Be Challenged Without Being Intimidated.
Photo Courses, Field Workshops, Adventure Tours, Coaching & Mentoring
It’s All About You
Professional Instruction for All Levels
We offer a variety of learning opportunities. Take a traditional college course taught by Steve J. Giardini at Central Oregon Community College. Consider a one-on-one custom learning session, a small group experience, or a backcountry full-immersion photography adventure. We even offer long-term coaching and mentoring services to help build their advanced photography knowledge and business skills.
Each learning experience is designed to match your photography interests, current knowledge and skill level, and future photography goals.
We will design a custom program to fit your needs. Email or call us (480.204.3109) to learn more.
Beginner Session
In-The-Field Learning With Your Camera
If you are a motivated beginner looking to jump-start the learning process, consider booking a 2-hour Beginner Session. This one-to-one session is designed as a hands-on field learning experience. A digital download guide is provided before the session for your review. Then, with your camera in your hands, the learning begins.
You’ll Learn: how a camera works, what the primary buttons and switches do, when to use what, and how to create a well-balanced and purposeful photograph. Expect structured practice, lots of repetition, and a digital reference document.
Student Profile: This is a beginner session for self-motivated photo enthusiasts who want to learn basic photography concepts quickly. Learning is done on location behind the camera. Students provide their own camera.
Learning Level: Beginner
Session Length: 2-hour minimum
Cost: $75 per hour
Not Covered: Transportation to or from session meeting place
Computer Photo File Organization & Storage
Not sure what to do with all those photo files scattered on your hard drive? Need a workflow to organize and protect your files? Unsure how to import and export files? Book a one-to-one computer file organization session.
You’ll Learn best practices for creating a photo file hard drive organization and storage structure, how to safely import and export files from your camera to your editing software program, and suggestions for creating backup processes.
Student Profile: This class is designed for those with basic computer skills who intend to buy photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom.
Learning Level: Beginner & Intermediate
Session Length: 2-hour minimum
Cost: $50 per hour
Group or Custom Photo Workshop|Coaching Session
Next Level Knowledge, Skills & Composition Concepts
Our small group workshops are designed to maximize learning at reasonable prices. If you prefer a custom one-to-one coaching experience, we can provide that too!
What you will learn; intermediate and advanced camera exposure skills, & techniques, how to create purposeful compositions, choosing the best lens that matches the objective, powerful focusing concepts, and an in-field workflow that leaves nothing to chance.
This workshop includes plenty of structured practice. Sessions are conducted at iconic landscape locations. We aim for every participant to walk away with a full toolbox of new knowledge, skills & techniques.
Student Profile: Photo enthusiasts with good working knowledge of their camera and an understanding of the exposure triangle concept.
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Session Length: 3- 6 hours (Minimum 3 hours)
Cost: from $100 to $150 per hour
Not Covered: Post-computer processing
Custom Photo Adventure Tours
Ultimate Photo Learning Immersion Experience
We love sharing and helping clients capture the beautiful scenery of Oregon. Our Adventure Photo Tours are outdoor nature and landscape photography experiences. They are full or multi-day excursions combining photography learning and natural world appreciation. Expect early mornings, late evenings, and lots of exercise! They are led by a professional photographer guide.
Student Profile: Photo enthusiasts who have a basic understanding of the exposure triangle, the relevance of the histogram, the ability to manually manipulate shutter speed, aperture & ISO, focusing concepts, and, of course, a great appreciation for the outdoors.
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Session Length: 8 hours to 2 days
Cost: Starting at $1,000 a day
Included: Transportation from the designated pick-up location
Not Covered: Meals, camera gear, post-computer processing session
Computer Photo Editing
Photo editing begins with file import and storage. File sorting, triage, and methodical editing follow. Finally, naming, labeling and proper export to a safe location finishes the process. Learn to develop a personal and reproducible editing workflow.
What You’ll Learn: best practices for importing photo files, a methodical editing workflow, basic, intermediate, and advanced editing skills, techniques to maximize image outcomes, and best practices for export processes.
Student Profile: This class is designed for students with basic computer skills and photo editing software experience.
Learning Level: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced
Session Length: 2-hour minimum
Cost: $75 per hour
What People Are Saying
“Steve is one of the best workshop leaders we ever had… knowledgeable, personable, and dependable …”
— Steve & Lorraine 2020
“This workshop more than met my expectations. Steve is a fantastic instructor.”
— Jennifer 2019
“What a wonderful professional photographer. Steve is the total package.”
— Ken 2018
“I had high hopes for the workshop and my expectations was exceeded. ..extremely helpful .. easily understood.”
— Victoria 2019