Schooled Online | Fine Art School Photography Course for Photographers

I created Schooled Online as way for photographers to create business and stay busy during normally slow months by adding Fine Art School Portraits to their offerings. 

There is TONS of content in this course, plus you also get access to all of my school photography templates including emails, model releases, contracts, checklists, and more! 

We have an active Facebook group community where you can ask quesitons and interact with your peers, in addition to watching weekly live Q&As. We also host monthly cover contests!

Below are this month's cover contest submissions. Be sure to check out the work of my incredible students and click the button to learn if adding School Portraits is right for your business!

Cover photo by Lara Fisher Skanchy.

Sara Thom "This course has been amazing! I’m going to give some fine art school portraits a go as minis this fall to see how it goes! I’m so excited to start offering these!!"

www.facebook.com/sarathomphotography | www.instagram.com/sarathomphoto | www.sarathomphotography.com

Shannon Garbaccio "Elena's Schooled class is a complete "kit" that you can take and get going on your school photo business right away. She has such simple systems that are so easy to use. It's a great way to diversify your business."

shannongarbaccio.com | https://www.instagram.com/shannongarbacciophoto/ | https://www.facebook.com/shannongarbacciophotography/

Tanielle Randall "As a mom, I was never fond of traditional school portraits. The kids always looked stiff and uncomfortable. Finding Elena course has been a blessing because I am able to capture authentic images of children. Just getting started but looking forward to a great school year!"

www.taniellerandall.com | www.instagram.com/tanielle_randall | www.facebook.com/TanielleRandall

Nathalie Amlani "Elena’s course is straight to the point and has provided the direction and insights I needed to get started in school photography, thank you!"

www.pictonat.com | www.instagram.com/pictonatphoto | www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto

Amy Semmens "I have loved what I’ve learnt from Elena’s course and am so excited to bring another income stream to my business outside of seasonal work. Thanks so much for your amazing teachings Elena xx"

www.instagram.com/AmySemmensphotography

Lara Fisher Skanchy

Courtney Zito "Photography has always been a passion, but all of Elena’s courses & workshops have given me the confidence and skill set to thrive as a small business owner. I purchased Schooled on May 17th, and had my first school session two weeks later! This course is a game-changer! Thanks Elena!"

www.courtneyzitophotography.com | www.instagram.com/courtneyzitophotography | www.facebook.com/courtneyzitophotography

Katie Kueck "I’m excited to start with my first school this year after leaving a career in medicine to have more flexibility and time with my kids (one is modeling for me above!)."

Katiekueck.com | https://www.instagram.com/katiekueck/ | Facebook.com/katiekueckphotography

Emily Dowell "

https://www.emilydowellphotography.com/schools/

Maggie McCabe "It's really thanks to Elena that I took this leap to begin with. This Schooled course especially was the final tipping point. I'm so excited to begin offering this service. I'm still working on putting all of the finishing touches on my portfolio and marketing material but all of Elena's materials and videos have been incredibly helpful and thorough."

Maggiemcc.com | https://www.facebook.com/maggiemccphotography | https://www.instagram.com/maggiemccphotography/

Michele Mateus

www.michelemateusphotography.com

Vanessa Brack "I was looking to work more while my kids were in school and less in the evenings and on weekends. School photography is perfect for that and Elena's class has been invaluable to me."

https://www.vanessabrack.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/vanessabrack/

Kelly Power "I stumbled across the Schooled class about 2 years ago on Instagram and signed up immediately. I was looking for a way to work on the same schedule of my girls. I just added my 3rd preschool this week. I can happily say I now have summers off and my youngest will start a pre-K 4 this fall so I have more life/work balance without having to look for clients year around."

https://www.kellypowerphotography.com/ | https://instagram.com/kellypowerphotography.com

Elise Roseann "This course has given me confidence in what I can achieve. I have all the tools I need to make this work, I couldn't recommend it enough. My first school is in October!"

www.eliseroseannphotography.com | www.facebook.com/eliseroseannphotography | www.instagram.com/eliseroseannphotography

Pierson | Seattle Family Photographer

Okay, I know what you are thinking when you scroll through this post. 1. This photographer takes a thousand photos and shares too many. 2. No way this family is for real. Okay okay, to be fair, yes, I take WAY too many photos. But it's because I am in love with what I do. Like I am up all at night in my bed thinking about how much I love the families I work with and how excited I am to create more for them. To make a better experience for them. To show them that their family is a work of art. When I get in my zone during a session I am not restricting my creativity at all. I just go with it. Because of that, I don't miss a thing. And for number 2... yes, this family is impossibly stunning. But guess what? They are so freakin cool, so down to earth, so fun, and THAT my friends is why these images are so beautiful. Just look at how they look at each other. Look at how those babies just adore their mama and how daddy's strong arms hold that chubby little baby in the most tender way. Just look at how comfortable they are in each others presence. 

We met a year ago and while we haven't held true to it yet, Stella and I are planning on meeting for a mamas night out ASAP. She is good people. Like the kind of women you just want in your life. And their little family is perfectly imperfect. They are energetic, intense, and so unique. I just adore each and every one of them. So that is why these images are so beautiful. Because I allowed myself to fall head over heels in love with them and they trust me to capture them, as they are, for who they are. 

One Cloudy Day | Seattle Family Photographer

Hey friends! I am super excited to share this family with you all. The mother, Amy, and I have really had a chance to get to know each other this past year but I had yet to meet her family. I really looked forward to our session together as it had been on the books since this past November. Well, typical for spring in Seattle, we have had a good combo of sunny days and rainy days. We had to reschedule once because of the rain but went ahead with the session on the new date even though it was cloudy and a bit chilly. I find it interesting how the weather really sets the tone for a session. I know these boys are active and love to explore, like most boys, however the chilly weather made them turn into their comfort, their family and we ended up with a much more cuddly session. My guess is that had it been sunny they would have been much more rowdy.

Our session began a bit strange with Dad helping an old man who was lost in the parking lot. It made if very clear to me just how he is both kind and selfless. Then, we played, looked for crabs, threw some rocks, and they snuggled with the best of them. There were lots of hugs and kisses. Even though it was in fact chilly, I felt their warmth the whole time and I think these images speak to their bond and closeness.

I will admit…I take a lot of photos. Once, when I was still finding my way in photography, I would spend hours culling, trying to get down to that “magic” number that my peers were telling me that my galleries need not exceed. Well guess what? Who cares! I am a storyteller. Some single moments have 30 images and I am not ashamed of that and you shouldn’t be either. Be the artist you want to be. Take the photos you want to take. Your work will be richer and mean more to you and the families you photograph if you put your heart and soul into it. And if that means taking a million photos, then do it. So here is a sample of this family's huge gallery. I hope it warms your soul a little as it sure did mine.

Seattle Newborn Photography Workshop | Seattle Newborn Photographer

Last month I hosted my very first in person photography workshop. My hope was to connect with other photographers and help them find meaning and direction in their family photography. Together, we photographed a newborn family and a family in Pioneer Square in Seattle. It is so rewarding to help others along in their photography journey.

This little family was the best newborn family we could have asked for. They were so patient and the baby was an absolute dream. She was curious about all the photographers in her face but she tolerated us.

I enjoyed connecting with such a wonderful group of women and sharing my style of photography. I look forward to more photography workshops where I can share my love and passion for family photography. I will be sharing the family shoot later this week.