Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I take a class about how to take a selfie? Don't you just hold up your phone and click?
This class goes beyond the kind of quick selfies that you associate with teenagers and style bloggers. This class is about helping you take better images of yourself (or yourself modeling your products) that you can confidently use to help promote your business. You'll learn to use your smartphone or camera with a tripod and remote to get images far beyond what you could take as a typical selfie! (If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can think of this as a class about self-portraiture as a form of marketing. It's just that Market Your Selfie is a much catchier title!)
Will I need to buy lots of fancy/expensive equipment?
The short answer is no! You can take this course with just your smartphone. (But I will recommend you get an inexpensive tripod and remote for your phone, both of which you can get for under $30.)
Depending on where you shoot your photographs, you may also find investing in a simple studio light or two (for around $50 each) will really help your photos. (And I'll make recommendations for what to buy in the course.)
What kind of camera do I need?
You can take this class with just the camera on your smartphone or tablet, and I'll show you tricks and tips to get the most out of those images.
That said, I prefer to shoot my images with my DSLR (way more options and control) or digital mirrorless camera, so I'll also be talking about how to use one of those. If you've got a fancy camera, you'll learn tips and tricks for using it to take better images of yourself. And if you're thinking about buying a fancy camera, I'm happy to make suggestions about what to get during the course.
I really don't know how to use my camera. Does this course cover technical aspects of photography?
Yes, in a way that's not overly techie! (Because I believe you don't have to be a professional photographer to take great images!)
This class covers every aspect of photography, from getting your set-up and lighting right, to what camera settings to use (and which to ignore), to camera angles and composition, to editing your photos to really make them pop! Even if you decide after the class that you want to go back to shooting your work on a model (or shooting images other than yourself), this class will help you become a better photographer!
What can I use the images I create during this class for?
The goal of this class is to create images you can use to market your business across a variety of platforms, including...
Product Pages
Email Marketing
Your Blog
Your About Page
Social Media
Advertising
And more!
I make wearable products and I'd love to learn to photograph them on myself, but I really don't want to show my face? Do I have to?
The short answer is no! If you're photographing wearable products, there are lots of creative cropping tricks you can use to make your products the focus, not you!
Ideally, as the class goes on, you may get more comfortable showing more of yourself, but it's not a requirement for creating great images of your products!
I don't make wearable products but I'm an artist or maker who would like to use more pictures of myself in my marketing, whether that's holding my products or hanging out in my studio. Will this course work for me?
Yes! You'll start the course by identifying your goals and finding inspiration images, and throughout the course, I'll help you figure out ways to make those images work for your situation.
We've had painters, textile designers, and even life coaches take the course, so there's truly a way for it to work for anyone!
I'm not ready to take the course right now? Will you be offering it again later?
That depends on why you're asking this question. If the timing truly doesn't work with your business or life at the moment, I totally get it. Registration is open at any time so you can purchase when it's right for you and work through the content when you're ready!
If you're asking because you want more time to get "camera-ready" (i.e., you feel like you need to drop a few pounds or go through some kind of crazy makeover before you take this class), I'm going to challenge you to shift your thinking. You don't have to be a size 2, super-fit 20-something to use images of yourself to market your biz. (I'm not.) In fact, I started using images of myself wearing my jewelry at the heaviest weight I've ever been, and the sky didn't fall down.
The beauty of the current social media landscape is that we're seeing more diverse images of people throughout marketing, so there's room for you to use images of yourself no matter what stage of life you're at, what size you wear, or what flaws you think you have! Using your own image in your marketing is about connecting with your customers by showing the real you. (Not some imaginary you that may or may not exist six months from now.)
How does the course work?
Once you've completed check-out, you'll be prompted to set up your account on my online learning platform. From there, you'll have instant access to all the modules, videos, and resources. (And if you run into problems, you can always email info@meganauman.com for support.)
Can I ask questions and get feedback on my photos?
Absolutely! The online learning platform allows you to ask questions on every lesson and share the images you're creating at any time. You can ask technical questions or request feedback on any aspect of your images, from lighting to composition to editing. I do my best to answer all questions within 1-2 business days, so you're never left hanging!
