012-Why does anyone want to teach?

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Occasionally I plan to re-post things others have written (with their permission, of course) to share the wealth of knowledge and experience that is out there. {I am not sure what drama she is referring to in the first sentence, but it really doesn't matter-- her words are valuable, in any case} If you are interested in sharing something you wrote, contact me.

She is specifically talking about teaching photography here but I believe this applies to a lot of things. In today's times we all have "intellectual property" that we can choose to share. I am so appreciative of those who do share, especially as I continue to work on this blog.

~Sarah

Written by Jen Rozenbaum, Jen Rozenbaum Photography (originally posted on Facebook; permission granted to me to re-post here) Photo credit: yours truly

While I usually don’t comment on boudoir industry drama, part of me really wants to say something about this latest round of disappointing news I am hearing coming from the boudoir world.

I’ve been in the industry a while both teaching and photographing - so I am kind of having a mama bear moment as my heart is breaking for the photographers who had a bad experience. (No, I’m not giving out details. Not my place. And not what this post is about.)

What this post is about is this. Teaching is hard. It’s often a selfless act to teach a room full of people all of your intellectual property, taking a chance that they might actually be better at it than you. Although there are times teaching pays well, more often than not, it doesn’t. Generally speaking, It’s not something someone does to get rich.

It’s done for either one of two reasons. 1. Ego. Or 2. Because a photographer believes that making photographers better lifts the whole industry and in turn- especially in the boudoir world - it allows us to change more people’s lives. Because of all the photographers I have taught over the years, the amount of women who have been served multiplies exponentially.

The teaching game has changed a bit, and I have pulled back from it a little as my life changes… but I still have a solid perspective of what makes a good teacher. So here are my words of advice (for what it’s worth) to both photographers who teach and those who are looking to be taught.

1. Find a teacher who isn’t scared to share all their secrets. Find someone who knows we are all unique and no matter what they teach you they know you can never be them and they can never be you. We are not each others competition. Period.

2. If someone is consistently throwing around numbers about how many millions they are making or promising you crazy results from their workshops - check your red flag meter. If someone is doing really well, they don’t have to tell you. You’ll know.

3. Don’t trust photographers who promote products they don’t actually use.

4. Find a teacher whose goal it is to make you BETTER than they are. Find someone humble. Down to earth. Interested in you. Invested in you.

5. Teachers have a responsibility to create and upkeep a safe environment for their participants, models and team. This means often checking in emotionally and physically. There are many personalities in one room and they don’t always meld. Find a teacher who knows how to handle that and isn’t afraid to do what they have to. Also it’s important as a teacher to cultivate team spirit and togetherness.

6. Not everyone is equipped to teach. Even if they are an amazing photographer. Understand your learning style and try to find an instructor that matches that.

7. Ask for references. Ask around to others about how someone’s workshop is. what their teaching style is and what people got out of it.

8. Trust your gut.

I love this industry and it saddens me to see photographers taking advantage of one another. This is not what we are about. We stand for uplifting others and inspiring people to be their true authentic selves. If you are someone who can’t do that, maybe you shouldn’t be teaching or using others to further your career.

*Thanks Jen for sharing these words of wisdom! Make yourself proud!* ~Sarah