"I have taken two courses with Shauna: Photoshop 1 and Photoshop in Black and White. Shauna knows how to teach. There are few people in a specialized field like photography who not only live what they preach but make their interest in the subject at hand so intense that you can’t help but feel the energy.
In case you are lost Shauna has that unique ability to pick up on your confusion and lead you back on course. Photoshop means a lot of different things to different people. Shauna can guide you according to what you are trying to do, not her own agenda. Shauna is a teacher who really can do." Robert Sachs
"I took my first class, an intensive introduction to Photoshop, with Shauna Church. Well, it was the first class, but it certainly won't be the last. Shauna knows her subject inside out and is very effective at imparting that knowledge to a class filled with students with various levels of experience. I most appreciate that her answers focus on understanding why something is done so that one is left with the ability to problem solve instead of just blindly taking an action and not knowing why it might have a certain unwanted result.
Shauna is incredibly keen, visually, and aside from Photoshop skills, she really helps you to "see" what's going on in an image. Beyond the class Shauna keeps her students informed about all things "photographic" via email and is very supportive of her student's work.
Shauna eats, drinks and breaths this stuff. Her passion and dedication are clearly visible to anyone who comes in contact with her. I'm looking forward to my next chance to take a class with her." Charles Chessler
"Five years ago, before I became Executive Director of Aperture Foundation, I was a fledgling photography student in one of Shauna’s classes at ICP. I loved it, was inspired by her, and created a darkroom in my basement so I could continue to build on what she started. I remain in contact with Ms. Church for advice and discussion, to keep me apprised (along with legions of former students and colleagues) of exhibitions, programs, and competitions all over the United States. In Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point, certain people are called “connectors.” Shauna is a connector in the world of photography. She is a gifted artist, and a committed pedagogue." Ellen Harris
"Shauna is an effective communicator, and is patient with her students, who come to her at all levels of understanding. She backs up her lessons with written and digital sources for easy reference. She is a generous teacher, and makes herself available to her students when questions arise. She stays current with the latest technologies and tools.
Shauna imparts an understanding of the computer, scanners, printers and other peripherals, and the software programs she uses, with the mindset of an engineer. She understands the mechanics, and can explain them. Shauna works very thoroughly during class time. She offers a lot of information, and uses student work to teach lessons, for a hands on experience.
Shauna has wonderful artistic skills. She has extremely sensitive eyes and sees great detail in images, which helps to train her students to see in greater depth. She has a creative mind and informs her students with an array of solutions to imaging problems, and encourages using new tools for a different approach. She encourages experimentation. Her knowledge of the History of Photography, as well as the practice of contemporary digital artists, is another resource that she brings to class. She makes learning exciting." Midge Valdes
"I have been a student of Shauna Church’s for several years. She is a wonderful teacher, who is able to convey her wealth of knowledge in a clear and precise way that makes it easy to understand the complexities of the digital editing and printing process.
Shauna’s standard use of modeling followed by supervised (and very supportive) practice has helped me to develop independent skills. The handouts she provided were helpful references when trying things outside of class, and she continues to be a great resource for information about photography and digital imaging. Most important, Shauna, an artist herself, has motivated me (and many other students) to develop my skills further, to explore new photographic methods, to look at my work with a critical eye, and to continue in my photographic endeavors." Arlene Goldberg
"My first encounter was a class in B & W Infrared photography. This more traditional film and darkroom workshop was where I first experienced her gift for sharing, her passion as a photographic artist and her ability to inspire. Without delay she was able to quickly understand the various special needs and experience of each student and help them grow with their own art in the short two weekend workshop. Shauna's rare and sensitive teaching ability is very much like an artist working with a special palette.
If it wasn't for her special teaching ability, I would have not taken my next photographic workshop and first digital photography class years later. Once again her patient style of teaching proved an inspiration for my desire to bridge into the digital B & W world. With the internet as her communication link, she continued to inspire with brief emails about issues of photographic interest long after class ended. I look forward to my upcoming digital photographic workshop with Shauna which I'm sure will help lead me into my next phase of photographic art." Paul Grieco
"I have taken an Advanced Photoshop class with Shauna Church at The International Center of Photography. She is by far one of the most competent instructors that I have had. Her passion for the arts, patience with students, knowledge of the material, and ability to convey the information in an interesting manner made the class a great learning experience for me.
I have referred several photographers to take Shauna’s classes and I would recommend her again in any teaching or artistic capacity." Eugene Gologursky
"It gives me great pleasure to tell you about one of my teachers, Shauna Church. I have taught photography for 15 years. I took Shauna's Photoshop II and her Photoshop III courses to help my transition to digital photography. She has an enthusiasm for teaching which enlivens the classroom experience. She is thoroughly prepared for every class, with demos, written documentation and internet sources for all related issues. In short order she corrected most of my self-taught errors.
Though these courses are very technical, Shauna presents each lesson as a service to the aesthetic challenges facing us as photographers. I've witnessed her respond to students' work with either patience or provocation. Instinctively knowing which would help them reach the next level in their development.
Shauna is generous with her time and deep knowledge of photography. Her interest in her students is genuine, and continues with email notices about their exhibitions and publications. I feel fortunate to be a part of her alumni and I look forward to the next time I can take a workshop with this gifted teacher." John Maggiotto
"In looking back on my undergraduate experience at Parsons School of Design, Shauna Church was by far the most influential professor I studied under. Her passion for photography and sharing knowledge comes through in her classes. Shauna’s enthusiasm for teaching and patience with her students, no matter what their level of expertise, is an invaluable trait for a professor. The world of digital imaging seems to always be in a state of rapid change, and Shauna is always on top of the latest technology and techniques; most importantly she conveys the information clearly and effectively.
Since graduating, Shauna has gone out of her way to stay in touch with me and many other students. Though I am no longer her student I still turn to her for advice and critiques on my own work. I value her opinions, and really appreciate her sincerity, and generosity with her time.
In addition to devoting a tremendous amount of time to teaching, Shauna is also an accomplished artist whose work I truly admire. I always look forward to seeing new work from her, as she pushes the boundaries of both traditional and digital photography. Her control and understanding of the medium is second to none.
Obviously I cannot say enough about Shauna, but what it comes down to, is she is inspiring. Her energy and creative enthusiasm is contagious, making her a joy to work with." David Packer
"I have taken several Photoshop classes with Shauna Church. As a former instructor of a technical subject in another field, I know how difficult it is to teach a lecture/demonstration class such as Photoshop.
Ms. Church is well organized and has good handouts which I still refer to. She is able to clearly explain the working mechanics of a complicated software program. She is able to pace a group of people of different abilities so the more advanced are learning something new or perfecting skills while she patiently works with those of lesser knowledge. Ms Church is extremely generous with her time and knowledge." Katherine D. Crone
"I have taken Photoshop in Black and White with Shauna Church. This was probably the most valuable course I have ever taken.
In 4 classes, Shauna gave the class a thorough understanding of how to scan negatives and slides, convert color images to black and white and retouch images. In addition we learned how to print these images on Epson printers.
Shauna manages to communicate a tremendous amount of information in a brief period of time. She made sure everone in the class had a clear understanding of the lesson. Plus the course was a pleasure.
In addition, Shauna has been an tremendous source of information on all aspects of Photography for me
Ever since then. Taking a course with Shauna brought me to a new level in photography." Karen Cattan
"I took a ten-week, intermediate, Photoshop course from Shauna Church at ICP. Shauna opened up an entire new world to me on how to enhance my photography through the Photoshop tools. I have taken other Photoshop courses (at New School, NYU, as well as seminars sponsored by National Association of Photoshop Professionals), but none compare to Shauna's disciplined approach. In addition to lectures and demos filled with excellent techniques, she sat down with each student in the class and made insightful comments, along with clear instruction. It was not merely "tips and tricks", but developing a workflow to achieve the best results, as well as how to examine a print and make adjustments so that the printed photograph matches the photographer's vision.
Shauna is a gifted photographer who understands what a photographer needs to know. My processing skills have improved incredibly, thanks to Shauna. My next Photoshop class will be with her." Joan Garvin
"I have taken courses at ICP for several years, and in that capacity, I've taken Photoshop courses with Shauna Church and I've been aware of the unique leadership and support roles she offers to students in general. In the classroom, Shauna quickly gains the respect of students due to her incredible knowledge base and experience, and even more importantly, due to her passionate sincerity in wanting students at all levels to learn and move ahead.
Shauna enhances the course material with a deluge of relevant information from the art and technical worlds. She alerts us all to gallery shows, new products in photography and important references in publications. In her maturity and her strong desire to help, Shauna is an important teacher to her students even after the classes have ended. She helps people prepare for shows and introduces us all to problem solving people and places. Her status in the art world and her willing presence as a teacher are so important to her many devoted students." Jeffrey A. Weisberg, M.D.
"I have taken a Photoshop Level 2 class with Shauna Church. The skills I learned in her class has helped me expand my photography business. She made it very exciting with hands on visual directions and impressive results.
Shauna made it easy to review at home with her syllabus for each topic and she welcomed all questions and would elaborate on why some methods are better suited than others for a specific task at hand. Recently I have been thinking of updating my photoshop skills and I would not hesitate to take a class instructed by Shauna Church." Gerry Montesano
"As a student of Shauna Church I appreciated her clarity of instruction and the generosity with which she shared her time and enthusiasm with her students. As an artist I appreciate her ongoing relationship with her students via her mailing list. The mailing list serves to inform her students, past and present, of new developments in the medium of photography, opportunities for exhibition and to announce upcoming shows and workshops from which we may benefit. The mailing list also, in my opinion, fosters a sense of community and connection among her peers and students by giving Shauna a platform upon which to promote and praise the works and continued growth of those self-same peers and students." Jeremy Helton
"In 2006, I took a Black and White Digital Editing in Photoshop class with Shauna Church at The International Center of Photography. My impression of Shauna was that she was knowledgeable about every aspect of the subject matter and was determined to get every pertinent detail explained clearly and effectively. I can specifically remember when I had questions that she took the time to listen to them, repeat them to me and then solve for me again one on one; showing me the way to make things happen effectively while achieving my own vision for the photo.
After attending the class my understanding of Photoshop’s capabilities increased more than I thought they might, even against the fact that my prerequisites suggested I should not even be in this class. The catalyst that can be attributed to this gain is my teacher, Shauna Church." Benj Gershman
"I have had Shauna for my Photoshop class at Parsons. Before this class, I barely knew anything about Photoshop and that was the main reason why I didn't do digital work. Shauna taught me the digital work flow in a way that everyone understood, and if one person in our class did not understand she was patient and took the time to go through the steps again.
I really enjoyed being in Shauna's class because it made me understand Photoshop in a clear way, and I knew that Shauna enjoyed teaching as well. If I have another chance to take a class that Shauna was teaching, it would be great." Kay Saida
"I took Photoshop III with Shauna Church at the International Center of Photography. This class focused on advanced photographic techniques, and in addition to the valuable information tied to the subject matter, Ms. Church was willing and able to speak to the many related topics that came up during the course of discussion.
I found Shauna Church to be an excellent teacher. Organized, efficient, hard-working, dependable, she had a lot of knowledge at her fingertips, could effortlessly demonstrate difficult examples, and passed information to the class generously, in a personable, easygoing manner. Ms. Church made great effort to ensure her course would be useful to every individual, as she continually invited students to think about and bring to class questions and possible topics relevant to the work they were doing.
As a former student, and as an artist and educator, I can highly recommend Shauna Church as a superb teacher and conscientious artist." Glenn Lieberman
"I have taken 2 classes with Shauna Church, Photoshop 2 and 3 at ICP. The second class I registered for solely because I was so impressed by what I had learned, and her teaching style, in the first class.
Shauna is incredibly professional and thorough in her methods, providing the students with clear information and handouts. I have also gone on to recommend her class to several peers who were interested in learning about Photoshop.
I use alot of the techniques she taught, in pursuing my own art work, and in fact it changed the way I work completely. Aside from her classroom time i am grateful that she has also worked to create a community; by forwarding on relevant information regarding technological advances, residencies, juried competitions, gallery shows etc.
Besides my highest recommendation of Shauna as a teacher- I have great admiration and respect for her work as an artist. I know she would be a great asset to any program or project she is involved with." Barbara Sullivan
"I took a weekend intensive class on Raw conversion with Shauna Church. She knows her subject and is able to present it in an easy to understand manner, demonstrating with examples as needed. The presentation was well organized. TIme was allowed for questioning and answers were to the point.
She is an excellent teacher and I would not hesitate to take another one of her classes." Selma Josell
"As a former student of the international Center of Photography in New York City, I had the unique opportunity of taking two courses that were taught by Shauna Church. She is an outstanding instructor and one who can convey information to her students in a logical and rational fashion to provide a unique learning experience in an educational setting.
She is an extremely talented individual who provides mentorship to her students in a very professional manner. Her leadership goes beyond the ordinary and exudes her passion to teach, which in turn elevates her students quest for knowledge and learning experience, far beyond the ordinary.
Shauna Church's skill set, when combined with her creativity ,generates a springboard upon which her students are elevated to a very high level of performance. This synergy, combined with her high energy and experience, in turn raises her students to a new level of excellence.
It was a unique honor to be a student in her classroom and be a beneficiary of her teaching." Jon L. Gelman
"I recently had the pleasure of taking a 4 day course at the International Center of Photography from Ms. Shauna Church. The course title was Photoshop in Black & White. It stressed working with black-and-white negatives, and original digital images in Photoshop to control contrast and tone and to produce prints equivalent to those created in the darkroom.
Ms. Church thoroughly explained how to perform the entire workflow from image acquisition, through image adjustment in Photoshop including burning and dodging techniques, and tonal adjustments, and printing options. She covered a number of complex subjects in a manner which balanced the technical detail with the artistic.
I would rate Ms. Church as highly capable in both her technical proficiency and educational skills in digital photography. Ms. Church is certainly one of the most capable instructors in photography, with whom I have had the opportunity to study in the last 4 years, since I devoted my full attention to photography. While I have taken a number of courses at the ICP, and Cone Editions Press, in Vermont, I certainly would rate Ms. Church's course as one the very best." D. Steve Harris