On February 19, 2016 KelbyOne announced “…a strategic realignment plan designed to refocus our efforts on the core principles that KelbyOne was founded upon, which is to provide affordable, world-class, online training to creative people everywhere.” As a result of this – the content team responsible for producing classes internally for KelbyOne (Mia McCormick, Pete Collins, Corey Barker, and I) were no longer employees of Kelby Media Group.
Being able to shape and direct the content that was brought to all of you is something that I look back at with immense pride, and I am grateful to have served all of you through these years.
During this transition, I was asked by Kelby Media Group to present at Photoshop World, continue to work on classes for KelbyOne, and continue my hosting duties on The Grid – but I politely declined. Truth is – I had been interested in charting my own waters and I am excited to work on something that, I feel, would have a great value to this community I’ve come to know and love with my own true authentic voice.
While I am blessed to work as a photographer in the photo/video space – I consider myself to be a teacher at heart. I’ve always looked at my position as one that I -get- to do. I have always been excited to share with you things I’ve learned and believe will take your love of this art further. To that, there have always been topics and ideas that I think essential – that I really didn’t have an opportunity to cover in a way I believe will “stick”. How do I stay away from showing you unnecessary scenarios or shooting conditions that only .01% of photographers would ever attempt and instead focus on bringing you the things that will really bring movement to your craft – and make it so that it’s affordable to everyone?
Learn With Us At First Shot School
I’m excited to announce that I have started a new online training school called First Shot School. I will be directing the content and education on the new site which will include classes, tips, ideas, podcasts, and content that will help you creatively. This will be opportunity to connect with our community of creatives in a unique and interesting way – a way that I’ve longed to do in the past.
Here’s a BTS… my set for classes. 1 of 5 sets in process now.. .other sets will do more classes and an upcoming podcast. 🙂 (Remember all that woodworking with Kim Patti you’ve been seeing on my Instagram? I give you – Kim Patti Studios!)
What I Hope For In My New Space
Not too long ago, Kevin, Mia, and I sat around at the new studio and thought about what we would consider to be the tenets of what we want to produce here. We thought these three things would be important to form what we do:
- The education we bring must solve problems and bring inspiration that you can immediately put to use.
- We must work with our partners to produce third party content that educates and informs. Our job is to show -how- technology can be useful in what we do – and we do that through education.
- We need to be focused on not wasting your time. Each tip, blog post, course or package needs to be educationally dense. Your time is valuable and we’re grateful you spend it here.
It has been a crazy couple of months getting everything ready over here, and I’m excited to say that it’s on a roll. The studio is up and running and we’re buzzing through content that we can’t wait to share with you!
I’ll probably go back to posting random coffee machine rants, odd projects that come to me in the middle of the night, and random musings here. If you’d like to be aware of what kinds of stuff we’ll be doing, I encourage you to visit the First Shot School website or you can sign up for the mailing list over there on the right.
Thanks for listening!
RC
60 Comments
You guys will be a success and I am will follow this new group. I was very disappointed when Matt left and my interest did decrease quite a bit, in Kelby One (what ever that is). Now the talent that you guys have pulled together to start is very exciting and I am sure that it will grow. Your interest in education and much less in the quickie approaches / self promotion that leave us the new photographer confused and lost was becoming just to great at Kelby One. I want to understand the new editing software’s capabilities and most importantly to become a better photographer and I believe this new group can provide that. Good luck and I will follow today.
I wish you and Mia the best. RC, you Mia, Matt and Brad were the ones that kept me interested while you were at KelbyOne. The Grid isn’t the same without you. I’m looking forward to exploring fotopromos. Scott is good but you were the backbone.
Ken
So glad to see that you are leading Fotopromos as I have the Big Deal and all I can say it’s amazing. KelbyOne was always a favorite but I think they have lost their way and the last six months of content has been meh at best.
Love It!! Congrats
I wish you much luck. I too was very disappointed in Kelby One over the past few years. I followed Kelby since almost it’s beginning and have used it less and less over the 10+ years. Can’t wait to see what you produce. You’re a great teacher RC and I have enjoyed your classes.
RC,
I watched you on Kelbyone. I love your teaching techniques as well as watched your You Tube Videos. I am very excited to see you and Matt team up and do this together. Wishing you much success and good luck to you both on this new chapter in your life. I will follow you in your new group. I have learned a lot from watching your videos on HDR photo editing in the old cathedrals, buildings etc. good luck. Let us know what is happening in your new group. You got me hooked!!
I was wondering why I had not seen you for a while. It’s pathetic that scott has flushed all the people that helped him build his company. Truly pathetic. I think his little kingdom may be collapsing. I had heard from people on the inside, kelby’s company is filled with people you would not want to share a cup of coffee with.
Now I understand why Brad left the sinking ship. When Scott wraps trips overseas in the blanket of “business”, he is bound to get zinged.
Hi RC
Although we haven’t seen each other in a few years I am very excited for you and wish you nothing but the best, My group The St. Petersburg Photography Group has always been about teaching and welcome your new venture and will advertise it on our site.
Best of Luck
Frank Lamica
Glad to see your get back on your feet…certainly was a kick in the A__s KO gave you people…my subscription runs out the Dec and have no plans on supporting his cause any longer, keep me posted on what going on…I’ve already signed up on Corey’s site, and Dave Cross…always thought you, Mia, Corey, & Pete would of done something together ??..but wasn’t to be I guess…since your back on G+ look for Michael57 (the one with Brass Dive Helmet) have a look ….chin up old boy ..good to see you, Hi Mia….Michael57