“Is this course for me?” is a question we see a lot from people who are thinking about taking our Advanced Photography Course.

And here’s the thing: If you’re shooting in manual mode, it doesn’t matter whether you’re just out of auto or you’ve been in manual for so long you can work your camera with your eyes closed…  if you’re ready for the next steps in your photography, both creatively and technically, it’s for you because we will meet you where you’re at.

That’s the beauty of a course that includes live instructor support all the way. Whatever your questions, whatever your struggles, whatever your learning style, no matter where you are in your learning – we’re there to tailor the answers for you.

And that was one of the biggest takeaways from our course that CLG Advanced Grad Jennifer Magnuson raves about. She said she joined our course with absolutely no idea what she was doing, but she never once felt she didn’t belong in there.

Meet Jennifer

Jennifer lives north of Boston with her three kids and husband. They also share their home with her parents, three dogs, two cats, one guppy, and a bunch of chickens. So life is never boring (I mean, sooo many subjects to capture, a photographer’s dream!). And she gives massive thanks to CLG for – in her words – steering her with her creative passion.

Hooked on the idea of photography

I got into photography by degrees and it all started with Lightroom. The summer of 2019 I was taking pictures on my iPhone and just not loving the way they looked in terms of color, light and saturation, so I downloaded Lightroom on my phone and that is where my path in photography started. With editing.

Shot with my iPhone… I wasn’t happy, I wanted it to pop!

And then that fall I noticed my husband’s Nikon D80 collecting dust and asked him if I could play around with it. I asked my sister who knew how to work a DSLR if she could show me anything and she taught me metering. I brought it on vacation and I took the worst shots ever! I did get a few gems, but just enough to get me hooked! So when we got back I knew I wanted more education.

I liked this photo… but I had no idea why, or how I did it!

I found Click Love Grow doing just a google search for photography classes, and I felt the course was an investment for something I wanted to learn how to do better. So I sent the info over to my photography friend and she said it was ‘the perfect fit” for me and to purchase immediately. SO I did!

Diving in the deep end!

Had I done a bit more research I might have started with the Enthusiast Course first because I had only dabbled in manual mode. Everyone else on the course were already shooting in manual – some were really competent and others were fresh out of the Enthusiast Course… but in true Jennifer fashion I just wanted to jump in head first!

The assignments that I handed in, looking back on them now, I’m horrified by – ha! But all I got at the time was love and encouragement and really helpful feedback.

No overwhelm

I didn’t have any specific goals when I joined, I just wanted to take it all in. A true sponge situation. I wanted to learn anything. And I do think that is the beauty of Click Love Grow – there is so much information given to you, that I still go back and look at lessons and learn more. But it never felt overwhelming at any point.

I literally had no idea what I was doing yet never felt like I shouldn’t be there.

And that’s part of the beauty of Click Love Grow courses and workshops…

They meet you where you’re at, and you get to grow from exactly where you are in your learning.

My favourite lessons

It would be very hard to choose a favourite lesson, but my biggest takeaways were:

High and low key exposures

This module was huge for me because I had a Nikon D80 which is absolutely terrible in low light, so I always stayed away from it due to the limitations of my camera.

But this lesson got me over that and now I can produce beautiful low light photos!

Complementary Colors

This lesson soothed my soul. I love color, and I loved learning about colour theory and how to use it to make my images pop, or communicate a certain feeling.

Editing

I’m a visual learner and I still can remember watching Lou’s editing videos and falling in love with her!

She was literally speaking my language, and gave me the gift of how to perfect what I captured with my camera.

Creative photography projects

I feel an innate push to be my family’s documentarian and doing that while combining it with my creative passion is on account of the instruction and support from Click Love Grow.

It’s also given me the skills the dive into some creative photography projects. I shot a flower series for my daughter Audie for her 4th birthday, and I took that idea and did a session with my son Erik for his recent 6th birthday.

Related: Behind the Scenes of a Flower Portrait Session

I’m also doing a fine art series with Audie for a self portraits project loop on Instagram. It can be hit or miss, but it’s a work in progress and pushing myself outside my comfort zone with these  projects is a way to keep leveling up my creative artistry.

My girlfriend lost her mama two years ago, and she is doing a grief project which involves dance and using her mama’s old clothes, and dance photographers to capture it. She asked me specifically to capture her in this outfit at this location because she wanted to incorporate my use of color in my images.

Baby Viking Photography

I started my own photography business, Baby Viking Photography, in June 2020 after hearing a video chat with Lou. Someone had asked her “when is a good time to start a business?” and she was like “now! What are you waiting for?”. And I knew right then that it was something I REALLY wanted to do!

Last year was hard with Covid, and investing money into a better computer, camera and lenses. But this year has taken off and I’m doubling my prices for this fall just due to having so many inquiries!

Birth Photographer

Learning with Click Love Grow

After completing the Advanced Course and a handful of their Creative Workshops, the thing I love most about CLG is the community.

There is no support like the support from Click Love Grow.

Also, I honestly believe that the CLG community which has a ‘build while climbing’ culture, has influenced other groups. I had experienced a group in my local area that was very catty. I wanted a group for my local area that has the same positive and supportive culture as CLG, one that happily shares tips and locations and encourages, so I started my own. We are better photographers when we support each other.

Should you join Click Love Grow?

We asked Jennifer what she’d say to anyone who is wondering if they should do one of our photography courses. What did she say? I quote…

OMG do it. Do it. Sign up now. It’s an investment in yourself, in your children, in your legacy. You will 100% not regret it.

Before & After

We love a before and after set of images, as it’s the single best way to show what you can achieve with some guided learning!

Before Click Love Grow Advanced Photography Course

After Click Love Grow Advanced Photography Course

Big thank you to the gorgeous Jennifer for your wonderful words and beautifully bold and playful images! If you want to check out more of her work, you can find her at Baby Viking Photography and on Instagram.

If you’re shooting in manual mode, on our Advanced Photography Course you will develop your creative artistry, refine your skills to shoot with confidence in any scenario, and find your unique style.  Our next course is starting on 27th September… join our wait list to lock in access to our fantastic early bird sale and 3 BONUS trainings!