Schooled An Online Course On Boutique School Photography and Fine Art School Portraits

This past spring I launched my first ever online version of my in person class, Schooled. I knew that I wanted to offer a learning experience that was motivating and actionable. Too many of my students peers have told me of money spent on content that simply sits on their hard drive. 

I wanted my students to have all the tools they needed to take action and to actually start building their portfolio and booking schools immediately! Welp!! They are knocking my socks off.

BOUTIQUE SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY IS IN HIGH DEMAND ALL OVER THE WORLD. 

Parents are craving a fresh and more personal alternative to school photography. I want to celebrate my students and share with you the amazing work they have been up to and also their kind words on how this online course has built up their businesses. 

There are so many success stories that I am breaking this up into a three post installment. Get ready to be inspired!! Go follow these talents artists today! 

Emily Dowell "What didn't I learn from this course? I'm so excited to have all the tools and confidence to go out and present a valuable product I believe in. Elena leaves no stone unturned and I'm sure Fine Art School Portraits is the key to taking my new business to the next level."

https://www.facebook.com/emilydowellphotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/emily_dowell_photography/ | https://www.emilydowellphotography.com/

Ashley Steers Volker "I always thought that "Fine Art" photography was too stiff and formal for me, but I was SO wrong! Elena shares an incredible amount of information in this course, from planning & marketing, to shooting & processing, to bringing in orders & wrapping up. She pours out her heart to encourage other photographers to be open minded enough to take a leap of faith and give school portraits a try. I have gone from apprehensive and even scared to excited and motivated all because of this course! Thank you Elena!"

www.morningbeautifulphotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/morningbeautifulphotography | https://www.instagram.com/morningbeautifulphotography

Heather Svien "This course has given me the tools to take my business to another level. Providing me with a workflow for the business end and pushing myself creatively, I have been able to book one school for the fall and be confident that I can deliver the the best experience for the school. Elena held nothing back in sharing what it takes to make Fine Art School Portraits a successful part of your photography business."

http://www.rubyhuephotography.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/Rubyhuephotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/rhpkids/

Jennifer Bauldree "Elena's course was a game-changer for me and my business. My school portrait business has already begun to grow, with two schools already booked and thrilled about what they will offer to their families! Elena's style is direct and encouraging, and the instructions and tutorials are so easy to follow. This comprehensive course is fantastic and I'm grateful for Elena putting her heart into it and into the student community."

www.jenbauldree.com | https://www.facebook.com/jenbauldreephotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/jenbauldreephotography

Shannon Garbaccio "Elena has created a terrific, fool proof course to take your photography business to the next level. I have been able to add a whole new facet to my business, its truly invaluable ! The icing on the cake is her truly unwavering support and enthusiasm for each of her students success."

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

Malerie Veillon "This course was the stepping stone that helped me simply get started in my photography side business. I'm so passionate about these fine art portraits, I'm even branching out to grandparents for my own personal projects!"

www.joyfuljanephotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/joyfuljanephotography/

Laurie Hatfield "I don't even know where to start about this course! I felt for a while like I would enjoy school photography but had NO idea where to even begin. Elena's course walks you through everything from start to finish! I went from some free portfolio-building shoots to booking some paid mini sessions in my home and booking my son's preschool for portraits this coming spring! I can't wait to see where it goes from here!"

www.lauriehatfieldphotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/lauriehatfieldphotography/ | www.instagram.com/laurie_hatfield

Nicole Parizo "I have found another genre to add to my work! I absolutely love taking pictures of these kiddos. If it weren't for Elena's class I wouldn't think this would be something I would even like or be good at. She is simply amazing and generous with sharing her knowledge!!"

www.nicoleparizo.com | https://www.instagram.com/nicole_parizo/ | https://www.facebook.com/NicoleParizoPhotography/

Julia Lorraine Peterson "Elena made starting out in boutique school photography organized and fun while taking all the dread out of it. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Elena has a tried and true method that is simple and effective."

www.julialorraine.com | https://www.instagram.com/julialorrainepeterson/ | https://www.facebook.com/julialorrainephotography/

Lisa Cole "I loved how straightforward the information was in this course and that I was able to immediately (and confidently) add school portraits to my services."

www.lisacolephotography.com | https://www.instagram.com/lisacolephotography/ | www.facebook.com/lisacolephotography

Walder | Seattle Family Photographer

So I don't even know where to begin. It's funny how many photographers I meet who are or were also registered nurses. There has to be something there. Perhaps we are simply drawn to human connection in any form, because that is one parallel I find in both careers. Connection. 

Amber and I are both nurses and both are photographers. We both feel passionate about family and community. We have so many similarities. 

When she asked me to photograph them while they were on vacation here in Seattle I was absolutely honored. 

This shoot is everything I want my art to say. It is raw, it is real, it is authentic, it is all the descriptive words I strive for. :)

Family photography is my life's  work. I know there are many talented photographers in the world and when someone decides to take time out of their vacation for me to capture them I don't take that privilege lightly. 

I hope you can feel what I felt when I took these images. I hope you can tell how powerful this mama is. I hope you can get a glimpse into just how tender and loving this papa is. I hope you feel the rowdy energy from her three boys yet the sweet love and adoration they have for each other. I hope you can tell that her baby girl is in a season in life where she loves her mama fiercely. 

I just hope I did them justice. 

Boutique School Photography Workshop | Fine Art School Portrait Course

This past spring I launched my first ever online version of my in person class, Schooled. I knew that I wanted to offer a learning experience that was motivating and actionable. Too many of my students peers have told me of money spent on content that simply sits on their hard drive. 

I wanted my students to have all the tools they needed to take action and to actually start building their portfolio and booking schools immediately! Welp!! They are knocking my socks off.

Boutique school photography is in high demand all over the world. 

Parents are craving a fresh and more personal alternative to school photography. I want to celebrate my students and share with you the amazing work they have been up to and also their kind words on how this online course has built up their businesses. 

There are so many success stories that I am breaking this up into a three post installment. Get ready to be inspired!! Go follow these talents artists today! 

Lyndsay Mills McNiff "this course gave me the confidence to even attempt portraits. I used to think there was no way to take a lifestyle/documentary approach to a classic portrait, but this course completely changed my mind. I am looking forward to working with another photographer on my first school in September!"

www.lyndsayhannahphotography.com | www.facebook.com/lyndsayhannahphotography | www.instagram.com/lyndsayhannahphotography

Aimee Glucina "It's fair to say that Elena Blair's Fine Art School Portraits workshop is one of the most practical, implementable and enjoyable things you could do to shift your photography business to the next level. By investing in Elena's course I was given all (really all) of the tools and advice needed to open up an entire new revenue stream for my business. I adore shooting lifestyle sessions. I love the energy of them and creating images full of connection and love is important to me. So I had not previously thought that more traditional portraiture (let alone "school portraits") would be my thing. But Elena shows you how to inject "you" into your school portraits. And how to elevate a "head and shoulders snap" to fine art. Having taken Elena's courses before I knew that she is a generous and open teacher. That continues here where she lays her business model bare and shows you everything you need to know. If you're looking for ways to expand your business and deepen your revenues this course is a no brainer."

www.aimeeglucinaphotography.com | www.facebook.com/aimeeglucinaphotography | www.instagram.com/aimeeglucinaphotography

Loren Haar "I enjoyed the portfolio building process almost as much as the class itself -- so fun to get a collection of images together that will help sell your services. The class materials are invaluable in getting you ready to approach schools. I just had a meeting with my third school and she mentioned how professional my materials and presentation were -- that's all thanks to this class!"

www.lorephotography.com | www.facebook.com/lorephotographyventura | www.instragram.com/lorephotographyventura

Carol Lucey Davis "I've been pondering offering fine art school portraits for a few years, but didn't have the details put together in my head. Elena's course not only filled in all the blanks for me, but her enthusiastic encouragement and the camaraderie and ideas among the other photographers in the class are benefits I can't begin to put a price on. I've got a few schools lined up already and can't wait to grow this business more!"

www.desertbloomphotography.com | www.instagram.com/desertbloomphotography | www.facebook.com/desertbloomphotography

Heather Barradas "This course gave me the tools I needed to improve my portraits skills and figure out how to put the business and creative sides of a portrait business together. All the information was so helpful and I learned so much! I am just starting to work this style of portraiture into my business and am so exctied to grow my business with the help of this course and all the knowledge I gained!"

www.heatherbarradasphotography.com | www.instagram.com/heatherbarradasphotography | www.facebook.com/heatherbarradasphotography

Karra Cappelli "This course has given me the confidence in taking simple, beautiful portraits. I incorporate the skills I've learned in this course into my family sessions. Thank you Elena!"

www.karralynnphotography.com | www.facebook.com/karralynnphotography |  www.instagram.com/karralynnphoto

Sarah Werner "Thank you so much for this course Elena! It gave me the last little push I needed to offer school portraits in my city. Your guide was so helpful and relevant! It helped me during every step of the modern school portrait experience. Even though my set up is a little different, your process saved me so much time and frustration! Thank you!!!!!"

www.indigosquirrel.com | www.facebook.com/indigosquirrelphoto | www.instagram.com/indigosquirrelphoto

Jenny Schmitt Diaz "I loved this course, because it was so generously filled with information about every aspect of shooting school portraits from start to finish. It provided me everything I needed know having never done school portraits before and allowed me to expand and diversify my business in a way I hadn't previously thought of or considered. One of the best investments I've made in my photography education for sure."

www.jennydiazphotography.com | www.facebook.com/jennydiazphotography | www.instagram.com/jennydiazphotography

Casey Rae "This class has really elevated my business by giving me a new platform and a new "style" of photography. I initially took it because of the business opportunity of working with schools, but I have discovered that I love fine art portraiture. I've had so much fun and I feel like I've grown a lot as an artist and photographer. The class also gives you a perfect balance of artistic guidance, technical photography teaching, and logistical and business information. I can't overstate how valuable this has been for me!"

caseyraephoto.com | https://www.facebook.com/CaseyRaePhotographyStL/ | https://www.instagram.com/caseyraephoto/

Julie Powell "Elena has developed a straightforward system for creating and delivering beautiful, classic Fine Art Portraits. Her generous and relatable teaching style gave me confidence that I could really go into a group and not only make images in a classic style, but sell them and provide a really great product!"

www.facebook.com/rocklandstudios | www.instagram.com/julizabeth7 | www.wixsite.rocklandstudiospho.com/portraits

Brynlee | Seattle Newborn Photography

If I had to describe what my newborn sessions feel like, I would say they feel like an easy Sunday morning. 

I always schedule my sessions around 10:00 am. The reason is that I have learned over the years from being a mama to three babies, from caring for hundreds of newborns in my former career  as a NICU nurse, and also from photographing hundreds of newborns, that they tend to be calmer in the morning. Also, light indoor is typically better in the am. 

So when I arrive the house is usually just getting going. Coffee is typically brewing, mama is getting ready perhaps for the first time since having her baby, if there are siblings they are usually running around in their undies or diapers, and dad is usually laid back and helping get things in order. It feels just as it should. 

I never ask my families to do any strange or uncomfortable poses and I allow the baby to lead the session 100%. Baby needs to nurse 10 times, great. Baby wants to be awake the whole time, beautiful. Baby is sleepy and allows me to unfold her in a beautiful and natural way, wonderful. 

When I leave, I feel like I just had a cup of coffee with an old friend who had just given birth. I don't feel stressed or like I just worked in the least. In fact, I feel invigorated and grateful that I get to do this for a living. 

So, easy like Sunday morning, is how I would describe my newborn sessions. :)

Oscar | Seattle Newborn Photographer

You guys, this session may want to make you have another baby. Just warning you. :)

I have known this family for about a year now. I had the honor of capturing them last spring. So I was thrilled to be invited into their home to help welcome their third beautiful baby boy. 

The love in this house was palpable. These big brothers didn't have a bit of jealousy for their little brother, only love and complete adoration. It literally made my heart melt. 

I have shared a ton here because as usual, I couldn't help myself. Enjoy.