About Alethea

As a mom to an adorable if rambunctious and sometimes contrary two year old, with many hours clocked behind the camera photographing him and figuring out what to do with those photos, I understand the unique challenges and struggles that parents face as photographers of their children. I know first hand how joyous yet overwhelming it can be!

As a professional family photographer, I bring the experience and expertise that comes from photographing families with many children of different ages and personalities under many different situations, and creating artwork for them from those images.

And as a former architect and interior designer with over 12 years of experience working for well-established firms in NYC, I have the design background and skills to help you create beautiful wall galleries and other artwork for your home.

Results achieved with past participants

Past photosanity workshop participants have shown mind blowing improvement in their photography over a matter of weeks or sometimes even days, far exceeding even my own initial expectations as to the difference my tips could make!

I don't need a lot of your time - it can take as little as an hour following one or two lessons and a little bit of practice to make all the difference in the world - you won't be able to believe it. Several participants even reported getting what they wanted out of the workshop after lesson two... and so much more after that!

Lessons on how to make the most out of the light you have, and on getting out of auto on your DSLR are reported to be particularly transformative. It's been so rewarding for me to help many participants finally make that leap out of auto for the first time since they bought their camera several years ago.

And it doesn't stop with shooting. With my guidance, participants have been inspired and motivated to finally organize years worth of photos and to enjoy the peace of mind of having them backed up. Reassured that they are not the only ones delinquent on photo albums and wall galleries, I give them simple, step-by-step plans that are less overwhelming and actually achievable as a parent.

Be warned - you might find yourself staying up for several hours after a webinar completing tasks you put off for years!

Most meaningful for me, however, has been when participants have reported that through my workshop and their photography, they have come to more greatly appreciate all of the moments they have with their children that pass by so fast that we might otherwise miss them. For me, my highest achievement as a photographer has been to help others enjoy the experience of being a parent more through photography.

Who I work best with

I work best with parents of young children who already love a) being parents and b) photographing their kids, but are looking to further enhance both experiences.

In addition, they generally enjoy being on facebook to share their photos, connect with family, friends and other parents, and use their iphone or other smartphone daily as an integrated part of their life (if not for photos - they will soon!)

They are well educated and professionally oriented although many are currently part time or full time at home with their kids. They are tech-savvy (although not necessarily experts) and more often than not, they are mac-based. They don't necessarily have a DSLR but they would like to... and although the workshop is focused on helping you get the most out of the equipment you have, many are inspired by the workshop to make the leap.

Skills that make the workshop so valuable to participants

I bumped into a friend from college on the subway a few years ago, and after catching up on what we were up to, she said she couldn't believe I wasn't doing any teaching - it's something I've always enjoyed and have done informally, but never before found the right subject matter and environment to do so more formally... until now.

I think my passion and enthusiasm go a long way, as does my ability to break things down into the simplest yet most important components, and to take you through things, step by step.

I'm also very analytical so I've taken my own experience as a mother photographing my child as well as a photographer working with families to figure out what I did right, what I would do differently and what I should change going forward.

Bottom line - if I've learned something, I'm very motivated to help others learn it too, through my experience rather than the hard way of trial and error, just as I also love to learn from others and really appreciate any opportunity to do so.

How I ensure that participants have a remarkable experience on the workshop

It's the combination of the webinars AND the facebook group that make the photosanity experience a remarkable one - without all of the photo loving but slightly frustrated parents the workshop attracts, I would just be a person with a camera and a kid talking into an empty microphone.

The power of the webinar and facebook group format is that it combines a live, interactive experience with the convenience of attending from your home on your own schedule - necessary for the modern parent.

But the facebook group is where it all comes together. Not only do you get personal feedback on your own photos as well as answers to any questions you have, but you also get motivated and inspired by seeing the progress of others, which in turn morphs into a very special community of like-minded parents, bonded through their challenges and triumphs. By the end of the workshop, you'll think of some of them as friends, even if you've never seen their faces.