Audra Stanton, Advanced Course grad, chats to us about how the course helped her overcome her frustration at not being able to realise the visions she had in her head for her photos.

“Before starting the Click Love Grow courses I was a very happy snapper, always taking photos (especially of landscapes, nature, travel, food and of course my boys!). I was only using the automatic settings on my camera and I was frustrated that the photo often wasn’t the same as I could “see”.

I started the Enthusiasts Course simply wanting to know why I loved some of my photos and was so disappointed in others and wanting to be able to use all those buttons and dials on my camera. Now I finally understand ­ for me it’s all about composition and light! My “Aha” moment was actually taking a photo of garlic! We were studying High and Low Key photos and I finally grasped the importance of lighting. My photos changed so much once I understood how to use my camera to capture that elusive beautiful light.

I was honestly terrified starting the Advanced Course! I am a very amateur photographer and I was in awe of the standard of so many of the other students but it was a fabulous experience.

The course pushed me far outside my comfort zone and encouraged me to be much more thoughtful and creative in what I was shooting.  I have learnt to wait for the right light, to persist when I know there is a great photo in front of me and to see more of the subtlety and detail in every scene. Louise and Pam are wonderful at guiding and explaining in simple terms the details of the lessons and I was stunned at the amazing support and encouragement of everyone else in the course no matter what standard you start at.

My children would say the best part of the course is understanding how to take those fun photos I couldn’t even contemplate before like this one of my son “catching” the sun.

I still have so much to learn but thanks to the CLG Courses I am so much more confident. I don’t know yet where this renewed passion for photography will lead me but I am loving learning more every time I pick up my camera and I cannot wait to use all this new knowledge next time we travel. This is a favourite recent photo ­ I never would have been able to capture this light before the course! Thanks Louise 🙂 ”