What is PhotoMentors?
This is a virtual community of people who are passionate about learning photography. This global community has two main groups: people who come here to learn; and people who come here to teach or share.
As an expert in some facet of photography, you will be welcomed here and find a place where your expertise is truly valued.
As a Tutor, Teacher, or Mentor here you will be able to reach new students and teach from anywhere around the world to students around the world. You will be able to do this directly from your desktop, your laptop, your yacht, or your lake house. You can do this while on vacation, after work, or whenever you want.
It is easy to get started teaching photography on PhotoMentors. Simply call Steadman Uhlich to discuss it.
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What are the qualifications necessary to become a Tutor or Teacher or Consultant or Mentor?
Tutor
To become a Tutor, you must have the ability to communicate well and have deep and expert knowledge of a specific area of photography.
Tutors may have expertise in very narrow areas. You may have technical knowledge on certain types of products (Nikon speedlights) or equipment or techniques (e.g. studio flash use). You do not have to have formal schooling on the subject or an educational degree. You do have to have the ability to share that knowledge with your students in a practical manner that will help them and answer their questions.
The Tutor has great flexibility in how they help their student/client.
You can respond to the student’s questions or you can lead them. You can be a problem solver, or a highly focused instructor. It is really up to you and your ability to provide help to the student based on their needs.
At this level, you are helping others with tips and practical knowledge on what might be narrow subjects or technical subjects or techniques. You do not have to have any formal experience teaching formal group classes.
There are no age preferences on this level. For example, if you are an expert in Photoshop and you are just 18 years old, you could qualify. This role is determined strictly by your expertise in a possibly narrow area of knowledge. You can know many areas of photography, or areas that are related to photography (e.g. how to quickly build a photoblog). But, to be a Tutor, you must be very knowledgeable in at least one area of knowledge that is your specialty and has some application to the needs of photographers of various levels. Can you tutor more than one area? Yes. As many as you can handle.
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Teacher
To become a Teacher, you have to have the ability to work with others to teach them things in a group environment. The subjects you teach can be focused narrowly or broad in scope. The more creative you are, the more interesting it will be to learn from you. As a Teacher, you can develop an entire curriculum that has multiple levels and leads to students staying with you. Or, you could just teach a single class on a topic of your choice.
Your group may be a virtual group you only meet over the internet. You must fully understand the course subject. You must be good with people. You may want to teach a group that is small or large and you must be able to handle the questions and the complexity of dealing with a group through the voice and video communication we use. You may have to develop a lesson plan that accommodates a range of skills in a group. You must be adept at being fair to all students, balancing attention, delivering interesting instruction, and motivating people.
At this level people want to learn from you in a structured manner. You are their guide. They want to follow a curriculum. You set the pace. They want structure. You provide the structure. This is very different from being a Tutor, but it does not exclude you from doing both or a dual role as a Tutor and a Teacher.
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Consultant
To become a Consultant, you must have considerable experience in the chosen field, and the ability to convey the information that your clients need.
This level requires true seasoned expertise. What does “seasoned” mean? It means you have been there and done that and perhaps written a book about it. At this level, people want you to tell them how to make something happen and what they should do, based upon your experience. They want your advice.
The consultant level is not for everyone. It has a higher level of responsibility and qualification. It also carries the expectations to a much higher level. You will have to be able to deliver a superb service at this level to be a PhotoMentors Consultant.
The difference between a Consultant and a Tutor is considerable. You don’t have to be a great teacher. But you must be an expert that has the ability to assess the problems and create a solution for the client. If you want to be at this level, expect to spend some time talking with Steadman Uhlich. If you can convince him, that is all it takes.
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Mentor
To become a PhotoMentors Mentor, you must have an ability to help others at the very highest level.
Mentoring is not about technical expertise. It is about helping other people with their careers and goals and self-development.
This requires a great deal of empathy, understanding, and helping others and the highest levels of sincere communication.
You may be a technical wizard, but this may not be the right role for you. You may be a very good Teacher in a structured environment, but this may not be the right role for you. You may be a great consultant, but this may not be the right role for you.
By our definition, a TrueMentor is rare and extraordinary.
It is not about how long you have been a photographer. It is not about how much stuff you own or gear you use. It is not about your own photography at all. This is a role where you become less important than your protege and their needs. A TrueMentor has a very rare balance of knowledge, communications skills, flexibility, judgment, and empathy. If you want to be at this level, expect to spend some time talking with Steadman Uhlich. If you can convince him, that is all it takes.
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Do I need any special software?
You will need a computer and an Internet connection in order to get started. In addition you will need to install free Skype software on your PC or Mac. You will need to establish a free account with Skype, but the use of Skype is free, in most cases. If you do not currently have an account with Skype, please see our Skype Fundamentals Page for tips and basic information and a link to the pages that will help you. It is highly recommended that you read those pages. In some cases, you can do this work without any computer and without any connection to Skype. That is possible, but not recommended.
Do I need any special hardware such as a headset?
It is highly recommended that you use a headset with noise canceling microphone that is appropriate for use with Skype. If you don’t already have a headset, we recommend purchasing one. A quality headset with a noise canceling microphone will help your student hear you better and more clearly over the Internet. This is very important. The headphones are inexpensive, and the ones we recommend cost about $25. See our Store pages for our recommendations. You do not have to purchase any hardware from PhotoMentors.
Do I need a webcam?
In order to provide the best experience for your students, we recommend using a web cam. It is not required, but strongly suggested. The the face-to-face visual experience makes a big difference in how people learn and will help you better communicate with your students. Video is highly recommend. You may already own a WebCam, or it may have come included with your laptop. We suggest you pick one that is designed for high definition and “High Quality” video. This is a description of a level of video quality and is a relatively recent level available over the internet. These are not expensive, but they will make the viewing experience much nicer. If you are using a WebCam that is several years old, be aware that WebCam technology has changed dramatically and new advances mean better picture quality. It may be time for you to upgrade. See our Store Pages for our recommendations. You do not have to purchase any hardware from PhotoMentors.
I want to improve my connection and experience via Skype. What can I do?
You should turn off unnecessary software that may be running in the background and negatively affecting your communications with your teacher. Turn off Peer to Peer and any “Download Clients” such as the following: BitTorrent, iTunes, Remote Desktop, LimeWire, Apple Screen Sharing, iChat, AV, Photobooth. You should pause or close these programs before beginning your Session with PhotoMentors.
What kind of tools will be available to teach with PhotoMentors?
In the near future photo mentors will be adding a variety of teaching tools that will make the teaching and learning experience much more enjoyable and easier for both the teacher and the student. You’ll be able to use a white board, video chat, audio, screen sharing, file sharing, and many more tools to help you help your students.
How many students can I teach at once?
You will be able to teach one student at a time for a One-on-One experience. In the near future we are going to be offering classes and group seminars with multiple students. So, start with one, grow to many.
How do I get paid for tutoring or teaching?
You will like the answer to this. We can discuss this after you sign up. The money you earn is based upon your individual Session Rate or a block of your time. You set your Rate or fee based upon your schedule, and your expertise and your desire to teach. Most sessions last one hour. You have the flexibility to offer shorter sessions. Or longer sessions. It is really up to you. There are no limits.
How much does it cost me to tutor, teach, or mentor others?
PhotoMentors is free for you to sign up and create a profile. There is no up-front cost or out-of-pocket expense to you to use our service. The cost to you to use our service is something we will discuss in our interview with you. Put another way, we don’t make money unless you make money. Put another way, you don’t have to pay anything upfront in order to join our group.
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How will students find me on PhotoMentors?
That will be easy.
What you see today, as this current site, is just the beginning. What you see today is focused on the credentials and experience of the founder of PhotoMentors, Steadman Uhlich. In the future, what you and the public will see will be very different and focused on YOU and your credentials and your services as part of a global community of experts. So, while you look over this site, just bear in mind that what you are seeing is a prototype focused on one person. This is simply a single facet of what will be an elegant structure. In the future, PhotoMentors will have a site that will be completely different in design and function and visual appeal. It will look nothing like this site.
It is a joint effort involving you and us. PhotoMentors will be marketing and promoting our community website around the world. We will encourage you to do the same on your local level and through your own social network.
Over time, we will be launching new products, exciting new capabilities, and fantastic new tools that will help you. In addition, we will use the latest and greatest techniques for creating buzz and attraction for students.
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Can I tutor more than one student?
Yes. You can tutor a single student or many students sequentially. If you want to teach a class, then you will need to consider becoming a Teacher (at that level).
Can I teach more than one student?
Yes. You can teach a single student, a small group by invitation, a small open or public group, or a large class with dozens of students. As we develop the technology and services here, you could teach many people at once. That will come.
Can I mentor more than one student?
Yes. But, the nature of a TrueMentor relationship is that it is a One-to-One relationship. That means the TrueMentor approach will not work in a classroom or large group method. They are completely different.
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Can I teach a free class?
Yes. This is even recommended! But, you will not get compensated for teaching a free class because they are free. However, they are a good investment of your time for many reasons. We can discuss that more fully when you sign up.
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What is a LiveVoiceIntro?
It is a free phone call to the tutor to make sure that they can communicate well with you. This is a short (usually just one minute) phone call via a phone call (we recommend you do this via Skype) and so it will cost a student and the tutor nothing but a minute of time, but it may be the start of a very rewarding relationship. You should consider this a simple communication check or verification.
In that minute the Tutor or Teacher or Mentor will ask a few questions to make it clear that the relationship is the right one for the student. This will also help the student have higher level of confidence that the tutor is someone who communicates well in English. We recommend this because we are a global organization.
Don’t expect to answer questions about the student’s photos or your technique or answer requests for tips on the LiveVoiceIntro call. It is merely a quick check to verify that you can connect well via phone or Skype and that the communications are clear and both parties can understand each other.
This is important because while we are offering connections to people in any country around the world, using English as the language of communication (at this time), we want to make sure that both parties can understand each other. Most of these calls will last just one minute or less.
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How will the market know if I am any good?
At PhotoMentors, it is our goal to have only the best and most experienced photography Tutors, Teachers, Consultants, and Mentors available on the planet!
To do that, we are actively screening the people who want to become one of our special contacts, whether they are a Tutor, Teacher, Consultant or Mentor.
PhotoMentors will do a screening of the Tutors and Teachers, prior to listing them or recommending them. PhotoMentors is not just a phone directory. We are focused on delivering the best possible expertise at your call.
Each Tutor and Teacher will be interviewed by Steadman Uhlich to get a sense of their experience level, communication skills, command of English, and level of motivation and background. Each one will have to demonstrate their professionalism and their ability to talk about photography in a way that will help the potential client or student.
We do have a Privacy Policy that helps protect both parties. Also, using PhotoMentors to connect to a Tutor, Teacher, Consultant, or Mentor is a service of convenience to you and the student. You are still responsible for making prudent judgments. See our “How to Pick Your Mentor” pages and our Disclaimer page for more advice on this.
What about the credentials of the Tutors or Mentors?
You can read the credentials in their PhotoMentor Profile page. You can look over this site and review the credentials of Steadman Uhlich. But, you do not have to provide as much information or as many items. Your credentials may be brief, simple, and based on a number of things. They are YOUR credentials and each person is unique. So we will treat you as an individual and review your credentials carefully.
You can also provide a short audio and video introduction by the Tutor so you can confirm to the prospective student/client that you communicate well in English. Your short video clips about you as a Tutor and your lessons and style will help you present your credentials. You will also be able to use the support of testimonials that other past and current PhotoMentors students have sent to PhotoMentors too.
If the Tutor or Mentor has published a book or articles, you can provide PhotoMentors with a review copy and then possibly have it featured in our Store and Library. This can also lead to additional sales of your books via the method of your choice (e.g. Amazon.com).
Some of our Tutors will be asked to provide free downloadable lessons, articles, and tips and those can be found in our online Library too. You will also find links to your websites or online portfolios in case students want to see examples of your photography skills and style.
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Do I need any special software to participate in a session?
You should have an Internet connection (broadband speed is recommended highly) and a web browser. You will need to have flash installed on your computer. That is it. But, we highly recommend you also use the free Skype software to make your calls over the internet. Why Skype? Because it works and is free. You can talk Skype to Skype and not spend a penny even if you talk for hours. Skype also allows you to quickly send files and perform other useful tasks. See our Skype Fundamentals Page for more information and tips and recommendations.
Do I need to have a headset?
A headset is highly recommended. Most of the communications with PhotoMentors Tutors, Teachers, Consultants, or Mentors will take place using voice or voice and video (webcam) communication. It is very important to have clear communication. Since our system uses the Internet and usually your computer is used to share or review photographs with your student/client, it is important to do everything possible to make sure the voice clarity is as high as possible. Even if your laptop or PC has a built-in microphone, we still recommend using a headset, instead of the built-in microphone on a laptop. You will want to select a headset that has a noise canceling microphone and is optimized for use with Skype. These can be purchased for as little as $22 via the Skype Store or you can find one in a local electronics store. See our store and affiliates pages for recommended headsets and other items you may wish to purchase that will make your experience better for you.
Do I need a Webcam?
You do not have to have a Webcam. We highly recommend them. Being able to see the face and expressions of your teacher or tutor will greatly increase the clarity of any communications by them. Web cams will also allow you to show your tutor or teacher things they may want to see. Web cams are not expensive, but there are differences in quality and functionality. See our store and affiliates pages for recommended Web cams. Our strong suggestion is to get a webcam that has the ability to transmit “High Quality” video. This is something relatively new on the market and is a level of resolution. See our Store Page for more information. You can also visit the SKYPE Store and see detailed product descriptions there for a variety of webcams and headsets.
How much does a session cost?
The price for a session depends upon the individual Tutor, Teacher, Consultant, or Mentor. Each is different. Each may have different types or levels of services and classes that they are offering. So check carefully prior to making a commitment. You will find the price for the various services and classes clearly indicated in the profile for the respective Tutor, Teacher, Consultant, or Mentor.
Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
No. There are NO long-term contracts or commitments necessary on your part. You will find PhotoMentors to be surprisingly flexible. There will be a few agreements you will need to sign that confirm your agreement to abide by our policies that apply to you, but that is about it. You should not have any fear of these. They are there to protect you and us and the clients.
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Your First Introductory Call is free, but what you might learn later is priceless!™
If you have Skype, simply click on the “Call Me” button below to make a free Skype-to-Skype call. Before you do, make sure the top button says “I’m Online.”
If you don’t have Skype yet, you can download the free Skype software in minutes via the link below the buttons below.
Or, if you want to call using your own land-line phone or cellular phone, simply dial our Direct Dial number: (646) 233-1511
Our phones are generally answered during our flexible Global Operating hours of 9:00AM to 9:00PM EST (New York City Time Zone). Feel free to call anytime within that 12 hour window, 7 days a week.
If we are not on a call with another photographer, we will be happy to speak with you. If you get our voicemail it means we are on a call with another photographer. In that case, simply leave a detailed message on our voicemail with instructions on how we should contact you.
If you prefer to send an email you may do that by visiting our Contact Page. Or by using the following email address:
steadman@photomentors.com
Most voicemail messages receive a call back within two hours, whenever possible. All emails are answered the same day, whenever possible.
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