Boutique School Photography | Fine Art School Portrait Workshop

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Boutique School Photography | Fine Art School Portrait Workshop

Online Course Boutique School Photography Elena S Blair

Last year I launched an in person photography workshop called Schooled. This was my first workshop teaching all about implementing Fine Art School Portraits in your business. I was able to reach about thirty people from across the country. My favorite part of the workshop was that we actually photographed children so they left with a full portfolio, ready to launch. 

After receiving hundreds, nearly a thousand emails from photographers from around the world asking me to teach a workshop online, I decided to give it a go. I knew I wanted to make it an active workshop so that my students would be held accountable and really take action on their skills. 

Well, I opened the class for enrollment on April 7th and the students are blowing me away!! They are working hard through the materials, taking action right now and building their portfolios and building a beautiful network of other photographers working toward the same goals. 

My goal is to rise up leaders in the photography community. To pour myself into others so that they can give back to this community and to the families who they serve with their creative gifts. 

My heart is full as I see my students thrive every single day. 

I am sharing a sampling of their gorgeous images. As you can see, they didn't' waste any time and many have already booked schools! I am so very proud of them.

Carol Davis 

Carol Davis 

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Baby Eleanor | Seattle Newborn Photographer

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Baby Eleanor | Seattle Newborn Photographer

This little family has graced my blog and social media a few times over the past few months. :) 

When we met for their maternity session I left with butterflies in my tummy. I literally felt like I had finally been reunited with old friends that I had been missing for so long. It was a beautiful fall evening. The sun was warm and wrapped itself around them like a blanket. Then, we met again in the hospital when sweet baby girl arrived. And finally, they invited me into their home for this sweet in home newborn session. 

It felt like an easy, sleepy morning in their home. The Christmas tree was still up, coffee was brewing, and love was in fact in the air. They held their little treasure with the most tender of arms, soaking her in, reveling in the fact that they now had a baby girl to love and protect. 

It was beautiful. And I will admit I was sad as this meant out time of meeting regularly was over. They are just the best. Luckily we already have plans to do a family session in the summer. 

Enjoy this little family. I sure know I do! 

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Fine Art School Portraits | Seattle Boutique School Photographer

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Fine Art School Portraits | Seattle Boutique School Photographer

This has been my fifth school portait season! I can't even believe that. I have enjoyed forming relationships with select schools in the Seattle area and have especially enjoyed getting to spend so much time with all of these beautiful children. 

It is so funny how many different expressions kiddos will give you. You just have to allow them to be themselves instead of asking them to do something stiff or awkward. 

Today I am sharing a little sampling form a recent neighborhood preschool I photographed. How cute are they?! 

It just so happens that today is the official launch of my very first Fine Art School Portrait class. If you are interested in learning more click the button below. 

Enjoy!

 

 

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Baby Alex | Seattle Newborn Photographer

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Baby Alex | Seattle Newborn Photographer

This in hospital newborn photography session was so meaningful to me. You see, I used to be a NICU and L&D nurse and I miss that job often. I spent ten years observing so many beautiful emotions and connections. To be able to go in to a NICU and capture all of these things with my camera was incredible. It was like my lives were colliding. 

Newborn photography is so important. 

These moments are fleeing and I promise they will soon seem like distant memories. 

When this mama contacted me to photograph them while their second baby was in the NICU I was thrilled. 

We met on a Sunday morning. Their two year old was delightful and so excited to introduce me to her new baby. They went through their normal routine of diaper changes and kangaroo care (skin to skin) and I had the privilege of documenting it. 

I hope to do more in hospital newborn sessions soon. It was such an honor. 

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Hey Photographers, It's Okay To Say No

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Hey Photographers, It's Okay To Say No

Photography Business Tips Elena S Blair

 

A friend and I were chatting today about when you just know you should say no yet you don't. In the world of social media we see so many people doing so many things. It seems like everyone is traveling, buying new gear, getting their hair done, going to epic locations to do epic shoots, and the list goes on. 

It makes us want all those things. And trust me, it happens to me every day. 

But you have to know that every time you say yes you are also saying no to something else you could be doing during that time.

For instance... I have had an unusual amount of inquiries for births lately. And I LOVE shooting births. So much intensity and joy to be captured. However, if I said yes to two of the births I was offered, I would literally have to forego all travel this summer with my family. Not okay.

But I considered it. Then I took pause and said "Elena, get your priorities straight. You only have 10 summers before Cooper goes off to college, use them wisely." 

Or another example, a beloved past client asked me to photograph her dental office. I LOVE this client and I considered doing it for her because of how much I love her. But I realized that this would be be satisfying to me which would in turn lead to me doing sub par work, not good for her or me. So I referred her out. 

So remember, even though new opportunities are shiny and enticing, it's okay to say NO and important to stay true to yourself. 

Believe in you and know that I believe in you. :)

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