WHAT WE OFFER

Students of the VISIONAIRE Institute enjoy an intimate, collaborative classroom where they can learn the technical aspects needed to best express their creative vision. Our courses are designed for all levels of mastery, from complete beginners to skilled professionals looking for an edge.

A ton is packed into our 10 week semester, including:

  • SL's new Environmental Enhancement
  • Lighting and shadowing techniques
  • Creating strong imagery through tight composition
  • Portrait photography
  • Blogging photography
  • The business aspects of being an SL photographer
  • Small, intimate classes (limited to 10 students)
  • Video tutorials
  • and more!

The next semester's start date is TBD. If you wish to register your interest in this or a future semester, click here.


HISTORY

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE opened in Nov 2013 and is the brainchild of WrenNoir Cerise and Nariko Okawa, two established SL photographers who have created images for magazines, store ads, vendor ads, private clients, or other personal photography.

Nariko and Wren saw a need for people who wanted to take their own photos, but lacked the technical skills and/or the ‘artistic eye’ to create a polished, powerful, or aesthetically significant image. There was also a lack of an organized SL photography knowledge base that people could tap.

Nariko and Wren decided to make the time to put together a curriculum and be available to teach. Recognizing that no one person knows everything, the course also incorporates established and well-respected photographers as guest lecturers.

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE aims to teach her students how to ‘see’ what works and what doesn’t work in an image. Significantly, the lessons are intense and make students fully flesh out who they are as photographers. No one is expected to copy the teachers’ techniques. Students’ own strengths are allowed to flourish and be recognized. Everyone has a skill in something and at VISIONAIRE Institute they help you find it, refine it, augment it, and use it to the utmost.

Since opening, it has been packed with students each semester. Due to the thorough lesson plans, there are only 2 semesters offered each year.

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE looks to evolve as the needs of the students become more and more refined.

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS

Graduation Exhibition Fall 2021

Graduation Speech:

DATE: 23 January 2022
TIME: 10 AM SLT

Second Life® – VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE would like to cordially invite you to an exhibition showcasing the work of our twelfth graduating class of photographers.

The theme for this graduating class’ exhibit is: “NAKED TRUTH”

Come view all the interpretations of this theme from the galleries of our students listed below.

  • Fords Wainwright
  • Sela Naxos
  • Sandy Burgess
  • Josie DeCuir
  • Lizzie Alchemi
  • Amethyst Starostin

DJ: Consuela Blanche

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | DEAN | NARIKO OKAWA
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | DEAN | WRENNOIR CERISE
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | MANAGER & PR | CONSUELA BLANCHE
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | TECHNICAL SUPPORT | TOUR BLANCHE

PAST EXHIBITIONS

Graduation Exhibition Spring 2021

Graduation Speech:

DATE: 13 JUN 2021
TIME: 10 AM SLT

Second Life® – VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE would like to cordially invite you to an exhibition “FANTASIES” showcasing the work of her eleventh graduating class of photographers.

The theme for this graduating class’ exhibit is: ‘FANTASIES’

Come view all the interpretations of this theme from the galleries of our students listed below.

  • Starr Ghost
  • Jan1 Ying
  • Kent Nowicka
  • Maxseagate
  • Ombrebleue Winsmore
  • Hayley Tornado
  • KylieQuinn
  • Irina Strazytski
  • Jasmine Tryce

DJ: Consuela Blanche

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | DEAN | NARIKO OKAWA
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | DEAN | WRENNOIR CERISE
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | MANAGER & PR | CONSUELA BLANCHE

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | TECHNICAL SUPPORT | TOUR BLANCHE

Graduation Exhibition 2019

Graduation Speech:

DATE: 22 SEP 2019
TIME: 10 AM SLT

Second Life® – VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE would like to cordially invite you to an exhibition “JOURNEYS” showcasing the work of her tenth graduating class of photographers.

The theme for this graduating class’ exhibit is: ‘JOURNEYS’

Come view all the interpretations of this theme from the galleries of our students listed below.

  • Catalysis Resident
  • Moon Beerbaum
  • Msilverwolf
  • Quron Dagger
  • Red Tess
  • Teresa Firelight
  • Tour Blanche

Guest DJ: Consuela Blanche

VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | DEAN | NARIKO OKAWA
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | DEAN | WRENNOIR CERISE
VISIONAIRE INSTITUTE | MANAGER & PR | FAYTHE RECHEL

Graduation Exhibition Fall 2018

Graduation Speech:

Graduation Exhibition Fall 2017

Graduation Speech:

Graduation Exhibition Spring 2017

Graduation Speech:

Graduation Exhibition Fall 2016

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Graduation Exhibition Spring 2016

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Graduation Exhibition Fall 2015

Graduation Speech:

TESTIMONIALS

"Wow, coming home to your message made me all teary eyed and at the same time all warm and fuzzy. I am so happy and proud to have been able to attend and graduate from Visionaire. You give so much of yourself to everyone - and it shows with the improvements of everyone's work. I knew I would learn some new things but I didn't realize the extent of what I can achieve by what you teach in your classes. I also knew I was on the cupse of being good but OMG you gave me the tools to be so much better. If it wasn't for you and Nariko, I would still be struggling to achieve the crazy ideas that are in my head all the time (and as you know, i do have LOTS of crazy ideas!). I am awed by your words and I can't thank you enough... not only for your training but your friendship which means, above all else, alot to me. Now I can't wait to release my imagination on the world! Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!!"

- Xmara Lundquist

"You made me see things I did not see or would not see... you introduced me to things I never knew... you have a way about you...where your skill does not make me feel intimidated but inspired... so way to go!! I adore you and your school and all your are."

- Adriel Huntress

"I have gained 130 followers on flickr since starting the class, and when you look at my photostream, you can literally TELL when I started the class itself."

- Novaleigh Frengh

"Been in SL for over 10 years and the Sunday's and homework have been just inspirational. I come into SL for my friends and creativity. Even if I don't have a single friend left I'd be coming back for the creativity and these classes have been an awesome catalyst"

- Stasha Benelli

"Thanks the Institute was everything I had hoped it would be, for me it gave me confidence in my ability to express myself in the art field. It took alot more time to compose a picture than an outfit but the end result is worth it! You have the patience of a saint and I appreciate your taking time to make sure I was caught up when I had to miss part of a class. It has been a great experience for me and I plan to be one of your graduate returning students in the future. Thanks again for your ability to bring out the artist in me!"

- Brianna Beresford

"My photography since taking the course has really taken off...Of all the things I have experienced in SL and there have been many things, Visionaire is one of the only things, if not the only thing that actually delivers what it sets out to do. You and Koko should be very proud of what you do."

- Silver Borg

ALUMNI

(This might be a good place to link to alumni flicker pages.)

WHO WE ARE

WREN NOIR - DEAN

In-World: wrennoir.cerise
flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wrennoir/

Enjoying SL since 2009 and taking photos from day one. She is a huge stickler for good composition because she strongly believes that without it, no other photographic element will save a poorly composed photo. Most importantly, she celebrates everyone's unique voice and works to bring forth images that are the most authentic for each photographer.

NARIKO OKAWA - DEAN

In-World: nariko.okawa
flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/narikookawa/

Stuff about Koko.

CONSUELA BLANCHE - MANAGER

In-World: growing.desire
flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faythe_rechel/

A Second Life resident since 2007, Consuela (aka Silly Avro) enjoys exploring SL and learning everything she can. Possessing a voracious curiosity, Consuela has taken on a variety of roles including writer, actress, model, producer, manager, photographer, dancer, videographer, and DJ. She is proud to be a part of the first class of VISIONAIRE Institute graduates (2013) and has been involved with VISIONAIRE from the start.

TOUR BLANCHE - TECHNICIAN

In-World: intrinsic.desire
flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frakkle/

Originally a scripter and builder in the early years of Second Life, Tour Blanche came to VISIONAIRE in 2019 at the suggestion of his partner, Consuela Blanche. He has always enjoyed learning new skills and exploring the grid, so the ability to capture those explorations in photography and share them with others was greatly appealing, and the experience sparked with his creative passion. He brings a more technical perspective to the team, as well as supporting with web site development and scripting when needed.

For any business and collaborative inquiries, please contact us via email visionairesl@gmail.com.