07/09/2026
Okay… A couple weeks late on this recap, but worth the wait.
Dordt Discovery Days
I had two classes a morning and an afternoon. 11 kids in each class, four days together, both three hours a day. And wow… they showed up with curiosity that never dipped.
Day 1 was all about foundations: different kinds of photography, a peek at some of my very old cameras, and their first real dive into learning DSLR basics. Every single kid had a camera in hand, experimenting, adjusting, discovering.
Day 2 was composition day. We practiced with stuffies (always a hit), then took those skills into a photo scavenger hunt. Watching them apply what they learned in real time was magic.
Day 3… my favorite. Experiment Day. I borrowed an idea from a video of a man creating dozens of images using only colored pencils and creativity. The kids took that concept and ran with it. Using soap, oil, water, fruit, and studio lighting to create shadows, reflections, textures, and abstract art. They didn’t just take photos… they made them. Their results were incredible.
Day 4 was bittersweet. Sad to see it end, but so proud of how far they’d come. I gave them a few final challenges to stretch everything they’d learned. They talked about how much they grew from day one. How they started seeing purpose and vision instead of just “snap, snap, snap.”
I walked away inspired, grateful, and honestly excited to teach again. I learned so much from them, too. I hope they left with new confidence, new curiosity, and maybe even a new passion.
Here’s to more opportunities to teach, create, and watch kids discover what they’re capable of.
