PHOTOGRAPHY
ESSENTIALS
Learn how to make photos you actually love.
A 4-week live online course with weekly assignments, personal feedback, and a small group of like-minded photographers.
Join us for a 4-week live online workshop is designed for beginner photographers who want to go beyond simply taking pictures and learn to create photographs with intention.
DATES:
Wednesday, 1 September, 2026
Wednesday, 7 September, 2026
Wednesday, 14 September, 2026
Wednesday, 21 September, 2026
TIME:
10.00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
LOCATION:
Online
CLASS SIZE:
Limited to 10 students
by the end of this course, you will…
✓ Confidently use your camera in Manual mode.
✓ Understand how to see and use natural light to create powerful photographs.
✓ Know how to compose stronger images.
✓ Create more engaging and meaningful portraits of people.
✓ Develop the habits of observation that help you photograph with greater intention.
✓ Edit your photographs with confidence.
why take this course
Photography Essentials is a practical, live online workshop for people who are new to photography, or who have a camera but never quite feel like they know what they're doing with it.
Over four weeks, you'll learn the fundamentals of photography, put them into practice, and receive personal feedback on your work.
Photography can sometimes feel complicated. This workshop is about demystifying photography and teaching you, in a simple and practical way, the essential skills you need to use your camera with confidence and start taking photos you’re proud of.
Beyond the technical skills, we'll also spend time developing your eye: looking at the work of great photographers, learning to recognise and use different kinds of natural light, finding stronger compositions, and thinking about how photographs can tell stories.
what you’ll be learning each week
(CLICK ON THE + ICONS TO SEE MORE)
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Move beyond Auto mode and take creative control of your camera.
Master the 3 essential camera settings and understand how they work together.
Control exposure and depth of field to achieve the look you want.
Understand when and why to use different lenses, and how focal length changes the perspective and feel of an image.
Build the confidence to focus less on your camera, and more on making meaningful photographs.
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Recognise different types of natural light and learn how to use them to create stronger, more expressive photographs.
Learn the best times of day to shoot, and how to adapt your photography to any lighting conditions.
Explore composition, framing and layering to create photographs with impact and intention.
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Learn practical techniques for creating engaging portraits.
Discover how to create a sense of intimacy and connection in your photographs by using perspective, distance, lens choice, body language and composition intentionally.
Explore how to use the environment, body language, gesture and composition to tell richer visual stories.
Learn how to photograph people with confidence, whether you're capturing family, friends, or strangers in everyday life.
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Follow my step-by-step editing process in Lightroom, from RAW image to finished photograph.
Learn the essential adjustments to transform a good image into a compelling one.
Discover the key Adobe Lightroom tools that will help you edit efficiently while keeping your photographs natural and authentic.
Learn how to avoid common editing mistakes, including over-processing.
Begin developing a consistent editing style that reflects your own photographic vision.
Each week also includes practical assignments designed to help you practice, experiment and build confidence with your camera.
A key part of the workshop is learning from each other. We'll spend time reviewing your work together, where you'll receive constructive feedback and learn from others' work.
You'll also receive downloadable class notes and cheat sheets to keep.
what people are saying
“My favourite part was being able to create my own work and receiving feedback from Marco. I loved the homework he gave us.”
“I loved the tone set by the instructors, Lilo and Marco. They were both very supportive, knowledgeable and kind. The other students saw this and were also supportive to one another.”
“I seriously can’t thank you enough! I’m looking at all my old photos so differently now. You helped me rediscover how fulfilling this creative process can be.”
“Nice diverse group of folks.
Marco was very available and very responsive to providing feedback. His knowledge of the topic was very good.”
your instructor
MARCO SERVENTI
Over the course of my photography career, I've been fortunate to work with clients such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Australian Geographic. My work has also been exhibited in solo exhibitions internationally, including at Head On Photo Festival in Sydney and Photoville in New York.
Like many photographers, my journey has been a mix of self-teaching, formal education, YouTube tutorials and the guidance of generous mentors. But along the way, I realised the biggest breakthroughs didn't come from watching more videos….they always came from practising, sharing my work with others and receiving thoughtful feedback.
That's why I created this live workshop: to create a learning environment where you can build your skills and confidence through hands-on practice, personalised feedback and a supportive community.
what makes this course different?
1. LEARN TOGETHER
Photography is more enjoyable (and you improve faster) when you learn alongside others who share your passion.
2. REAL-TIME FEEDBACK
Receive constructive feedback on your photographs and learn not only from your own work, but from the images and questions of the group.
3. PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS
Between each session you’ll receive assignments designed to help you apply what you've learned.
4. GUIDED LEARNING
With weekly live sessions, you'll stay motivated and make steady progress instead of getting stuck in endless tutorials.
Join us for a 4-week live online workshop is designed for beginner photographers who want to go beyond simply taking pictures and learn to create photographs with intention.
FAQs
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This workshop is designed for beginners and enthusiastic amateurs who want to move beyond Auto mode and gain confidence using their camera. If you're interested in photography, and want to create more thoughtful, intentional images, this course is for you.
No previous photography experience is required.
This course is NOT for advanced or professional photographers and smartphone photographers. This course doesn’t cover flash or nighttime photography. -
You'll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls, a computer with a reliable internet connection to join the live sessions, and Adobe Lightroom for the final session. If you don't already have Lightroom, you can download a free 7-day trial before the class.
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The live classes will be facilitated through Zoom Video Conferencing software (available for free at Zoom.com). You will receive instructions on how to access before the start of the course.
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Alongside the live sessions, you'll receive weekly photography assignments to practise what you've learned. We recommend setting aside at least one hour per week, although the more time you spend photographing, the more you'll get out of the workshop.
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This course is designed to be experienced live, allowing you to get the most out of the group discussions and interactive exercises. However, if you miss a session, a recording will be available so you can catch up at your own pace.
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Plans change, I get it. Here’s how cancellations work: if you cancel more than 25 days before the workshop, you’ll receive a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee. For cancellations between 12 and 25 days before the workshop, you’ll receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 12 days before the workshop are non-refundable.