Photography education made
When you learn photography with me, my goal is to create a nurturing environment where your skills grow and creativity flourishes. I'll work with you on the technical aspects of photography, composition, and storytelling. But it doesn't stop there. The true magic lies in igniting your own creative spark and the exhilaration of exploring those new horizons.
teaching within a supportive and inspiring environment
simple, straight-forward, and fun
simple,
straight-forward,
and fun
My teaching of nature and landscape photography is distinguished by a holistic approach that combines technical expertise, artistic vision, and a deep reverence for the natural world. I foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment, empowering students to explore their creative potential while developing a solid foundation in technical skills. Beyond the mechanics of photography, I nurture their unique visual voice and storytelling abilities, encouraging a connection between art and nature.
Commitment to Leave it Better
With personalized instruction, practical assignments, and constructive feedback, I guide students on a transformative journey of growth and self-discovery. I emphasize observation, patience, and mindfulness in capturing nature's essence. But what truly sets me apart is my passion for nature and commitment to environmental stewardship. I desire to create and teach photographers how to create images that raise awareness and foster appreciation for our planet.
set your expectations to find:
Understand How to Create Images with Purpose and Impact
I offer more than technical guidance; I cultivate creativity, storytelling, and environmental consciousness. By forging a deeper connection with nature, we can learn to create images that resonate. By harmonizing art and nature, we create purposeful and impactful photographs that contribute to the preservation and appreciation of our natural environment.
Fun & Supportive Learning Environment
Learn
Chrissy
with
Educational Offerings:
Private Field Sessions
I offer a select number of private photography workshops each year. Photographers will find immense value in these experiences since they are personalized guidance, tailored to individual needs and goals. Whether it's honing composition, mastering light, or capturing unique perspectives, I foster an environment to photograph together and refine the craft in real time. This personalized experience enables photographers to accelerate their learning, overcome challenges, and capture images creatively and with confidence.
Photography Mentoring
A virtual photography mentoring session with me is a powerful catalyst for propelling your growth as a photographer. In these personalized 60-minute Zoom sessions, we delve deeply into the specific focus area of your choice. It's a dedicated space where your questions find answers, your images receive insightful feedback, your methods receive expert guidance, and you uncover hidden gems of knowledge you never knew existed.
How to Organize Photos in Lightroom
My online course provides a comprehensive and efficient system that streamlines your workflow, saves valuable time, and enhances your Lightroom experience. With my guidance, you gain practical skills and strategies to effectively manage your growing image library, find photos fast, and create a productive workflow. Avoid the hours spent searching for your photos and instead focus more time immersed in nature with your camera.
Photography Conferences
Teaching at in-person photography conferences allows me to work alongside a passionate community of photographers in a truly immersive experience. These events offer a unique blend of hands-on field sessions, interactive classroom learning, and relaxed time spent connecting over meals. With a supportive team of professional instructors, conferences create an environment where creativity thrives, knowledge is shared, and you walk away with new skills, fresh inspiration, and lasting connections.
2026 Photography Events & Workshops
Online photography conference from February 6-8, 2026
LIVE! 2026
Spring nature photography workshop in the Great Smoky Mountains from April 10-13, 2026
Smokies Spring Workshop
Bird photography conference in Florida from March 8-12, 2026
Merritt Island
diverse topics: explore genres like nature, landscape, wildlife, street, with lots of post-processing
global community: connect with 50+ world-class photographers and fellow photography enthusiasts
Dive into the heart of photography excitement with Out of Chicago LIVE! 2026, a 3-day virtual experience.
LIVE! is all about connecting with other passionate photographers and the energy that builds from so many like-minded photographers being in one place at one time all teaching and learning about photography.
Join me and 50 renowned photographers leading 100+ live sessions. Explore a diverse range of topics, from nature and travel to street and architecture. Connect, learn, and be part of a global community - all from the comfort of your home.
Out of Chicago LIVE! 2026
The Ultimate Online Photography Conference
Fuel for Your Photography
Cocoa Beach will be our home base to explore all of the best bird photography locations in the area, including Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, Orlando Wetlands, Sebastian Inlet, and more.
home base on cocoa beach
Daily hands-on instruction during extended field sessions
I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaching at the Out of Merritt Island Bird Photography Conference, happening March 8–12, 2026, in Florida. For over 60 years, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has been a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including 358 bird species.
This immersive, five-day event is one of the best opportunities for nature photographers to hone their wildlife skills. The birds at Merritt Island are accustomed to people, which means you’ll have incredible access to photograph them up close while learning from some of the best bird photographers and instructors in the world.
If you’ve ever wanted to strengthen your wildlife photography—mastering timing, movement, light, and patience—this is the place to do it.
Out of the Merritt Island
Bird Photography Conference
An immersive Smokies weekend inside the park, with space to connect, create, and explore together
lodging through the Tremont Institute
Multiple instructors, guided explorations, and extended field time
This spring, I’ll be heading back to one of my favorite places — the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont — for their Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop. If you’ve ever wanted a full weekend immersed in the park with a team of supportive instructors and naturalists, this workshop is one of the rare ways to do it.
Tremont runs the only residential photography workshop inside the national park. Registration includes lodging and meals in their on-site dorms, with the river and trails just steps away. It’s an economical way to learn from multiple instructors while enjoying a truly immersive Smokies experience.
I’ve taken many of my Master Naturalist classes at Tremont and always leave inspired and better connected to the landscape. This year, I’ll be there in a new capacity as a guest and observer. While I’m not part of the teaching team for this workshop, I’ll be at every session and out photographing all weekend, creating lots of natural opportunities to spend time together in the field.
Great Smoky Mountains Workshop with Tremont Institute
- ANSEL ADAMS
"The single most important component of a camera is the 12 inches behind it."
- DOROTHEA LANGE
"Photographers stop photographing subjects too soon before they have exhausted the possibilities."
- MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI
"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all."
- ANSEL ADAMS
"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships."
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