photography workshops and creative business courses

I often wonder where I learn new things. When I’m taking new chances with a photograph, where do those bursts of inspiration come from? Are they from direct instruction through classes or photography workshops I’ve personally taken? Are they latent images in my mind of photos I’ve once seen? Or are they new thoughts and amalgamations from other experiences altogether?

Seeing is growing as a visual artist. I am all about doing research and looking anywhere and everywhere for ideas and inspiration. I am even comfortable with stumbling through online tutorials…to a point. Step-by-step posts and videos can be super helpful, but they don’t take into account the variables that may arise. Once you’re “in it”, there’s little to no room in trying something new with certainty.

Nothing compares to the practice of in-person guidance and hands-on training. EVERY single time I get in the room with someone who is equally passionate about our trade, I see a massive change in what I am able to achieve. I’ve been fortunate to find mentors and leaders in this field to help me in this process. Through workshops and tutorials, I have been able to take new concepts and applications to properly execute my intended vision.

Let KJAD teach you

Basically, hands-on learning is where it’s at. We are excited to announce our very first workshop series “[ISO] in search of…“. These three workshops (2 photography workshops + 1 branding course) are designed to cater to a wide variety of creatives.

The first two workshops are for photographers with varying levels of knowledge of the medium. “[ISO] BASICS” is a photography workshop for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and beginner photographers. Photographers who want more control over the images they capture and a better understanding of their cameras and flash. “[ISO] LIGHT” is a photography workshop for working photography professionals. Those taking LIGHT want to grow their understanding of off-camera lighting and other lighting techniques. The last of this workshop series is “[ISO] BRAND”. This course is for creative entrepreneurs looking to start and structure a business more effectively. Additionally, we will be focusing on the visual brand of each persons’ business – meaning all of the front facing elements like logo, website, color, social presence, etc.

Why host a workshop?

Being a photographer for 20 plus years has given me the experience and confidence to face any lighting or composition challenge with enthusiasm and excitement. And while that is vastly important to my creative and consistent photography career, it’s seems unfortunate to not share those techniques and knowledge with others.

Additionally, I have taught at Wilkes University in the Digital Design and Media Art program for over a decade. As an artist, I fondly reflect on my interactions in college with professors and peers, and think of everything that brought me to where I am now. As an instructor, I regularly strive to build those same meaningful connections with my students to help them advance their creative careers.

By starting this workshop series, I now have the opportunity to merge these two aspects of my life into one. Education at the KJAD Studio has been a goal of mine since the day I opened my doors in 2015… and now it’s time.

Event Details

in search of BASICS • June 4, 2023 • 9:30am-7:30pm

in search of BRAND • June 8, 2023 • 5pm-9pm

in search of LIGHT • June 25, 2023 • 9am-9pm

Congress Hall, Cape May, NJ

Our photography and videography crews started our 2021 wedding season at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ with Kiki and Dave. Kiki had been planning her destination Congress Hall wedding for as long as she could remember. So, being able to carry out her dream wedding despite the global pandemic, meant more to her than one could imagine. With a stately, historic yellow building and a perfectly blue sky as the backdrop of this chilly early spring Cape May beach wedding, we give you Kiki’s dream wedding… oh and Dave’s too!! ; )

Oh and be sure to check out the “KJAD aqua” ballroom. So cool.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Steve and Tom

VIDEOGRAPHERS: Stephen and Stay

VENDORS:

Ceremony & Reception Site: Congress Hall, Cape May, NJ

Entertainment: BME Event Group

Salon: Say I Do Hair and Makeup

Dress Shop: Van Cleve Bridal

Bridesmaid Dress Shop: The Dress Lounge

Tuxes: Tuxedo by Sarno

Shoes: FitFlop

Invitations: The Knot

Officiant: Judge Joseph Carmondy, District Magistrate

Cake: The Bake Works

Florist: The Manic Botanic

Coordinators: Erin O’Brien (ICONA Resorts) & Shauna Strellish (Westmoreland Club)

What’s better than kissing your sweetheart at midnight on New Year’s Eve? Kissing as newlyweds on New Year’s Eve! Kaitlin & Mike celebrated their new marriage by ringing in a whole new year surrounded by friends and family; friends and family who were ready to par-tay (please refer to Mom below). There’s just something about the chilly holiday air that exudes romance so we can see why Kaitlin & Mike chose New Year’s Eve as their wedding day. We’re also big fans of Kaitlin’s and her father’s wedding day Chuck Taylors. We’re suckers for the Chucks at KJAD! Be sure to check them out!

Happy Newlywed Year, Kaitlin & Mike!!

VENDORS:

Ceremony Venue: St. Paul’s Parish

Reception Venue: Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel

Dress: Head to Toe Bridal Dunmore

Tuxes/Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

Shoes: Converse

Flowers: Lavender Goose

Coordinators: Sofia’s Soiree

Entertainment:  EJ the DJ

Transportation: AJ Limo Coach

Cake: Community Bakeshop

Invitations: Vista Print