Are you tired of relying on auto mode for your photography? This guide will teach you how to gradually make the switch to manual mode and take control of your shots.

Auto to Awesome is a beginner course, and Advanced Light & Composition, is an advanced, next level course but a question I get asked all the time is “which of these courses is right for me?” so if you were wondering the same thing, I wanted to take a moment to break down what course might suit you best, based on what skills you currently have, and where you want to get to!

Do you struggle with how to use light in photography? Or find yourself using the same “safe light” over and over again because you don’t know how to control or work with more challenging light? If you do, then you’re not alone!

When you think about it, it makes sense that photographers would struggle with it, because it literally is the single most important element in any photograph! Photography literally means “painting with light” so it’s so incredibly important that we, as photographers, understand how light behaves, and how to manipulate it.

But much of the time, it’s our mindset that holds us back more than anything! We believe certain things, and because we do, we fail to see and exploit the opportunities around us.

For myself, breaking free of always having “perfect” light, and forcing myself to work with what’s available, has allowed me to be more creative, feel more inspired and confident, and create images that are better than ever!

All light may not be equal, and some light is better than others, but if you approach light with the right mentality, it will reward you with some of your best images :)

Here’s some of the ways that I used to hold myself back - check them out and see if you recognise any of these!!

Here’s 5 things I focus on that help me break out of my comfort zone and create more interesting photos, even when the subject matter itself might be totally mundane.

Being able to identify, understand and modify light is one of the most important skills you can master in photography.

Why, I hear you ask?!

Because knowing how to use light effectively will allow you to turn everyday, mundane scenes into something magical and awe-inspiring, help you feel confident shooting in ANY type of light at any time of day, allow you to get more creative images AND make you feel inspired to pick up your camera every waking moment.

Not bad for something that is essentially free 😉

Of course, light is fundamentally important in photography (since without it we would only have a black frame!) but going beyond simply seeing light for the sake of exposure is what allows us to convey depth, mood and emotion in our photos.

In short, it’s that magic missing ingredient that lifts up every single image, and makes it look “otherworldly”.

Which is why, once you have mastered the fundamentals of photography (such as shooting in manual mode, getting sharp focus and using composition and ideally, knowing how to edit those images!) then then next thing I recommend is learning more about LIGHT.

So here’s 4 big reasons why learning about light will have a big impact on your images….

Capturing the perfect shot of your little ones can be challenging, but the right lens can make all the difference. Check out my expert recommendations for the best lenses for child photography!

It can sometimes be the Nirvana of child photography - getting images where your child looks happy, full and joy and completely carefree…..unlike the moody face you normally get :-)

But it is totally doable! There’s just a few things to keep in mind.

In this week’s blog post, I’ve got five tips for you that will help you capture the joy of children, whether you are photographing your own family, or for client sessions if you’re in business.

Shooting with a 50mm f1.8 lens can be a game-changer for your photography. Follow these tips to make the most of this versatile lens.

If you’re feeling in a rut with your photography, or you just don’t feel inspired to pick up your camera, then this is for you!

I’m sharing with you a quick, 30 minute photography challenge you can do that will help you break out of your photography rut, PLUS I’m going to give you some prompts for inspiration whilst doing it!

It's been quite a few years now since I made the switch from Aperture Priority Mode to shooting in Manual Mode, and it was one of the BEST things I ever did to improve my photography skills. 

It was like a whole new world opened up to me, and I started TRULY understanding exposure, and in turn, getting the images that I wanted.

Of course, there was a lot to learn, and there are some things I wish I had known before I started!

So, here are 10 things about shooting in Manual Mode that you might just wish you knew…

Ever wondered how you can take beautiful studio portraits at home? Then you’re in the perfect place! I’m going to share with you how I take studio portraits at home using nothing more than natural light, and some simple inexpensive backdrops.

When I first started learning photography, and for a long while beyond that, I would spend a lot of my time looking at what OTHER photographers were doing.

I would search for interviews to see what lenses they used, I would scour blogs for information, or go into forums or groups to ask people for help, for quick tips or tricks.

At this point, you might be thinking “What’s the problem with that?! I do that too!”

Guess what - I’m going to tell you 😀

My husband has not one, not two, but three areas for his tools - the garage (where no cars are allowed) a shed at the back of the garden, and a “lock up” where the bigger and least used tools are.

But I only ever seem to see him use about 4 of the tools from them on any regular basis!

Which is the same in photography - although there are many shiny objects competing for our attention, there are only 4 that I would say I really recommend for you to get when learning photography.

These are the ones that I think will make the most difference both in terms of improving your photography skills, but also in just simply making your life easier, or saving you from frustration and headaches!

So without further ado, let’s jump in!

If there is one thing that comes up again and again when we talk about photography, it's EDITING - the steps you take AFTER you have pressed the shutter and uploaded your images.  It's a whole other world of things to learn and master and as such it can be quite overwhelming for new photographers. 

Because it's yet another thing you need to add to your "to learn" list, it can be tempting not to bother doing it, or slap a action / preset on and call it a day.  However, editing your images is an important part of the photography process and one that I believe you should at least start to learn as soon as possible. 

In this post I'm going to share exactly WHY you should edit your images, what programs you can use, and the order in which you should learn everything in. 

Ooooh, that sounds like a lot to get through! Best get started then :) 

One of the things that used to REALLY confuse me when I first started learning photography was all the different types of camera lenses that were available,  which one I would need, and when I would use each one!

So as I’m willing to bet this bamboozles you too, I’ve put together this post that should make it all seem a damn sight easier to understand.

It breaks down the different types of lenses you can get, the variations you can find within that, along with suggestions for when you would use each one.  

Plus, at the end of this post you’ll also get access to a free bonus download, The Which Lens Quick Guide, so don’t leave without it!

Let’s dig in…