I am so thrilled to announce that the photographer that will be leading the develop on fridays series of photography exercises is none other than the amazing Jefra Starr Linn.

It’s funny how things have a way of working itself out, how people that share common goals + intentions somehow find one another. A few months ago, I was toying with the idea of inviting photographers to share insights, camera tips, etc. as a guest blogger here. I drafted the email, but it sat in my drafts inbox, unsent. I was still trying to muster up the courage to approach a few photographers when I got a facebook message from Jefra that said, “If there’s anything I can ever do for you please don’t hesitate to let me know.” My jaw literally hit the floor at that moment. Not only was I getting an unsolicited offer of help, but it was from a photographer that I absolutely adored, but someone I would have NEVER had the courage to approach. I am still thanking my lucky stars that things unfolded the way they did, that I have the incredible honor of working with her to bring you this series of photography exercises. Thank you Jefra.

Without further ado, it is my great pleasure to officially introduce Jefra to you!

About Jefra, in her own words:

I’m a picture person. I love visual things. Gorgeous photos, design and everything else. The older and junkier the camera the better. And that includes digital cameras.

What am I expecting? What is this anyway? Basically, we’re going to start out with (at least) the next four Fridays being dedicated to helping you all bloom and grow in your abilities, talents and confidence as photographers.

We’ll have a post and then following the post we’ll have an assignment to help you challenge yourself and develop.

We will have a forum and a flickr group for you to post these photos in and support and watch each other grow.

The posts will be something that will help you stretch and think a bit outside of yourselves. Nothing too intense or laborious – we’re thinking more like “Stretching” and “Exercises” – maybe like yoga for you and your camera.

I want to approach this a little differently than another ‘photographer’s workshop’ – I want to approach DEVELOP as more about “helping out” and “inspiring”. I want it to be very organic and to develop to our needs as we go, all the while focusing on a few concrete elements – design principals, light. We’re going to educate you and cut the leash.

The world doesn’t need me going on and on about how to use your camera, what an aperture is or whatnot. That stuff is everywhere and I think I’ll link you to a few websites that are really helpful in explaining those kinds of things.

I’m just going to approach this kind of biographically. i.e. – this is what I like – this is what works for me, this is what helped me.

Something that is very important to me and to this whole approach is you.

I’m only part of this. I want to help and lead, but more importantly I want you to form a net for each other. Ironically, as I’m writing this the song Lean On Me by Club Nouveau is playing in the background and I realize that they’re saying what I want to say perfectly –

“So just call on me brother, when you need a hand …We all need somebody to lean on …I just might have a problem that you’d understand …We all need somebody to lean on”

I want you to do this for each other. There’s no one know it all here and each of you have something valuable to contribute. AND something I say may not reach someone the way that YOU say it can.

Make friends. Find each other and lift each other. This is about you.

……….

We hope you will join us on fridays.