I’m happy to announce Jamilah’s Creative Touch is now offering 1-on-1 Intro to Your Camera Classes and Business Mentoring Sessions… Yay!!! But why? Well, this quote by William Glasser states it pretty well…

“We Learn . . .
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss
80% of what we experience
95% of what we teach others.”

And I’ve heard this from other photographers — if you want to become a better photographer, then you should teach… So here I am, seeking growth in my skills and in my profession — while helping you!…  And me teaching you what I know is not saying that my way is the right &  the only way, but more like showing you what I know & what works best for me. So what qualifies me to teach you (other than being a professional photographer)? I took black and white photography for 4 years… the kind where I actually had to put film in my camera & grapple in the dark room reeling the film into a canister…yea, that kind… after shooting 8 years just “for fun”, I followed my passion & my heart… finally started my photography business {specializing in weddings & lifestyle portraits} which I’ve successfully been running for the past two years {all thanks to my fantabulous clients!}… all the while, teaching elementary kids for the past 7 years… so roll up all of my  photography experience, business running skills, and teaching… you get — ME! Wanting to share the wealth of knowledge… with YOU!

This is where it all began… three things happened that got my mind brewing on wanting to teach and mentor…

Back in November, I met Macey Leslie (during their family session)… she is an aspiring film student who just got her new Canon DSLR for her birthday, but didn’t really know how to navigate the camera very well… During the session she wanted to know if I offered classes to teach people how to use their cameras… I said one of these days I will be, but probably not until next year… she definitely had a creative eye because she directed half the shoot — and I wanted to keep her in my shoot sac so she could direct all of my shoots…

Then later on I met Rahonie while shooting her sweet daughter Bindi… she told me during the shoot that she wanted to learn how to take better pictures of her daughter and would love to take classes if I offered them… it seemed that all of her pictures always came out blurry she said… then in December she sent me an excited text notifying me that she got a DSLR for Christmas and to hurry up and offer the class so she could figure out how to use her new camera…

In December, while waiting for a family photo shoot… a cute touristy couple, walking around taking pictures — approached me and asked if I could take a picture of them… as he handed me his $4,000 camera, I got a little envious — but to find out that it was totally on Automatic Mode… completely on the green, the camera takes complete control — not even on AV Priority mode… Really? Wow… I thought it was such a shame… he might as well trade that $4,000 camera for a point and shoot…

So it was these events along with the slue of emails I receive from people asking me what they should do to start their photography business… I just couldn’t keep up with the emails and the requests… between being a teacher, a dance coach, a photographer, a blogger, and wife/sister/auntie/friend… what little time I do have I like to reserve for my husband… myself… and for our family & friends… you know, like a life =) I not only want to continue growing as a photographer, but I’d like to help you in your creative growth as well!

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” -Elliott Erwitt

For more details on this, or to book a class or a mentoring session — please email me at {jt.creativetouch@gmail.com}… I’m looking forward to this new phase of my business and looking forward to meeting & teaching some wonderful people!