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Ready to Jump-Start Your Storytelling?
Get the quick training that turns nature photographers into visual storytellers
Create a powerful photo story
with the 6 essential images that
all photo editors want to publish.
$49 USD
Craft engaging visual essays on repeat, without wondering if you're missing any must-haves or leaving critical shots behind.
In this online video training, you'll master the types of images you NEED to photograph to create compelling visual stories (that publication editors LOVE).
The best way to make a positive impact for the planet with your images is by photographing stories (NOT stand-alone shots).
Does any of this sound familiar?
>> You flip through your favorite photo magazines and imagine seeing your own images printed across the pages. But you're not sure what it takes to get there, let alone why each image was chosen for the stories in front of you. That's what we're answering in this workshop.
>> You've tried piecing together photo stories for your personal blog and it turns into an endless scroll of photo after photo because it's hard to choose from your own work when you don't know which are the key images to choose. That's where this workshop comes in.
>> You're eager to get published and you already have piles of images on <insert your favorite topic>. You've asked yourself more than once, “Can't I just pull together a bunch of different stuff from my archive and call it done?” But when you look through the images you don't know which to choose, and doubt whether they're good enough for editors to see. You'll get guidance for what to do in this workshop.
>> You find yourself making the same photos again and again and your creativity has gone stale. You can't figure out how to get out of the rut. You're craving a new approach to your work so you can keep your creative fire stoked and bring attention to the conservation stories you care about. You'll find your next steps in this workshop.
There’s an invisible art to telling a story with photographs.
To tell a complete story in photos…
Stories that move audiences to action, stories that have editors clamoring to publish your work…
You need a collection of specific types of images that play off one another and shape the story like building blocks.
WHO THIS IS FOR:
Any nature photographer or filmmaker who wants to skyrocket past stand-alone images and craft engaging story-telling photos so that you can make a bigger, broader impact with visuals – whether on a personal, volunteer, or professional level.
PRICE: $49 USD
Think this is a problem only “beginners” face? Nope.
Even long-time professional photographers can be utterly lost when it comes to photographing stories.
“I've been totally blown away by the fact that there are people out there who have huge reputations but do not have the slightest idea of what a story is. They know how to make a set of pictures…but they can't frame it. It's just a pile of pictures that can be put in any order. And it's amazing how many very highly regarded photographers are out there who do not have a clue. They make pretty pictures they hang on a wall, but they don't go any further than that.” — Susan McElhinney, Ranger Rick Magazine, during an interview on my podcast.
This isn't a newbies-only issue. Not in the slightest.
And that's GOOD NEWS.
Because no matter where you are in your journey, when you know how to move beyond a pile of one-off images and really zero in on showing a great story through images that lean on each other and become greater than the sum of the stand-alones…
Then you know how to make stories that stop audiences in their tracks.
That's when you become a storyteller.
Look out world, a change-maker just stepped up to the plate!
If you’re a photographer with dreams of shooting stories for publications, or a passionate volunteer who wants to bring the power of visual storytelling to your favorite issues or organizations…
.
…then you already know that understanding what images make a good STORY is what creates the change you're fired up to see.
But stories aren't made from a pile of stand-alone shots. The best stories are a blend of specific TYPES of images. Learn how to get them all, on every shoot.
Here's what mastering the 6 shot types so you can move past stand-alone snapshots does for you
>> Breathe fresh life into your stalled-out photography
You work for years to improve your photography skills – from technical mastery to honing your unique style – and sometimes that push for perfection kills creativity.
You find yourself making the same kind of photographs over and over and over again. You're in a rut with those stand-alone photos.
Visual storytelling pushes you into a new space in photography, a space where creative thinking thrives once again, and technical prowess rides joyfully along in the side car.
>> Become an invaluable partner to your favorite nonprofits by helping them grow their reach (and donations!)
Being able to think like a storyteller when you're behind the camera is… well it's basically like gaining a super power.
(And it's definitely not a skill meant only for those folks hoping to have their stories land on the cover of National Geographic.)
Every organization benefits by having not just a photographer, but a visual storyteller on their side.
Most organizations and their volunteer photographers think that grabbing some nice headshots of staff members and a few cute pictures from the latest event for the newsletter is all they need. It's not.
That's not enough to bring in new supporters, to capture attention of grant funders, to get donations pouring in.
The REAL impact comes when you capture hearts and minds through the power of story. When you bring your visual storytelling prowess to the table, that's when you become a critical part of a nonprofit's reach and growth.
>> Stand out from the crowd of photographers filling up editors' inboxes
In my work as a photo editor, I can't even tell you the number of times I've looked through a portfolio of 25 images only to think, “There's only two, maybe three photos in here I can use. The rest is just more of the same…”
I'm left wondering how I'm going to lay out a story when most of the story is… well, completely missing.
But I can indeed count the number of times a photographer has handed me a portfolio that has everything we need to beautifully show a visual story, no matter how complex the topic. It's a memorable Hallelujah! moment.
And that photographer is now someone I can't wait to hire again, who I will think of first when a new assignment opportunity pops up, and whose emails I will eagerly open when they pitch me.
When you have the ability to tell stories in images, you stand out from photographers who think they are documenting stories (but are just taking a bunch of stand-alone photos).
Photo editors notice you, remember you, and will seek you out.
And that's exactly why I've built the online training
Create a powerful photo story
with the 6 essential images
that all photo editors want to see.
$49 USD
Jaymi's workshop is excellent!
I am a nature photographer trying to make the leap from creating single images to conservation storytelling through a series of images.
My goal is to start getting my work published. This class helped me understand the shots needed to make that happen.
Jaymi understands the industry as a photographer, writer, and editor. She does not hold back with trying to help you succeed.
– Anne Readel
Jaymi’s workshop is, quite simply, fabulous.
First, the workshop provides extraordinarily useful information about planning a photoessay. Jaymi presents clear explanations (with loads of examples) about each type of must-have image and how each plays a critical role in storytelling.
Second, Jaymi is a dynamic, enthusiastic, and supportive instructor. Her passion for conservation storytelling is contagious (in the best possible way!), and she responds with insight and specificity to questions. Jaymi critiques images in a manner that is constructive, appreciative, and useful, particularly because she explains clearly why some images are more effective than others.
This workshop is a “must” for photographers who want to put their images to work for conservation by telling compelling stories about nature and the environment.
– Susan McConnell
In this online training, you'll learn:
✅ Each of the 6 types of images essential to photo essays
✅ Why each image type matters and the roles they play in storytelling
✅ How to select the images from a larger portfolio
✅ Strategies for selecting different sets of images from the same large portfolio depending on the story you're telling
✅ How to plan for each image for your own photo stories
✅ 3 practical ways you can put photo stories to work in your life right now
To be able to see my portfolio come together felt very rewarding. I now think beyond single images, and feel more comfortable pursuing stories and talking to new people.
I am so impressed by how dedicated Jaymi is to teaching. She’s always going above and beyond. I can tell she really wants to be there as much as the participants, which is a great feeling.
– Samantha Stephens
Jaymi is an exceptional being and teacher. Her presence, patience, and generosity makes it easy to learn how to make a story come to life from scratch, and what is involved in taking story-telling photos. I was constantly challenged in her workshop, but also motivated and truly inspired.
I would highly recommend taking anything Jaymi has to offer, and I look forward to any opportunity to learn from her again.
– Jia Li
This workshop was incredibly helpful for someone taking their first steps in conservation photography; focused, tangible and fun.
Jaymi is a great, empathetic teacher too, providing the perfect balance of theory and practical advice.
– Derick Carss
As a nonjournalist, a non-professional photographer, this realm can feel intimidating. But I didn’t feel that with Jaymi. She recognizes everyone has a part to play in conservation photography.
– Michelle Guillermin
I’ve been trying to choose images from my conservation project’s portfolio to pitch to editors and submit for grant applications. I decided to take Jaymi’s “6 Must-Have Shots” class to help narrow down my selection.
What an enormous help this workshop was! Not only is Jaymi an eloquent teacher with first-hand knowledge of what editors are looking for, she also holds live critiques of student’s portfolios and welcomes input from all attendees. The learning experience from the portfolio critique is pure gold!!!
Thanks to this class, I’ve fine-tuned my visual storytelling skills and am ready to submit my work with confidence.
– Gretchen Kay Stuart
This is perfect for you if…
You are new to the world of conservation photography and want to explore the possibilities of visual storytelling. You want to see if this is the right path for you while also gaining actionable knowledge no matter what.
You've been working in conservation photography for awhile but want to level up and finally start working on full stories. You are excited to put information into action and are game for some hands-on homework.
You've worked on shooting stories, but haphazardly, and you want to finally grasp the fundamentals that will get you on track with momentum. You're ready to come at it with a beginner's mindset and soak in fresh perspectives and strategies.
This is NOT for you if…
You have zero interest in varying the types of photographs you capture. This training is about stretching your creativity and capturing many types of images.
You're only interested in learning how to pitch. If that's you, that's totally awesome, but you'll want to sign up for Conservation Photography 101 instead
You're looking for a how-to on using your camera. This training is focused on WHAT you photograph and helping you think creatively. It doesn't cover camera settings or other technical details.
You don't enjoy self-paced learning. This training is provided through example-rich recorded videos, and audio and transcripts are also provided to support multiple learning styles. It's up to you to review and implement what you learn.
Start your storytelling adventure right now for $49
Is this a live training?
This is a fully self-paced online video training. See, you likely have a very busy schedule. It's easiest for you to learn when it works for YOU – not when someone else decides dates for a live workshop. That's why I've turned my popular live workshop into a fully self-paced training you can watch when you want, where you want, again and again. You'll get immediate access to the entire training when you purchase your copy of the program. And with lifetime access, you can return to the lessons as often as you need.
I've been a visual storyteller for awhile now. What if I already know everything covered in the training?
If you've had significant success creating complete photo stories that have gotten strong responses from viewers, this training may not be for you. Join my signature course Conservation Photography 101 instead and learn how to take your stories to the next level and successfully PITCH those stories to publications!
I'm a filmmaker. How does this training help me?
All films benefit from still photography. Whether it's for a pitch deck, press pack, social media promotion, or websites, films need still photos that help bring in audiences. Knowing how to move a story forward with still photos is a big leg up. So, even if you're focused on making films, there's a good chance you'll benefit from understanding the 6 must-have shots. If you aren't sure, reach out at help@conservationvisualstorytellersacademy.com and I'll help you decide if this workshop is or isn't a fit for you.
What's the difference between this training and your course, Conservation Photography 101? I can't decide which one to sign up for.
I'm so glad you asked!
Everything we cover in this training is also covered inside Conservation Photography 101, but this training zeros in on the 6 must-have shots for photo essays (which is one very small component of my signature course).
The 6 Shots training is a great way to get a taste of what visual storytelling is all about, and learn one very important way to dramatically improve your photo stories.
But, if you want more, like the nuts-and-bolts of finding, photographing and pitching photo stories AND get instructor support along the way, then Conservation Photography 101 is a fit for you.
My Conservation Photography 101 course teaches you the A-to-Zs of finding compelling stories, building your story structure, reaching out to characters and subject experts, planning and photographing your story from start to finish in the field, and writing attention-grabbing pitches with proven systems for maximizing “yes” answers from editors.
It also includes 9 months of live coaching sessions, so that I can help each student no matter where they're at in their story creation and pitching journey.
If you love this 6 Shots training and want to continue working with me on your photo stories, join me in Conservation Photography 101 🎉
What if I'm not happy with the training? Can I get a refund?
Because of the immediate access to digital materials, no refunds will be granted for any reason. That said, with the depth of information this training provides, along with BONUS replays of student critiques provided during past live workshop sessions, I'm certain you'll be fired up to grab your camera and put everything you learn into practice!
This sounds awesome! Can you remind me of everything that's included?
Absolutely! You get immediate access to the training which includes example-rich video lessons where you'll master:
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- Each of the 6 types of images essential to photo essays
- Why each image type matters and the roles they play in storytelling
- How to select the images from a larger portfolio
- Strategies for selecting different sets of images from the same large portfolio depending on the story you're telling
- How to plan for each image for your own photo stories
- 3 practical ways you can put photo stories to work in your life right now
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You Also Get Forever Access! There is no expiration date to this training. It's yours for life. Review the training as many times as you'd like to refresh your memory or dig deeper into the details.
