Advanced Photography Course Customer Stories
As mums, we often hesitate when it comes to investing dollars in our learning, especially when we have no plans to apply that learning to a paid occupation (eg. professional photographer!).
But the thing is, not all investments are about a financial return. Sometimes it’s an investment in yourself, and this was true for CLG Advanced Grad Kirsty Nealon… for this stay at home mum it was about having something for herself… and her sanity!
So today I’m excited to introduce you to Kirsty, an Environmental Scientist and mum to two boys aged 5 and 3. Kirsty told us she hesitated on taking our Advanced Course for 2 years, because like most of us mums, she needed a reason to justify spending on herself. Read on and learn why she ultimately dived in… and why she didn’t regret it for a second!
Meet Kirsty!
I live in the Hunter Valley in NSW with my partner and two crazy boys who are 5 and almost 3. As a family we absolutely love exploring outdoors, and we spend a lot of time camping and travelling some of the more off beaten tracks in Australia. I’m an Environmental Scientist which I loved prior to having the boys, especially as it meant I was outdoors all the time. But now that I only work part time I’m relegated to the office doing the most boringest of boring jobs (which is a big part of the reason why photography has saved my sanity!).
Craving Wow Factor in My Photos
After doing the Enthusiast Course I was confidently shooting in manual mode, and could take a nice photo. But they didn’t have that wow factor that I’d see from other grads the Grads Group who had done the Advanced Course, or from various photographers who I follow on social media. I wanted to be able to take photos of my kids that I’d be really excited to frame and hang on my walls at home.
Justifying the Cost
But it took me 2 years from doing the Enthusiast Course to take the leap and join the Advanced Course. Every time it came around, I seriously contemplated it, but I had a hard time justifying the financial investment because photography is just a hobby for me, and I no longer work full time.
But ultimately I decided I needed to do something that is just for me, because everything I do revolves around the kids. I’ve always loved taking photos, and now it’s my outlet while I’m parenting two crazy humans.
Photography has been a sanity saver for me during the long days looking after the kids.
Also, when the kids are older and don’t want to be my subjects anymore, I can take everything I’ve learned and get back to trying my hand at landscape or macro photography.
Capturing My Kids Everyday Moments with an Artist’s Eye
I had never really been a particularly arty or creative person, but photography really changed that for me.
The Advanced Course taught me to see my kids’ everyday moments with fresh eyes, and it gave me the skills to turn them into art that I love.
It’s my hope that one day they will also love looking at them when they’re older.
Advanced Light Skills (The Game Changer)
I had always been really drawn to dark and moody images but had no understanding of how to achieve them. I never used to take photos indoors, because I always struggled with a lack of light in my dark house, and an old crop sensor that I couldn’t push too far.
But the light module and the high and low key exposures lesson changed everything for me, and hands down was my favourite part of the Advanced Course. I absolutely love finding those little pockets of light in the house now and they are one of my favourite places to grab a photo of the kids.
Pushing My Boundaries
I can now take the type of photos that I always wanted to take prior to doing the course. But rather than just being content with that, its driven me to want to keep learning, and pushing my skills.
Now when I see a particular technique or style, rather than just admiring it and wistfully thinking I wish I could do that… I have the confidence and skills to get the camera out and give it a go. If it doesn’t work, I don’t get bummed, I just go back and keep experimenting.
Critiquing is Invaluable to the Learning Process
I found the in-depth critiquing on the lesson photos absolutely invaluable.
Before the course, I always wished I had someone I could send my photos to, and tell me what works, what doesn’t, and why. For that reason it was the critiquing that really appealed to me about the Advanced Course.
It was amazing to be able to submit as many photos as we liked for critique, and critiquing other student photos helped so much too. I wasn’t too keen on it when we were encouraged to do it in the first lesson, but I quickly discovered you learn so much by looking critically at other people’s photos and analysing the techniques you’ve learned.
Learning with Click Love Grow
I completed a weekend course with another provider several years before I did CLG’s photography course, but it was too much information to absorb in a really short period of time, so I wasn’t able to retain most of it. I’m the kind of person that needs to take in a smaller chunk of information, go out and practice it, and then ask questions. But the format of the weekend course left me with no one to answer my questions.
The CLG course structure enabled me to do one lesson at a time at my own leisure, with access to the Facebook group where instructors are active, answering my questions and providing critiquing on my photos.
I also learned from all the questions and images posted by other students, and having lifetime access to the course material is amazing (I’m looking forward to going back and re-doing the high key lesson of the Advanced Exposures Module).
Being Part of a Supportive Community
Whilst I loved the learning format of the Courses, one of the best things has been the ongoing support through the Grad Groups after you complete each course. It’s so inspiring to see all the beautiful mages posted by fellow Grads every day, and it really pushes me to keep getting my camera out regularly, which cements all that I learned on the Advanced Course.
I also love learning new techniques through the regular challenges in the Grad Groups. All the members are so incredibly supportive, which makes it very encouraging to post your work, even if you have a lack of confidence. It’s a great way to stay in touch with my fellow students, and exciting to watch them grow, particularly those who have now started photography businesses.
Was it Worth the Leap?
It’s funny that as parents we have no hesitation spending money on the kids. I take them to activity after activity, and buy them all the things… but then when it comes to spending money on myself its a different story! But photography is what I love and I’d rather spend money on that than say a gym membership that I’d end up rarely using, and is over in 12 months. Whereas the investment in my learning gives me this knowledge forever.
Yes, it was definitely worth the leap and I have absolutely no regrets!
Big thank you to Kirsty for your words and fantastic photos of your little guys! If you want to see more of Kirsty’s work,
check her out on Instagram!If you’re already shooting in manual mode, on our Advanced Photography Course you will learn to shoot with confidence in any scenario, and push yourself creatively to find and develop your style through intensive 1:1 critique on your work. Our next course is starting soon… join our wait list to get an email when we go on sale!
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