Photography Beyond Beginner

• Do I have to be at a certain photography skill level to attend?

No. However, you must bring a DSLR or mirrorless, a laptop or tablet/iPad with your preferred pre-installed photo editing software, and you must have completed Lenspiration’s online Foundations of Photography Course. With these prerequisites in place, most attendees will be in the beyond beginner category. A good way for beginners to gain some experience before coming to a Photography Team is to take the Foundations of Photography Course.

• How do I know if I have a DSLR or mirrorless camera?

The best way to know if you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera is if the lens is interchangeable: the lens can be taken on and off. While many mobile devices provide excellent image quality, they do not fit into the category of photojournalism-specific equipment needed for a Photography Team.

• What if I don’t have the required camera?

Lenspiration has equipment available that you can rent for the entire Photography Team on a first come, first served basis. A DSLR camera plus lenses, accessories and a bag can be rented for $30. Send a request via Lenspiration’s Contact page as soon as possible after you have registered for the event. Payment due at Orientation.

• Do I need to bring anything more than a camera?

Yes. You must bring a laptop (or a tablet/iPad) with your preferred photo editing software pre-installed.

• What should I wear?

Business-casual is expected for the role of event photographer. Modest dress is required—no tight clothing, midriff tops, mini-skirts, plunging necklines, or bare shoulders. Casual business attire is always appropriate. Knee-length or longer hemlines are recommended for ladies. Wear comfortable shoes, as photographers will be walking a lot.

• What photo editing software should I use?

The Photography Team isn’t designed to help you figure out what software to use. It is designed to help you use the software you already have to be more organized and edit your photos more efficiently. Bring the software that you are most comfortable using. If you currently do not use photo editing software, it would be a good idea to complete Lenspiration’s online Foundations of Photography Course before signing up for the Photography Team. Training will be presented from the platform of Adobe Lightroom Classic.

• Is there anything else I should do to prepare?

After registering for the Photography Team through the convention, you should receive a password to Lenspiration’s Photography Team Preparation page. It will provide specific things that you can start doing to prepare. From a broader perspective, do everything you can to become familiar with basic photography stuff through your own personal, self-motivated study, research and practice. We suggest finding a photographer whose work you want to emulate and follow them virtually on their blog or through courses they offer or recommend.

• When does the Photography Team meet?

In general, the Photography Team meets when the Exhibit Hall opens each day (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). See Schedule for more details.

• Where does the Photography Team meet?

Register for the Convention first. When the Exhibit Hall opens for the first time on Friday, the Photography Team will meet at the Lenspiration booth for Orientation. That will be our main meeting location for the rest of the weekend. However, at times, Photography Team members may be at the location where the Photography Class is meeting.

• Are meals provided?

No.

• Can I participate in other activities along with the Photography Team?

It may be difficult to do that. See the schedule to verify that anything else you want to do at the convention does not interfere with scheduled Photography Team activities.

• What if more than one person in my family wants to attend, but we only have one camera?

Each photographer must have their own camera. Feel free to rent one from Lenspiration here.

• If multiple family members are attending, can they both use the same computer or tablet/iPad?

Yes, photographers can share the laptop or device used to edit their photos.

• How will the pictures be used?

By registering for the Photography Team, you grant Lenspiration and the convention the perpetual right to use, print, and publish for any purpose all images you submit on the Photography Team.

• May I keep the pictures I take?

Yes. As the photographer, you retain the copyright to all photos you take during the Photography Team, but like everyone else, you are under obligation to abide by commercial use publishing laws. To be safe, you will want to get written permission from all recognizable individuals and owners of recognizable property in a photo to use that photo beyond personal or artistic use.