Tue, Jun 21, 2011
Dave Cross knew that it would be challenging to launch his own studio, but he didn’t expect how much fun he’d have being back in the entrepreneurial saddle. “Gosh, it’s great to be making all the decisions again after more than eight years of working for someone else [albeit a great someone]!”
Cross recently opened up the doors to a new space–part photo studio, part classroom and part workshop–called Studio 3 in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area. Take a look at
Studio 3.
Some of the great workshops coming up include a DSLR Video Fusion course with Jason Groupp on July 12, a Joel Grimes workshop on Photoshop, marketing and lighting on July 9-10, and a shooting/retouching day with Scott Kelby on July 29. There will be a full range of topics from lighting, shooting, Photoshop, DSLR Video and other Creative Suite lessons. People can register for workshops on his
site and there are classes posted through August with Fall dates in the works right now.
What Studio 3 has to Offer
The best way some people learn is within a small group, according to Cross, and his workshops will focus on that more hands-on feel with only 12 to 15 attendees. “I really feel like I want to do something different with a smaller group setting,” he said. “My goal is to have a wide range of courses from a wide range of teachers. Through Photoshop World … I’ve met top people who I’ve considered friends.” And many of those top people will be teaching courses over the next few months at Studio 3.
Cross said what makes the new space unique is that participants can shoot in the mornings and work on a Photoshop or workflow lesson in the afternoons. And he hopes that the studio will be a multipurpose space: a traditional photo studio, a rental studio, and a classroom. Some classes will be straight Photoshop and some will include photography and computer work. “My goal was to find a space that allowed for that range of possibilties.”
Check out the awesome lounge:
And especially exciting for Cross is that his daughter is a photographer and is taking a fairly active role in the new space. She is really into family/child portraits and some pet photography, which will bring something unique to the studio. And to make this a family affair, his son just graduated with a degree in graphic design and may be helping out with his expertise as well.
In the future, Cross envisions doing a demo day with some groups where photographers can try out gear before they buy. Also he hopes that he can open the space up to photographers in the area as a meeting location where those who shoot just for fun can gather and share portfolios, techniques, stories, ideas, etc. “This is an additional aspect on top of the workshop schedule,” he said. “Photographers love to share images. Having a social gathering to pull out a portfolio so everyone can look and offer suggestions is great.”
This venture is all very new with Cross hosting an open house in May and his first workshop last week but he is excited to be back in his roots of teaching in a small setting. He hopes the studio can be a great learning center where photographers can ask questions and offer suggestions about future workshops. For example, if someone is asking about using other Creative Suite products, the studio can set up a tailored “InDesign for Photographers” class.
Lots of Studio Space
What a great resource for photographers! See for yourself,
http://davecrossworkshops.com/
Take the video
tour of the studio!
Starting with Adobe Illustrator classes in 1987, Dave Cross has taught Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to thousands of users around the world. He has a Bachelor of Education, is an Adobe Certified Instructor in Photoshop CS5 and is a Certified Technical Trainer.
About Fundy
Andrew Funderburg has written 285 articles on this blog.
Father, husband, photographer and creator of Fundy Software residing in the Portland, Oregon metro area.
