1:1 Photography Instruction
Learn photography with your camera, at your pace.
Photography gets a lot easier when someone can explain what your camera is doing, why it matters, and how to apply it to the kinds of photographs you actually want to make.
My 1:1 photography instruction is personalized around your experience, your equipment, and your goals. Instead of following a predetermined classroom curriculum, we spend our time working on the things that will be most useful to you.
Whether you're learning the basics, trying to move beyond automatic modes, struggling with autofocus, or trying to make better sports photographs, we'll build the session around where you are right now.
The goal isn't to memorize settings or get buried in technical terminology. It's to understand photography well enough that you can make more confident decisions when you're behind the camera.
What We Can Work On
Every session is different. Depending on your experience and goals, we might work on:
Understanding your camera and its controls
Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
Moving beyond automatic camera modes
Composition and working with light
Autofocus and subject tracking
Photographing movement and action
Sports and soccer photography
Choosing lenses and understanding focal length
Working with RAW files
Basic photo editing and workflow
Organizing and backing up your photographs
Reviewing your existing images and identifying ways to improve
Developing stronger visual storytelling skills
You don't need to know exactly what you want to work on before contacting me. Tell me what you're photographing, what you're struggling with, or what you'd simply like to understand better, and we'll start there.
What's Included
90-Minute Private Photography Session
Your session includes:
90 minutes of dedicated 1:1 photography instruction
Personalized instruction based on your experience and goals
Hands-on learning using your own camera whenever possible
Time to ask questions and experiment
Practical exercises related to the skills we're working on
Guidance you can continue applying after the session
Whenever it makes sense, we'll spend part of the session actually making photographs rather than simply talking about photography.
Investment
$100 per 90-minute session
One student. One instructor. Ninety minutes focused entirely on your photography.
Before we meet, we'll talk briefly about your experience, your camera, and what you'd like to accomplish. That allows us to spend less time figuring out where to begin and more time actually learning.
A single session may be all you need to work through a particular problem or concept. But if you’re planning to work together over several sessions multi-session packages are available at a reduced rate.
If you'd like additional help afterward, you're welcome to schedule another session and we'll build on what you've already learned. There's no required package or long-term commitment.
Ready to Get More From Your Camera?
Tell me a little about the camera you're using, what you enjoy photographing, and what you'd like help with.
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. That's part of what we'll work through together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 1:1 photography instruction for?
Private instruction is designed primarily for beginner and intermediate photographers who want personalized help understanding photography, their camera, or a specific skill they'd like to improve.
No formal photography experience is required.
How is this different from taking a photography class?
A traditional photography class typically follows a set curriculum designed for a group.
1:1 instruction is built specifically around you.
If you already understand aperture but struggle with autofocus, we don't need to spend half the session reviewing aperture. If you primarily photograph your child's soccer games, we can spend our time working on the camera settings, autofocus techniques, positioning, and anticipation that matter for sports photography.
The session adapts to what you need.
Do I need an expensive camera?
No.
We'll work with the camera you already have and focus on getting the most from the equipment available to you.
If your equipment genuinely limits what you're trying to accomplish, I'll explain why and help you understand what might make sense rather than simply telling you to buy something new.
What kind of camera do I need?
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses provides the most flexibility for learning concepts such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, autofocus, and lens selection.
That said, you're welcome to reach out if you're using a simpler camera. Tell me what you have and what you'd like to learn, and we can determine what makes sense.
Do you only teach Canon cameras?
No.
I personally use Canon equipment, but the fundamentals of photography apply across camera systems.
Menus, controls, and terminology differ between manufacturers, so I may occasionally need to reference your camera's documentation for a specific setting, but the photographic concepts are the same.
Can you teach sports photography?
Yes.
Sports photography is one of my primary areas of experience, particularly soccer.
We can work on shutter speed, autofocus, subject tracking, positioning, anticipating action, lens selection, exposure, composition, and the storytelling side of photographing a match.
Will we actually take photographs during the session?
Whenever possible, yes.
Photography makes much more sense when you can immediately apply what we're discussing. Depending on the subject we're working on, we may spend part of the session photographing outdoors, experimenting with settings, or practicing a particular technique together.
Can you review photographs I've already taken?
Absolutely.
Looking at your existing photographs can be one of the fastest ways to identify what's working, what isn't, and what we should focus on during the session.
You're welcome to bring examples of photographs you like as well as photographs that didn't turn out the way you expected.
Can you help me learn manual mode?
Yes, but manual mode isn't necessarily the goal.
We'll work on understanding exposure and how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affect your photographs. From there, we'll talk about when Manual mode makes sense and when Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or another mode might actually be the better tool.
The goal is to understand your choices, not simply put the camera in Manual because someone told you that's what "real photographers" do.
Can you help me choose a camera or lens?
Yes.
If your primary goal is purchasing your first camera or choosing equipment before you begin learning photography, my camera-buying consultation may be a better starting point.
Equipment questions can also naturally come up during an instruction session.
Do you teach photo editing?
I can help with foundational editing and photography workflow, including working with RAW files, organizing photographs, making basic adjustments, exporting images, and developing a practical workflow.
If you're looking for advanced Photoshop or highly specialized retouching instruction, this probably isn't the right service.
Can I book more than one session?
Absolutely.
There is no required package or course commitment. You can book a single session to solve a particular problem or return for additional sessions as your photography develops.
That can work particularly well because you'll have time between sessions to practice what you've learned and discover new questions.
Planning to work together over several sessions? Multi-session packages are available at a reduced rate.
Where do sessions take place?
The location depends on what you'd like to work on.
We may meet at an agreed-upon public location, work outdoors while photographing, or choose another setting appropriate for the topic.
We'll determine the best location when we discuss what you'd like to learn.
What should I bring?
Bring your camera, the lenses you normally use, charged batteries, and a memory card with available space.
If you have photographs you'd like to review or specific equipment you have questions about, bring those as well.
Most importantly, bring your questions.
How do I get started?
Send me a message with a little information about your photography experience, the camera you're using, what you like to photograph, and what you'd like help with.
From there, we'll decide what makes the most sense to focus on during your session.