, we might not push ourselves to expand our own knowledge and skills as much. The responsibility of educating others drives us to continually improve our own craft.
The Reciprocal Nature of Teaching
While students often express gratitude for our instruction, we owe them equal thanks. Our students:
- Keep us motivated to stay at the forefront of photographic knowledge
- Fuel our passion for sharing and teaching
- Provide us with the satisfaction of seeing their growth and success.
Without students, we would lose our inspiration and the pleasure we get from helping others learn and grow in their photographic journey.
Conclusion
The art of teaching photography enriches both the student and the instructor, creating a beautiful symbiosis of learning and creativity.
We hope to have the pleasure of working with you at one of our classes soon!
Note - not all instructors are shown.