I leave my camera now on my counter so that I remember to use it. It was in my hands a lot more when the kids were babies and everything they did felt photogenic.
Now, with more hustled schedules and responsibilities, I find I often need a reminder to pull it out, and not just to take photos of the kids–although I do want to make sure I capture their evolving ages so that the photo archives don’t fizzle when they lose their baby teeth. It’s that I want to stay connected to this thing that has brought me so much joy, and use it to pay a little more attention to the world around me–maybe even broaden my lens when motherhood feels all-consuming. I want to remember to take photos of the tulips in the mason jar when that sliver of sunlight is hitting the dining room table just right, or the hallway pile of little tennis shoes that makes me smile, or a close-up of Nella’s braid, its loose hairs and red ribbon creating art against her eyelet blouse. The years of photo archives in my computer are like volumes of diaries–the moments and scenes that have inspired me to grab my camera. Those scenes change with time, but everyone has a life full of them–people and places and little things that interest us, delight us and make us pay a little more attention to the world and its light.
I’ve been taking photos of these things for years and am always surprised when I hear people say things like “I wish I could take better photos, but I’m not creative” or “I’d take more photos if I had something to photograph” because the joy of photography shouldn’t be limited to certain people or lifestyles. So last year, I created FRAMED!, a 3-week interactive online photography course to help make beautiful everyday photography more accessible to people who want to take better photos but are overwhelmed by all the technical aspects. Or maybe you used to take photos but lost your inspiration; or you do take photos, but they all sort of look the same and you’re looking for some new creative perspectives. I created FRAMED! for all of those reasons, and the third round starts next week (February 11).
It’s my favorite thing to lead–three weeks with assignments, lessons, online support and an amazing creative community; and it’s all intended to inspire you and motivate you to try new perspectives in your photography and give you tips and tricks in layman’s terms on how you can use light, angles, colors, space and editing to make your photos come to life and share them in engaging ways.
You can read a number of testimonials from past participants (25% of them came back after Round 1 to take Round 2 again!) here, but one of my favorite participant transformation stories is that of Corinne, the consultant I hired to help me with all the business and technical aspects of starting a web course last year. Corinne is skilled in the areas where I’m weaker–all the Type A stuff, and she considered herself more business minded than artsy. But, in helping me run the course, she thought it would be a good idea to actually participate in it the first round to push herself creatively and better understand the course. She used nothing more than her phone camera (but bought her first DSLR at the end of the course), and this is what she said about her experience:
I didn’t know the first thing about photography when I joined forces with Kelle to bring Framed! to her audience. I was the logistics-tech-project-manager person—here to help make this the best program possible for her amazing readers. But I would be lying if I said that I didn’t yearn to take meaningful photos and rediscover my own creative spirit as a self-employed working mom of three.
So I decided to jump into the assignments with the Framed! crew and I am so grateful that I did. Today, photography is part of my everyday life. I did the first session with my phone and then took the leap and bought a DSLR camera for the second session. Just a few months after starting this journey, I feel confident with my camera and on a quest to learn more each day.
Framed! has enriched my life in so many ways. It has helped me: connect daily with myself, appreciate my life and my family with a fresh perspective, and release stress through creative expression. It’s even helped my business because I’m sharing more about my life and work online and connecting with potential clients. I’m so grateful that my work has led me to discover a medium that has made every area of my life better. Thank you, Kelle and the Framed! community!
And look at how her feed changed when she took the course! I took a screenshot of her feed with her permission before the course and then pulled several shots from her feed during her participation in the course:
I still love the candid snapshots and blurry captures–of course they are every bit as meaningful–but sometimes it’s just a few easy little tips that can naturally be incorporated in your photo taking that can transform your images into something more evocative and ignite a creative fire in your soul in the process.
So, class starts next week, and if you’d like to join us, you can sign up here. There are lots of live components like office hours (I answer your questions live) and video chats, but we try to accommodate all schedules and record everything so you can have access to it whenever is best for you. The lively community is incredibly supportive and has become a great place for friends to share their photos and stories. And…you don’t have to have Facebook this round! There’s a new course site that hosts all the materials and communication.
Mostly, I love seeing the sleeping dragons of creativity awaken in participants as they explore the course. I love seeing their passion and love shine through their images, and I love sharing everything I’ve learned to help them continue to pursue their creative dreams and find joy in something that’s been such a gift in my own life.
Click here to read more about FRAMED! and to enroll.
Samantha says
Great to hear Facebook is no longer a requirement – I was hesitant to sign up as I don’t use Facebook and didn’t want to miss out on the bulk of the content/interactivity because of this. The timing for this round doesn’t suit me but I will be waiting to hear for round 4!!
Nikki says
Hi Kelle! I want to take your class but this round doesn’t work for me because of vacation and work obligations. How often do you offer them? Hopefully I will have time to take a future class! Your photography is beautiful and I’ll take all the tips and trips I can get. ?
Kelle says
I’m not positive when I’ll run it again, but as long as there is interest, I will!
Natasha dengis says
Hi Kelle!
I have been following you for some time now. More of a silent follower as I don’t often comment. I have a 10 year old daughter with complex special needs so I think that is how I first discovered you through Nella’s story. I love the real and raw way that you share everything to do with your journey as a family and particularly of your special little lady.
I have been thinking about signing up for Framed which starts tomorrow. We are currently on vacation in Huatulco, Mexico until the19th. My question for you is what sort of daily time commitment does the course require? I do have wifi here and my iPhone 8 Plus. Look forward to hearing from you!
And thank you for touching our lives with what you share with the world ❤️
Natasha
Sent from my iPhone
Kelle says
Hi Natasha!
It’s whatever you want to give. If you want to read the assignments, do them on your own time and pop in to the group every couple days, that’s fine. The podcasts/videos/live chats/office hours are all recorded and saved and posted in course materials so you can take them in as they come or save them to go through when you have some time. You can access everything at any time, even after the course. Everything is made with busy moms in mind, and I wanted it to be manageable and fun! Hope that answers your question. And vacation in Huatulco sounds amazing!
Krista Law says
is it too late to join this course?? ?