Introduction
Welcome to the Washington Park Camera Club’s Peer Mentor Group! Are you looking to enhance your photography skills and learn more about your camera’s functions? Our mentor program is just what you need.
Started during the 2020-2021 camera season, our program was developed after many of our members expressed their desire for sessions where they could learn and grow with like-minded individuals. Our first year during the pandemic was a huge success, and we’re excited to offer it again this year!
Our mentors are dedicated to helping you learn more about your camera, including what to focus on, when to shoot, how to set your camera for different scenes, and how to use programs to enhance your photos. All members who want to improve their photography skills are welcome to join.
If you’re interested in becoming a peer mentor and sharing your love of photography with others, we need you! Simply reach out to Roslyn or Bonnie with your information.
To get started, complete the application on our website under the tab entitled “Peer Mentor Survey.” Please note that you must have a working camera and be willing to commit to working with your mentor. Our meetings will take place on Zoom, so you can join us from the comfort of your own home.
Join our community of photography enthusiasts and take your skills to the next level with the Washington Park Camera Club’s Mentor Group. We can’t wait to see you there!
Meet the Mentors
Ken
Mentoring Style: As mentor, Ken and his mentees utilize the 1:1 coaching approach.
Mentoring Focus: Photography Fundamentals
Ken Mitchell was a portrait and wedding photographer who turned a hobbyist photographer. He is also a skilled landscape and close up photographer
His interest in photography started with him shooting film in early 1970, when he bought his first 35mm camera. He is also self taught, based on extensive research and trial and error experimentation.
He joined the Washington Park camera club in 2001, he has held the office of club president and Vice President. He was also chosen person of the year in 2005 and 2008 by the club membership.
Because of his knowledge of a variety of different photographic equipment, Ken is the club’s, equipment committee chair person. He regularly shares his knowledge and experience of shooting portrait and wedding photography, in the form of work shops, with the clubs membership.
For over three years, Ken was the exclusive photographer for a nursery school, taking annual individual and group portraits of approximately 20 children. He was also the exclusive photographer for a life insurance brokerage firm for two years, photographing the office personal for sales contest and advertisement photos as well as all the board meetings and annual sales meetings in a number of down town hotels.
For 37 years, Ken worked for Jewel Food Stores as a security officer and security manager, at times managing a staff of 4 to 5 persons. During that time Ken was a wedding photographer, he photographed a number of weddings, and had a home portrait business, shooting in home family portraits.
Ken says “Artistic Creativity Expressed Through Photography Can Be Realized By Understanding Light And Mastering Camera Operation”.
Mentee Feedback:
“Ken has a wealth of photography knowledge. Ken shared tutorials/exercises to help answer my questions as well as being a good sounding board when purchasing equipment.”
“Every meeting with Ken I learn tons of information. The best memory was when he told me I was no longer a beginner; I had advanced to a novice photographer.”
“My best memory of the Peer Mentoring program is my mentor guidance and direction in approaching an end result on assignment.”
Preston
Mentoring Style: As mentor, Preston and his mentees utilize the small group coaching approach.
Mentoring Focus: General Photography & Practical Skills
Preston has been a member of the Club since 2014 and served as it’s Vice President (2018-2020). He also serves as the chairperson of the By-Laws committee. His interest in photography started in high school.
Preston says, “I have shot with a Sony 717, Canon Rebel XTi, and a Canon 7D. Now I’m shooting with a Canon R6 and Fujifilm X-T30. I love the fact that you freeze time with photography. I enjoy looking at and taking great-looking images. I do not specialize in any particular discipline of photography. I like shooting whatever catches my interest. After joining the camera club my photography skills grew 100%. In addition, I’ve significantly improved my Lightroom and Photoshop skills.
With this mentoring program, I hope to give back some of the things I have learned to someone else.
Mentee Feedback:
“… Our mentor works very well with us explaining techniques at our levels on our field trips shooting the same objects.”
“It’s a great learning experience and refreshing my memory on a lot of things.”
Rebekah
My Style: I prefer to teach 3-5 people through Zoom sessions. 1:1 troubleshooting session could be arranged as needed.
My Focus: creative art photography, contemplative photography and Lightroom. Open to working with complete novices or more advanced students seeking to improve their visual skills.
Discover the captivating story of Rebekah, one of the newest members of our community. Her passion for photography lies in teaching and helping others understand the art and science of photography from a creative perspective.
Rebekah’s style of teaching involves working with 3-5 people through Zoom sessions. She is open to working with complete novices or more advanced students seeking to improve their visual skills. Additionally, Rebekah is available for 1:1 troubleshooting sessions as needed.
Her focus is on creative art photography, contemplative photography, and Lightroom. She believes that the art of photography is a journey of self-discovery and expression, and she strives to help her students develop their unique visual style and voice.
Rebekah’s approach to teaching is patient, compassionate, and supportive. She understands that learning and growth take time, and she encourages her students to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them.
Join us in exploring the world of photography through Rebekah’s eyes. Whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced photographer seeking to improve your skills, Rebekah’s expertise and guidance will help you develop your creative vision and express yourself through the art of photography.
Dennis Hurd
Mentoring Style: TBD
Mentoring Focus: TBD
Charles Walker
Mentoring Style: TBD
Mentoring Focus: TBD
Philip
Mentoring Style: As mentor, Philip and his mentees utilize the small group coaching approach (3-5 mentees). The group collaborates by leverages technology to provide remote sessions (Email, Zoom Screen Sharing, WhatsApp & iMessages).
Mentoring Focus: Photography Fundamentals; Event, Travel, Street and Portraiture photography.
Explore the fascinating journey of Philip, a talented photographer and member of our community since 2012. His passion for photography started at a young age, inspired by the captivating photos from his parent’s and grandparent’s National Geographic magazines. In 2000, he began his self-learning journey into digital photography, experimenting with various styles and genres over the years.
Philip primarily shoots with a Nikon D800 for art and pleasure and a D700 for event work, while also leveraging his iPhone for mobile photography. He prefers to use Lightroom as his post-production processing tool. His current focus is on event, portraiture, street, cityscape, and travel photography. He has a keen eye for capturing candid, off-the-cuff moments and loves to share his travel experiences through photography with others.
As the Chairperson for Information Technology, Philip is a valuable member of our community. He served as the club’s Secretary from 2014-2016 and has mentored aspiring photographers, utilizing a group-learning approach. He believes that everyone can teach each other and guides his mentees on their journey of discovery.
Philip’s primary focus as a mentor is to explore the basics of photography, composition, subject matter, objective team/self-critique, and workflow best practices. He helps build confidence in capturing and showing great photos and encourages continuous learning of new ideas, techniques, and inspiration to make the art and science of photography a worthy and enjoyable experience. Above all, he values having fun as a team, creating a welcoming environment for everyone to learn and grow. Join us in discovering the world of photography through Philip’s eyes!
Mentee Feedback:
“My best memory is how we are challenged to try new things, like light writing. I appreciate how Philip always provides written guidance to reinforce what we have discussed.”
“3 Best Memories (not necessarily in this order): the way we meet on Zoom, and Philip’s structuring of the sessions; the sessions in which we reviewed Lightroom; the group outing to Rockefeller Chapel.”
Mentor Alumni
Fred
Mentoring Style: As mentor, Fred and his mentees utilize the 1:1 coaching approach.
Mentoring Focus: Photoshop.
Fred has been a member of the club since 1972 and has served twice as its Vice President. In addition, he’s served as the chair of the Print Committee for six years, the color-slide chair person for eight years and was the first Digitally Projected Image chair person for the club.
He likes to shoot with his trusty Nikon camera and also uses his cell phone to capture images.
Fred says, “I take pictures for records and memories. I have been shooting for over 70 years, 48 with help from the Washington Park Camera Club. I love the ‘alteration of reality’ and abstract photography. I truly love sharing and having reciprocal-interactions on Facebook.”
Mentee Feedback:
“Fred Lott was always willing to try new methods. He was always willing to respond to my questions and requests.”
Peer Mentorship Mentee Sign-Up
Washington Park Camera Club is dedicated to fostering the progression of photography to club members who possess varying levels of expertise and interests. To help us understand your needs and potentially match you with a WPCC club mentor, please complete the survey below. Once submitted, the survey responses which will be reviewed by the Mentorship Committee.
A Special Note:
- You should always feel free to approach any WPCC club member for feedback, advice and help.
- The WPCC Mentors have volunteered their time and expertise to mentor fellow club members in various settings (1-to-1 or small-group) for a specific period of time.
- Mentors will primarily be focused on capturing images and providing light post-processing advice as it relates to competition (example: cropping, lighting, color, etc.)
- Learning specific techniques for specific post-processing applications (such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom) is generally outside the scope of this mentorship. For an in-depth knowledge of each of these applications/programs, please consider online classes, YouTube or even courses at your local college.
