Mentor/Mentee Program
The mentor/mentee program is one of Photography West’s premier, unique, teaching programs. The design of the M & M program is to provide an opportunity for beginning level photographers on the path to create great pictures, learn how to select the essential camera settings for different subjects, learn tips and techniques of the mentors, meet and network with fellow mentees, and become more confident in their skills.
The program is designed to help mentees learn through a series of live classes, one-on-one sessions with their mentor, weekly homework assignments, and hands-on post processing of photographs. The weekly photo class lessons (approximately two hours in length) will deal with technical issues such as Composition and Lighting, Meter & Focus Modes plus a number of individual topics e.g. Nature subjects, People and Animals, etc. In addition, Photoshop Elements will be used as a post processing tool. The mentee and mentor may also select other areas of interest to the mentee.
The program is designed for members with DSLR cameras who want to learn how to use and master their camera. It is a prerequisite for the program that all mentees have a working knowledge how their camera operates, knowledge of f-stops and shutter speeds as well as the use of different focal length lenses. It is also required that each person also the Camera Craft classes offered prior to the start of the program.
Individuals will be paired with mentors (Advanced and Master Photographers) who will assist the mentee with developing their photography skills, accompany them on photo shoots, and introduce them to intermediate and advanced techniques of photo editing. Throughout the program, mentees will be expected to regularly post process their images using editing software such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Elements. The product from the homework assignments will be displayed weekly and there will be two critiques.
The ultimate goal will be to hold a Photo exhibition for the group and a Friday Program for all club members to display each person’s success. Also, the duration of the program is 10 weeks from early January, 2024 through late March, 2024.
Each person must be a current member of Photography West to be eligible to submit an application for the program. The cost of the M & M Program is $50. A check made payable to Photography West must be received within two weeks of being notified they have accepted into the program. As a Program mentee, you are required to monitor in the Lab twice ( two three hour periods) during the course of the program. Most program workshops are scheduled on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. Some elective components may be scheduled at other times. You are expected to attend every workshop event.
If you are interested in taking the program as a mentee or becoming a mentor, please download and fill out the appropriate application found below.
