January consisted of me eating a lot of Pizza. Not just because I like pizza, but because I photographed an editorial spread for Milwaukee Magazine. I had fun at all of the restaurants that I shot, but I’m including some of my new friend Gino from Calderone Club.

Gino was a great host! He threw dough up in the air, taught me about the fine points of pizza making, introduced me to the staff…..I think he made about 3-4 pizzas. And of course, he wanted me to taste them all. And of course, I DID taste them all. And they were all amazing.

And then I went home and worked out, because I still had 3 more restaurants to photograph! Lol.

To sign up for this class, please visit www.jkaminskiphoto.blogspot.com to download a registration form! All classes are held at the studio located at 215 N Water Street, in the Third Ward.

“The Kid Stays in the Picture”
You have kids. You have a camera. Now if you could just figure out how to use the camera to capture the kids…????
J Kaminski Photography is proud to welcome guest instructor and photographer Kim Bednarski Anderson as she guides us through the wonderful world of documenting your children. Kim has photographed children in the studio and out for 14 years and can provide you with real life techniques for your photography to take your photos to the next level. Discussion will range from proper camera settings to tried and true techniques to get beyond the “cheese”. Kim is an award winning photographer with The Wedding Photojournalists Association, The Wedding and Portrait Photographers Association and has instructed and judged at The Foundation Workshop.

This class is divided into three amazing learning opportunities. During the first class, you will be entertained and bedazzled by Kim’s visually-based presentation that will include tips and tricks that Kim has amassed over the years. During the second class, flex your photography muscles by bringing your camera and practicing your skills with children models and Kim’s guidance. And last, but not least, the third class will be a show-and-tell of work. Through presentation and discussion, learn from your fellow classmates.

A lively instructor, valuable information, and social interaction with other adults. What’s not to love?

Three Meetings: Mondays: May 10th, May 17th, May 24th
6:00 – 8:00 pm

$150

This class is limited to 10 students. Sign up before May 1st and receive $25 off!

p.s. Wouldn’t this be a GREAT mother’s day gift? Yes, we gift wrap.

Kim is an award winning photographer with The Wedding Photojournalists Association (www.wpja.com) , The Wedding and Portrait Photographers Association (www.wppionline.com), The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (www.ispwp.com) and has mentored and judged at The Foundation Workshop (www.fwforum.com).

I am excited to announce that I have won a Milwaukee Press Club Award!!

Photojournalism Category PJ-4
Best Feature Photograph
1st Place
Jessica Kaminski
Jordan Dechambre-Childers (Editor)
True Blood
M: Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine

Today I assisted photograph John Nienhuis at Children’s Hospital for a non profit called Flashes of Hope. This organization is dedicated to photographing children who are fighting cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

It was a pretty amazing experience. In fact, I don’t think I can really write about it because I’m still taking it all in. If you’d like to read more about this organization, please visit www.flashesofhope.org.

On The Road
A Photography Course for the Traveller

“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton”

Digital photography and cameras have allowed amateur users many more options for creating creative travel images. However, very few users know how to get the most out of their cameras. When you’re traveling to places where you may never return, that’s unacceptable. This class will allow you to feel confident about using your camera to take home all the images you experienced, and more! In this class, “P” is for Peggy, not ‘Program.’

We’ll start with the camera settings that you MUST know and give you practice opportunities to use them, so that you won’t need to fumble with the manual. Next we’ll move onto the rules of composition, including people in your images, and the best things to photograph during different parts of the day. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, you’ll learn how to store, back-up and then produce lasting products, like personalized books, that will allow you to relive your travel experiences for years to come.

The bulk of this class will be taught from actual travel images that Peggy’s made over the years so expect your vision to be expanded. Sign up for the class and start planning that ‘once in a lifetime’ trip today!

3 Meetings: Wednesdays April 14, 21, May 5 (No class April 28th)
6 – 8 pm
$300

This class is limited to 10 students.

Shoot and Retouch

Both Jessica and Peggy will be instructing this class. Students will watch as studio lighting setups are built from scratch using a live model. Compare and contrast how differently Peggy and Jessica will work with photographing the model. After the shoot, we will demonstrate how images are selected and edited in Adobe Lightroom and finally retouched in Photoshop.

One Meeting: May 12

6-8pm

$150

This class is limited to 10 students

Instructor: Peggy Morsch (www.peggymorsch.com)

Peggy Morsch is a graduate of the Rocky Mountain School of Photography Summer Intensive program. She earned the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation from the Professional Photographers Association and is a member the Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association. Her work has taken her to Chile, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, various states and her own backyard. Publications include coffee table books, calendars and cards, as well as images hung in private collections. Her current project is a book about the relationships dogs play in the lives of women, entitled Dogs & Their Women.