ETA:
It doesn't matter what number you are on the wait list, everyone has an equal chance on registration day.
Kim - The wait list is always available so you can get on it any time.
Liz - I've had a few people take the class with cameras similar to yours. And while you can take the class with any camera and get a lot out of it, I really think you'd be happiest and would get the most out of the class if you had a digital SLR (with interchangeable lenses).
Nicky - I'm not sure why you're having a tough time getting on the wait list. It looks like people have been adding themselves to the list all morning. Can you try from a different computer?
Jenna - Yes, if you're on the wait list, the only way to get into one of the classes listed is to register again on Monday. By registering again, it will move you from the wait list to the class (if you type quick enough of course)!
Hannah - I don't know how to gauge how long it would take you to actually make it into a class. Over the course of a year, I'll be taking about 400-600 students so my hope is that you'll get in within the year. That said, the wait list is constantly growing. In the future, I'll only be offering the class to people on the wait list though. There will be two registrations per year, with two classes being offered at each registration, for a total of 4 classes per year. To get moved from the wait list to a class, you just have to type faster than everyone else on registration day and cross your fingers really hard. (Very strategic, eh?)
I really had no idea that the online photography classes I teach would take off the way they have. I figured I'd design the class, teach it a couple of times and that would be the end of it.
I never dreamed that after having taught almost 1000 people that I'd still have a wait list of 700+ people.
It just boggles my mind.
But thank you to all you gals (oh, and you too Mark & Larry) who have taken this little venture with me. I feel pretty lucky to be doing what I'm doing.
Sure as heck beats the 12 years I spent cleaning plaque & tartar off of people's teeth.
The Photographers' Workshop is a 10 week online class and at this point in time, I only teach the class four times a year. Fortunately, I'm able to take more students in class than ever because I've made teaching the class my full time job.
In the past, I've offered an early registration to wait list students, allowing them to fill 75% of the seats in class, while saving the remaining 25% of the seats for general registration.
However, this coming Monday, July 13th at 9am Pacific time will be the last time I offer a general registration. In the future, I will only be offering the class to students on the wait list.
So if you'd like to take the class in the future, be sure to get on the wait list. You can sign up here.
The registration this coming Monday, July 13th will be for the following classes:
The Photographers' Workshop running September 14, 2009 - November 22, 2009
The Photographers' Workshop running January 4th, 2010 - March 14, 2010
The registration will begin at 9am Pacific time. Prior to 9am, the registration page will be disabled. Because there are typically hundreds of people trying to simultaneously register for the class and hitting their 'refresh' button over and over again prior to registration, there have been problems with the website coming close to crashing during each and every registration. Because of this, the web guy for the site had to set things up so that any user repeatedly hitting the refresh button prior to 9am, will be blocked from the site and unable to register. I apologize for this but it really was our only option in preventing a crash.
So if you're hoping to register, set your clock and be sure to log onto the website at exactly 9am pacific time and be sure that you do not repeatedly hit the 'refresh' button.
If you are unsure as to what time that is in your neck of the woods, you can use this time conversion tool.
From the home page of the website, select 'photography classes' and 'register for a class' in order to get to the registration page.
From there, I recommend that you only fill out the top portion of the registration page in order to speed up your registration time. (The remainder of the registration information can be filled out at a later date.) In order to complete your registration, you will need to supply the following information:
1. First and last name
2. Address including zip code and country
3. Email address (If you are already on the waiting list, BE SURE to use the SAME email address you used when you originally signed up on the wait list.)
4. Username (Please use your first name and an initial.)
5. Password
6. The class you'd like to register for
If the class of your choice sells out while you are completing your registration information, you will be offered the option of registering for the other remaining class date if it is still available.
Once you are successfully registered in a class, you will be taken to the checkout where you can process your payment ($295). Please note that in order to save your seat in class, the full class payment must be paid in full otherwise your spot in class will be offered to the next available student.
The site takes Visa/Mastercard/Paypal.
If you do not get into a class this time, you will automatically be put on the waiting list. Once you are on the wait list, you will remain on the wait list until you either make it into a future class or ask to be removed from the list.
Please know that I'm doing everything I can to accommodate as may students as possible but have to limit the number of students in class in order to maintain the quality of the course. My plan though is to keep teaching this same class over and over again until everyone has had a chance to take it!
Registration typically goes very quickly, so be sure to have your typing fingers ready. And if you happen to email me on Monday, please be patient with my response as my inbox is typically overflowing on registration day!
If you have any additional questions, please post them here.
Looking forward to having you in class!!!
Good Luck! And let me say the class is worth way more than price and definitely worth any wait! I started Karen's class knowing NOTHING about composition, depth of field, or even how to make sure my focus is good. I left the class with a whole new world opened up to me. I learned so much and the photos I take of my family are just incredible now. 100% improved compared to before! Before the class, I shot on Auto 100%, NOW I use the Aperture and Shutter Prioirty modes, set my own ISO settings, White Balance, can you just IMAGINE the difference this is?!?!?! I don't even like Auto anymore!!! GOOD LUCK!
Posted by: Jennifer - Spring 2009 | July 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM
wow- i have never seen 0 comments next to one of your posts. SO i will be the first, yeah, that feels good. This is an incredible shot of Annie, perfect! I get to see steph in a few weeks at the coast for a wedding.
Posted by: Shelley Ross | July 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM
PS: Karen, that phot is BREATHTAKING! Love the lighting!
(my favorite week of class along with aperture!)
Posted by: Jennifer - Spring 2009 | July 10, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Karen I have tried to get on the wait list, have tried twice this morning but when I enter - I error out on the website and it says - Site not available.
If you could let me know if there have been problems, I would love to get set up.
Thanks so much
Posted by: Nicky from Canada | July 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I am confused about registering. If I am already on a waitlist for a class, I still need to try to get on at 9am Pacific Time to register again?
Posted by: Jenna | July 10, 2009 at 11:45 AM
How many students do you take for each class?
I already pre-registered, and I'm on the wait list....I know I'm number 600 someting...so, that will be a LONG wait!!! So, I was curious if you could give me an idea HOW long!
I don't care how long I wait, I'd still love to take it...just curious!
:)
Love your blog, love your work!
Thanks!
Posted by: Hannah | July 10, 2009 at 11:57 AM
I LOVE that picture of Annie! Fab! I'm on the wait list (have been since the last registration) and I purchased my camera for the class (I needed an excuse to finally jump in!). I'm going to learn a bit about the camera and take this class some time next year (I hope). And I'm still giddy thinking about it even though I know it's far away. :)
Posted by: MichelleG | July 10, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I was able to sign up a few weeks ago and I am so super excited to take the class in September!
Hannah and Jenna you will still need to register on Monday to get into the class. Karen doesn't go down the waitlist to fill spots on the class- you can either be first or 756 on the waitlist and still get in. I was number 575 on the waitlist I think and just registered during the advance registration a few weeks ago. Where you are number wise on the list doesn't really matter.
Posted by: Molly | July 10, 2009 at 12:38 PM
There is a reason that class is in such hige demand. Fantastic is an understatement. It is worth every effort to get signed up. Karen makes it so easy to understand everything. Her style of teaching is perfect. My favorite thing that about the class is that she shoots candid everyday moments of her family and turns them into art. Oh!!! I have to say the time I have saved in editing is worth the price of the class. It is not that she teaches editing...she teaches how to get great shots without editing! No more hours of cropping and adjusting!!!
~very happy past student:-)
Posted by: Monica | July 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM
There a quote by an unknown author that states "The best teacher teaches from the heart, not from the book". Jennifer & Monica's comments above have confirmed what I've been predicting your class would be like and also your skill as a teacher.
I've added myself to the waiting list - Step 1. Step 2 - purchase a camera! Step 3 - remain in a state of excited anticipation.
Congratulations Karen on the wonderful success of your class.
Posted by: renee | July 10, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I'm taking the class right now. I LOVE it! Karen is an amazing teacher! She explains things in a common sense way. Definately worth the wait, and if you don't get it to your first choice date, try, try again! Worked for me!
Posted by: Kelli | July 10, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Okay, one more thing. I know you get a million questions but I have to know how you do your black and whites? I have never seen sharper BWs! I love the tones so much. How did you edit them??? I hope you have time to share.
Posted by: Monica | July 10, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Oh girls....get ready, get set, TYPE! Whenever you make it into the class you will learn a lot and have the time of your life doing it. Renee nailed it....Karen gives from the heart. Good luck on Monday, be open to everything and get ready for a great ride!
Posted by: Jan | July 10, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Your classes are full and have a wait list because you are a phenomenal photographer. I only have an old Canon Powershot S30 and don't feel that your classes are where I'm at right now (still learning all the features of this camera) but some day...
Love this photo of Annie. And thanks for sharing the photos of your life! Your blog is one of the few that I ALWAYS make sure that I read!
Posted by: Brenda | July 10, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Sweet dress!
Posted by: Cee | July 10, 2009 at 05:29 PM
how long after the registration is full will the waitlist be available? I don't mind being waitlisted ... so I guess Im asking if I can just wait half an hour or so and then register just to get on the waitlist so that Im not forever shut out ...?
Your photos are always so beautiful ... I'd love to learn to be half as good!
Posted by: ~ Kim | July 10, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Can I be your assistant so I don't have to clean plaque and tartar off people's gross teeth anymore too? ha. (Hey it beats being out of a job though!) :D
Posted by: kat-in-texas | July 10, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Kim, You should be able to get on the wait list anytime. If you are not ready to register on Monday at least you will be getting all the way cool "Karen Russell" updates about the upcoming classes and things.
Posted by: Monica | July 10, 2009 at 05:56 PM
I'm eagerly waiting for Part Deux. =) Awesome shot.
Posted by: Barbara Zea Jones | July 10, 2009 at 09:17 PM
I took the class this past winter and it has drastically changed the way I take photos! For some examples of shots I am now taking feel free to visit my blog at http://seriousplay.typepad.com/. I have a long way to go to match Karen, but now I have some skills to work with. Thank you, Karen, for all that you shared!
Posted by: Cindy | July 10, 2009 at 09:57 PM
Im way proud of you....you are AMAZING!
Posted by: tanyawebster | July 10, 2009 at 10:19 PM
The shot of Annie is beyond fantastic. It's magic. Love you!
Posted by: nancy in ks | July 11, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Karen,
Thanks so much for the quick response! I'm very excited that it could be within the year that I could take your class!!! ;) until then, i'm going to try to get to know my camera a little better!
Posted by: Hannah | July 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Hi. Knowing nothing about photography, except that I love your photos and would love to capture with my lens what you do, I wonder if this class would be right for me. My only camera is a Canon PowerShot S3. I can turn it on and shoot, and that's about it. Please let me know if this class would be just what I need. Thanks.
Posted by: Liz | July 11, 2009 at 06:36 PM
This class is amazing... I feel that I am a 1000 times better photographer since taking it this past winter. Good luck to all of you - it's WORTH IT!
Posted by: Ashley | July 12, 2009 at 09:22 AM