Beginner Basics

What you'll learn

Three hours, hands-on, in beautiful Colorado light. We start with the exposure triangle — aperture, shutter speed, ISO — and by the end you'll be shooting confidently in full manual mode. No lectures, no slideshows. We shoot the whole time.

You'll learn to read a histogram, to choose the right exposure for the scene in front of you, and to stop second-guessing your settings. By the time we wrap up, Auto mode will feel like something you outgrew.

Who this is for

Anyone who just bought a camera, or has owned one for years and never left Auto. If you've ever looked at a photo you took and thought "that's not what I saw" — this workshop is for you. I designed it for exactly that feeling.

This is also a strong foundation for anyone who wants to take my Golden Hour workshop next. Understanding your camera first makes that session twice as powerful.

What to bring

Your camera (any camera — DSLR, mirrorless, even an advanced phone), a charged battery, and a willingness to make mistakes. Mistakes are where the learning happens. I'll bring the right conditions and the patience to work through them with you.

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. We'll be walking and standing, not sitting in a classroom.

What to expect

Small groups, maximum six people. I keep it small on purpose. You'll get real feedback on your work, not just general principles. We'll look at each other's shots on the spot, talk about what's working and what isn't, and adjust in real time.

I teach the way I learned — by doing, not by watching. By the end of three hours, you'll have a full memory card and a new relationship with your camera.