BRAND NEW CLASS

BRAND NEW CLASS 

class by amy elizAbeth

Self-Portraits for Growth

It’s time to come back to yourself.  


A class for photographers ready to dig deep and step in front of the camera lens. The exercises and assignments in this exploratory workshop will guide you through the process of realigning with your vision and values, get over the apprehension of what to do with your body in front of the lens, and learn how to move away from the literal and toward the metaphorical.

I'm interested
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COURSE LENGTH

3 weeks

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class start date

16th Feb 2026

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INVESTMENT

$300 / $350

Independent / Guided

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amy elizabeth

This class will be your safe-hatchery as you step away from the comforts behind the viewfinder and allow yourself to be seen.  

Maybe your kids are grown and you need a subject for your photography.  Maybe you want to play with new ideas and techniques at any moment.  Maybe you are seeing so many people embracing the benefits of self-portraiture and you have FOMO.  

Whatever your reason, this class will empower you to show up in front of the camera, be seen and learn to create self portraits that are meaningful and compelling. It’s time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Ralph Steiner once famously said “Every photo is a self-portrait.” 

If you don’t know the story of ‘self’ you’re telling, how is anyone else supposed to?

Learn your story. 

Tell your story. 

It’s time to come back to yourself.  

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amy elizabeth
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  • In this 3 week experience you will learn:

    • How to set up your equipment in preparation for self-portraits

    • The difference between a selfie and self-portrait and why they’re both valuable

    • Self-portrait artists who can inspire and inform our work

    • The magic of showing up consistently

    • How to identify the stories you’re already telling and the stories you long to tell

    • How to use techniques like multiple exposure, slow shutter, and slow sync to further your story

    • How to identify your values and when to refer back to them

    • The process of getting comfortable sharing your distinct story and using diffuse storytelling

    • Retroactively finding meaning and its value

    • How to be aware of your body in front of the lens

    • How to seek out and where to find creative input

    • The power of feeling silly

    • How to take any prompt and turn it into a self-portrait 

    • My favorite activity for brainstorming

    • How to alchemize all you’ve learned into a single project

  • This three-week interactive class will include:

    • A welcoming environment for sharing successes, frustrations, brainstorming, and exploring

    • Discussion questions and mini-assignments to keep you creating, sharing, and communing

    • Written and video lessons as well as lots of example images

    • A behind-the-scenes look at my own self-portraiture

    • Group zooms for time to connect and process 

    • 4 larger assignments with individualized feedback 

    • Scaffolding as you navigate your way through the final project

    • A space to pool our resources, ideas, and inspiration

    • A very active and enthusiastic guide (!!!) who wants to hold your hand and cheer you on every step of the way

    • A soft and open heart

    • A desire to dig deep and make steps toward vulnerability

    • An understanding of how to use your camera

    • Access to artificial light not necessary, but beneficial

    • A tripod

  • Interactive classes are held online and registration opens seasonally.

    Guided students can participate fully in class, by asking questions, submitting assignments, and getting personalized feedback from your teacher.

    Independent students have full access to class content and can participate in class discussions —they just don’t get teacher critique and feedback on images or assignments.

“I needed to learn to see myself. My self portraits are the way I realign and regulate and have become the most meaningful work I do as an artist. ”

amy elizabeth
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MEET THE TEACHER

Amy

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Elizabeth

Hi, I’m Amy. I am passionate about self-portraiture and have deepened my love for it over the last 5 years in particular, as I discovered it’s one of my favorite ways to externally process.

I extol the therapeutic act of showing up, letting go, and allowing what’s going on inside to pour out onto the frame. It’s my way of coming back to myself.

I love empowering others in their own artistry (you are an artist!). I delight in passing along my knowledge and experiences so others can add technical and artistic tools to their storytelling toolbelt. 

I fell in love with photography in my high school darkroom and after a brief dalliance with digital, I slowly returned to my film roots.  Although I connect best with the technical aspects and artistry of film photography, I strongly believe we should unapologetically use the best tool for our job (my iPhone is one of my favorites!) 

I am passionate about tangible art, whether it’s making cyanotypes, embroidery, weaving, cutting, or folding.  Not only does it bring me satisfaction to work manually, but I refuse to let my art and memories be swept away in the Digital Dark Age. 

 I am an artist, owner of Film Lab 135, The Art Lab guide, and Post-Processing podcast host, residing in Minneapolis, MN with my three boys (and cat, Lily). I’d love to connect and create with you.  I truly believe we are better together, a rising tide lifts all boats, teamwork makes the dream work, and any other cliché about community that is only trite because it’s true. 

See amy's instagram
Visit amy's website 
Any questions?

Email your teacher directly here and they will get back to you.

Alumni Student?

We’d love to have you back! Email your teacher here and they will send you a link.

Registration opens January 7th

6pm EST

REMIND ME
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Black and white photo of three women, with a layered, double exposure effect. One woman is sitting with her legs crossed, another is standing with arms raised and a hand on her head, and the third is partially hidden, holding a bouquet of small white
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A black and white photograph of a woman with multiple exposures creating a ghostly, layered effect, with her eyes closed and her hands crossed over her chest.
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A woman lying face down on a couch, wearing red underwear, with her arms and head hanging off the edge of the couch. The photo is labeled "Self-portrait at 42".
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