As I participated with Barry in the photo shoots on Grand Comore and Zanzibar, he was constantly interacting with people; shaking hands with a Muslim holy man, or climbing through the mud flats to “talk” to a Comorian shipbuilder. Kids flocked to him—why wouldn’t they? He was kneeling down, making funny faces, relating to them at their level. Even the women, so reticent about having their pictures taken, smiled and sat there while he snapped the shutter six inches from their face. Watching him gave me the confidence to do exactly what he’d taught us in class. My photos of that trip are better than any I’ve taken in all my travels, thanks to Barry’s great teaching and personal example.”
- Tony Garnier, President & CEO Southwest Water Company, Pasadena, CA
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“In an increasingly complicated world, Barry reduces the basics of photography into simple clear precise lectures and photo shoots that make you feel that you can be an Ansel Adams in no time.”
- Peggy Nute / Palo Alto, California
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It has been a pleasure and inspiration meeting you and I thank you for the experience. My photos usually end up in a drawer and I was just wasn’t all that excited about photography. But sitting in on your evening slide show and lecture opened my eyes. It was all so worthwhile. You are a professional in the true sense of the word. Thank you again.
- Gavin Ross / retired Alumni Director, McGill University / Montreal, Quebec
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Barry has changed my photos forever, for the better! I am excited about the way he has shown me to “see,” to minimize the information in my pictures; this will also affect the way I now approach my paintings. Thank you for sharing your expertise. The workshop was exciting, stimulating, and inspirational.
- Barbara Chapman / artist / Montreal, Quebec
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Barry, the knowledge and insight gained from my three day photo workshop with you lives on. Although I saw an immediate improvement, I wondered how much my work could be affected by such a short period of time? One year later I am pleasantly surprised to realize that I learned more in those intensive few days, both creatively and technically, than in a full semester course taken subsequently. Your combination of knowledge, ability to communicate and generosity of spirit causes me to look forward to working with you in the future.
- Karen Kaufman
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As education director of an organization of chief executives worldwide, I have worked with Barry Shapiro as a photographer, educator and individual on several occasions and look forward to continuing to work with him on future programs. First of all, he is a professional, in attitude, skill and expertise. He is a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend to students. He can work at all levels – recognizing and adapting to all levels of learning. His demeanor is flexible and patient. His students love him. His photography is exceptional. He watches, waits, and has the eye for picking the right moment and snapping the shot. If you view his work, there’s nothing more I can say that will convince you any better of his skill and expertise. As an individual he is wonderful to work with. He is clear about his professional needs, which are very realistic and manageable. His flexibility, enthusiasm, ability to relate to all people and happy disposition all make him a wonderful person to be with and to work with. I believe Barry would be an asset to any program you may have or develop, and will only serve to make it a more wonderful experience for all involved.
- Judith A. Guy / Director of Education, CEO / Bethesda, MD
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I consider myself fortunate to have worked with Barry on several different projects in the past. He has an exceptional balance of visual, technical, and personal skills that equips him to comfortably help others explore their creative potential. The workshops themselves are constructive, sensitive, and effective.
- Richard Cretcher / former Director of Education, Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology / Dayton, OH
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As president of the Chief Executives Organization, I would like to personally thank you Barry for your involvement in our Mexico University followed by serving as a educational resources on the African Seychelles Seminar. As you know, we ask our members to evaluate the educational programs presented by our resources and you and Nancy received incredibly high ratings. I have been a member of CEO for nineteen years and the photography studio I attended in Mexico was one of the best educational classes I have ever experienced. The class was not only fun, I learned more about the creativity involved in taking picture than I ever dreamed was possible. I am very pleased to learn that you both are scheduled for two future CEO events; South African CEO bush seminar and the Costa Rico nature expedition. You should be proud and pleased to know that we have never had educational resource’s present four programs in one year. Our members continue to request that you both be included in our future programs.
- Jerry Braznell, Pesident/Chief Executive Organization, St. Louis Missouri
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As a marketing consultant to large corporations I am often in the role of encouraging my clients to see things from a new perspective, to step outside of the "tried and true" and look at alternatives. Taking Barry Shapiro's Photography/Creativity Workshop gave me an opportunity to do the same with a highly skilled instructor. Barry's approach combines learning about photography with learning about one's own creativity and he knows how to foster an environment where it is very comfortable to try new things. It was an extremely valuable experience for me and I highly recommended it individuals and corporations.
Mary Murrell, Ph.D., Easton, Pennsylvania
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For me, Barry's course was a walk of discovery…exploring new paths of creativIty through photography. By removing the more technical aspects of camera’s and equipment, Barry helped me to see photography in a new way .. the art of working with what you see, how to compose photos by changing angles or light or subtle focus adjustments that provide very different r results and tell a story by capturing a moment in time. I continue this discovery walk today and I am having a ball!!
Susan Forster, Rockport Maine
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I have known and worked closely with Barry Shapiro for the past 7 years as his architectural client, a participant in his photographic teaching programs and with him as an active participant in a top management briefing that I presented on the principles of project management. Barry is a gifted designer and teacher with a remarkable ability to communicate and induce creativity in people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. His enthusiasm is contagious in everything that he does. Barry displays the highest integrity in both his personal life and his professional activities. I feel very fortunate to have him as a friend and colleague.
- Russ Archibald / founding trustee of the Project Management Institute
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I took Barry's point and shoot introductory course and found it to be extraordinarily effective. It was a simple and understandable workshop on the fundamentals of photography, including composition, lighting, camera operation, and other basics which are often overly complicated and mystified in other courses and publications.
- Noel Fenton / CEO Trinity Ventures / Menlo Park, California
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Few people know Barry Shapiro as I do. I’ve watched his creativity bloom since our childhood and grow into a remarkable, multi-dimensional artistic talent. Barry possesses a brilliant eye for beauty, balance, deep and hidden meaning. His hands give form to his vision whether on canvas, in film exposure, through clay or in structures for
living and work. And Barry's heart inspires others to find their own creativity as painters, photographers, sculptors, too. My family has enjoyed the product of his unique architectural skills in our beautifully remodeled homes which Barry designed. My former public interest law firm has flourished for 15 years in the lovely and functional space Barry Shapiro created that made its office the finest space for free legal services to the poor in the United States. It was characteristic of Barry's devotion to others, especially those in need, that he donated hundreds of hours to this volunteer project. Barry is truly an artist with a heart of gold.
- Terry Friedman, retired California State Assemblyman, Santa Monica, California
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This letter is to tell you about Barry Shapiro as a photographer, educator and individual. As education director of an organization of chief executives worldwide, I have worked with him on several occasions and look forward to continuing to work with him on future programs.
First of all, he is a professional, in attitude, skill and expertise. He is a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend to students. He can work at all levels – recognizing and adapting to all levels of learning. His demeanor is flexible and patient. His students love him.
His photography is exceptional. He watches, waits and has the eye for picking the right moment and snapping the shot. If you view his work, there’s nothing more I can say that will convince you any better of his skill and expertise.
As an individual he is wonderful to work with. He is clear about his professional needs, which are very realistic and manageable. His flexibility, enthusiasm, ability to relate to all people and happy disposition all make him a wonderful person to be with and to work with.
I believe Barry would be an asset to any program you may have or develop, and will only serve to make it a more wonderful experience for all involved.
Sincerely,
Judith A. Guy
Director of Education
CEO