Photography Classes and Lessons by Jessica Pendley Gibbs
Classes vs. Lessons
Classes are scheduled in 3-6 week increments and are for multiple students to learn together.
Classes will be added periodically. Current classes scheduled and available to sign up for are as follows....
Kids Class (ages 5-8)
3 weeks longs | 4 students only | $65 total
This curriculum is designed specifically for a low-tech classes that use simple digital cameras or cell phone cameras. Rather than focusing on the technical side of a camera instead students are tasked with lighting, subject matter, and composition to creating successful photographs.
Location: Jessica's Home Studio/Classroom in Murrayville, GA (outside of Dahlonega)
Dates:
January Class starting Friday the 13th at 4:00pm
March Class beginning Friday the 17th at 4:00pm
May Class beginning Friday the 12th at 4:00pm
Older Kids Class (ages 9-13)
3 weeks longs | 5 students only | $65 total
This curriculum is designed specifically for a low-tech classes that use simple digital cameras or cell phone cameras. Rather than focusing on the technical side of a camera instead students are tasked with lighting, subject matter, and composition to creating successful photographs.
Location: Jessica's Home Studio/Classroom in Murrayville, GA (outside of Dahlonega)
Dates:
January Class starting Friday the 13th at 5:00pm
March Class beginning Friday the 17th at 5:00pm
May Class beginning Friday the 12th at 5:00pm
Lessons are one-on-one, weekly, and are on a continuous basis.
Think of this like you would piano lessons, a set weekly time for your one hour lesson. You can start with the basics or study a certain genre.
One hour weekly weekday lessons
$50/ per lesson
Location: Jessica's Home Studio/Classroom
in Murrayville, GA (outside of Dahlonega)
*Lessons begin January 2023*
Only accepting 8 students at this time
Ages 13 and up. Adults are welcome!
All students have the option to participate in two Art Shows per year. One in the Spring and one is in the Fall.
Private Facebook group for all students to interact and ask questions.
Lessons will be offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Contact Jessica to sign up.
Gift Certificates are available! Black Friday Special ALL of November: 10% off
Options for Weekly Lessons Offered:
Beginner Level Photography
6 weeks (or until you feel you have mastered the concepts) | Equipment Necessary: DSLR | Optional/Useful Equipment: Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic.
-Learn aperture and depth of field, shutter speeds and controlling motion, ISO sensitivity and basic white balance. Learn how to shoot in Manual and all of the settings on your camera, and more.
Intermediate Level Photography
8 weeks (or until you feel you have mastered the concepts) | Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera | Optional/Useful Equipment: Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic, tripod, other lenses.
-Learn lenses and focal length, exposure compensation for special situations, basics of understanding light, direction of light and why it matters, diffused vs harsh light and best applications, rules of great photography (composition), using tripods and much more.
Advanced Level Photography
12 weeks (or until you feel you have mastered the concepts) | Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and External Flash | Optional/Useful Equipment: Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic, tripod, other lenses.
-Learn about different light for different subjects, modifying natural light, introduction to external flash, problem solving in tricky lighting situations, practical shooting solutions for any environment, introduction to Lightroom, how to photograph in any light, and much more.
Genres and Specialty Lessons
Prerequisites for the following classes:
- Working knowledge of your camera and settings (not shooting auto)
- Basic understanding of light and composition.
Portraiture
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 12
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, a portrait lens (50mm, 85mm or the equivalent) | Optional/Useful Equipment: Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic, any lighting setup
Landscapes/Nature Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 12
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: Wide angle lens (35mm or wider), Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Action/Sports Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 12
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: External Flash, Zoom lens, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Product/Retail Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 10
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: External Flash, Reflector, Diffuser, other lenses, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Commercial Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 5 | Hours to become proficient: 14
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: External Flash, Reflector, Diffuser, other lenses, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Wedding Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 12 | Hours to become proficient: 36
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, External Flash, Portrait lens (50mm, 85mm or equivalent) | Optional/Useful Equipment: More than one External Flash, multiple lenses, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Advanced Lighting with Flash
Hours to understand the basics: 5 | Hours to become proficient: 12
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, External Flash | Optional/Useful Equipment: More than one External Flash, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Mastering Headshots
Hours to understand the basics: 2 | Hours to become proficient: 5
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, External Flash or some sort of external light setup | Optional/Useful Equipment: Portrait lens (50mm, 85mm or equivalent), More than one External Flash, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Real Estate/Architecture Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 12
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: External Flashes, Wide Angle Lens (35mm or wider), studio or strobe lighting, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic, Photoshop
Family/Children Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 5 | Hours to become proficient: 16
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: Portrait lens (50mm, 85mm or equivalent), Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Photojournalism/Documentary Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 4 | Hours to become proficient: 16
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens | Optional/Useful Equipment: 35mm lens, External Flash, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Night/Astro Photography
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 12
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, tripod | Optional/Useful Equipment: multiple lenses including a wide angle. External Flashes, Computer with Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Studio Lighting: Continuous Light
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 9
Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, Continuous Light setup (this can be bought cheap or even made)
Editing and Retouching in Lightroom
Hours to understand the basics: 3 | Hours to become proficient: 10 Equipment Necessary: DSLR Camera and lens, Computer, subscription to Adobe Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic
Courses Coming Fall of 2023:
Film Photography, Dark Room Photography, Studio Strobe Lighting,
Intermediate Photoshop, and Newborn Photography
Click here for recommended gear to purchase.
Meet Jessica
Jessica and her family live in a 112 year old home on a farm outside of Dahlonega. She is married to Chris, Haddie and Granger are her human kiddos, whom she homeschools, and she has 3 dog kiddos. Her studio is located on their 15 acre farm.
-Graduated from North Georgia Technical College in 2011 with a Diploma in Commercial Photography
-Voted “Best Photographer” in Lumpkin County 2017
-Cover Contest Winner of Lanier Bridal’s Premier Issue
-Taught Beginner Photography for the Continuing Education Department of University of North Georgia
-Owner/Photographer of Jessica Pendley Photography, established in 2011, specializing in Wedding and Portrait Photography
