BETH EHLERT For many years I wanted to take a class with Alison, but I live so far from Martha’s Vineyard, and sometimes just life in general made it difficult for me to have the time. When the Mentorship became an option, I took the plunge and am so very glad I did. My wise dad always told me that if I took a class and learned just one thing I didn’t know before taking that class, it was worth my time and/or money. With the Mentorship, many, many things were learned, and I will reflect on them for years to come in my photography business and journey.
DAVID MATTHEWS In addition to working to refine my working style and to create several unified groups of photos, I joined the Mentorship in order to work alongside a group of like-minded photographers. It has been a very stimulating and rewarding experience. I have taken workshops with other photographers and none compare with Alison. Her time commitment and dedication to teaching are impressive, as is her artistic sensibility. She is able to give the students, no matter their level of experience, precisely what each one needs to move forward. Sue draws on her years of experience on “the other side” as an art director and gallery owner to present the practical side of getting one’s work seen, promoted and exhibited. Together they are a formidable team to help photographers grow as artists.
DEB EHRENS After taking a number of classes and workshops I was really looking for something that would help me move forward as an artist and focus my creative efforts. With Alison and Sue’s help and guidance I did exactly that. During the Mentorship program I not only expanded and refined a body of work, but also revised and honed all the supporting pieces – website, artist statement, cards. Sue and Alison’s combined knowledge and talents as artists, designer and gallerist combined with their deep understanding of the creative process give the program a unique breadth. I signed on for the Mentorship program because I saw it as a “complete package” – a “two-fer” – thrilled to get both artistic and business advice together. But it really is a “three-fer.” The creation of a community of peers is an equally important part of the program. [recent show]
DOUGLAS BURKE I was hesitant at first to sign up for the Mentorship, because of my demanding job. However the class was top notch. Why? The amount of time both Alison and Sue put into the individual private sessions that each student had was over the top. Each one of them would go out of their way to provide guidance and data points to allow you to achieve your goals. The combined knowledge they bring to the table allows you to quickly accelerate your learning curve technically, understanding of fine art vs a post card shot, how to leverage social mobility, be your own best critic, how to prepare your work for a showing at a gallery and overall the enthusiasm they provide you. I would certainly recommend their recipe for success to anyone who has a passion for developing their photography.
ESTELLE DISCH Alison and Sue meet people where they are, whatever their level of skill or focus. They offer constructive opinions regarding what works and what doesn’t, and help each person move forward in her or his own way. They deliver their feedback with caring and humor but they don’t pull punches. We all got honest feedback that we could take or leave. Most of us happily took all of it. I highly recommend this program.
GWEN NORTON The Mentorship took my photography to another level. Alison and Sue meet you where you are in your skill and interest. They are demanding and have high expectations, constantly challenging me to look at my work with an eye towards improvement. Feedback is clear and helpful. I learned as much from the other students, who have different styles and goals, but are willing to share information, knowledge and thoughts.
HELEN JANSON I joined the Mentorship to help me take better photos, and I was surely one of the least experienced of the group. I really had little idea what makes a good photograph or how to edit my own work. I learned so much about technique and Lightroom, which now allows me to capture, edit and critique my images. However, the greatest gift Alison and Sue gave me was a sense of what it means to be “in the zone” – to work, think, and market yourself like an artist. Through calls with these dedicated women, I began to develop my own style and vision for my photography, and a confidence that was missing before this program. Sharing your work in the Masterminds (at the two retreats) opens your eyes to the tremendous possibilities of photography. The warmth and support from Alison, Sue and fellow photographers is an experience I will never forget.
JEAN SCHNELL I highly recommend the Mentorship. My photography has grown by leaps and bounds under their guidance. Even more important to me has been my growing confidence in my own artistic voice coupled with the knowledge of what to do with that voice. Alison and Sue have a wonderful capacity to work with a group of people with a wide variety of expertise, and a wide variety of artistic expression. They have worked with each person “where they are” and taken each person to a whole new level.
KARLA BERNSTEIN With the guidance, knowledge and great generosity of spirit contributed by Alison and Sue, I have felt myself move to self-recognition as an artist. I can’t say enough about their extra efforts in teaching, guiding, and supporting me all along the way. They wholly invested themselves in my goals and efforts, and didn’t hesitate to give their time and focused insights. For those who are fearful of “not being good enough” to participate in the Mentorship, I would say that if you desire to stretch yourself photographically, no matter your perceived skill set, you will benefit from being involved.
LAUREEN VELLANTE I wanted to get more fullness and richness out of my work, to learn how to expand my fine artwork to gallery level. I had taken various courses with Alison spanning over 20 years and finally, I decided the time was right to launch into the Mentorship. I learned to create a solid portfolio and further gained an understanding and definition of my own unique style. I loved being stretched and challenged to produce and perform beyond my perceived limits. We interacted with like-minded artists, and had encouraging critiques, helping me hone in on my unique signature perspective as an artist. The balance of Alison’s creative insight and Sue’s skills helped me gain confidence and move forward, with a fuller understanding of both the art and business of photography. [Laureen’s gallery]
LISA REDBURN The Mentorship was a fabulous experience! It was scary at first, making such a big commitment. But from the first questionnaire and call, I knew it was going to be better than I ever could have imagined. I remember being surprised in that first call with Alison, when she already seemed to know more about my work than I did – just from reading what I’d written, and reviewing the images I’d uploaded. She could see what I couldn’t. There I was, feeling insecure and scattered, and she was already focusing in on the essence of my work, and getting me excited about it! In addition to their technical knowledge about photography and writing and the art world, Alison and Sue are warm, generous, fun people. They listen and look deeply – with their hearts, their eyes and their many years of experience. And they are deeply committed to the process of helping each of us find our voices and vision as photographers. Their focus is on us – what we want, what we’re trying to say. The group retreats were an incredibly rich aspect of the Mentorship. The opportunity to deeply share ones work (and anything about one’s process) – and get constructive feedback – was amazing.
MARIAN GURRY STANTON Without a specialty or even a clear direction, I hesitantly began the Mentorship hoping to figure out where I was headed in my photography. Knowing I had to (and wanted to) produce images for our meetings and retreats kept me going, even when I felt a bit overwhelmed. Alison and Sue managed to provide specific direction, critique, and a gentle push (with a positive spin). They always made me believe that I was doing OK, and with continued effort, could continue to improve. The weekend retreats were invaluable, with the encouragement and feedback from Alison, Sue, and all the participants, in a comfortable and supportive environment.
MAX SKJOLDEBRAND The Mentorship enabled me to take my work to a new level. This was due, in large part, to the high quality of the one-to-one sessions with both Alison and Sue, who so articulately shared their valuable insights and provided helpful guidance in each session. The Mentorship provided a structure and encouragement which has inspired me to focus again on my photography, resulting in a renewed productivity and intensity which had lapsed somewhat. The creativity and support from fellow mentees was also an important source of inspiration for me, and a huge benefit of the Mentorship.
MICHAEL SKELTON It amazes me how one can walk through life with total confidence in the personal direction chosen, but when it comes to art and expression we can become lost in a cloud of our own self-doubt, struggles and failures, then somehow try and find the courage to continue when all seems lost. Alison and Sue worked very hard looking over my efforts, listening to my craziness, and helping me understand the vision of my own direction. They have helped me realize many of my dreams – such as the posting of my website, which is far from what will be, but may have never been up and running at all, lost to procrastination and doubt, without their encouragement and support.
PAULA LAVERTY It has been SO very important for me to have done this Mentorship. There is no way, and I should emphasize the “no way,” I would be where I am without the Mentorship. I have had major doubts about my abilities, but the encouragement I have received from Alison, Sue and my fellow mentees has been crucial in pushing me forward. I have learned more than I ever thought possible from the other participants – and this is a positive that should not be overlooked – the friendships I have made are a crucial extension to Alison and Sue. For me, the Mentorship was exactly what I needed to encourage me to the next level.
STEVEN KOPPEL As a relatively new photographer, and clearly the least experienced in the group, my hope was to explore my evolving passion and to begin developing my own style and sense of purpose with my work. The Mentorship far exceeded my expectations. Alison and Sue were wonderfully supportive from the outset and throughout the program. And it was also wonderful to join such an accomplished and diverse group of fellow participants, who I greatly enjoyed getting to know and learn from. I can’t recommend this program highly enough. The Mentorship was an absolutely perfect way for me to harness my passion for photography and to turn it into something that has now become a major and cherished part of my life. And I owe it all to Alison and Sue. [Steve’s gallery]
VINCENT CHAHLEY I would highly recommend the Mentorship program. Although I have always enjoyed taking photos, I consider myself a “later in life” photographer, and credit becoming one largely to Alison and Sue’s coaching. The Mentorship has helped me to develop the beginnings of a more personal style, and to organize and show my work more professionally. I don’t think you need to be very experienced to get a lot out of the Mentorship. I think it is more important that you are willing to work at your craft and are seriously interested to learn, than where your starting skill level is.
From Sue: We didn’t ask for testimonials after the first few years – so many of our students don’t appear here. We’ve been privileged to work with such talented artists over the years, and feel deeply blessed to know you all.