Thursday 12 November · 10am–1pm · Carluke · £145, light lunch included

Off Auto

A morning to finally get to know your camera

You bought the camera to capture your kids properly. Then it went on auto and stayed there.

This is a relaxed morning for mums, and anyone who just wants to take better pictures of the people they love. No jargon, no pressure, and you don't need to want to be a photographer. We'll sit round my dining table, then head into my studio and the woods near me to practise.

What we'll cover

• Getting your camera off auto and into manual, if your camera allows it
• The exposure triangle, explained so it actually makes sense
• The basics of your camera: the buttons you'll really use
• A practice shoot in my studio and the woods, photographing each other, with me helping you one to one
• Lunch together, looking back at what you shot and answering every question you've got

How the morning runs

9:45 · Arrive, with a cuppa
10:00 · Round the dining table: getting off auto, the exposure triangle and your main settings, plus a wee bit on phones
11:00 · Tea break
11:15 · Practice shoot in the studio and the woods, photographing each other, with me going round everyone
12:15 · Light lunch together, looking at your photos and answering questions
1:00 · Home time

What to wear and bring

• Your camera, with a charged battery and an empty memory card. Or your phone, with some free space.
• Comfy clothes and shoes you don't mind getting muddy, plus a warm layer, as we'll be outside in the woods for part of the morning
• Something you're happy to be photographed in, as you'll be practising on each other

No camera? Come anyway

Ideally you'll have a digital camera, but if you'd rather use your phone, that's absolutely fine. I'll show you how to get the best out of it. Just be aware that most of the morning focuses on digital cameras and how they work.

And afterwards

Two weeks later, we'll have a follow-up Zoom. Send in what you've shot since, and I'll go through it with you.

The details

When: Thursday 12 November, 10am–1pm
Where: my home studio in Carluke. I'll send the full address once you've booked.
Price: £145, including a light lunch and the follow-up Zoom. Let me know about any dietary needs when you book.
To book: a £45 deposit secures your place today. The £100 balance is taken on 5 November.
Places: a small group, with only 8 places