Steve Simon Image

Update August 19: This workshop is now SOLD OUT!

Please email us to be put on a wait list for this workshop. Provided there is enough interest, we may be able to run another workshop on Friday, September 2nd. Thank you!


How to become a great Photographer with Steve Simon!

There are no secrets, at least not in this session where acclaimed Photographer Steve Simon from new York City deconstructs the elements that make good photographers great. This workshop will take you to a higher level in your own photographic journey.

Through his innovative 10-step process, you’ll be inspired to transform your passion into a unique personal vision. Steve will take you out of your comfort zone, helping you determine what you want to say in your work, while providing practical knowledge to translate your feelings into strong content.

Some of the concepts included in the 10 Steps are:

- The importance of mastering the technical and working your compositions
- How persistence, practice and the 10,000 hours theory can transform your work
- Seeing the light and the art of the edit.
- How to photograph people by establishing trust to gain access.
- Setting goals, following through and sharing your work.

We will look at ethics and overcoming photographic fears, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses as well as following your instincts and troubleshooting technical and practical issues.

A big part of this workshop is the critique session where Steve and the class share ideas and constructive criticism as we look at the 10 images in each of the participants portfolios.

Steve’s presentation combines humor and poignancy as he takes you on an inspirational journey through his personal, compelling projects. His presentation is full surprises and incorporates tips for balancing personal and more commercial work while pushing your photographic limits.

This will be an intense and fun experience, providing you with a reinvigorated passion for your work and a clear and concise plan of action, maximizing your strengths and talents to move forward toward becoming a great photographer.

In this one-day workshop, you will learn :
  • To trust your intuition and rid yourself of preconceptions that hold you back
  • How to transform photographic weaknesses into strengths
  • An approach to translate your vision to compelling photographs and find direction and meaning in your work
  • Composition and concentration techniques
  • How to connect with your subject and improve your people pictures
  • How to create an effective plan for improvement
  • Steve's personal approach for working in new environments
What to bring with you:
  • Please bring 10 images in print form (any size) or JPEGS on a USB FlashDrive. These images can be of any subject and should represent work you would like to get Steve's feedback on.
  • Camera
  • Lens
  • Battery
  • Memory card


Steve Simon has been passionate about documenting life through photography since he began taking photographs at age 12 in his home city of Montreal.

He has participated as a guest lecturer and workshop leader at various photography and arts events in Canada, The United States, and Argentina, including a nine city tour of University Photo Programs in the United States with Apple Computer.

Steve has had solo shows in New York at The Leica Gallery, Buenos Aires, Toronto and Montreal and his work has been featured three times at the Visa Pour L’Image Photography Festival in Perpignan, France. His work is in the permanent collections of The George Eastman House, Houston Museum of Fine Arts and The Canadian Archives and the Comune Di Verona.

The author of four critically acclaimed photography books with works in major museum collections around the world, Steve’s presentation combines humor and poignancy, as he takes you on an inspirational journey through his work.

From the emotional impact of 9/11 to a dazzling road trip across America At The Edge and coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. From the stark, often ruefully funny images in his coverage of American politics; to the unexpected photographs of strength, courage and the innate vitality of human warmth and resilience under pressure in Heroines and Heroes: Hope, HIV and Africa and The Grandmother Spirit.

Please visit the links below to learn more about Steve!

www.stevesimonphoto.com

www.twitter.com/stevesimon

Pre-Requisites

Level:

Beginner/Intermediate/Professional. All Levels welcome!

Enrollment:

Maximum 12 participants.

What to Bring

Equipment Needed:

  • Please bring 10 images in print form (any size) or JPEGS on a USB FlashDrive
  • Camera
  • Lens
  • Battery
  • Memory card

We Provide:

Event as described above.

Discounts

Early-Bird Discount:

Most of our courses and workshops offer a 10% discount is applied automatically if you register before the Early-Bird Discount deadline date listed in the registration table below.

Some courses and workshops offer a discount if you're among the first 3 people who register. This discount will replace the 'standard' Early Bird Discount mentioned above, and will be applied automatically during the online registration process (as long as it is available). Check the course/workshop listing page for more details.

Group Discount:

A 5% discount will be appplied if 3 or more people register at the same time for the same workshop. (All 3 tuitions must be paid for by one credit card to be considered a group registration.) Please follow the instructions on the online registration page.

Refunds

In order to provide the best learning environment possible VPW keeps class and tour sizes limited to 10-15 people (depending on the workshop). This is but one reason that we count on you to attend your chosen class or tour, once you have registered for it.

If you must withdraw for any reason please be aware of our refund policy as follows:

For our Local Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops valued at or under $100, VPW is unable to provide a cash refund. Transfers are limited to one transfer to either the same event at a later date, or a different event of equal value. VPW requires 48 hours written notice in order to make such a transfer (email notice is acceptable). The event you are transferring to must occur within 6 months of the original event you registered for. A $15 fee will be applied to all transfers.

For our Local Workshops, 1 to 5 days in length and our Local 4 to 10 Week Courses, VPW requires 30 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. (Email notice is acceptable.)

For our Master Photographer Series workshops, 1 to 5 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the workshop start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

Within 45 days of the Master Photographer Series workshop date all fees paid are non-refundable.

For our Photo Tours (national and international), the following charges will apply:

  • If you cancel up to 3 months before the tour start date and we can fill your space, your reservation (or deposit) fee will be refunded
  • There is no additional cancellation fee up to 8 weeks before the start of your tour
  • From 8 weeks to 4 weeks before the tour: 25% of your balance
  • From 4 weeks to 1 week before the tour: 50% of your balance
  • From 1 week to 72 hours before the tour: 75% of your balance
  • If you cancel within 72 hours of the start of the trip, no refund can be paid
  • Transaction charges incurred on accepting and refunding payments will be deducted from the refund amount
  • In the (unlikely) event that we cancel the Photo Tour, all monies paid will be refunded in full

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance to guard yourself against monies lost due to unavoidable cancellation by either party.

Transfers (for all events over $100): If you wish to transfer to a different workshop date, VPW requires a minimum of 30 days written (email) notice. All transfers are based on availaibility, and subject to approval by VPW staff. For courses/workshops with tuition above $101, the transfer fee is $35.

Transfer Fees as based on event pricing:
Tuition of $100 and below, the transfer fee is $15
Tuition of $101 and above, the transfer fee is $35

VPW can give no refunds:

If you registered for any event valued at or under $100
If you do not show up for your registered course.
If you register for a course beyond or below your skill or ability level.

Refunds for all events valued at $101 and above (excluding Master Series Workshops):
If a student wishes to cancel their registration for any of VPW's events, and has provided written notice within the appropriate timeframe, a refund less a $50 administration fee will be provided.

Course Cancellation:

Occasionally, we may have to cancel a course due to low enrollment. In this case, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid to VPW up to that time.

Instructor Replacement:

In the event that a listed instructor is unable to participate because of a change in his or her professional schedule, we will replace the instructor with someone of equal or similar credentials. If we cannot find a replacement in due time before the course is about to start, a particular class may have to be rescheduled.

Liability

In the event that we cancel your course, for any reason, the extent of VPW's liability is limited to the return of all monies paid. We will do everything we can to register you in another equivalent course. VPW will not be responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses of any kind.

Please note: An administration charge of $50 applies to all refunds

Read complete refund and liability policy

"Thank you for an amazing workshop this weekend! I'll be back for more."

"I learned so much in just 2 days. What a great studio space you have. The models were amazing too."

Read more testimonials......

This workshop is taught by the following instructor:

Steve Simon
 
See Steve's work by visiting his website here!

Class Dates Time Early-Bird Discount Ends Location Instructor Registration
Saturday September 3rd, 2011 8am - 6pm August 20th, 2011 VPW Studios Steve Simon SOLD OUT!