Smartphone Photography Workshops || Santa Clara County Libraries

The best camera is the one you have with you

I know, it’s a cliché, but it’s so true. Another cliche, one far from truth is thinking that it’s the newest lens or the more advanced camera that will make your pictures look better. Muahaha! 

My photography journey began when I was just 15. My first camera was a hand-me-down Russian Zenit – a clunky, old film camera. When I started a photography class in college, my professor took one look at my Zenit and said, “This is only good for self-defense. Get something better.” But guess what? Despite my classmates flaunting fancy, borrowed from their professional photographer’s uncle’s equipment, I consistently produced the best, most killer shots in the class. And no I did not ☠️ anyone to get them. 

This camera was my best friend. It taught me everything: working with light, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, long exposure, double exposure, self-portraits, landscapes, nature photography, and more. I carried it everywhere, learning and capturing moments wherever I went. 

I always had a hard time in social situations. With the camera in my hand, I finally found my language. I finally found topics I could and wanted to talk about with people, we would meet up and go for photo walks, we would take pictures of each other practicing posing and light. We would make homemade studios with blanket backdrops, reading lamps and flashlights as our light source. Keep in mind back then to see the pictures we had to wait up to a week until the film was developed. 

Fast forward to today, and we have digital DSLRs and, most impressively, smartphones that fit right in our pockets. We can snap a photo, see it instantly, edit it, and share it with the world in mere minutes. It’s mind-blowing, isn’t it?

I recently met a gentleman who said he got out of photography when the digital world came to life, and digital photography became “the thing”. Suddenly, more people could dabble with this art. Photography degraded from craftsmanship to artsy-fartsy. For him. Not me.

I got my first DSLR close to my 30ties. I was able to open my business and become who I am today because of the “digital era.” It gave me confidence and assurance. I could start my business with only one camera, two lenses, and a computer. With one baby attached to me by a hip.

Where I’m going with this: You make the best out of what you have. That’s what I’m saying.

Imagine the frustration some of us photographers have these days when ABSOLUTELY everyone around you is a darn photographer! 🤪

Personally, my favorite tool to create and express myself is my camera. Having such easy access to it with today’s technology is really something that shouldn’t be ignored. Photography is an art. Art is therapy. Therapy is something we all need! That’s why I love the fact that so many people have access to this tool. I just know that not enough people see it and use it as such.

A smartphone can turn a simple walk into an active meditation. You can spend time with your family loosing yourself into the mightnight practicing long exposures.

Having or wanting all these new gadgets is not a bad thing. However, I am a big believer that you do not need much to create. You do not need much to create with purpose.

So while other photographers and people in general complain about “digital this” and “digital that” I’m embracing it and showing people that smartphone cameras can be used to create amazing pictures and to find your unique voice in self-expression.

Over the Summer I will be leading a smartphone photography workshop in the Santa Clara County Library District sharing my knowledge and experience working with smartphone cameras and creating art on the go.

Smartphone Photography Workshops calendar for Santa Clara County Libraries.

For several years I have been offering smartphone, dream board, and youngpreneurship workshops for Morgan Hill Library. 2023 was the year when I got back to it after the “Covid break”.

I was invited to host a Smartphone Photography Workshop for Teens. That one was followed by Starting Your Own Business Workshop for teens. Both were very popular and because of that, I was invited to do the photography workshop again in other libraries in Santa Clara County for their Summer Program.

I’m sharing the dates and locations I will be in Cupertino, Los Altos, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and Milpitas in the next two months. These workshops are free to attend however registration is highly encouraged. Click on the name of the library and it will take you to that library’s registration page.

3pm, Cupertino Library, Smartphone Photography for Adults

7pm, Los Altos Library, Smartphone Photography for Adults and Teens

2pm, Gilroy Library, Smartphone Photography for Adults

4:30 pm, Morgan Hill Library, Smartphone Photography for Adults

11am, Milpitas Library, Smartphone Photography for Adults and Teens

3pm, Cupertino Library, Smartphone Photography for Teens

1pm, Gilroy Library, Smartphone Photography for Teens

4pm, Morgan Hill Library, Smartphone Photography for Teens

Fun hands-on activities and cool tricks provided 🙂

I try to make these events as hands-on as possible, so people are not bored to death by all the principles of photography. People normally leave the workshop with at least a few new things they learned about their smartphones and photography. I present it in a way that even the younger generations find engaging and love to participate.

My love for libraries

I grew up being a very active reader. Libraries were often a place where you could find me. This never changed when I grew older. Some people tell me I’m the first person they know who utilizes library programs and offerings as much as I do. Books, videos, educational programs, free park passes, free library field tips, you name it, my kids and I use it all the time.

I love libraries and being able to participate in their programs not as a user but as a person who provides people with educational opportunities for free, means a lot to me. That’s my way of giving back to the community.

So, spreading my wings from one library to 5 in Santa Clara County is awesome! I am hoping to be able to show up in the rest of them at some point.

Stop by and support my small business

You will learn something new for sure!

You will support my business – the more people show up at the workshops the better for me as the presenter.

You will get some tips on how to photograph your Summer adventures like never before!

You will have fun!