“Just want to say thank you for sharing your creative vision. I have learned a lot. I also want to thank you for the gift of your time. I truly know that time is precious and I thank you for that gift. I enjoyed seeing your studio and your beautiful home. It is so reflective of you and your spirit.

“I don’t know what you said or how you told me but all of a sudden, I am getting this exposure thing. It is now making sense to me for the first time since I have begun using my SLR. So I have been shooting like crazy and finally the theory practice GAP that I have had is diminishing. I know that this area is not your love but whatever you did, thank you thank you. I have scheduled myself a lesson each day to put into these technical skills so that they will be much more natural as I try to add artistic depth and creativity to making my photographs. This is a HUGE step for me. I am just so excited about finally getting this. Also, I have already gone into Bridge and tried out the quick tips you showed me and I see how that works.” — Dr. Sharon Moore, Associate Professor, Athabasca University, Alberta, Canada

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“Just want to say thank you for sharing your creative vision. I have learned a lot. I also want to thank you for the gift of your time. I truly know that time is precious and I thank you for that gift. I enjoyed seeing your studio and your beautiful home. It is so reflective of you and your spirit.

“I don’t know what you said or how you told me but all of a sudden, I am getting this exposure thing. It is now making sense to me for the first time since I have begun using my SLR. So I have been shooting like crazy and finally the theory practice GAP that I have had is diminishing. I know that this area is not your love but whatever you did, thank you thank you. I have scheduled myself a lesson each day to put into these technical skills so that they will be much more natural as I try to add artistic depth and creativity to making my photographs. This is a HUGE step for me. I am just so excited about finally getting this. Also, I have already gone into Bridge and tried out the quick tips you showed me and I see how that works.” — Dr. Sharon Moore, Associate Professor, Athabasca University, Alberta, Canada

“I think Doug Beasley was born a teacher. He has a gift that he wants to share with everyone around him. He looked at and talked to me about my work. I assisted him on some commercial shoots. We went on photo adventures but I think one of the best advice that he gave me was to see with my heart not with my camera. For Doug it is always how the photograph feels, not what it looks like. He also really taught me to be spiritual in my process. He taught me that the relationship between the photographer and his subject is one of the most important things to creating meaningful and authentic work. This is some thing that I didn’t know how to understand or talk about as a young photographer. As an elder, as someone who had been successful at what I wanted to do, Doug gave me permission to be the kind of photographer I wanted to be. We share a similar aesthetic and background and that really cemented our connection to each other. I know that he has mentored countless people through his kind and giving nature. He follows his photographic vision and that is an inspiration to everyone that meets him and sees his work.” — Raoul Benavides, Flashlight Photorentals, Owner, Minneapolis, MN

“I first encountered Doug’s work when researching instructors at a local photography center. It was one of those rare moments of clarity for me—I had a vision of the kind of photographer I wanted to be and set out to find a way to meet him. It was well over a year before I came across his workshop entitled Redefining Your Photographic Vision—exactly what I needed. It was an enlightening period for all photographers involved and led me to a support group of friends as well as a mentorship and friendship with Doug. Our relationship is less like teacher and student and more like friends who share life. Art is more than simply talking about tools, sharing the latest camera equipment or technique. It is affected holistically by life, which we in turn express through photography.” — Sarah Rust Sampedro, Photographer, Minneapolis, MN

“Four years ago my passion for photography was reignited by a trip. Several months later, I met Douglas Beasley at Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon, where he taught ‘Zen and the Art of Photography’.

Doug has since become my mentor. He has a generous spirit that is always encouraging, insightful, and thought provoking. Doug’s never-wavering focus on his art, along with his openness to share his rich knowledge, has transformed my life as an artist.” — Marti Corn, Corn Creative Graphic Design, owner and photographer, Houston, TX

“Doug, you are one amazing being. I am always so inspired by your willingness to respond to your own heart and take the steps to truly self-actualize. It's always a pleasure to share steps along the path with you.” — Rebecca Pavlenko, Photographer and Educator, Saint Paul, MN

“I find it so uplifting to see others truly living on the path that was intended for them and—I would say that you are doing that. I just want to commend you for sharing your work with others and for opening your soul to the world. I strongly believe in photographers and artists helping one another with their work.” — Sara Danielson, Photographer, Minneapolis, MN

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