Photography is like a recipe where many concepts come together for success. Focussing on one area requires that you have the basic knowledge of other areas. Everything is connected.

All the concepts work together to allow you to have control of the outcome of an image. This is the main reason I teach it in a particular way. My approach to teaching photography is unique in that I make complicated concepts easier to understand.

I teach all levels and assess what each student’s goals and needs are to succeed. There are theoretical and practical teachings, starting with the basics and working up to more complicated concepts, while taking into consideration the specifics of the genre you want to learn.

All teaching takes place at my local shared office space. When needed, we will also meet at a location for practical training.

• 2 hours

• Setting photo goals for growth

• Exploring photography genres

• Assessing your current equipment

• 2 hours

• The Definition of Photography

• Different Types of Cameras and which to choose

• The Camera Body

• Understanding Shooting Modes

• 2 hours

• How a lens works

• Technicality of Lenses

• Choosing Lenses

• 2 hours

• Drive Modes

• Focus Techniques

• Metering Modes

• White Balance and Color Temperature

• Image Quality: Raw Vs JPEG

• 2 hours

• Introduction to Manual Exposure

• Understanding the Exposure Triangle

• Measuring Light

• 2 hours

• Understanding Shutter Speeds

• Understanding ISO

• Understanding the Aperture

• Depth of Field

• 2 Hours

• Defining Composition

• Rule of Thirds

• Leading Lines

• Framing

• Symmetry

• Perspective

• Balance

• Cropping

• Reflections

• Texture

• Shadows

• 2 hours

• Practical session on location

• 2 hours

• RAW vs JPG images

• Downloading and storing images

• Downloading RAW images for edit

• Culling RAW images for selection

• 2 hours

• RAW image adjustments

• Downloading high resolution JPG’s

• 2 hours

• Image Editing

• 2 hours

• Final image upload

• Galleries

• 2 hours

• Focus on mastering natural light

• Color Temperature + White Balance

• Skills Built: Light control, exposure, white balance, mood creation

• 2 hours

• Focus on narrative storytelling and sequencing

• Skills Built: Visual storytelling, variety in framing, editorial thinking, emotional timing

• 2 hours

• Focus on creativity under constraints

• Skills Built: Composition, subject proximity, decisive framing, intention in-camera

• 2 hours

• Focus on visual consistency and style

• Skills Built: Color theory, consistency in editing, visual pattern recognition, abstraction

• Goal: Practice creative aperture use

• Challenge: Tell a short visual story (3–5 photos) using depth of field to guide focus and emotion.

• Focus Skills: Aperture, focus points, visual hierarchy

• Deliverable: A mini photo essay

• Goal: Strengthen composition and framing

• Challenge: Choose one everyday object and photograph it 10 different ways using unique angles, distances, and compositions.

• Focus Skills: Composition, framing, viewpoint

• Deliverable: Best 5 images presented as a cohesive study

• Goal: Capture or imply motion.

• Challenge: Create 3–5 images that explore motion blur, panning, or frozen action.

• Focus Skills: Shutter speed control, timing, tripod vs. handheld

• Deliverable: Series showing variety in motion techniques

• Goal: Direct and capture expression

• Challenge: Photograph one person in three distinct moods or identities (e.g., joy, contemplation, confidence).

• Focus Skills: Subject interaction, lighting setup, emotional storytelling

• Deliverable: 3 portraits with short written artist statement

Goals

• Understand what an on-camera flash actually does (and doesn’t do).

• Learn key flash terminology: ETTL vs Manual, Flash Exposure, Sync Speed, Recycle Time.

• Understand how flash interacts with ambient light.

Topics Covered

• Flash Exposure Triangle: ISO + Aperture + Flash Power

• Ambient Exposure Triangle: ISO + Shutter Speed + Aperture

Goals:

• Learn to bounce flash properly.

• Understand direction of light, catchlights, and falloff.

• Using simple modifiers: bounce cards, diffusers, reflectors

Topics Covered:

• Modifiers

• The Bounce Rule

• Feathering Light

Goals:

• Learn how to avoid “flashy flash” and get natural-looking images.

• Understand the three-step strategy for balancing flash & ambient.

Topics Covered:

• Correct flash exposures

• “Dragging the shutter” for moody environmental portraits.

Goals:

• Use on-camera flash intentionally for stylistic effects.

• Learn slow-shutter techniques, colored gels, and directional bounce.

• Build a repeatable workflow.

Topics Covered:

• Hard Flash for Style

  • Direct flash for magazine-style bold “point-and-shoot aesthetic”.

• Gelled Flash

  • CTO to warm subject

  • Blue or purple gels for creative backgrounds

• Motion Blur + Flash (Slow Sync)

Goal: Get a solid understanding of studio space, safety, light behavior, and basic equipment needed to shoot with confidence.

Topics covered:

• How studio lighting works (inverse square law, hard vs. soft light)

• Understanding light modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas, reflectors, grids)

• Camera settings for studio work (ISO, sync speed, aperture, manual mode)

• Overview of strobes vs. continuous lights

Goal:

• Understand flash control, color temperatures and white balance, gray cards.

• Learn how to create professional-quality results with minimal equipment.

Topics Covered

• Flash power, ratios, and syncing

• Balancing ambient + flash

• White balance

• Flash Exposure

• Understanding key light, fill light, rim light, background light

• One-light portrait techniques

• Adding a fill light: reflectors vs. second light

• Creating mood: high-key vs. low-key lighting

Goal: Learn how to plan your studio session, how to direct real people, pose them confidently, and capture flattering portrait light.

Topics Covered

• Plan a complete photo session

• Posing fundamentals for men, women, and business professionals

• How to give direction in a natural way

• Using lighting setups for different face shapes

Complete your practical photo session in studio.

Goals:

• Define the purpose and outcome of the photoshoot.

• Understand client needs, goals, brand voice, and target audience.

• Build a clear creative direction and concept.

Topics Covered:

• Shoot goal: What are we creating and why?
  (brand refresh, product images, creative editorial, family portraits, etc.)

• Client communication: Discovery calls, questionnaires.

• Creative direction: Mood, style, color palette, setting.

• Creative brief: Mood boards, shot inspiration, lighting style samples.

Goals:

• Prepare all organizational and operational details.

• Understand location, scheduling, gear needs, and roles.

• Solve problems before they happen.

Topics Covered:

• Location planning: Indoor studio, on-location, scouting, permits.

• Scheduling: Best time of day, duration, buffer times.

• Talent + Team: Models, makeup/hair, assistants, stylists.

• Wardrobe Planning: Outfits, props, color harmony, accessories.

• Gear Checklist: Cameras, lenses, lighting, modifiers, batteries, cards, backups.

• Shot List: Exactly what needs to be captured in order of priority.

Goals:

• Learn how to run a smooth, stress-free shoot from start to finish.

• Direct subjects confidently.

• Adapt to unexpected challenges.

Topics Covered:

• Setup: Arriving early, testing lighting, staging etc

• Client/talent experience: Making people comfortable, giving clear direction.

• Posing & expression: Guiding movement and micro-adjustments.

• Lighting workflow: Natural light, flash, reflectors, and quick adjustments.

• Communication: Keeping energy positive and professional.

• On-the-spot problem solving: Weather, location issues, wardrobe malfunctions.

Goals:

• Understand the full process after the shoot.

• Develop a consistent editing style.

• Deliver images professionally and on-brand.

Topics Covered:

• File management: Importing, backing up, culling.

• Selecting images: Choosing the strongest shots.

• Editing workflow: Color correction → exposure → retouching → final style.

• Consistency: Matching tones, whites, skin tones, and contrast.

• Exporting: Correct sizes for web, print, social media.

• Delivery: Online gallery, client proofing, contracts, revisions, final delivery.