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.

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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

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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

Author

60 Comments

  1. Actually after I listen to one of your tips on the grid for a couple of months ago i havent followed you or the grid. The tip you gave was a the podcast of “Ibarionex” and the candid frame. Since then I just last week found the way back to the grid and found out that you are not longer “there”. After reading what you describe at the this site, I want to wish you all of the best and look forward to se your new work! Thank you a lot for your contribution to the photgraphic world and all your great inspiration!

  2. Good for you, RC! I’m so happy that you will be pursuing your dreams, visions, and goals in an unencumbered way and in the way you want content to be taught. It’s also great that Mia is onboard with you! What a team you two will be in this new resource for creatives! Now bring Corey and Pete to the company with Matt (if he could be pulled away from OnOne Software). 😉 Congratulations to you!!

  3. Steven Rosenbaum

    Spectacular News. All best wishes!!!

  4. That’s fantastic news! Congratulations on this new opportunity and can’t wait to see all of the new courses.

  5. Donna Couture

    This is awesome news RC! You need a place to shine in a way you couldn’t before. Wishing you the best. I’ll be checking out the new site!

  6. COLLEEN Crowley

    Just wanted to wish you all the best of luck with your new endeavors! I love the work you’ve done in the past and eager to see your new content. All the best! Colleen Crowley. Please add me to your mailing list

  7. Tamara Fry

    Can’t wait to see your new stuff!!

    Tami

  8. Danielle P (girlracerphoto)

    Congrats RC! I was worried about all my Photoshop peeps for so long. ;-( I am happy to see you will still be educating. I’ll be following your new stuff like a hawk! 😉

  9. Earle Kimel

    Congratulations on the new venture. I’m sure you’ll continue to be an inspirational teacher.

  10. I’m sorry to hear you are no longer with Kelby. To me your were the face of Photoshop World. It just won’t be the same without you. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors. Cheers.

  11. Wishing you the best as you move forward. Your new project sounds exciting and I hope it grows

  12. Wishing you all the best. Mom says “hi” ( she is the one who made a cap for your pretty daughter 🙂 ).
    I know all will go well for you.

  13. Barry Schmell

    RC, I’m glad you’re following your passion. You’re definitely a “natural” at teaching.

  14. Wow, first Matt, then Mia McCormick, Pete Collins, Corey Barker, and you! That is all my favorite people on “Kelby”. I was concerned when “Kelby One” was rolled out, because what is this really about? Good luck, I’ll be checking out fotopromos!

  15. Congrats, RC! I will keep my eyes open for what’s to come and I have you on FB, and Instagram. Again congrats to you and the gang, exited for you.

  16. Pingback: Two of the Top Photography Educators in the World are Starting Fresh – Just Photography News

  17. Mike Doiron

    RC and Mia this is great news. Looking forward to seeing the new stuff. RC I hope you do something along the lines of the Tips and Tricks segments you used to do. All the best and looking forward to signing up.

  18. So glad for you on this new venture! It sounds great, and I’m looking forward to learning new things. Best of luck and congratulations.

  19. Pingback: Two of the Top Photography Educators in the World are Starting Fresh – Photography Wide

  20. RC, I’m excited by this new venture. You’ve always given us great content and I love your style of teaching. Wishing you the best.

  21. rachel garafola

    Is the web book still relevant for today? I saw that the copyright is 2011.

    Thanks,

  22. RC, glad to hear about your new venture. Also glad that you turned down Kelby! You guys deserved better. Go for it with all the gusto that you have!!!

  23. Congratulations on your new endeavor. I’ve enjoyed several of your seminars and you’ve always been very approachable and accommodating… I’m sure with your talents you’ll be successful at whatever you put your mind to.

    Best wishes to you and thank you for all you’ve already done.

  24. Maria Weber

    I am so beyond
    happy to hear this , I know this will be great!!

  25. Congratulations RC, I always love you tips and insights, even though when they are not relevant to me

    if I’ve known you were coming to Mexico I would’ve loved to see you

    Regards

  26. Chris Cloninger

    It so awesome that you guys are going to start this. Can not wait to see your training and tips. Good luck and God Bless you all!!

  27. Jose Rodriguez

    Orale Vato….change is always for the best. Best of luck to you and the rest of the folks in your endeavors.

  28. Herman Gil

    Les deseo mucha suerte. Usted y Mia son unos excelentes educadores! Vayan con Dios.

  29. Congrats! Will it be mainly about photography or editing and post processing?

  30. Isamu Maruhashi

    Good for you, RC! Looking forward to what you bring to our world.

  31. RC

    Should I include something else? If theres something you think should be there, I’d love to know!

  32. Richard Hector

    RC, I’m very happy for you! I wish you all the best in your new endeavor. I’m a devoted student, you can consider me a customer.

    your Publix buddy 🙂

  33. Jack Mulligan

    Wishing you all good fortune with fotopromos. I enjoyed your teaching style at Kelby, and I even own your book, Get Your Photography on the Web. You’re a good teacher, relating well to everyday shooters, not just to the wannabe pros. I’ve subscribed to your YouTube channel, and I look forward to future updates.

  34. Beth McNabb

    I have always believed you are a great teacher RC and am happy you are charting your own adventure. You will be great! Have fun too. : )

  35. I am so happy to hear this news. I am glad that two of the nicest people, who happen to be great instructors, have joined together. Looking forward to exploring .

  36. I’m glad to know that you used logical thinking in your decision. I appreciate that. I remember about three years ago when you posed the question if Mirrorless cameras would be around in the future, and I responded “Of course, they already are mainstream and big changes are coming on the professional side” . I was then hammered by a bunch of negative posts, but I think it was the next week you announced you were changing your NY Photowalk to a
    Nokia smartphone. I thought that was a bold move, but again as a photographer, sometimes change is uncomfortable but necessary. Since that time I’ve written content for a few speaker/photo educators and maintaining relevant content is a challenge when they forget who the ultimate target should be, the client. So, in short, I would like to see is how do potential clients see the need for professional photographers? What services are still the most important to offer such as in design and product sales to real clients?

  37. RC

    Hey!!! you need to come for coffee!!!

    RC

  38. RC

    That book is quite old… the ‘concepts’ are the same.. but it is in need of a serious overhaul. So much has changed.

    Do you have a site now? Maybe we can go back and forth on FB, I can try to point you at what not to pay attention to, and what to look at?

  39. Congrats on the endeavor – looking forward to seeing the new staff and crossing paths with you again

  40. Jim Lashomb

    RC You are a skilled and effective teacher. I have been to several of your presentations. I learned a lot and will continue to follow you.

  41. Daran Lara

    I’m glad too see you are still helping people. I actually made the decision to buy a camera and start learning photography based on some videos of you. Your calm methods of teaching are easy to remember and with today’s media/smart phones I can bring the teacher with me. I would like much to keep fallowing you. Thank you very much.

  42. Steve Bailey

    HI RC,
    As said in my tweet, best of luck in your new venture. Thankyou so much for all of your tutorials and practical. I already have both of your books and they have been so helpful in improving my photography.
    Best wishes also to Mia. I remember fondly some of her reporting and journalism work (yes we got it all the way in Australia).
    Your website and new training company have already been bookmarked. and I will follow your progress. Could you please do a tutuorial on balancing hotshoe flash with ambient light? I am past the basics but frequently go back to the manuals to re-learn.
    If you have any authentic Mexican recipies please email at sbai4319@gmail.com.

    G’day from Australia
    Steve Bailey

  43. I guess Kelby just wasn’t making enough money to keep them onboard. I don’t understand his statement. He says he wants to refocus and work on online training, then fires the team responsible for creating online training.

    Anyway, good luck RC, I went to one of your lightroom classes and you are an amazing instructor and presenter.

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