We’re chatting to Emma Shaw today, she’s based in Noosa, Australia and she participated in our maiden course way back in 2014!

Emma was hugely enthusiastic, taking our lessons to her heart and running with her new knowledge.

In fact, Emma was one of many students at the time whose hunger to advance their photography skills as much as possible, led to the birth of our Advanced Course.

Emma has gone on to become a professional photographer, specialising in the big four of life – family, maternity, birth and newborn photography!

 

How did you begin?

I had always had a passion for photography, but really had no idea how to use my camera off the Auto setting.

I absolutely had no clue how to use my camera so I was a complete beginner!

The Click Love Grow courses set me up with the foundations and also ongoing support for my journey from amateur to professional photographer.

 

 

 

What was your favourite Ah-Ha moment in learning photography?

I think the best ‘ah-ha’ moment for me was during the course when I realized I had the exposure triangle down pat, and that it had become second nature to know which settings I needed without having to think too much about it.

What photography goals have you set for yourself?

I had two main goals in my photography. The first was to become a Heartfelt photographer which I’ve now been doing for over 2 years.

My second goal was to become a professional accredited photographer with the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers), and I have also achieved that.

Heartfelt are a dedicated group of professional photographers who volunteer their services to sensitively capture the very precious moments of a family who deliver a stillborn baby, or a baby with life threatening issues.

Heartfelt are invited into the darkest hours of families lives, to leave them with photographic memories to cherish for a lifetime.

What style of photography do you enjoy the most and why do you enjoy it?

For me it is definitely maternity, birth, newborn and family sessions, but my Heartfelt sessions will always top anything else I do.

That type of gift just doesn’t compare to any other images that I’ve captured.

 

Where do you find inspiration?

I attend the Baby Summit Conventions yearly now and this is a huge inspiration both as a photographer and as a business owner.

It is a fully three days of workshops with some of the world’s best birth, newborn and maternity photographers, plus the legal and business side to this industry.

A huge learning moment for me was listening to Portrait Photographer Sue Bryce during the closing of the Australian Baby Summit Conference.

The whole auditorium had tears in our eyes, I learnt to value myself and my craft and back myself and my business.

 

 

Favourite Gear?

My nifty fifty is definitely my go to lens, it performs amazing in low light situations so is perfect for my Heartfelt sessions.

It is great at picking up the tiniest features like fingernails, eyelashes and hairs on the smaller babies.

I regularly use it for my forest maternity shoots also.

Why do you love Click Love Grow?

I love the whole lot!

I went from a complete amateur to a professional photographer thanks to this great course, but the fact that it was so relaxed and welcoming of anyone at all, no matter what your level of knowledge with photography or what camera gear you had, has meant that I’ve made some great friends from the course.

 

BEFORE:

AFTER Click Love Grow Advanced Photography Course:

 

Ready for More?

Thank-you SO much to Emma for sharing her words and lessons with us!

If you’re interested in taking the leap to follow your photography dreams, check out our upcoming Advanced Photography Course!