These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer.

But if you're tired of hearing from me, unsubscribe.

And if you want more photography stuff to read, there's a place on the interwebs where past emails I wrote are stored.

You'll find 'em in the "Newsletter Hub."

Remember, I'd like to know what you want to know about photography.

So, if you have any questions, email me at sam@samdamico.com. 

And for what it's worth, when you send me an email unless someone's lookin' over my shoulder, I'm the only one who sees it.

Mostly, no one's gonna care.

But if we're smart, we will.

When we're engaging in photography, or any craft for that matter, what we put in is what we get out.

We can put in easy, or we can put in complexity.

Specifically, it's easy to let our camera make all the decisions in automatic exposure mode, and making pictures in manual exposure mode is complex because we've gotta make all the decisions.  

Still, it's in the complexity of our doing where we benefit most from our photography studies and practice.

Here's Why

Whether we're pros or amateurs, caring about our craft provides impressive benefits, including better skills, and our self-esteem gets a boost.

And on top of that, we get a sense that we've got something to look forward to doing that has some meaning for us.

Plus, if we're lucky enough to find a group of like-minded craftspeople,  we've found a community and maybe some unexpected opportunities. 

Here’s Some of the Details:

1. We Get Better at Photography:

• Regularly engaging with our craft helps hone our skills. Before we know it, we've become better photographers, and getting better doesn't stop.

When that happens, we feel accomplished and proud of our work. 

2. Personal Growth and Self-Esteem:

• Our cameras are powerful tools for creativity and self-expression. 

Our process of intentionally and mindfully creating a photograph can be an incredibly rewarding self-esteem boost; it's an "I MADE THAT! feeling.

3. Connection and Community:

When we find and spend time with a group of photographers, we feel like we belong to a group that gets us and can provide social support and a shared passion; this opens the door to meeting new people and forming friendships that last.

4. Our Physical and Mental Well-being:

• Believe it or not, photography is a meditative activity, and we know how much meditation reduces stress and improves focus. 

Making pictures is like therapy because it gives us a break from our daily pressures. 

And the icing on the cake is that making pictures improves our cognitive function and fine motor skills. 

5. Purpose and Meaning:

• Want some purpose and meaning that goes beyond the stuff we do every day? Photography's what you've been looking for.

It's a way to express our creativity and do our part to contribute something meaningful to the world. 

We can even pass on the know-how and skills we develop through our craft to future generations.

Ya see, caring about our craft ain't only about making pretty pictures; it's a way of growing personally, developing our skills, and building community while leading to a deeper appreciation for what we do and a life that feels more purposeful.

And if anyone beyond ourselves actually cares what we put into our photography, if we're working in manual exposure mode, that'll say we care as much as we can possibly care because we're as involved as we can be in every aspect of our composition.

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The Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) group classes starts soon or you can your can learn the same stuff as a series of Private Lessons.
  
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.

A note about group class sizes: Did you know that some places that teach photography have up to 25 students in each class? 

Bigger ain't always better.

That's why I limit my group classes to no more than five participants because smaller classes make for better, more effective, and more efficient learning experiences.

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon. 

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

Currently scheduled classes are below.

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.

And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.