If you want to take better photos - whether with your camera, your phone or in Lightroom - you’re in the right place.
This blog is full of simple, practical tips to help you feel more confident, understand your settings and start creating photos you really love. You’ll also find plenty of food photography ideas and creative inspiration to try at home.
I’ve been teaching photography for over 17 years, and my aim is always the same: to help you feel less overwhelmed, more confident, and excited to pick up your camera.
Have a browse, learn something new, and start taking photos you love.
Visual Storytelling
This article first appeared in Cheshire Life magazine March 2024.Visual storytelling - a picture is worth a thousand wordsThe saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is usually attributed to an American called Fred R. Barnard, who wrote it in 1921 in relation to the power of images in advertising. It has since been...
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Mindful photography
what is mindful photography?This article originally featured in Cheshire Life magazine January 2024.January owes its name to the Roman god Janus, the god of portals, doors, endings and beginnings. He has one face turned to the past and another looking towards the future. Hence this has become the month for making new year’s resolutions, leaving...
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Telling stories with photographs
A few of my favourite things:Photography ~ Writing ~ Being OutdoorsAnd just before Christmas I got to indulge in two of them. I hadn't used my 'proper' camera (Sony A7ii) for pleasure for a long while and was getting a little snap happy with my phone. I suddenly realised I was missing the feeling of...
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How to choose a new phone camera as a non-geeky photographer
How to choose the best phone camera as a non-geeky photographerThe time has come to upgrade your phone. And although on one hand it's exciting (ooh! a new gadget to play with!), on the other it's all a bit overwhelming. If you are anything like me, your main criteria is that the camera has to...
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Unlock the hidden potential of your phone camera
Unlock the hidden potential of your phone cameraThis article originally featured in Cheshire Life magazine October 2023.Capturing life’s precious moments in stunning detail has never been easier, with the staggeringly good cameras on smartphones. However, many of us just point and click, hoping for the best, and we are often frustrated with the results. Join...
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Lost your phojo? Here are 7 ways to reignite your passion for photography
'Phojo'A joy and passion for photography.Having the motivation, inspiration and creativity to enjoy photography.(Not yet an official word... rejected by Collins dictionary but I love it!)Is this your camera? Sitting alone and gathering dust on a shelf? Or is it ages since you've used your smartphone camera for anything other than quick snapshots? Are you experiencing...
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Travel photography tips
Travel photography tipsThe phrase 'travel photography' conjures up images of buddhists in temples in Thailand or riotously coloured festivals in Delhi, but actually 'travel' just means to go from one place to another. And photography is just capturing the experiences you have.Whether you're travelling half way around the world or two hours to a beautiful...
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4 ways that improving your photography can help your business
4 ways that improving your photography can help your business1. Engagement: great photographs grab the attention of your potential customers. They halt the scroll on social media and are more likely to be liked and shared, increasing engagement and getting your brand in front of more pairs of eyes.2. Sales: fabulous photographs show your products...
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Two ways to use natural light for food photography
SidelightBacklightTwo ways to use natural light for food photography(And a great exercise in studying one subject in depth).A very simple subject - pak choi - photographed and lit very differently, both with just the available light from a window.It's a great exercise in itself to get one ingredient and photograph it in a number of...
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