I've heard it time and time again. "I have a nice camera, but I don't know how to use it." Or, "I only know how to use my camera in automatic mode." And mamas, I get it. A DSLR camera is overwhelming. So many different modes, buttons and features... how do you know what to use and when? That's where I can help.
I teach mamas both one-on-one and in group settings how to use their DSLR or mirrorless cameras to capture more artful pictures of their children. I have developed a set of lessons and tips that will help you in using your camera in the most ideal way, and also allow you to take the guesswork out of where to put your subject in the frame, how to capture a story of a day or moment that evokes emotion and meaning, and what to do with all the beautiful photographs you capture. We’ll cover topics like lighting, composition, file organization and basic editing, and have you on your way to feeling more confident in using your camera to capture your days, and tell your family story.
Learn Your Camera
So you bought a dslr camera... Now What?
one-on-one sessions typically last 3 hours
Investment of $295
We'll learn
semi-automatic & manual modes
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I'll teach you how to use your camera in both aperture priority and manual modes.
We'll learn
lighting
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We'll discuss different kinds of lighting, and what to look for when taking photographs of your children.
We'll learn
composition
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I'll teach you my favorite tricks for knowing where to place your subject within the frame to create more meaningful photos.
We'll learn
creating a series
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I'll share my "secret recipe" for knowing what types of images to capture, and how to put them together to create a series that tells a story.
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file organization
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I'll show you my method for organizing my many photo files on my computer so that I can quickly and easily find things.
We'll learn
creating legacy
I'll show you my favorite ways to get your photos off of your devices and into your life via tangible albums. Our own family yearbooks are among my greatest treasures!
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kind words from
Courtney’s “Mommy Photography Class 101” was exactly what I needed! I purchased a nice camera about 4 years ago and up until this point, I have rarely used it because I didn’t really know how. Honestly, I got better pictures with my iPhone. Courtney really did an excellent job explaining the basics of f-stops, ISO, shutter speed, fixed vs. zoom lenses, and then walked me through using my camera specifically.
What I learned has allowed me to capture some incredibly vibrant, beautiful moments with my toddler. Preserving these memories for our family has been a goal of mine for a long time and I feel like I have a much better understanding of how to do this successfully.
Courtney goes through five sections – 1) How a camera works, 2) lighting tips, 3) how to store your pictures, 4) how to edit your pictures, and 5) how to create a legacy. This last part was especially useful, since we covered how to make a photo book. Courtney does a beautiful one of these every year for her family and I’m looking forward to doing the same.
I can’t wait for the intermediate class!
Valerie Kahler
"What I learned has allowed me to capture some incredibly vibrant, beautiful moments with my toddler."
join our family
For more information on group classes and photography education, join our mailing list below!
let's learn together.
I'd love to help you start taking better pictures of your children. Send me a note below to set up your camera one-on-one!
