After 15-20 newborn sessions on my own, I realized I needed somebody to show me how to do it all. I am a hands on kinda person and when it comes to newborns it’s even more important. So I headed to Hawaii to attend a workshop with Kelley and Tracy. So far, it’s been one of the best investments for my business. All attendees had a really good knowledge of photography basics as it’s obviously not an entry level workshop, hence Kelley was not teaching how to nail focus, get proper exposure or what white balance was. But those things came up during our time together and we discussed different aspects of why to choose certain settings and why not. Prior to a workshop I emailed back and forth with Kelley, and she mentioned she was an opened book. I will admit, I was skeptical - there are so many workshops where attendees leave unsatisfied. But once we met, Kelley indeed was an opened book. The final plan was determined by all of us - such a nice way to really ensure everyone’s needs are met. We had an arrow of babies - bottle fed, nursed, taking paci, no paci, fussy, sleepy.. Kelley showed us how to handle each and every one of them to achieve desired results. We got all our questions answered, we all got to pose the babies, and it was a joy to learn from somebody who is so passionate, knowledgeable, patient and professional about working with newborns. Kelley is very direct and honest, there is no fluffing or hiding/avoiding to answer going on. She answered every single question we had, showed every trick she knew, shared all her post processing details. She also asked us to stay in touch with her after the workshop and email our own images for her to review. Very helpful while working on new skills.
I did not attend the workshop to stuff my portfolio with images, posed by others (but just to be clear, I came home with dozens of unique set ups and poses). I came to learn how to do it on my own. If you expect an overnight miracle with your newborn work, be realistic. It’s up to you to use and polish your new techniques and adapt everything you learned. I had a few newborns lined up waiting for me after the workshop, so I got to use my new skills and fresh knowledge right away. After almost each session I contacted Kelley to ask a few questions that came up during my own sessions, and she always replied within hours. Just recently my newborn work has been featured on local NBC - I know it would have never happened if I did not get to meet Kelley and Tracy.
Lina Jarmond (Raleighn, NC) - www.linajarmond.com
This workshop is perfect for any level of photographer. Kelley & Tracy are pretty much up for anything when it comes to demonstrations; that’s what makes the class so fun! The entire workshop was truly an inspiration, but the 2 things that I valued the most were the tips on keeping newborns relaxed as well as the Photoshop techniques. I learned so much from these two down-to-earth women - the amount of information they share with you is incredible! So if you want to sharpen your newborn skills, or simply learn about professional photography I highly recommend this 2 day workshop.
Kim Isom (Omaha, NE) - www.kimisomphotography.com
This workshop will give you the confidence and knowledge to totally rock your newborn sessions! You get to experience the setup, the preparation, how to pose the babies, how to soothe and keep baby sleeping and of course you get to see firsthand Kelley’s camera technique. It was a great learning atmosphere and an amazing portfolio builder. I personally loved learning how to utilize natural light and observing how the light changed with the setups throughout the day. I went into this workshop thinking that I had a great grasp on editing, but came out able to handle even the most challenging blotchy baby skin. There were tips and tricks that are so simple to do with stunning results. Kelley and Tracy are truly generous with their info and go out of their way to ensure an awesome learning experience.
Natasha McCarthy (brantford, Ontario, Canada) - www.mccarthyphoto.net
Kelley and Tracy, your one day workshop was amazing. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your gift and for all that you taught me: from the soothing of a newborn, to getting great in-camera exposures to achieving those great black and whites in post processing. I can already see a huge difference in my work. I highly recommend this workshop if you have the money, but even if you don’t have the money, attend anyway! This workshop was well worth the investment. Thank you ladies for helping me to become a better artist and photographer.
Melissa Tsao(chapel hill, NC) - www.melissatsaoblog.com
I just wanted to say Thank you so much for offering a workshop that teaches your amazing newborn posing and photography skills. I really enjoyed meeting you both and watching the two of you work together. I have always wanted to photograph newborns the way you two do, but never thought I would learn how to do it. Because of the workshop, I feel more confident in myself now when asked to do a newborn session. I also wanted to say Thank you for being so great about answering emails and questions even after the workshop is over. That in itself is worth it’s weight in gold.
Julie Lackey (bucyrus, ks) - www.julieellenphotography.com
The way you handle, style, and photograph newborns is amazing. After attending your workshop, I know that I can make my newborn sessions spectacular. Since you are a true technical shooter, it was extremely helpful to watch and learn from you. I know learning your technical tips will help me be a better photographer. You and Tracy are both so extremely generous with your knowledge and willingness to help others, both during and after the workshop. I am so lucky I was able to attend. Thanks Kelley!
Kristen Scully (st louis, mo) - www.kscullyphotography.com
Thanks so much for opening up your studio for all of us to witness your baby posing mastery! I have been photographing newborns for over ten years, and was frankly in a rut. I was seeing all these amazing poses by other photographers, and just coming up shy of how to get there myself. The tricks I learned watching you two for the day are invaluable! The week after I returned from your workshop, I photographed two newborn sessions and each produced $12,000 orders. Yes, five digit orders….two in one week. And since then, the rest of my newborn session sales averages have increased as well. For sure, the cost of your workshop was way worth it!
Thanks again for being so giving of your time and skill. I would suggest your workshop to any photographer working with newborns, seasoned or just starting out!
Angie Weedon (dallas, tx) - www.weedonphoto.com
The Kelley Ryden/Tracy Raver workshop was such an amazing experience…one I will appreciate forever. Being very “green” when I arrived at the weekend workshop, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I was such a “beginner” in this art. But, by the end of my short time with Kelley & Tracy I was filled with a wealth of information, and came home with an amazing drive to put it all into action. Kelley & Tracy are truly an inspiration in everything they do. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your passion & love of photography with me. Thank you!!
Stacy Rottach (orange county, ca) - www.stacyannephoto.com
I was thrilled to be a participant at Kelley and Tracy’s recent Newborn Posing Workshop. The dynamic duo, as they have affecionately been dubbed, was beyond generous in sharing their knowledge and expertise in the field of newborn photography. Arguably two of the finest newborn photographers on the planet, they so willingly and graciously opened up their studio to us, where we witnessed first hand, their remarkable ability to gently and swiftly manoeuvre their tiny subjects into “awe inspiring” art. Thank you Kelley and Tracy, for sharing your incredible gift and talent with us! Because of you, I have taken my newborn work to a whole new level!
Amber Shereen (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - www.ambershereen.com
Kelley and Tracy’s Baby Posing Class was one of the best experiences of my life. Without a doubt, this was the best investment I have made into my photography career! I hope to eventually specialize and only do newborn sessions, however, the information that you will receive about natural light, camera settings, general business practice, processing images (from importing off your card to print!) and marketing make this class applicable to all aspects of photography! Don’t ask yourself if you can afford to take this class, ask if you can afford to *NOT* to take this class. Kelley and Tracy were an open book and were there to give customized one on one help and guidance to me. I walked away from this class with hundreds and hundreds of newborn images appropriate and good enough to fill my professional newborn portfolio. Kelley and Tracy go that extra step and finish every last detail in every shot to make their photographs COMPLETELY and wholly amazing. There is no one better to learn from!
Shannon Dodd (Mc Gregor, IA) - www.shannondodd.com
This workshop was a once in a lifetime experience for me. I’ve admired Kelley and Tracy’s work via Flickr for the past year or so and I always said if I got the opportunity to meet and learn from them, I would jump at the chance – and I’m so glad I did. Kelley was absolutely wonderful about sharing all her tips and tricks when working with newborns, from camera settings to post processing and everything else in between. She knows exactly how to achieve the best possible SOOC images, which is explains why her shots always turn out so amazing. Tracy is truly the baby whisperer – she has a superlative gift and eye for detail when posing newborns. Not only are they amazing photographers, they are incredibly wonderful women and I’m beyond thrilled to call them my friends. Thank you Kelley and Tracy!!!
Alecia Silva (Orting, WA) - www.theportraitplaceweb.com
Kelley- thank you SO much for an amazing and inspirational two days! I felt like a superstar at my latest newborn session, all thanks to what I learned at your workshop. And, I’ve even since rented a space so that I can photograph more newborn sessions– all this in less than two weeks from returning home from Omaha! All of the personal attention we received during those two days, as well as before and after your workshop, has been priceless. Thank you so much!!!
Leslie Biggar (Vancouver BC) - www.sakuraphotography.com