About the Mentorship Program
I have spent extensive time in the field photographing wildlife, landscape, macro, and night sky with the OM-1 and the OM-1 Mark II. Leading workshops and teaching are my passion. I have developed an in-depth program to walk you through a process of developing knowledge, hands-on skills, understanding, and problem solving when it comes to nature photography with the OM-1 and the OM-1 Mark II. Having taught workshops and on-line training, I have encountered every issue a photographer may encounter when using these two camera bodies. I understand the frustrations, problems, challenges, and obstacles you encounter when photographing nature and my goal is to remove those for you so that you can focus on the creative aspect of photography.
The Live Zoom Sessions
The OM System Nature Photography Mentorship Program Part I is focused on understanding the technical elements of photography with the OM-1 and the OM-1 Mark II camera bodies. The technical side of photography is centered around understanding the controls, buttons, dials, levers, menus, and features of the camera bodies; as well as, the technical side of exposing an image. This would include an understanding of histograms and highlight/shadow alerts, plus, the Trinity of Photography which is shutter speed, aperture (f-stop), and ISO.
Finally, the technical side of nature photography would include autofocus and all the related settings and processes, and a proper understanding of RAW versus JPG files.
FAQ's
How long are the liver, interactive Zoom Meetings?
How long are the liver, interactive Zoom Meetings?
The Zoom meetings are scheduled for 2.5 hours in length.
What time do the Live, interactive zoom meetings begin?
What time do the Live, interactive zoom meetings begin?
They will begin at 5:00 p.m. CST (6:00 p.m. EST) and conclude at 7:30 p.m. CST (8:30 p.m. EST)
Will the Live and private zoom meetings be recorded and always available?
Will the Live and private zoom meetings be recorded and always available?
Yes, each live, interactive Zoom meeting will be recorded and available to all participants during and after the program has completed. The private, one-on-one videos will be recorded and made available only to the participant.
How long are the four private, one-on-one Zoom meetings?
How long are the four private, one-on-one Zoom meetings?
They will be one hour in length and must be used within one month of the completion of the program.
Must I use Zoom to participate in the live sessions?
Must I use Zoom to participate in the live sessions?
Yes, you can use Zoom on your laptop, desktop, tablet, or iPhone. You can use it in a browser (I recommend Chrome) or as an app. I recommend using your laptop or desktop computer so the screen will be bigger and easier for participating.
How will we be able to see your camera's menus and such in the camera during zoom meetings?
How will we be able to see your camera's menus and such in the camera during zoom meetings?
I will be able to broadcast directly from within my camera during the Zoom meetings when we need to see menus, the super control panel, or exposure settings and other related information.
What are the dates for the live group zoom meetings?
What are the dates for the live group zoom meetings?
Session One – October 4, 2024
Session Two – October 25, 2024
Session Three – November 8, 2024
Session Four – December 13, 2024
Session Five – January 3, 2025
Session Six – January 17, 2025
Session Seven – February 21, 2025
Session Eight – March 28, 2025
Session Nine – April 11, 2025
Session Ten – May 2, 2025
Session Eleven – May 23, 2025
Session Twelve – June 13, 2025
Session Thirteen – July 13, 2025
Session Fourteen – August 1, 2025 (Completion of Program)
Bonus Session One – May 7, 2025
Bonus Session Two – July 2, 2025
What if I have to cancel during our program, do I receive a full or partial refund?
What if I have to cancel during our program, do I receive a full or partial refund?
No, there are no refunds given for any reason. Once you book a spot on the program, you are essentially taking up one of the twelve opportunities. I can’t add a participant mid-way through the program. All sessions are recorded so you will always be able to watch the recordings. I will also allow you to participate in a future program for a significantly reduced price as a live participant.
Stop Being Afraid…
Stop being afraid to use computational photography features. Stop being afraid you will “mess something up” on your camera. Stop being afraid of flash photography or programming a custom mode.
Stop Struggling…
Stop struggling with your camera control dials and buttons. Stop struggling with your camera menus and not knowing where to find specific items. Stop struggling to program custom controls.
Stop Missing the Shot…
Stop missing the shot because you were looking at the back of the camera trying to figure out what to do. Stop missing the shot because your autofocus settings weren’t correct. Stop missing the shot because your drive mode was too slow.
Recommendations
Mishalla Amendolara
Digital Sales & Commercial Marketing Manager OM System
Lee Hoy has truly been an exceptional presenter and speaker as an OM SYSTEM Ambassador. His passion and expertise shine through in every interaction. Lee’s ability to captivate audiences with his knowledge and quirky enthusiasm is remarkable. His presentations are informative, engaging, and leave a lasting impact. As an OM SYSTEM Ambassador, Lee Hoy has inspired others to explore the world of photography with confidence and creativity. It’s been a privilege to work with Lee on many projects from online workshops to in person experiences.
Emilie Talpin
OM System Ambassador Participant – Break Free with Olympus Program
My name is Emilie Talpin, I am an OM SYSTEM ambassador, and my mentor Lee Hoy played a big part in my success as a photographer. A few years ago, I participated in a mentorship program that Olympus offered to ten lucky contest winners. We each had to pick an Olympus ambassador as our mentor and my first choice was Lee. I loved his work, knowledge, and honest feedback, and I knew I would learn a lot from him. I was fairly new to photography, and Lee went above and beyond what was asked of him. He was always there to encourage and guide me in the right direction. Lee is a natural teacher who understands that we are all individuals with different needs. His goal is clear: help us realize our vision.
