Light Atlas:
The Path to Inspired Seeing

Every artist goes through periods when the spark fades, when creativity feels flat or forced. We need to reinvigorate ourselves every so often – to shake off the dust and get back in touch with the raw, vital energy of creativity. If your artistic spirit feels blocked or blah… it’s time to invite a breakthrough.

Light Atlas is a six-week e-course designed to help photographers get unstuck and cultivate a vibrant, distinctive personal vision.

If your photography feels overly burdened by rules, shoulds, inertia, self-doubt, or art-world expectations…

If you’re repeating yourself and you’re longing to break through to the next level…

If you wish your work had more personality, depth, and emotional power, but something always holds you back…

Light Atlas will help you come into your own as an artist.

Creating meaningful, groundbreaking work is possible for you. It’s about honoring your creative whims and making images that sing to your soul. It’s about feeling your breath catch in your throat when you see a gorgeous slant of light – and spending rich, delicious minutes photographing it. It’s about letting go of “the right way” and seeing what happens when you invite your innate creative genius to come out and play.

This is the path of the true artist.

When you take a deep breath and decide to walk this path, a brilliant new world opens to you. It’s like waking up. 

This is Light Atlas: The Path to Inspired Seeing. If your inner artist needs a reboot, join me for this special e-course.

The Experience:

Light Atlas is a generous, interactive course. You'll receive four in-depth lessons each week – including a photography assignment that helps you apply what you’re learning. Unlike a traditional classroom experience, you can do the lessons any time day or night (cozied up in your pajamas, if you like!). You’ll also receive personal guidance, feedback, and support on the images and ideas you share.

Lessons are delivered via:

• Thoughtful readings

• Audio essays

• Gorgeous slideshows

• In-depth interviews with professional artists

• Beautiful photography examples and resources galore!

What You Get:

When class begins, you’ll be invited into a warm, welcoming online classroom. This is where we'll expand on the themes in the weekly lessons. Expect to find lively discussions, honest (always kind) feedback, and lots of encouragement and support on themes like: 

• Releasing formulas and creative baggage so you can embrace true artistry

• What it takes to fill your images with emotional depth and power

• Finding a unique style that brings you alive

• The difference between photographing nouns and making visionary images 

• How to use different "lenses" (like poetry, mystery, mood, and magic) to see the way an artist does

• Finding YOU in your work – and letting go of influences that make it derivative

• Moving beyond standard-issue tools and techniques so you can really express what you imagine

• How to create more than just “pretty” pictures (get ready to go deep!)

• Rich, thought-provoking answers to the question, “How do I make a meaningful photograph?”

• And so much more

Light Atlas also includes a soulful, exclusive collection of interviews with six visionary photographers:

• Heather Evans Smith: Learn how she creates breathtaking, magical images with luscious costuming and set design.

• Susan Burnstine: Hear how she uses dreams and childhood memories as inspiration (and handmade cameras!).

• Douglas Beasley: Learn how he draws from metaphor and mindfulness to connect with his subjects more deeply.

• Ervin A. Johnson: Hear a deep discussion about transforming fear into beauty (plus, photography as ritual).

• Russel Joslin: Hear about his emotional, mysterious self-portraiture work – and how his images comfort him.

• Maro Vandorou: Listen to an in-depth talk about gorgeous alternative printing and installation concepts.
  

There are two ways to experience Light Atlas...

The first option is outlined above. The second option includes everything mentioned above and adds a mentoring component. Here’s what that looks like:
 

Step 1: I’ll review your past photographic work, website (if you have one), and any portfolios or other images you want to share (I really will look at ALL of it).

Step 2: We’ll schedule a 60-minute mentoring call. Ask me anything – it's your time to use however you like. I’ll offer my reflections on your strongest images and help you build on what you have. We’ll chat about your personal photography goals and I’ll offer suggestions on overcoming any specific creative challenges you’re grappling with. 
 

The mentoring option is a wonderful fit if you’d love detailed feedback and personalized advice from a seasoned curator, photo juror, and professional portfolio reviewer. Plus, mentoring is discounted when you bundle it with the e-course.

About your guide...

Hi there! I’m Laura Valenti. I’ve always believed that photography is so much more than a technical exercise. I'm passionate about helping photographers become visionary artists.

I’ve been a working artist for 20+ years. I also curate exhibitions for galleries and photo festivals around the world, jury competitions, mentor emerging artists as they prep for exhibitions, and serve as a reviewer at portfolio review events.

Why did I create this class?

Throughout my career, I’ve watched a lot of photographers diligently complete photo assignments and continually update their gear – but still struggle to say anything new with their work. They want to develop a unique personal style, but they’re stuck in a rut making images that feel competent… but ordinary. I created Light Atlas to help photographers access the key ingredients they're missing and breathe brilliant new life into their art.

Light Atlas opens space for major creative shifts. If you’re ready for one – join me.

 This is for you if...

• Your work feels a little repetitive, derivative, or humdrum and you’re ready to spice things up.

• There’s a gap between your visual abilities and your taste – and you want to close that gap.

• You’d love your images to stand out more when you share them.

• You’re comfortable with your technical skills… but it still feels like something’s missing.

• You want your work to say something… but you’re not sure what.

• You want your images to really express the joy and connection you felt when you pressed the shutter.

• Your photos don't express much emotion (they’re a bit bland and literal, if you’re really honest).

• You want to make your images – not anyone else’s.

• You're ready for the clarity and freedom of a big creative shift.

• Your photography has plateaued and you’d love to get the ball rolling again.

• You know you could do more with your photography, and you’re ready to ask deeper questions and get deeper answers.

• You want to be able to say with total confidence, “I am an artist.”

• You’d love to explore all these ideas with a supportive community of new artist friends.

If this sounds like you… Light Atlas is a wonderful fit.

This is not for you if...

• You feel like it’s important to stick closely to established rules and formulas for making art.

• You’re most interested in copying popular styles and making images that look like other artists’.

• Your primary focus is gear and tech – and you’re less interested in the creative piece right now.
  
  

Awaken your art...

It’s easy to put art on the back burner and let everything else come first. But, the creative spirit weakens when it’s neglected for too long. Light Atlas opens space: space to play, to joyfully follow up with creative whims. Space to honor your art and integrate it more fully into your life. Space to move closer to your creative goals, one gorgeous image at a time.

Imagine...

Imagine spending a glorious afternoon immersed in your art, creating photographs that make your heart happy. They feel fresh – like you’re finally breaking new ground. You look at them and know: you’re really finding your voice as an artist.

This is absolutely possible for you.

Join me for Light Atlas: The Path to Inspired Seeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of camera do I need?

All cameras are welcome! You don’t need anything fancy to take this course. DSLRs, point-and-shoots, camera phones, pinhole cameras made from oatmeal boxes – I have a strict equipment nondiscrimination policy. If it makes you happy to shoot with it, you've got the right gear for this class.

Tell me honestly: how good do I need to be for this?

Since Light Atlas is a conceptual photography course (not a technical class), photographers at every level are welcome. It's never too early to start seeing the world like an artist, so beginning photographers will feel right at home in the course. The only prerequisite is being comfortable with camera operations and knowing how to upload images to your computer.

I'm an experienced photographer. Is this class a good fit?

Experienced photographers often take Light Atlas to reinvigorate their vision when they're feeling stagnant (National Geographic photographers have even taken this class). Since Light Atlas is about overcoming blocks and deepening your relationship with your photography, even photographers with many years of experience will benefit.

How much time do I need to put in?

We each learn and process information at our own pace, so I’m hesitant to put a number on it, but you’ll likely make the most of this course if you spend about two hours a week on the lessons and your weekly assignment. If you miss a week, you can always catch up at your own pace.

Do I need to be online at specific times?

Because photographers from all different time zones sign up for Light Atlas, there are no live, scheduled lessons that you need to be present for (no uncomfortable Zoom calls or awkwardly scheduled webinars). You’ll get access to new lessons four days a week, but you can learn, post, and share whenever it works best for you. I’ll be with you in the online classroom Monday – Fridays, responding to your posts with ideas and feedback.

What happens if I fall behind?

Light Atlas is really flexible. There’s no such thing as falling behind. If you miss a lesson (or a few) because life gets in the way, you can catch up without missing a beat. Art doesn’t unfold on a timetable, so there is absolutely zero pressure to rush or force things in this class. You'll have access to all the lessons for three full years after the live course ends, so you can refer to them as many times as you like.

What do I need to access this class?

You'll need basic computer skills and solid internet access to navigate this course (if you can stream videos on your computer, you're in great shape). The online classroom is even mobile friendly, so you can easily navigate it with a mobile device if you’re on the go.

What’s the refund policy?

Light Atlas is a highly-rated course that many students take more than once. If you need to leave class for any reason, your registration is always transferrable to a future session of the same course. Or, you can transfer your prorated registration to 1-on-1 mentoring or a different e-course of your choosing. Registration isn't refundable.

How long do I get to keep Light Atlas?

You'll get access to Light Atlas for three full years – plenty of time to complete the course and revisit the lessons whenever you need a boost of inspiration.

I’ll be traveling during the class (and away from my computer), can I still participate?

Many students travel while taking the class. You’ll be able to access all the lessons, post images, and interact in our online classroom from a mobile device, so it’s easy to participate when you’re on the road.

What students are saying...